Sermon Recap+ Oct. 5, 2025
- Mario Bolivar
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
In Luke 17:5-10, we encounter a seemingly disjointed passage where the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith. Jesus responds with what appears to be three unrelated statements: about mustard seeds and trees being planted in the sea, about masters and slaves, and about being "worthless slaves" who have only done what they ought to have done.
At first glance, these verses don't seem to connect. But when we look deeper, we discover a profound teaching about the nature and purpose of faith.
What Does It Mean to Have Faith Like a Mustard Seed?
When the disciples ask Jesus to increase their faith, His response is surprising. He doesn't immediately grant their request. Instead, He tells them that faith the size of a mustard seed is enough to command a mulberry tree to be uprooted and planted in the sea.
This imagery appears in other gospels too:
In Matthew 17:19-20, the disciples couldn't cast out a demon, and Jesus tells them it's because of their "little faith." G3639 oligopistos "trusting too little" almost hinting more about maturity than size...
In Mark 4:30-32, Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a mustard seed - the smallest of seeds that grows into the greatest of shrubs, providing shelter for birds. Thinking bigger picture, than a personal things to mold or attain.
The common thread? Faith isn't about quantity. It's about quality and purpose.
Why Do We Want More Faith?
Jesus doesn’t give a straightforward answer to the apostles’ request. Instead, He tells them an extraordinary, almost unbelievable story about a mulberry tree being uprooted and planted in the sea. This made me pause and reflect. These verses aren’t addressed to followers or even ordinary disciples—they are addressed to apostles. You have already been made apostles. Haven’t I already given you enough? Even a tiny amount of faith can make the impossible—a tree planted in the sea—a reality. So why do you ask for more? Haven’t I already equipped you sufficiently?
“Why do you want more faith? To what purpose?” Even a small amount can accomplish the impossible. This question applies to everything good we desire:
Do you want more happiness? Why?
Do you want more freedom? Why?
Do you want more health? Why?
The critical question isn’t about having more—it’s about what we do with what we already have.
The Parable of the Master and Slave: Understanding Our Identity
The seemingly disconnected story about masters and slaves actually reveals something profound about our identity and relationship with God. In the ancient world, slaves who worked in the field wouldn't expect to come in and immediately be served. They would continue their duties by preparing the master's meal. This was the expected order of things.
Jesus turns this worldly wisdom upside down. While acknowledging our position as "slaves" or servants of God, He reminds us that God treats us not as slaves but as friends. At God's table, we're invited to sit and eat not because we've earned it, but because of God's goodness.
Why Faith Must Be Put to Work
Faith is only real when it's put to work. In Matthew, faith is for healing. In Mark, it's for growing the kingdom. In Luke, it's connected to our identity and service. The power of faith isn't in the amount you possess but in how you use it. Rather than memorizing verses to quote and prove points, our faith should drive us to action - to love our neighbors and serve others. As Jesus suggests in the preceding chapter (Luke 16), faithfulness in small things leads to faithfulness in larger matters. Before asking for more, we should examine how we've used what we already have.
Are You Limiting What Your Faith Can Do?
If even the smallest amount of faith can move mountains or plant trees in the sea, perhaps we're limiting ourselves. We often focus on the 10% we don't have rather than using the 90% we do have. The truth is, you don't need to ask for more faith. You need to put to use the faith you already have. The same applies to happiness, love, encouragement, peace, freedom, and everything else you've received.
Life Application
This week, instead of asking God for more faith, focus on using the faith you already have. Here are some questions to reflect on:
What am I doing with the faith I already possess?
Am I using my blessings to bless others, or am I hoarding them for myself?
In what areas of my life am I focusing on what I lack rather than what I have?
How can I put my faith into action this week in a tangible way?
Remember, the purpose of faith is not in having it, but in using it. Count your blessings - they are the beginning of every other blessing. Your small faith, when put to work, can accomplish more than you imagine.
Comments