In the School of Faith: Bible Study
From a study of Charles Stanley
Date: (8/5/14)
Week # 4
SUBJECT: The Grades of Faith:
I No Faith:
Key Passage: Mark 4:35-41
Supporting Scriptures: Romans 14:23;
The disciples were human, and their faith went through a process of development.
No Faith—They lacked it during the storm on the sea (Mark 4:40).
Paul taught the Romans to deal with matters of liberty concerning the eating of meat upon this principle: "But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23).
All Christians must live by this principle: Whatever is not of faith is sin. Does this mean that we can just conjure up what is right and wrong in our own minds based upon personal opinions? Does this mean that there is no divine standard of right and wrong? Certainly not! Romans could be called the epistle of faith. Paul begins and ends the epistle stating that we must be obedient to the faith (Rom. 1:16; 16:26). And throughout the epistle, Paul teaches us that we must walk by faith (Rom. 1:17) and that faith comes by hearing God's word (Rom. 10:17).
Therefore we quickly learn that faith is not based upon mere human wisdom but upon God's word. Peter said: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God" (1 Pet. 4:11). And later he said: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue" (2 Pet. 1:2-3).
Faith comes from hearing God's word in which is revealed everything we need to know about life and godliness. Therefore, Paul said: "But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). And the apostle said: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Tim. 3:16-17).
Now, what does Paul mean by saying, "whatever is not from faith is sin?" The apostle means that we must go to God's word, learn His will, and live according to His will. Thus, we live by faith. And we must be confident that everything we do is according to God's will because he said: "he who doubts is condemned" (Rom. 14:23).
Paul sums up this matter saying: "And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him" (Col. 3:17). And he said: "Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil" (1 Th. 5:21-22).
Now think about yourself. Have you gone to God's word to test the things that you are doing? Are you fully convinced that you are living according to God's will? Are you doing things that might be wrong?
Remember, he who doubts is condemned because whatever is not from faith is sin.
Continue with…………………..
Subject: The Grades of Faith
II Little Faith
Key Passage: Matthew 16:5-10
Supporting Scriptures: Matthew 8:26
Little faith. We see this weak trust in God demonstrated in Matthew 16:5-10. The Pharisees and Sadducees had asked Jesus for signs. This is why He told the disciples, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees" (v. 6). The disciples thought He told them this because they had forgotten to bring food. Christ responded, "You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?" (v. 8). Although the disciples had seen Jesus feed 5,000 people and then 4,000 more (vv. 9-10), they were still concerned about their physical provision. In other words, we have little faith when we are focused only on signs and earthly worries instead of learning the greater spiritual principles God wants to teach us. They were anxious about many things, not always trusting that God would provide (Matt. 6:30).
8:23-27 It is a comfort to those who go down to the sea in ships, and are often in perils there, to reflect that they have a Saviour to trust in and pray to, who knows what it is to be on the water, and to be in storms there. Those who are passing with Christ over the ocean of this world, must expect storms. His human nature, like to ours in everything but sin, was wearied, and he slept at this time to try the faith of his disciples. They, in their fear, came to their Master. Thus is it in a soul; when lusts and temptations are swelling and raging, and God is, as it were, asleep to it, this brings it to the brink of despair. Then it cries for a word from his mouth, Lord Jesus, keep not silence to me, or I am undone. Many that have true faith, are weak in it. Christ's disciples are apt to be disquieted with fears in a stormy day; to torment themselves that things are bad with them, and with dismal thoughts that they will be worse. Great storms of doubt and fear in the soul, under the power of the spirit of bondage, sometimes end in a wonderful calm, created and spoken by the Spirit of adoption. They were astonished. They never saw a storm so turned at once into a perfect calm. He that can do this, can do anything, which encourages confidence and comfort in him, in the most stormy day, within or without, Isaiah 26:4.
Pulpit Commentary:
Verse 26. - And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? (Matthew 6:30, note). The winds and waves were mastering their souls as well as their bodies. Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea. -Rebuked; cf. Psalm 104:7. The words spoken are recorded by St. Mark. And there was a great calm. Corresponding to the "great tempest" (ver. 24). And he saith unto them, why are ye fearful?.... Though they had some faith in him, yet there was a great deal of fear and unbelief, for which Christ blames them, saying, O ye of little faith: See Gill on Matthew 6:30. In Luke, the phrase is, "where is your faith?" what is become of it? You professed but just now to believe in me, is your faith gone already? In Mark it is, "how is it that ye have no faith?" That is, in exercise, their faith was very small, it could hardly be discerned: some faith they had, as appears by their application to him, but it was very little. They had no faith in him, as sleeping, that he could deliver them; but had some little faith in him that he might, could he be awaked out of sleep; and for this Christ blames them; for he, as the eternal God, was as able to save them sleeping as waking.
