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The Genuineness of Your Faith

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In the account of Jesus and His disciples caught in a storm on the lake, the disciples' weak faith becomes evident when they panic, assume they are perishing, and wake Jesus with the plea that He does not care. Jesus rebukes them with the question "Where is your faith?" or the parallel statements recorded as "O you of little faith" and "How is it that you have no faith?" This reveals that they possessed the gift of faith yet failed to apply it to the immediate crisis, allowing circumstances to control their emotions rather than exercising trust in God's power and care. Their weak faith still moved them to turn to Jesus instead of remaining in total despair, and this action proved sufficient for Him to intervene by calming the wind and sea, producing the peace they sought despite their failure. The incident illustrates that weak faith does not act automatically or magically but requires deliberate activation through refusal to panic, remembrance of God's promises and character, and application of known truth to the specific situation. Even incomplete faith, when it leads a person to Christ, receives His merciful response rather than rejection, though He may express disappointment and allow trials to test and strengthen it. God permits storms and apparent unconcern to refine such faith, yet He remains sovereign and committed never to leave or forsake His people, ultimately working all things for their good as they persevere in trust.

Faith versus Doubtful Things

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Doubt constitutes a lack of confidence in God's power and will to fulfill His promises, manifesting as uncertainty, distrust, and a suspension of sound judgment that reduces convictions to mere preferences. This weakness in faith places the individual at odds with God, effectively treating His Word as dubious, problematic, or questionable and thereby calling Him a liar. Such doubt undermines the relationship with God and renders one unable to please Him, as Scripture declares that without faith it is impossible to do so. The account of Peter walking on the water illustrates this faltering faith. Peter began with genuine trust, stepping out at Christ's command, yet turned his attention to the wind and waves, became afraid, and began to sink. Christ immediately extended His hand, rebuking him with the words, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" This episode reveals that weak faith does not disappear entirely but wavers when focus shifts from Christ to threatening circumstances; nevertheless, the cry for help demonstrates that a remnant of trust remains. The material develops remedies for such weakness through scriptural principles that regulate conduct in doubtful matters. One must refuse to become enslaved to human desires or external things, recognizing that all things lawful are not necessarily helpful or edifying to oneself or others. Believers are instructed to meditate on whatever is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, pursuing excellence that glorifies God and builds up fellow Christians. These guidelines foster steadfastness amid persecution and trials, where doubts about one's calling may otherwise surface. Ultimately, weak faith grows strong when the eyes remain fixed on Christ as the source of strength, enabling obedience that flows from trust rather than sight. Failures and storms serve to drive the believer closer to God, producing endurance and a deeper confession of His identity as the Son of God.

Faith in the Healer

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We must establish an iron clad trust in God for spiritual matters, including healing, rather than having a misguided trust in self or other human beings.

Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Abraham embodied living by faith. Through perpetually living in a tent, he demonstrated his complete trust and reliance upon God.

How Satan Destroys Faith

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Because we act on what we believe, any affront to our belief system will alter our choices and behavior, placing us on a destructive trajectory.

Faith (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We would like God to instantly gratify our desires. Consequently, we find living by faith difficult; we do not trust that He has things under control.

Avoiding the Ruts of Puny Faith

Sermon by Bill Onisick

When we have severe trials, we can experience a divided mind, exercising a puny faith. Does God find us willing to surrender to Him in all circumstances?

Doors

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Doors serve practical purposes, offering privacy, security, and comfort by keeping out unwanted elements or people while also carrying symbolic weight.

Prayer and Fervency

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Living faith has its roots in fervently, diligently seeking God and His righteousness with intense desire (like a passionate lover) through habitual prayer.

Worry and Seeking the Kingdom

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Worry is a wired-in proclivity of carnal human nature, a response that Satan has programmed in a perpetual state of discontent and distrust in God.

Chosen Instruments of God

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

Paul was chosen, but Ananias was also chosen. Ananias's role was like a Jew living in Nazi Germany, ordered by God to minister to a repentant SS officer.

Seeing the Invisible

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Imagination, coupled by the power of the Holy Spirit, helps us to understand the power and reality of the invisible. Faith as a concept is immaterial.

Avoiding Detrimental Assumptions

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The world's religions have attempted to cast Almighty God into their faulty images, crafting an evil and destructive situational ethics.