These are notes taken from church, February 25, 2004
Matthew 8 (ESV) 23And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. 24And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. 25And they went and woke him, saying, "Save us, Lord; we are perishing." 26And he said to them, "Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?" Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. 27And the men marveled, saying, "What sort of man is this, that even winds and sea obey him?"
“Faith and Doubt”
Doubt is many times very close to faith. A good way to look at it is doubt is the wavering back and forth between faith and unbelief. For instance, see
Mark 9:23-24 (ESV) 23And Jesus said to him, "If you can! All things are possible for one who believes." 24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, "I believe; help my unbelief!"
These are three types of faith the Christian may face/have.
1. A disturbed faith (sort of crisis moments)
(Matthew 11:2) John questioned his faith in Christ while in prison.
a. Our circumstances may cause us to doubt.
b. Delay (or perhaps the incorrect expectation of the fulfillment of God’s plans; second-guessing God.) Also impatience, which is sin.
When your faith is disturbed the honest reaction is to turn immediately to Jesus as John did. It is not wrong to question the Lord when we are confused. Jesus answer to John was the mighty works of God.
Matthew 8 (ESV) 3and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" 4And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me."
(It is also interesting that He quoted Scripture; we have the Word, and It comforts us and increases our faith.) Also, it is good to remember that
Psalm 103 (ESV) 13As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. 14For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.
2. A “doubting” faith
We are saved by grace through faith. We can’t lose our salvation. But sometimes when our faith is strongest we doubt.
Matthew 14:28 Peter walks on the water.
Matthew 14:31 Jesus caught him. There is no time when the Lord will not catch us.
Hebrews 13 (ESV) 5Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."
3. Dynamic faith
Mark 11 (ESV) 22And Jesus answered them, "Have faith in God. 23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
Our faith can accomplish God’s purposes. It honors God and glorifies Him when we believe in faith.