Then he arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm: being awaked by his disciples, he raises his head from his pillow, stands up, and with a majestic voice, in an authoritative manner, showing some kind of resentment at the wind and sea, as if they had exceeded their commission; and the one had blown, and the other raged too much and too long; he rebukes them in such language as this, "peace, be still"; , as it is in Mark, be silent, hold your peace, stop your mouth, put a bridle on it, as the words used signify; and go on no longer to threaten with shipwreck and loss of lives; upon which the wind ceased, the sea became calm, and the ship moved quietly on. (26) Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?—St. Luke puts the question more strongly: "Where is your faith?" as though it had all drifted away under the pressure of their fears. Yet the word "of little faith" was singularly appropriate. They had not altogether lost their trust in Him, but they had not learnt the lesson of the centurion's faith, and were only at ease when they heard His voice, and saw that He was watching over them.
Rebuked the winds and the sea.—This seems to have been almost, so to say, our Lord's formula in working miracles. The fever (Luke 4:39), the frenzy of the demoniac (Mark 9:25), the tempest, are all treated as if they were hostile and rebel forces that needed to be restrained. St. Mark, with his usual vividness, gives the very words of the rebuke: "Peace, be still"—literally, be dumb, be muzzled, as though the howling wind was a maniac to be gagged and bound.
There was a great calm.—As with the fever in Matthew 8:15, so here, the work was at once instantaneous and complete. There was no after-swell such as is commonly seen for hours after a storm.
Meaning
This is the rebuke levelled at the disciple of Christ, when seeming to doubt his divinity. The phrase is also more widely used to describe any Christian doubter. In a secular setting it may be intended as a humorous jibe when doubting someone's abilities.
Origin
There are several places in the Bible in which this phrase is used with reference to those who demonstrate their lack of faith in Jesus' power to perform miracles. Here is an example from Miles Coverdale's Bible, 1535
Luke 12:27: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Luke 12:28: If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and tomorrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?
In the 17th century, the people that we would now call atheists were called nullfidians. The state of insufficient faith was also of common enough interest to be given a name - petty fidianism.
John Trapp, his Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, 1647, recorded the term:
"O ye of little faith." "Ye petty fidians"; He calleth them not nullifidians.
Reflections:
1. Why are you afraid? The Lord is ever present to us. And in our time of testing he asks the same question
2. Why are you afraid? Have you no faith (Matthew 8:26)?
3. Do you recognize the Lord's presence with you, especially when you meet the storms of adversity, sorrow, and temptation?
Questions:
1. Describe no faith and little faith.
2. What principle all Christians must live by?
3 Paul begins and ends the epistle of Romans stating that we must be obedient to the what?
4. Faith is based upon God's Word and not upon what?
5. Where does faith come from?
6. We see that weak faith demonstrate in Matthew 16:5-10 is called what?
7. Why was Jesus sleeping during the storm in Matthew 8:23-27?
8. In Matthew 8:23-27 what kind of faith did Christ say the disciples have?
9. What is insufficient faith?
10. What does Paul mean by saying, "whatever is not from faith is sin?"
UNWAVERING FAITH: WEEK # 4
In spite of tremendous trials, some people do not waver in their faith. Match these unwavering Bible people with their trails.
Peter (Acts 12:5) a. King's sword
Daniel (Daniel 6:7) b. Childless state
Moses (Exodus 14:21) c. exile on Patmos
John (Revelation 1:9) d. sold into slavery
Noah (Genesis 7:15-18) e. sojourned in a strange country
Sarah (Hebrews 11:11-12 f. beating
Abraham (Hebrews 11:8-9) g. prison
Hosea (Hosea 1:2) h. unfaithful wife
John the Baptist (Mt. 14:10) i. flood
Paul (Acts 21:32) j. Red Sea
Joseph (Genesis 37:28) k. lions' den
Prayer:
Father God, the God of faith, and the God Who honor faith, we came to You in Jesus' name. Asking that You help our unbelief today. We desire to walk by faith and not by sight. Help us not to walk in fear, but trusting You always. The days of the end maybe upon us now, we ask that You would help not to be in despair of what is happening. Our faith is what we live by in You. Little faith or no faith we want no part in it, because God is the only secure we have, and we need more faith to stand in these days. The Word says, when we have done all to stand, stand therefore. Thank You for helping us to stand on Your Word; You are a faithful God to His people. These studies will help us to grow in faith as we use our faith muscle to honor You in all we do. Lord Jesus, increase our faith in your redeeming love and power that we may always recognize your abiding presence with us. Give us courage and strength to face every difficulty, trial, and temptation with trust in your saving help and guiding presence." This we pray in Jesus' Almighty Name, Amen.
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