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Intro.

1.  Lk. 17:5 - A Christian should desire to see his personal faith grow.

2.  Lk. 17:1-4 - Moral requirements of faith:

  a.  v. 1-2 - Do not lay stumbling-blocks before others.

  b.  v. 3 - Righteousness obligates us to rebuke sin....mercy & love obligate us to forgive.

3.  Lk. 17:5 - Such conduct requires faith ("firm persuasion"; assurance)!

4.  Note: Asked Jesus to increase their faith.....He told them of their responsibility toward God within the context of their faith!

5.  God and man work together to accomplish this growth! - Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Ths. 1:3.

6.  What can we be doing to increase our faith?

I.  HEAR THE WORD OF GOD - Rom. 10:17 (Matt. 7:24-27).

  A.  Welcome God’s Word Into Our Hearts & Lives - 1 Ths. 2:13.

    1.  cf. Bereans - Acts 17:11-12.

    2.  cf. Apostles - Jno. 14:29. Jesus tells us His word so we will believe!  (20:31)

    3.  Bible reading, meditation, classes, sermons, etc. - Increase your faith by increasing your contact with God’s word.

  B.  Hold It Fast & Bear Fruit - Lk. 8:15; Jno. 15:1-8.

    -Can you see the increase (or lack thereof) in your fruit production? God can! - Lk. 13:6-9

II. OBEY THE WORD OF GOD - Jas. 2:14-26.

  A.  Patience Is A Key To Faith - cf. Gal. 6:9. Endurance - Heb. 10:39; 12:1-2; Jas. 1:2-4.

  B.  A Daily Walk In Truth - 2 Cor. 5:7; Gal. 5:7-8 (Jno. 8:31-32).

III.  SERVE OUR MASTER IN ALL THINGS - Lk. 17:7-10; Matt. 25:40.

  A.  Faith Remembers To Do The Master’s Will - v. 7-8; 1 Cor. 15:58 (with diligence, 2 Pet. 1:5).

  B.  Faith Remembers It Is A Servant - v. 9-10.

    -Humble before God and man - cf. Mk. 9:33-37; 10:44-45.

  C.  Faith Remembers Its Unworthiness Before God - v. 10; cf. Psa. 143:2.

IV.  TRUST IN THE POWER OF FAITH - Lk. 17:5-6.

  A.  The Power Of Faith Is The Power Of God! - cf. Heb. 11:30

  B.  The Power Of Faith Will:

    1.  Protect you against sin - Eph. 6:16.

    2.  Overcome the world (evil) - 1 Jno. 5:4.

    3.  Remove anxieties - Matt. 6:30-34 (cf. Psa. 46:1-3).

    4.  Save your soul - Heb. 10:39.

Conclusion

  Phil. 3:12-14 - Our faith will not increase if we are not willing to s-t-r-e-t-c-h ourselves by hearing, obeying, serving & trusting in the power of faith:  live by faith! - 2 Cor. 5:7