Notes for June 14th Sermon
If we understand and accept that faith is relying on God’s grace to equip us to be God’s people, then this ought to cause us to know that there is nothing that God has called us to do that we can’t accomplish. Churches can grow. They can meet and exceed all its financial obligations. They can provide ministry to the hungry, hurting, and destitute. They can provide quality ministry to it young people. They can expand it support for the work of missions. They can play a part in the conversion of unbelievers to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Churches can do whatever God has called it do if it will obediently trust in the resources of God’s grace.
By the way, churches are made up of people who have given themselves over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Churches may be organizations – but they are primarily organism. Churches may build structures, but they are not merely bricks and mortar, they are people. So when we say that “churches can” we mean that people can – as they express faith in God.
That said, our faith may not seem to be that great. Indeed, at times it may appear weak and insignificant. It may be nothing more than a mustard seed faith—but that’s enough. Jesus said that a tiny little mustard seed could uproot a tree and move a mountain. He also said that a faith the size of a tiny mustard seed was enough to put us in contact with the incomprehensible resources of God’s grace. That’s great news. It means that there is only one thing required of us. Do you know what it is? A mustard seed won’t grow until it is planted. A mustard seed can’t uproot a tree until it is placed in the ground.
But a mustard seed, when planted by the proverbial stream of God’s provisions (see Psalm 1) has what it needs to do what its called to do!
