Luke 17:6 And the Lord answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.
	As I stated last week, we are getting close to the heart of God as we delve into His Word, as we ponder and dwell upon it. This week and next week, Lord willing, we will spend much time in the Word of God. We want to see how the Word specifically deals with some of the aspects of this promise of faith in Christ. Please bear with me as we feast together at this tremendous banquet table of God’s Word.
We have spent some time with this verse in consideration of what is the promise of God in Christ Jesus through the faith that indwells us by the Holy Spirit. In Eph 2:8, we read, For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved ( delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 
There is no limit to what God can accomplish in His Omniscient power of Love, Grace, and Mercy. What man sees as utterly impossible, as we have seen represented by the mulberry tree and its so deep roots, is nothing against the power of God’s plan and purpose.
	This is one aspect that we need to have concretely worked into our hearts and minds. There is nothing in heaven or on earth or under the earth that can deny God that which is His intent in Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. No earthly theology, understanding, imagination, or philosophy can ever delineate or contain the breadth of the glorious work of Our Triune God, Lord, Master, Creator, and Savior. It is in faith that we come into the relationship with God that reveals all the wisdom of earth as nothing but foolishness before the Omnipotence of the Lord God Almighty.
Isa 55:8-11 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 
We are faced with the decision to either trust what this world declares as truth or what the Holy Spirit reveals as truth and life in our trust in God. In that simple statement, we have the quandary of the ages of time before us. There is nothing that we can believe in if we do not have faith in Christ. We can delude ourselves into a so called belief system, but those ideas and concepts will quickly erode and dissipate when the trials and the consequences test the validity and value of their existence. 
Jer 23:28+29 The prophet who has a dream, let him tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment]? says the Lord. Is not My word like fire [that consumes all that cannot endure the test]? says the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks in pieces the rock [of most stubborn resistance]? 
Beliefs, not grounded in the faith of Jesus Christ, quickly disintegrate in the storms and tribulations that we face. Faith, no matter on what or on whom it is placed, will be severely and absolutely tested to its very core. Without the power of the Holy Spirit, we will crumble before the onslaughts of these trials.
	1 Cor 1:18-24 For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God. For it is written, I will baffle and render useless and destroy the learning of the learned and the philosophy of the philosophers and the cleverness of the clever and the discernment of the discerning; I will frustrate and nullify [them] and bring [them] to nothing. Where is the wise man (the philosopher)? Where is the scribe (the scholar)? Where is the investigator (the logician, the debater) of this present time and age? Has not God shown up the nonsense and the folly of this world's wisdom? For when the world with all its earthly wisdom failed to perceive and recognize and know God by means of its own philosophy, God in His wisdom was pleased through the foolishness of preaching [salvation, procured by Christ and to be had through Him], to save those who believed (who clung to and trusted in and relied on Him). For while Jews [demandingly] ask for signs and miracles and Greeks pursue philosophy and wisdom, We preach Christ (the Messiah) crucified, [preaching which] to the Jews is a scandal and an offensive stumbling block [that springs a snare or trap], and to the Gentiles it is absurd and utterly unphilosophical nonsense. But to those who are called, whether Jew or Greek …, Christ [is] the Power of God and the Wisdom of God.  
No one can escape the truth of this reality in Christ. Apart from Him and our faith in Him, we are lost. His Word works to  begin that crumbling away of self in this life and it will be completely scourged for the rest of eternity. Jesus Christ Alone is the refuge and the rock in Whom we place our full and unfettered trust, the faith that He works into us. 
Rom 10:8+9 But what does it say? The Word (God's message in Christ) is near you, on your lips and in your heart; that is, the Word (the message, the basis and object) of faith which we preach, Because if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 
This is an aspect that the world cannot grasp with its limited vision of the plan of eternity. The inhabitants of this age are fearful and shocked at the violent tests of faith. They soon see - that earthly faith - in the futility that it is. Christians, those who believe in Christ, those in whom the Holy Spirit is working the faith of Christ, see each test, each trial, each dilemma as but another avenue in which we are enabled to see the salvation of God at work. We do not enjoy the trials and the tribulations, but neither do we tremble at their consequences and outcome. We know that God will be glorified in everything that works to manifest Christ in us. Each shaking of our earthly lives brings forth more and more of the blossoming of Jesus Christ, and the exponential growth of our faith in Him.
	Col 1:3-6 We continually give thanks to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), as we are praying for you, For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus [the leaning of your entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness] and of the love which you [have and show] for all the saints (God's consecrated ones), because of the hope [of experiencing what is] laid up ( reserved and waiting) for you in heaven. Of this [hope] you heard in the past in the message of the truth of the Gospel, Which has come to you. Indeed, in the whole world [that Gospel] is bearing fruit and still is growing [by its own inherent power], even as it has done among yourselves ever since the day you first heard and came to know and understand the grace of God in truth. [You came to know the grace or undeserved favor of God in reality, deeply and clearly and thoroughly, becoming accurately and intimately acquainted with it.]  
One of the commonalities of Christians is the sense that we do not have enough faith. Many Christians seem to be disappointed with the quantity of the faith that they perceive in operation in their lives. We feel that we are so lacking in the trust that should be established in our lives unto our Heavenly Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. In line with this, faith is sometimes seen as a measurement of our growth in Christ, and is often used by others to measure their Christianity against other Christians. What a perversion of the truth of Christ that is! We are not God, with His Omniscience, as to the ones He has loved unto Himself. We have no place judging other Christian’s growth of faith. Only God can reveal, reveal in Christ, the true measure of Christ in each heart and life.
