Taking a Deep Dive into HIS FAITH - THEOLOGICAL INSIGHTS

Standing in Truth by Grace: Testing Our Understanding Against Scripture

INSIGHT 1: “LITTLE FAITH” - FAITH IN SELF VS. FAITH IN CHRIST

The Core Question:

When Jesus rebukes “little faith,” is He referring to:

- NOT how much faith we have

- BUT WHERE our faith is placed - in SELF/humanity vs. in GOD

Examining “Little Faith” Passages in Context

Matthew 6:25-34 - Worry About Provision

Matthew 6:25-30

“For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you? You of little faith!”

ANALYSIS:

- The disciples were worried - trusting in their OWN ability to provide

- They forgot the Father’s faithfulness and provision

- “Little faith” = trusting in SELF to solve problems rather than trusting GOD

- Jesus contrasts: “your heavenly Father feeds them” vs. your worry (self-effort)

Matthew 8:23-27 - Fear in the Storm

Matthew 8:23-26

“When He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered with the waves; but Jesus Himself was asleep. And they came to Him and woke Him, saying, ‘Save us, Lord; we are perishing!’ He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.”

ANALYSIS:

- Jesus was IN THE BOAT with them

- They feared the storm MORE than they trusted Jesus’ presence and power

- “Little faith” = trusting in the CIRCUMSTANCES (what they could see) rather than Christ

- They relied on their OWN assessment of danger instead of Christ’s sovereignty

Matthew 14:22-31 - Peter Walking on Water

Matthew 14:28-31

“Peter said to Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’ And He said, ‘Come!’ And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ‘You of little faith, why did you doubt?’”

ANALYSIS:

- Peter started in faith - stepping out at Christ’s command

- He shifted his focus FROM Jesus TO the wind (circumstances)

- “Little faith” = losing focus on Christ and returning to SELF-assessment

- The moment he trusted his OWN perception (“seeing the wind”), he sank

- He went from Christ-confidence to self-awareness (fear)

Matthew 16:5-12 - Worried About Bread

Matthew 16:5-8

“And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, ‘Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’ They began to discuss this among themselves, saying, ‘He said that because we did not bring any bread.’ But Jesus, aware of this, said, ‘You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?’”

ANALYSIS:

- Just fed 5,000 and 4,000 with miracles

- Yet worried about physical bread

- “Little faith” = forgetting God’s past faithfulness, returning to SELF-reliance

- Discussing AMONG THEMSELVES instead of trusting Christ

THE PATTERN OF “LITTLE FAITH”:

“Little faith” consistently means:

Trusting in SELF rather than God

Focusing on circumstances rather than Christ

Self-assessment of the situation rather than God’s sovereignty

Self-reliance rather than dependence on God

Forgetting God’s faithfulness and provision

Fear based on what WE see rather than who GOD is

“Little faith” is NOT:

- Having a small amount of faith
- Weak faith that needs to grow stronger
- Insufficient faith that needs more effort

“Little faith” IS:

- Misplaced faith - faith in SELF, circumstances, human ability

- Faith in the WRONG object

- Returning to SELF-TRUST instead of GOD-TRUST

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THE CONTRAST: CHRIST’S INFINITE FAITH VS. OUR “LITTLE FAITH”

Christ’s Faith Has NO BOUNDARIES

Hebrews 11:3

“By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.”

John 1:1-3

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”

Colossians 1:16-17

“For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

CHRIST’S FAITH:

- Created ALL THINGS (infinite creative power)

- Holds ALL THINGS together (infinite sustaining power)

- Has NO boundaries

- Is PERFECT and complete

- Never wavers

- Never returns to “self” (because He has NO SELF)

OUR FAITH (when placed in self):

- Can do NOTHING
- Absolutely nothing of eternal value
- Cannot create
- Cannot sustain
- Cannot save
- Is bound by our limitations

Jesus: The Author and Perfecter of Faith

Hebrews 12:2

“fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

CRITICAL TRUTH:

- Jesus is the AUTHOR (originator, source, beginner) of faith

- Jesus is the PERFECTER (completer, finisher) of faith

- He is the ONLY true faith

- All genuine faith comes FROM Him and points TO Him

Galatians 2:20

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Note the phrase: “faith IN the Son of God” - but can also be translated “faith OF the Son of God”

- We live by HIS faith working in us
- Not our own manufactured faith
- His faith living through us

Philippians 3:9

“and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith”

Romans 3:22

“even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction”

Note: Greek can be “faith IN Christ” or “faith OF Christ” - the faith that belongs to Christ

We Are Transformed BY HIS FAITH

Ephesians 2:8

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”

The FAITH itself is a GIFT:

- Not our production
- Not our achievement
- Not our effort
- A GIFT of Himself
- HIS faith given to us

2 Peter 1:1

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ”

We receive:

- The SAME KIND of faith
- Faith that comes from Christ
- Faith that is HIS faith operating in us

Galatians 5:22

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness [or faith]”

Faith/faithfulness is FRUIT of the Spirit:

- Not something we produce
- But something HE produces in us
- The Spirit (of Christ) working faith in us

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THE GIFT: HIS SPIRIT OF TRUTH

The Holy Spirit Teaches Us All Things

John 14:26

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.”

