OUTLINE:

Walking By Faith
It takes humility, and faith, to go forward in the commands of the Lord, and to live the supernatural spiritual life He's designed for us.

What the Apostles Lacked
- Understanding (e.g., Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
- Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
- Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
- Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
- Power (e.g., Mt 17:16-17; Jn 20; Ac 1:8)

The Apostles' Struggles
This is for our encouragement as we go forward with Christ one day at a time, as they did. The Lord patiently taught them along the way, as He will do for those of us who follow Him.

Our Struggles
How much faith we lack points to a proportionate lack of humility.

What Do You “See”?
- 2Co 5:7 for we walk by faith, not by sight.
- Jn 20:29 Jesus *said to him, “Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed.”
- Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Walking With God
Walking by faith means you don't need to see where you're going. You trust the Lord. They are indeed opposites. In fact, faith allows us to do the impossible, while sight only looks at what's possible. Mat 19:26

Faith becomes the practical "tie that binds" us to the Holy God of the Universe…and it is 100% a grace gift from Him to His children alone.

A person who lacks faith lacks ability.

Only Faith Enables Love
If you reject His gifts, His grace, then you will lack the ability to love Him back the way He wants us to love Him! You will also lack the ability to love others the way Jesus loves you!

"Lord, Help!"
The apostles were humble enough to realize they needed more faith if they were going to live in the supernatural commands of our Lord. Luk 17:1-6

Only Faith Enables Love
If you reject His gifts, His grace, then you will lack the ability to love Him back the way He wants us to love Him! You will also lack the ability to love others the way Jesus loves you!

Walking In Humility
The person who possesses true faith, and walks by it, is walking humbly before the Lord, attributing any abilities as being received from Him, not from self, lest they might boast wrongly. (2Co 10:12-18)

Faith and Humility
These two concepts are eternally intertwined in the Person of Jesus Christ, our Prototype. It is implied that a person who walks by faith is walking humbly, that each measure of faith exists with a measure of humility.

Faith and Humility
We run to the flesh for solutions that give us a stomach ache... and we miss out on the most amazing meal that was prepared by God with love.

Faith Increases, By Grace
Faith builds upon faith…and even when we prove ourselves faithless at times, God finds a way to mercifully encourage us back into His plan by means of His own faith.  2Ti 2:10-13

God Provides
The beauty of God's plan for we believers is that, while we never lose saving faith, He continues to add to our faith (implies we are lacking). The Apostles were no different.

Mt 16:8
But Jesus, aware of this, said, “You men of little faith, why do you discuss among yourselves that you have no bread?

Walking By Faith
Wherever the Spirit goes or leads, we go, without turning as we go! (i.e. Eze 1:12)

Walking By Faith
...are we listening for the Spirit's direction for our day, and obeying Him without turning to our own ideas?...or are we so locked into our own agenda for the day, that we ignore the Spirit, or we hear Him but push Him aside???

Walking By Faith
...is your heart open to the Spirit's leading each day?...and if so, do you obey when He directs you, without turning to the right or left??

Walking By Faith
When’s the last time you asked God for guidance???

What the Apostles Lacked
Understanding (e.g., Mt 16:15-23; Lk 18:31-34; Ac 1:1-9)
Humility (e.g., Mt 20:20ff; Mk 9:33-35)
Faith (e.g., Mt 16:5-11)
Commitment (e.g., Lk 5:11; 22:31ff)
Power (e.g., Mt 17:16-17; Jn 20; Ac 1:8)

We, Too, Lack Commitment
Just like the apostles, we lack commitment, inversely proportionate to our faith and maturity, throughout our lives.