The “Simple Guide” to Miracles
– Chapter 4 –
The Mustard Seed
The Key Of The Mustard Seed
Matthew 7:20 “And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.”
Obviously Jesus starts contrasting something very small, such as a mustard seed, to something very large, a mountain, and something as powerful as moving that mountain.
The interesting thing here is that Jesus is doing more than simply comparing ideas or images. He is helping us understand that we only need faith – regardless of its size – to perform miracles, or better said, so He can perform a miracle through us.
His disciples asked Jesus to “Increase their faith”, but Jesus says, “…for truly I say to you, if you Have Faith…” and this is not a metaphor. But, it is a profound statement. You see, Jesus has always marveled when He found faith among people, because there is so little of it. But, when faith was found to be present, miracles happen.
“Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.”
Luke 8:5 “And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him, 6and saying, “Lord, my servant is lying paralyzed at home, fearfully tormented.” 7Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8But the centurion said, “Lord, I am not worthy for You to come under my roof, but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9“For I also am a man under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled and said to those who were following, “Truly I say to you, I have not found such great faith with anyone in Israel.
“O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.”
Matthew 15:25 “But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed at once.
“Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.”
Luke 5:20 “Seeing their faith, He said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” 22But Jesus, aware of their reasoning, answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23“Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins have been forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24“But, so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,”—He said to the paralytic—“I say to you, get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.” 25Immediately he got up before them, and picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. 26They were all struck with astonishment and began glorifying God; and they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen remarkable things today.”
“Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:48 “Then He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” 49Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” 50And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
“And nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 19:26 “And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Jesus Spoke about faith throughout His time on earth. He taught on faith, He encouraged people to have faith, He marveled at those who had faith and He chastised His own disciples for their lack of faith. So, just how can you and I have the kind of faith Jesus teaches?
The very best example in the Bible, and the model which will “increase our faith” are found in the book of Matthew:
JESUS SENDS HIS TWELVE DISCIPLES
Matthew 10:1 “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
7 “And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
8 “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
9 “Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, 10 or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support. 11 “And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city. 12 “As you enter the house, give it your greeting. 13 “If the house is worthy, give it your blessing of peace. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace. 14 “Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet. 15 “Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.”
Now Jesus’ disciples have walked with Jesus and have heard His teaching and seen His miracles and they have been sent to do His Works. You would expect great faith among His followers, right?
Matthew28:16 “But the eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.“
Do you see that? Jesus’ own disciples who worshiped Him. Yet, “SOME WERE DOUBTFUL.” Doubt is a real faith killer. And, if we were honest, that is the #1 problem for all of us. So, what is the answer?
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus had taught His disciples, He had modeled faith to them and now He sends them. That’s right. Despite their doubt and lack of faith He sends them. HE SEND THEM ANYWAY. And that is the answer. He send us. We are to “GO”, and despite our doubt, we are to go anyway.
And notice, Jesus did not just say, “Go to Church” or go to or conferences or concerts or to Bible college, or seminary”. This is where most of us get hung up.
He tells us, His disciples, to go and make disciples, to baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. He tells us to teach them to observe all that He commanded, and that He would with us until the end of this Age.
ACTION POINT
Now go. Go and…
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Pray and make an opportunity to witness to someone.
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Pray and make a disciple,
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Pray and baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
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Pray and teach them to observe all that He commanded,
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Pray and heal the sick,
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Pray and raise the dead,
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Pray and cleanse the lepers,
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Pray and cast out demons.
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Freely you received, freely give
ANYTHING LESS IS JUST RELIGION
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 “Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 “If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.”
The Key of the Vine The Key of the Mountain
Whitestone Fellowship 