John 16:13

“But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.”

1 John 2:27

“As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for anyone to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him.”

THE GIFT WE RECEIVE:

- Not just information
- Not just doctrine
- But HIMSELF - His Spirit
- The Spirit of TRUTH
- The Spirit of CHRIST
- Who TEACHES us all things
- Who GUIDES us into all truth
- Who brings CHRIST’S FAITH to operate in us

Romans 8:9-11

“However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.”

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CONCLUSION ON INSIGHT 1:

STANDING IN TRUTH:

“LITTLE FAITH” IS:

- Faith placed in SELF
- Faith in human ability/wisdom/effort
- Faith in HUMANITY without God
- Self-reliance, self-assessment, self-trust
- This can do NOTHING of eternal value

CHRIST’S FAITH IS:

- INFINITE - created all things
- BOUNDLESS - sustains all things
- PERFECT - never wavers
- THE ONLY TRUE FAITH
- The faith we receive as a gift

WE ARE CALLED TO:

- Place NO faith in self
- Receive HIS faith as a gift
- Be transformed BY His faith
- Live by the faith OF the Son of God
- Let His Spirit of Truth teach us
- Trust in HIM alone, not ourselves

This is not a hunch - this is TRUTH revealed in Scripture.

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INSIGHT 2: THE HARPAZO (RAPTURE) - WHY ISN’T EVERYONE EXCITED?

Understanding the Harpazo

The Greek word (harpazo) means:

- To snatch away
- To seize
- To catch up
- To take by force (with joy and authority)

Primary Harpazo Passage

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up [HARPAZO] together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.”

The Transformation

1 Corinthians 15:51-54

“Behold, I tell you a mystery; we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’”

WHAT HAPPENS:

- ALL CHANGED - complete transformation
- IN A MOMENT - instantaneous
- TWINKLING OF AN EYE - faster than thought
- From DEATH (flesh) to LIFE (Spirit)
- From mortal to immortal
- From perishable to imperishable
- IN CHRIST - united with Him
- GLORY revealed in us

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EXULTING IN THE HOPE OF THE GLORY OF GOD

What We Receive at the Harpazo

Romans 5:2

“through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 8:18-23

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us… And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.”

AT THE HARPAZO WE RECEIVE:

The GLORY of God - His glory revealed in us

Redemption of our bodies - complete transformation

Adoption as sons - fully manifested

Life-giving spirits - like Christ

Made in the image of God - complete restoration

Witness to His LOVE - demonstrating His goodness

Display of His absolute GOODNESS - to all creation

Restoration of the GLORY of His goodness

Philippians 3:20-21

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

Colossians 3:4

“When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”

1 John 3:2

“Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is.”

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WHY ISN’T EVERYONE EXCITED?

Scripture Reveals Why Many Are NOT Watching or Excited

1. Love of This World

1 John 2:15-17

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.”

2 Timothy 4:10

“for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica”

Those who love THIS world:

- Are not excited to leave it
- Have their treasure here, not in heaven
- Are attached to temporal things
- Do not long for Christ’s appearing

2. Earthly Mindset

Philippians 3:18-19

“For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.”

Colossians 3:1-2

“Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.”

Those with earthly minds:

- Focus on temporal concerns
- Build their kingdom here
- Invest in what will pass away
- Are not looking UP

3. False Security and Complacency

Matthew 24:37-39

“For the coming of the Son of Man will be just like the days of Noah. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and they did not understand until the flood came and took them all away; so will the coming of the Son of Man be.”

Luke 21:34-36

“Be on guard, so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap; for it will come upon all those who dwell on the face of all the earth. But keep on the alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

The complacent:

- Are absorbed in normal life
- Do not recognize the season
- Are not watching
- Will be surprised

4. Scoffers and Mockers

2 Peter 3:3-4

“Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, ’Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.’”

The mockers:

- Deny the promise
- Follow their own desires
- See no urgency
- Mock those who watch

5. Fear and Unpreparedness

1 John 2:28

“Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.”

Those in sin:

- Fear His appearing
- Are unprepared
- Would be ashamed
- Avoid thinking about it

6. Love of Self and Religion

2 Timothy 3:1-5

“But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.”

The self-focused and religious:

- Love themselves more than God
- Have a form of godliness without power
- Love pleasure more than God
- Are not truly His

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WHO SHOULD BE EXCITED?

