Advanced faith assessments

What’s missing?
Matthew 17 15

The resurrection is a display of power – yet our lives and ministry don’t reflect this same power. Faith assessments – God’s power in ministry

I.       Ministry activity without empowerment

A.     Christ’s power is manifest to some

(NKJV) Matthew 17 1 … Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. …  Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, … 14 And when they had come to the multitude,

B.     Yet others had no power

(NKJV) Matthew 17 14… a man came to Him, kneeling down to Him and saying, 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 So I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not cure him.”

C.     In spite of their desire

(NKJV) Matthew 17 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”

D.    Problem not with Jesus

(NKJV) Matthew 17 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour.

II.    Ministry activity without faith

A.     Ministry without faith

(NKJV) Matthew 17 17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me.”

1.      The overall problem

2.      In spite of knowing Him

3.      In spite of seeing Him work

4.      With knowledge comes responsibility of faith

B.     Ministry without expectation

(NKJV) Matthew 17 19 …  “Why could we not cast it out? 20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief;

1.      When nothing happened, they expected nothing to happen

2.      Can be too passive – I tried – no big deal – not God’s will

3.      Spurgeon to young preacher – you don’t expect every time you preach for someone to be saved do you? – No – That’s the problem

C.     Ministry without prayer

(NKJV) Matthew 17 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

1.      Faith is active – not fatalistic or passive  - engage

2.      When nothing happens – seek God about it – something should have happened

3.      Intentional dependence on Him

4.      Intentional seeking Him when we don’t see Him at work

5.      Careful requesting – think it through – be specific

D.    Ministry without whole hearted commitment

(NKJV) Matthew 17 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

1.      Denying self to focus on Him / ministry

2.      Not about me but about those I desire to minister to

E.     Ministry without perseverance

(NKJV) Matthew 17 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

1.      Time

2.      Commitment over time

F.     Ministry that confuses

(NKJV) Mark 9 14 And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.

1.      If it is only about religion there is room to argue

2.      Those that needed to know the truth were misled

III. Ministry activity with effectiveness

A.     Only requires a little faith

(NKJV) Matthew 17 20 So Jesus said to them, “… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

1.      Smallest seed the Palestinian garden

2.      Seeds grow

3.      A small amount that can grow

B.     Radical impact can be had by anyone

(NKJV) Matthew 17 20 So Jesus said to them, “… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

C.     Radical impact can be had in anything

(NKJV) Matthew 17 20 So Jesus said to them, “… for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

1.      Ushering / greeting / Sunday School / van driving

D.    But it requires genuine desire for faith  

(NKJV) Mark 9 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”

1.      Must engage

2.      Must expect God to work

IV. Persistent expectation of power in ministry

A.     A person unlikely to have expectations

(NKJV) Matthew 15 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.”

1.      Woman

2.      Gentile

3.      One in need of mercy

B.     Expectation through seemingly being ignored

(NKJV) Matthew 15 23 But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, “Send her away, for she cries out after us.”

1.      Jesus did not appear to even hear

2.      Disciples

C.     Expectation through seeming rejection

(NKJV) Matthew 15 24 But He answered and said, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25 Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me!”

1.      Continued to appeal

2.      Continued to worship

D.    An expectation in face of seeming ridicule

(NKJV) Matthew 15 26 But He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” 27 And she said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.”

1.      Continued to appeal

2.      Submissive appeal

E.     An expectation pursued until it is fulfilled

28 Then Jesus answered and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

F.     An expectation that trusted in her knowledge of Christ

1.      Expectation from character of Christ

a)      Sovereign God / Messiah / Merciful one

2.      Not circumstances

(NKJV) Matthew 15 22 And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David!