MAT 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

>>As Jesus admonishes against anxiety about the things of this life, He teaches the need for becoming established in the faith to see the faithfulness of our heavenly Father in His tender Fatherly care for all His creatures.

>>Then with special attention on His heavenly bride, the church, He says, "...shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?"

>>When Jesus said in MAT 6:26, "Are ye not much better than they?" He was looking to those who shall indeed reflect the true image of God throughout eternity.

>>When Jesus said, "O ye of little faith," He did not abrade for unbelief! He recognized the existence of true living faith, but in its infancy.

>>As we grow in faith, we grow in our dependency upon our God. Those who are of little faith still are anxious about those things which God has promised to provide.

>>Those who have truly become fathers in grace understand what Jesus said in MAT 18:3-4 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

>>It is those who are still in their infancy in faith who need the admonitions Jesus gives about being anxious about those things we should trust to our heavenly Father's care.

>>It is those who are still in the infancy of their faith who need to be admonished MAT 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

>>There are four places in the New Testament besides our text where Jesus uses the term, "little faith," as a loving rebuke for loosing the single eye concept, letting faith be overcome by circumstances, instead of overcoming circumstances by faith.

>>Jesus uses the term, "little faith," as a loving rebuke for letting faith be overcome by circumstances in MAT 8:24-26 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

>>Jesus uses the term, "little faith," when Peter lost that single eye concept, looking at circumstances instead of Christ in MAT 14:30-31 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

>>Jesus also used the same term as a loving rebuke in MAT 16:6-12 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

>>Jesus' admonition in our text again teaches how the lessor establishes the greater. Little faith sees God's hand in greater things--established faith sees God's hand in the smallest things.

ZEC 4:10 For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.

>>Our text is an exhortation to become established in faith. The apostle Paul admonishes these infants of their need for growth in HEB 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

>>Even though Paul was well established in the faith, and had many and rich experiences, he said of all his attainments, PHI 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

>>Paul never did teach complacency--he was always pressing forward for further maturity in the faith.

PHI 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

>>Little faith is enough to see the mountains of sin, but not enough to see that Sun of righteousness which shall arise over them.

MAL 4:2 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

>>The little faith of the servant of Elisha was enough to see the host that compassed the city, but the established faith of Elisha saw the horses and chariots of fire round about him.

2KI 6:15-17 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

>>Becoming established in Christ is to see the host of Satan encamped about us, yet growing up as the calves of the stall in the faith and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ that we may see that, "...they that be with us are more than they that be with them."

2PE 3:17-18 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

>>Little faith is love in its infancy. Infant love needs to be confirmed often because its hop lies in its feelings. When feelings are warm hope is high, when feelings are cold hope is in despair.

>>Little faith is filled with courage today and discouraged tomorrow.

JAM 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

>>Little faith has its anchor of hope cast in its own ship, i.e., in its feelings and prayers etc., but established faith has its anchor hidden in Christ.

HEB 6:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;

>>In Hebrews eleven the monuments of established faith are listed to urge us on to mature in faith.

>>The established faith of Moses could see over those mountains of earthly pleasure and honor, to see the SUN of RIGHTEOUSNESS with divine healing in His wings.

HEB 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.

>>These monuments of established faith are called to witness to our need to grow in faith by looking unto the faith of Jesus Christ as the author an finisher of our faith.

HEB 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

>>The love of Jesus Christ is unmovable, and He sees those of little faith toiling in rowing in their own strength, and then He comes to them walking upon those very waves.

MAR 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea....

>>When their eyes of faith were opened to see that SUN of righteousness, there was healing in His wings.

50 ....And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

>>Little faith can only see that tumultuous sea, but established faith sees Jesus walking on those waves.

>>Jacob did not see that Joseph was on the throne when he said in GEN 42:36 Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.

>>Jesus' rebuke in our text, to those of little faith is that they focus more on the difficulty than on the deliverer.

MAT 6:30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

>>As faith grows, the anchor of our hope is cast more and more out of self and into Christ, "...both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil."

>>As one's faith i.e., his love for God's will grows, he is building upon the ROCK!

LUK 6:46-49 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

>>David, the man after God's own heart found that his salvation, ye life itself was found in not only hearing, but doing the will of God!

PSA 119:173-176 Let thine hand help me; for I have chosen thy precepts.

174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.

175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me.

176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

>>See how Jesus concludes His exhortation to those of little faith. MAT 6:31-33 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

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