Having Great Faith through God’s Generous Grace 

1. Peter and John’s faith grew phenomenally because they experienced Jesus meeting them where their limited faith was, in order to build it up 

Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

     He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." 

Ultimately, it is not the size of our faith that matters, but Whom we focus the size of that little faith on that really matters! 

Exodus 12:12-13 (NIV)

     "On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. ¹³ The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt. 

2. When we become Christ-conscious and focus on Jesus and see His grace and love, Jesus turns around and sees our faith 

Matthew 9:20-22 (NLT)

     Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, ²¹ for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” ²² Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. 

Matthew 15:28 (NIV)

     Then Jesus answered, "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted." And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 

Luke 7:9 (NIV)

     When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him (the Centurion), and turning to the crowd following him, he said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel." 

A small revelation of Jesus leads to small faith while a big revelation of Jesus leads to great faith 

Be Jesus-conscious, rather than sin-conscious 

OT prophets call our sins to remembrance while NT prophets call our righteousness in Christ into remembrance and into consciousness.  

Whatever we are conscious of, we will produce 

3. Faith comes by realizing and experiencing how much we are loved 

Matthew 17:1-7 (NKJV)

     Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; ² and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. ³ And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. ⁴ Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us^[a] make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 
⁵ While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” ⁶ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. ⁷ But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 

Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

     I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Revelation 2:4-5 (NKJV)

     Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. ⁵ Remember therefore from where you have fallen 

Ephesians 3:17-19 (NIV)

     And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.