	1 Thess 2:13 And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]. 
	Our concern for more of the faith of Christ is always a valid desire for the working ministry of the Holy Spirit, but it is nothing that we can develop of ourselves. It is a natural growth process in the life of a Christian, just as physical growth is in the development of a child unto adulthood. An understanding of the general process may be enlightening at this point. Charles Spurgeon has published what he calls A lecture for little faith. It gives a sense of what each of us goes through as we walk with God on a daily, developing basis:
 When faith begins it is like a grain of mustard seed, but as the Spirit bedews it with His grace it germinates, begins to spread and becomes a great tree. When faith begins it is --
(1) Simply looking unto Jesus, perhaps through a cloud of doubts, with much dimness of eye.
(2) When faith grows it rises from looking to coming to Christ.
(3) That done, faith lays hold on Christ, sees Him in His excellency, and appropriates Him.
(4) Then it leans on Christ, casting on Him the burden of its sins and cares.
(5) Next, faith puts in a certain claim to all that Christ is, and has wrought.
(6) Lastly, it mounts to full assurance, and out of heaven there is no state more rapturous and blessed. End of Quote
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright (c) 2002 AGES and Biblesoft, Inc.)
There is a maturity of faith that should be evidenced to others as we interact with them in the living witness of Our Lord Jesus Christ on this earth. There are elements of faith that should be part of our lives, that we should have naturally developing in our spiritual beings. Just as exercise and good nutrition are the developing force of the physical growth of our bodies, so is faith the developing force of our spiritual growth. These are not how to’s. They should be the natural source of nourishment to our spiritual development. Again I turn to Spurgeon in what he calls RULES FOR STRENGTHENING LITTLE-FAITH. For the sake of brevity, I will condense his statements from their full length.
If you would have your little faith grow you must --
1. Feed it, by meditation on the Word…
2. Prove the promise… 
3. Associate yourselves with godly and much tried people. Young believers will get their faith much refreshed by talking with well-advanced Christians.
4. Labour to get as much as possible free from self. Live above the praise and censure of self, and wholly on Christ…
5. Many can only get faith increased by great trouble...Great faith must have great trials.
6. Exercise what faith you have...
7. Commune with Christ, then you cannot be unbelieving. When you cannot see Him, then you doubt Him. End of Quote
(from The Biblical Illustrator Copyright (c) 2002 AGES and Biblesoft, Inc.)
In scriptural consideration and as a means of gaining further insight into these strengthening processes of growth, we need to seek after the Holy Spirit to make them an active part of the life that we live on this earth. We will not be able to conclude this examination this evening, but we can make a beginning, spreading forth the Word before us to be pondered, to be enlightened, to be worked unto the fullness of the faith of Christ.
Initially, we need to read and meditate upon and appreciate the Word of God. This is so vital, that in emphasis, we must consider the following scriptural basis for this growth.
1 Peter 1:23-25 You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal origin ( seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, But the Word of the Lord ( divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you.
Heb 4:12+13 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.
Luke 11:28 But He said, Blessed (happy and to be envied) rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey and practice it! 
John 6:63 It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life. 
Rom. 10:17 So faith comes by hearing [what is told], and what is heard comes by the preaching [of the message that came from the lips] of Christ (the Messiah Himself). 
We need to consider the Word of God as Holy and study its depth and breadth with all intensity. To know God is to know His Word. To believe God is to believe His Word. To trust God is to Trust His Word. Scripture is the source of all that is so vital in the growth of our faith. 1 Pet. 2:2+3 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, Since you have [already] tasted the goodness and kindness of the Lord.
The Word is our light and life and we should be treasuring every opportunity to read it, to study it, to trust it, and to allow it to guide our lives as the Holy Spirit opens it in our hearts. Sacred is too Spartan a word to describe Christ, the Son of God, the One revealed as the Word of God.

Second, in our summary, we need to have the active work of God in our lives prove the truth of God’s promises. To see that what He has promised, will take place! 
1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be the Lord, Who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. Not one word has failed of all His good promise which He promised through Moses His servant. 
Concerning Abraham, Rom 4:20+21 No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, Fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and to do what He had promised. 
2 Cor 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes … in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God. 
2 Peter 1:4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature. 
Finally, and with utmost thankfulness, Rom 8:28 We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. Isn’t it so marvelous to know that ALL THINGS, everything works together in God’s plan and purpose of Love.
We still have a number of items to consider concerning the natural development of the faith of Christ in us, but I feel that we have a full plate before us at this time. We need to feast on the Word of God, to let it work His faith into our beings, to nourish us, to bind us in the assurance of His Word. As we consider the Word, consider Christ – the author and finisher of our faith. 
Once more I reiterate from last week, the full power of the Triune Godhead is invested and placed in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In Him, all the fullness of God dwells and works to bring about, through our living and developing gift of faith in Him, the absolute dominion of God. In faith, we offer to God the awe and the reverence that He deserves, with all praise, adoration, honor and glory. His name is exalted above everything for all eternity, in the awesome and limitless and unhindered power of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh as we are told in John 1:14, And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth. 

And the Lord answered, If you had faith (trust and confidence in God) even [so small] like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots, and be planted in the sea, and it would obey you.