Mustard Seed Faith
Growing Strong in the Valley, Not Just on the Mountain
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 17:20 NKJV - So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
OBSERVATION:
Peter, James, and John had just witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. They were walking on cloud nine. They had never felt so close to God as mountain-top experiences often do. They wanted to stay, feeling there was no need to leave. But Jesus knew that true, lasting growth happens in the valley.
Matthew 17:20 NKJV - So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
OBSERVATION:
Peter, James, and John had just witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. They were walking on cloud nine. They had never felt so close to God as mountain-top experiences often do. They wanted to stay, feeling there was no need to leave. But Jesus knew that true, lasting growth happens in the valley.
It is easy to feel Christian in the moment of prayer and meditation; it is easy to feel close to God when the world is shut out. But that is not religion — that is escapism. Real religion is to rise from our knees before God to meet men and the problems of the human situation. – William Barclay.
They encounter a man with a son who is demon-possessed. I prefer to stay on the mountain myself, but Jesus knows what is best. He understands what the disciples and we need for growth. We can learn from the lesson Jesus gave to the disciples.
APPLICATION:
Lesson number one – We can’t do it on our own.
Matthew 17:16 NKJV - "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him."
Their failure, in fact, was good for them. Their failure taught them.
Notice it says that their failure taught them. What did it teach them? Bring them to Jesus.
APPLICATION:
Lesson number one – We can’t do it on our own.
Matthew 17:16 NKJV - "So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him."
Their failure, in fact, was good for them. Their failure taught them.
Notice it says that their failure taught them. What did it teach them? Bring them to Jesus.
- It taught them not to get into a rut of mechanical ministry.
- It taught them the great superiority of Jesus.
- It taught them to wish for the presence of Jesus.
- It taught them to come to Jesus with the problem. – David Guzik.
They were confounded at their want of success-but not at their want of faith, which was the cause of their miscarriage! – Adam Clarke.
Lesson two – Mustard seed faith.
Matthew 17:20 NKJV - So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Little faith can accomplish small things, but great faith can achieve even more. What matters most is what our faith is in — the object and perfecter of our faith – Jesus.
Matthew 17:20 NKJV - So Jesus said to them, "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Little faith can accomplish small things, but great faith can achieve even more. What matters most is what our faith is in — the object and perfecter of our faith – Jesus.
The eye cannot see itself. Did you ever see your own eye? In a mirror you may have done so, but that was only a reflection of it. And you may, in like manner, see the evidence of your faith, but you cannot look at the faith itself. Faith looks away to itself to the object of faith, even to Christ. – Charles Spurgeon.
Daniel 11:32 NKJV - “…The people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.”
Lesson number three – Prayer and fasting.
Matthew 17:21 NKJV - "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
Lesson number three – Prayer and fasting.
Matthew 17:21 NKJV - "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting."
We show our faith in and reliance on God through prayer and fasting. It displays an occupation with and dependence on Jesus.
Great prayer and fasting also display earnestness before God that brings answers to prayer. We often pray dispassionately, almost asking God to care about things we care little or nothing about.
Prayer and fasting demonstrate:
Great willingness to identify with the afflicted person.
Great appreciation of the strength of the demonic world.
Great dependence upon God.
Great desire to fight and sacrifice for the sake of deliverance. – David Guzik
Great prayer and fasting also display earnestness before God that brings answers to prayer. We often pray dispassionately, almost asking God to care about things we care little or nothing about.
Prayer and fasting demonstrate:
Great willingness to identify with the afflicted person.
Great appreciation of the strength of the demonic world.
Great dependence upon God.
Great desire to fight and sacrifice for the sake of deliverance. – David Guzik
He that would overcome the devil in certain instances must first overcome heaven by prayer, and conquer himself by self-denial. – Charles Spurgeon.
PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to draw closer to You not only on the mountain top but also in the valley. Help me turn to You in every situation. Guide others toward You and teach me to rely on You through prayer and fasting, recognizing that I need it more often. May these practices never become just rituals, but always be a source of strength and a reminder of my dependence on You.
Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to draw closer to You not only on the mountain top but also in the valley. Help me turn to You in every situation. Guide others toward You and teach me to rely on You through prayer and fasting, recognizing that I need it more often. May these practices never become just rituals, but always be a source of strength and a reminder of my dependence on You.
Mustard seed faith, trust in a God who is bigger, who CAN move mountains, can move in me!
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