BIG Faith
Matthew 8:5-13
Part 1 of the BIG faith series by Rev. Bryan L. Carter, Concord Church, Dallas, TX
What is faith?
Faith is believing God for better no matter what your now is. In these verses we get an example of big faith. We use this example to help us get through the problems we have.
BIG faith always races to Jesus for help. The Centurion is a man of significance but he comes to Jesus on behalf of his sick servant. He races to tell Jesus. Faith shows up when you realize how limited we are. We have to run to Jesus. We will run out but Jesus does not.
BIG faith relies totally and fully on Jesus. (V.7-9) Jesus hears the Centurion and heads to his house. The Centurion says that he is not worthy, he humbles himself. Humility is where big faith shows up. When you realize that God has already done enough, you acknowledge that you are not worthy. He had such faith he believed that if Jesus just spoke, his servant would be healed. Jesus location does not matter. Big faith is when you believe it and he hasn't done anything yet.
(V.11-12) the people that look like they have faith will be put out and those that have faith will be in the kingdom. We should always be in awe of God.
BIG faith receives rave reviews from Jesus. The scripture says that Jesus was amazed. How do you amaze Jesus? With faith. Without faith it's impossible...Wow Jesus with your faith. He's amazed when you trust God. V.13- Jesus said that it would be done. BIG faith comes through every time.
Tested Faith
James 1:2-4
Pt. 2 in the Big Faith series by Rev. Bryan L. Carter, Concord Church, Dallas, TX
What do you do when your faith is tested?
When my faith is tested I need to grab ahold of joy. (v.2)
• Joy is a confidence that God is in control of everything for the believer's good and His glory. James says its not a pity party. Joy and happiness are not the same thing. Joy is when you have a faith in God that your trial is for good. Joy does not mean you do not go through pain. After you cry, complain, etc. joy is still there. Count it ALL joy!! Life is a mixture of joy and grief.
When my faith is tested, I need to give God room. (v. 3)
•When I am being tested, I am being refined. Tested means to be refined with no impurities. Just like gold is refined, God will put us in the fire to get rid of the impurities. Like the goldsmith, He has to take us out and check on us. He will not leave us in the fire. There's just some stuff he needs to get off of us i.e. friends, greed, etc. Testing produces perseverance.
•When I persevere, I am successfully carrying a heavy load for a long time. My trials are designed to produce perseverance. the Bible celebrates perseverance.
When my faith is tested, I need to get ready to grow. (v. 4) Let the perseverance finish its work. When it comes to God you can't opt out of a trial. If you don't face it, you will be immature your whole life. Some stuff you just have to hang in there. In the end you will be mature and complete.
Just like the goldsmith that refines the gold who takes the gold out the fire and sees his reflection to know its pure, in the end you will look like Him.
Faith Over Fear
Matthew 8: 23-27
Part 3 of the BIG Faith series by Rev. Bryan L. Carter, Concord Church, Dallas, TX
•While following Jesus, storms can show up suddenly. (v.23-24) while the disciples were on the boat when a severe storm showed up. In our own journey, storms can show up by surprise. Whether it be unemployment, financial, emotional, or family. Jesus was sleeping with the storm was happening. We may feel like Jesus is sleeping during our trials as well.
•When storms come, my worst choice is fear. (v.25-26) Fear overwhelmed the disciples, they began to panic. They decide to wake up Jesus and he questions why they have little faith. Whenever you fear: you've made your problems so big that you've made your God small. You get so consumed with what could happen. The disciples said they were going to drown and die. We always think the worst. But fear is the worst thing to do. Fear is always contagious. We spread it to others. What are you afraid of? God has not given us the spirit of fear. Fear will make you do NOTHING. When Jesus awakes he talks to his people first. He puts their heart in the right place. The storm is big but their faith is too small. The bigger the storm, the bigger the faith you must have.
•When storms come, my best choice is faith. (26b-27). Fear is the worst choice, faith is my best choice. Jesus gets up and rebukes the wind and the waves. They immediately calm. Jesus not only spoke to the storms, he spoke to the side effects of the storms. The wind and waves go completely calm.
Choosing faith is to actively trust in the person that Christ is and not our problems. The disciples needed not to focus on the storm but trust that because Jesus was in their boat they were fine. Jesus said they were going to the other side so they should have known they would make it to the other side.Who is Jesus? We learn who he is by the things that we go through. We know what he can do.
Choosing faith is to actively rest in Christ over my need for control. What should have the disciples done during the storm? They should have slept. We must learn the power of the pillow. Rest in the promises of God. Learn to find peace in whatever he decides to do. "Be still and know that I am God." Sit at the feet of Jesus. Talk to him in prayer. In the end we will say just like disciples and say: What kind of man is this that has saved me?
