@ReadingSpurgeon: Luke 17:5 – The Necessity of Increased Faith (NPSP1S32)
The text of this sermon by C. H. Spurgeon, Luke 17:5 – “And the apostles said unto the Lord, ‘Increase our faith.’” – contains a prayer of the apostles, which he says we all need to take up.
He has 3 headings:
I. The object of their solicitude
“Faith is of the utmost importance to a Christian.”
Why?
Faith is important because we are saved by faith. “Faith is the vital part of salvation. If a man lacks faith, he lacks everything.” Not only are we saved by faith, “all other virtues and graces spring from it.”
Faith is important because Christ thinks much of it. “There are three things in the New Testament which are called precious. One of them, you know, the precious blood of Christ. Another is the exceeding great and precious promises. And faith has the honour of being the third thing.” If Christ thinks so much of faith, ought we not to esteem it most highly?
Faith is important because faith is the only way whereby we can obtain blessings, overcome your enemies, perform our duty, and receive comfort in our troubles.
“Take care of your faith, my friends, for it is very often so weak that it demands all your attention.”
II. The desire of their hearts
Increase our faith in its extent. “Increase my faith, that I may know more, and believe more, and understand Your Word far better.”
Increase our faith in its depth. “Increase ‘the intensity of our faith!'”
III. The person to whom the apostles addressed their prayer
They went to the right person because only faith’s author can increase it.
“Have you little faith? Take it to God and He will turn it into great faith.”
“Sinner! You cannot enter into heaven without faith.”
“God gives faith to those that have none. And as for others, may He increase their faith!”