The Stages of Faith
This sermon explores the dynamic journey of faith, revealing that trust in God is not a static state but a progression. It offers a framework for understanding where we stand in our belief and how we can deepen our reliance on Him.
This sermon identifies three stages of faith—little, great, and perfect—explaining how believers can grow in their trust in God to experience greater blessings and unwavering peace.
Overview
The sermon opens by establishing that God consistently honors faith in Himself, emphasizing that blessings often align with the proportion of our faith. The preacher notes that while God's grace can provide unexpected blessings, experiencing the 'best of God's blessings' is frequently tied to our expectation and trust in Him. This sets the stage for understanding why increasing one's faith is crucial for navigating life's challenges.
The core of the message introduces three distinct stages of faith: little faith, great faith, and perfect faith. Little faith is characterized as restless and struggling, often focused on obstacles, feelings, and past experiences, rather than God. The preacher uses examples from the Gospels, like the disciples in the storm and the anxious crowd, to illustrate this wavering trust.
Transitioning to great faith, the sermon describes it as knowing God 'can and will' act, being focused on the Father and His promises, and enduring through doubts. Perfect faith, the highest stage, is presented as a state of resting in God, seeing the 'finished work' even before it's visible, and operating on the conviction that God has already acted, simply waiting to observe how He brings it to pass.
Finally, the preacher offers guidance on moving from lower to higher stages of faith. Daily meditation on God's Word and sensitivity to His answers, both big and small, are presented as key practices. This growth builds an unshakable trust, allowing believers to enjoy life's journey with adventurous awareness, confidence, and peace, rather than remaining in restless struggle.
Key points
- God always honors faith in Himself, and blessings are often proportional to our faith in Him.
- The sermon identifies three stages of faith: little faith, great faith, and perfect faith.
- Little faith is restless, struggling, and often focuses on obstacles, feelings, or past failures, exemplified by the disciples in the storm.
- Struggling faith is not a sin unless one gives up and returns to unbelief.
- Great faith knows God 'can and will' act, is God-focused, rooted in His Word, and endures through challenges.
- Perfect faith is resting faith, seeing the 'finished work' of God as already done, even before it is visibly real.
- To grow in faith, one should meditate on God's Word daily and be sensitive to how God answers prayers and operates in life.
Outline
- I. Introduction: God Always Honors Faith in Himself
- A. Blessings are in proportion to our faith
- B. The need to increase our faith
- II. The First Stage: Little Faith (Restless Faith)
- A. Characteristics of little faith
- 1. "I know He can, but I'm not sure He's going to."
- 2. Struggling faith, focused on obstacles
- 3. Influenced by feelings, sights, sounds, past guilt, lack of understanding
- 4. Wavering faith, with a twinge of doubt
- B. Illustrations of little faith
- 1. Disciples in the storm (Matthew 8:23-27)
- 2. Anxiety about provisions (Matthew 6:25-30)
- 3. The father of the demon-possessed boy (Mark 9:19-24)
- C. Struggling faith is not a sin unless given up
- III. The Second Stage: Great Faith
- A. Characteristics of great faith
- 1. "I know He can, and I know He will."
- 2. Focused on the Father, entrenched in God's Word
- 3. Trusts in God's promises, nature, and character
- 4. Endures all obstacles, sees beyond the visible
- IV. The Third Stage: Perfect Faith
- A. Characteristics of perfect faith
- 1. Resting faith, shuts out everything else
- 2. Sees the invisible, God in every facet of life
- 3. "It's done. It's already done."
- 4. Sees the finished work before it's a visible reality
- 5. Operates on the basis that it's already done
- V. How to Grow in Faith
- A. Meditate upon God's Word daily
- B. Be sensitive to how God is answering prayers
- C. Look for the evidence of God in every aspect of life
- D. Enjoy the adventurous awareness, assurance, and peace
Scripture references
23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.
25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.
26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
27 Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
19 He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me.
20 And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming.
21 And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child.
22 And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara’s womb:
20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
Insights
Faith's blessings often reflect our trust in God's character.
Struggling faith marks a beginning, not a personal failure.
God understands our doubts in every circumstance of life.
Questions & answers
What are the three stages of faith described in this sermon?
The sermon describes three stages: 'little faith,' which is restless and struggling; 'great faith,' which is certain God can and will act; and 'perfect faith,' which rests in God's completed work, seeing it as already done.
Is struggling faith a sin according to the preacher?
No, the preacher states that struggling faith is not a sin. It is part of the process, a place where everyone begins. It only becomes problematic if one gives up and reverts to unbelief.
What is the key difference between little faith and great faith?
Little faith acknowledges God's ability but doubts His willingness ('I know He can, but I'm not sure He will'). Great faith, however, believes God both can and will act, being focused on His character and promises.
How does perfect faith view a situation or prayer request?
Perfect faith views it as 'done' or 'already done.' It has the capacity to see the finished work before it becomes a visible reality, resting in the assurance that God will bring it to pass in His timing.
What practical steps are given to grow in faith?
To grow in faith, the sermon advises meditating on God's Word daily to align one's mind with His. It also suggests being sensitive to how God answers all types of prayers and actively looking for His work in every aspect of life.
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Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.