Ever-Increasing Faith
True faith is not about achieving grand results, but about becoming the person God wants us to be.
David Wilkerson emphasizes the disciples' request for increased faith in Luke 17:5, highlighting their confusion and desire for a deeper understanding of faith. He explains that Jesus teaches them the importance of being faithful in small matters before being entrusted with greater responsibilities. True faith is not measured by visible results or grand visions but by the focus and direction of one's life. Wilkerson reminds us that God is more interested in our personal growth and character than in our achievements for Him.
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"The apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith" (Luke 17:5). The men who comprised Christ's close circle were asking something important of their Master. They wanted a greater understanding of the meaning and workings of faith. They were saying, "Lord, what sort of faith do you desire from us? Give us a revelation of the kind that pleases you. We want to grasp faith in its fullest meaning."
On the surface, their request seems commendable. Yet, I believe the disciples asked this of Jesus because they were confused. In the previous chapter, Christ had baffled them, saying, "He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much...If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (16:10-11).
Jesus knew his followers' flesh wanted to avoid what they considered to be the lesser matters of faith. So he told them, "If you're faithful in the little things, the foundational matters of faith, you'll be faithful in the greater things too. So, prove yourself trustworthy in the basic requirements of faith. Otherwise, how can you be trusted with a deeper measure?"
If we are honest, we'll admit we're much like Jesus' disciples. We also want to proceed straight to the larger matters of faith, to obtain the kind of faith that moves mountains. And, like the disciples, we often judge faith by visible results.
True faith, in God's eyes, has nothing to do with the size or amount of a work you aim to accomplish. Rather, it has to do with the focus and direction of your life. You see, God isn't as concerned with your grand vision as he is with who you're becoming.
God is more interested in winning all of me than in my winning all the world for him.
Sermon Outline
- The Disciples' Request for Increased Faith
- The apostles' request in Luke 17:5
- Their desire for a greater understanding of faith
Key Quotes
“True faith, in God's eyes, has nothing to do with the size or amount of a work you aim to accomplish. Rather, it has to do with the focus and direction of your life.” — David Wilkerson
“God is more interested in winning all of me than in my winning all the world for him.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must focus on being faithful in the little things before we can be trusted with greater responsibilities.
- God values our character and spiritual growth more than our grand vision or accomplishments.
- We must prove ourselves trustworthy in the basic requirements of faith before we can experience a deeper measure of faith.