4 Steps to Achieving an Increase in Faith

**This was orginally a sermon [Original title: Why the Mustard Seed?] and was first given in May of 2005. It has been updated here.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? 10 So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:5-10 ESV, emphasis added)


Continue reading “4 Steps to Achieving an Increase in Faith”

Sermon Sketch | “Between Life and Living”

I wrote this outline on February 19, 2003. I am not sure if I ever shared it in a teaching/preaching setting. However, I wanted to record it for posterity. I have clarified some of the points so that it makes more sense!


Between Life and Living

  • Life is that which we have.
  • Living is that which we do.
  • This is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the Christian experience. Faith in Jesus moves us from just having life to living the life that God has given.

There are two types of life:

1. Physical Life
  • All have creatures that breath have this. There is no purpose. It is merely a fact.
2. Spiritual Life
  • This is better than mere physical life. The question is now that you are a live what will you do? This is where learning how to live comes in.

What is Necessary for living?

1. Purpose
  • Where is it found?
  • For the disciple of Jesus it is found in a relationship with him.

  • Why is it necessary?
  • Without a relationship with Jesus we cannot live up to God’s will and purpose for our lives.

2. Desire
  • How do you get it?
  • Desire comes from experiencing the Gospel’s transforming power. (Romans 1:16)

  • How do you keep it?
  • We keep our desire by reminding ourselves of the Gospel and holding onto the truth that it proclaims–that we are now new creations because of Jesus. (2 Cor. 5:17)

Sermon Sketch | “Boldness is the Need”

I preached this sermon at my dad’s church. They were celebrating the opening of their new church building. We met outside because the fire marshal had not given the church a certificate of occupancy. It was a great service.


Boldness is the Need
Acts 4:13-23, 29-31

1. Confrontation is a sign that God is at work (v. 3)

2. Conflict is the natural result of conviction (v. 18)

3. Continue to show what you have “seen and heard” (v. 19-20)

4. Boldness is the need of the Church (v. 29-31)

  • Courage is the ability to face your fears
  • But… Boldness is courage with a purpose
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