The Bride Longs for Her Bridegroom

Revelation 22:17

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”

The TRUE BRIDE:

- Says “COME!”
- Longs for His appearing
- Is thirsty for Him
- Has made herself ready

1. Those Who Love His Appearing

2 Timothy 4:8

“in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

REWARD for those who LOVE His appearing

2. Those Eagerly Waiting

Hebrews 9:28

“so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.”

Philippians 3:20

“For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ”

Titus 2:13

“looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus”

3. Those Watching and Alert

Mark 13:33-37

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come… Therefore, be on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming… What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’”

Luke 12:36-37

“Be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that they may immediately open the door to him when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he comes”

4. Those Who Purify Themselves

1 John 3:3

“And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.”

The hope of His coming produces holiness

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THE SEASON: THAT DAY HAS COME

Recognizing the Time

Matthew 24:32-33

“Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near; so, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door.”

Luke 21:28

“But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”

Romans 13:11-12

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed. The night is almost gone, and the day is near. Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

We Are in THAT DAY

1 Thessalonians 5:1-6

“Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, ‘Peace and safety!’ then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”

CRITICAL POINTS:

- THEY (unbelievers) will be surprised
- WE (believers) should NOT be surprised
- We are sons of LIGHT and DAY
- We should be ALERT and SOBER
- We are NOT in darkness

Hebrews 10:25

“not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”

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THE CALL: CRY OUT FOR HIS COMING!

Place NO Faith in Self or Human Self-Governance

Psalm 146:3-5

“Do not trust in princes, In mortal man, in whom there is no salvation. His spirit departs, he returns to the earth; In that very day his thoughts perish. How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, Whose hope is in the LORD his God”

Jeremiah 17:5-7

“Thus says the LORD, ’Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind And makes flesh his strength, And whose heart turns away from the LORD… Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD And whose trust is the LORD.”

Isaiah 2:22

“Stop regarding man, whose breath of life is in his nostrils; For why should he be esteemed?”

NO FAITH IN:

- Human governments
- Self-governance
- Human solutions
- Political saviors
- Human wisdom
- Self-effort

Cry Out for God to SAVE US

Psalm 80:3

“O God, restore us And cause Your face to shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

Psalm 118:25

“O LORD, do save, we beseech You; O LORD, we beseech You, do send prosperity!”

Isaiah 64:1

“Oh, that You would rend the heavens and come down, That the mountains might quake at Your presence”

COME, LORD JESUS, COME!

Revelation 22:20

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

1 Corinthians 16:22

“If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha [Aramaic: “Our Lord, come!”]”

THE BRIDE MUST CRY OUT:

- For her Savior
- For her coming King
- For her Bridegroom
- “COME, LORD JESUS!”

The Last Call Has Been Rung

Matthew 22:1-14 (Parable of the Wedding Feast)

The invitation has been sent
The feast is ready
The call has gone out
“The wedding is ready” (v. 8)

Revelation 19:7-9

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready… Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.”

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CONCLUSION ON INSIGHT 2:

STANDING IN TRUTH

WHY MANY ARE NOT EXCITED:

Love of this world
Earthly mindset
False security and complacency
Scoffing and mocking
Fear and unpreparedness
Love of self and religion

WHO SHOULD BE EXCITED:

Those who LOVE His appearing
Those EAGERLY WAITING
Those WATCHING and alert
Those who PURIFY themselves
The TRUE BRIDE who cries “COME!”

WE ARE IN THAT DAY:

- The season is here
- The signs are evident
- The night is almost gone
- The day is near
- We should be ALERT
- We should LIFT UP our heads
- Our redemption draws near

THE PROPER RESPONSE:

Place NO faith in self or human governance

Cry out for God to SAVE US

Call out: “COME, LORD JESUS, COME!”

The Bride MUST cry out for her Savior and coming King

Exult in the HOPE of the Glory of God

Watch with eager anticipation

Live in holiness because of this hope

This is not a hunch - this is TRUTH revealed in Scripture.

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FINAL SYNTHESIS: BOTH INSIGHTS TOGETHER

The Connection:

NO FAITH IN SELF + TOTAL FAITH IN CHRIST = EAGERLY AWAITING HIS RETURN

When we recognize our “little faith” (faith in self) is worthless

When we receive HIS faith as a gift

When we place ALL our hope in Him alone

When we trust NO human solution or self-governance

THEN we cry out desperately: “COME, LORD JESUS!”

Because:

- We know WE cannot save ourselves
- We know HUMANITY cannot save itself
- We know the world is passing away
- We know HIS coming is our ONLY hope
- We know HE is our redemption, salvation, and glory

The Bride who has NO faith in self:

- Longs desperately for her Bridegroom
- Cries out for His coming
- Is excited about the Harpazo
- Lives watching and waiting
- Exults in the hope of His glory
- Has no attachment to this world
- Knows her citizenship is in heaven

ALL FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

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