Now the first thing we must understand is; a. This was a request that their existing faith might be increased. b. Rather than a prayer for faith, as some men today would have this phrase mean.   Increase defined: a. To become greater, b. To grow or augment.

   Faith carries with it the idea; a. Taking hold on God, b. Taking hold on Christ and the Holy Spirit, c. Believing in their promises with all my heart, mind and strength! d. Taking God at His word. So we can see by this request of our Lord's disciples that, faith can be increased.

   Not only is this so, but it is equally true that faith is increased in the same manner in which it was derived in the first place. (Rom. 10:17); --- "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ".

   You see; --- In requesting that their faith might be increased, these disciples were actually asking Jesus to teach  them more (that an increase of their faith might materialize). 

   So one point I wish to get across is that the request of the disciples should be oursentiment and desire; --- Lord, increase our faith!

   When the Lord's commandments appear difficult and hard to bare; --- Rather than showing a spirit of "giving up" or "rebellion", we should follow the example of these disciples of old; Of having a deep burning passion that our faith might increase (grow stronger) that we might be obedient in all things.

   Most Christians are painfully aware of their lack of faith. Unfortunately, some are indifferent and unconcerned. They really see no need of more faith; --- Reason being, is that their spiritual-mindedness has become superficial and shallow.  They are honestly blinded to the fact they need to draw closer to God. They're in a spiritual rut and are fully content in their indifference and unconcern. Some of us need to awake out of our sleep!

   Then on the other hand, I'm so thankful before God and rejoice over the knowledge that there are yet so many who I'm persuaded do have an avid interest in increasing their faith and growing strong in the Lord and the power of His might.

   So, with these thoughts to build on, let's pose the question: --- WHY? Why should Christians desire to increase their faith?

1. TO HOLD WHAT WE HAVE:

   This is as good of place as any to apply God's Law of Dis-Use; Namely, if you fail to increase, you will soon be decreasing!

   As you might recall, Jesus referred to this "Law" as one of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven. (Mt. 13:12); --- "For whoever has, to him more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him."

   Of course Jesus was speaking primarily about talents or financial stewardship, but one of the spiritual applications we are to glean from this "mystery", this "Law of dis-use" is precisely this; The greatest assurance you have of retaining and strengthening whatever faith you presently have; --- is by adding to it!!

   And whenever one gets to the point that one is comfortable; --- And says; "I'm strong enough spiritually!"  Watch out, Jesus says you'll lose what you have!!

   This is why Paul warned Timothy; (1 Tim. 1:18-20) "you fight the good fight,---19keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme."

   Actually, we really can't "hold" what we have, spiritually speaking; --- we can hold truth/salvation, but not faith. WHY?  Simply because you're either adding to your faith; or you're in the process of losing it.

    Another good reason why I should strive daily to increase my faith, is so that I might:

2. REMAIN TRUE:  Remain true to the faith and to the commandments of the Lord.

   Think about this; - The very root of faithlessness sprouts forth from the seed of indifference! And so it's only reasonable to assume that those who are steadily in the process of increasing their faith; --- are very unlikely to waver from God's abundant truth when the going gets rough, let alone abandon their love for Christ, the brethren and their hope of heaven.

   You see, God's power will protect you and keep you through thick and thin; --- but God's power to protect you is directly proportional to your faith!!  This is why Peter wrote to those Christians who were scattered about --- (1 Pet. 1:3-5); "3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

   In other words; ---The more diligent you're working at increasing/building up your faith through prayerful Bible study, the less susceptible you are to be led down that "primrose path" of sin and error. And the probability of remaining true to the truth that is in Christ Jesus will be multiplied.

   Now, not only does increasing my faith help me to HOLDON to what I have in Christ Jesus;---and REMAIN TRUE always to my Lord; --- But yet another advantage for those strong in the faith, is that they can more easily:

3. FORTIFY OURSELVES:  Against obstacles and problems that will most surely often arise.

   Almost every day, certain events will severely try our faith.  What do you do my friend when your faith is tested and tried, yes, even as by Satan's fire??

   Oh, how many times we have witnessed the sad, sad occasion when some faith-weakened brother or sister "lost it all" when some painful ordeal overshadowed their life in Christ!! They become like some of those houses we see from time to time out in California that crumble and sank into the sea; --- because their foundations were built on unstable ground!!

   My Bible tells me, we know not what tomorrow may bring. (Js. 4:13-15) We have no assurance as to whether it will bring joy or catastrophe, or for that matter if we might even see another tomorrow.

   Mothers and fathers any one of us could be weeping bitterly tomorrow night with the grief that comes from the possibility of some depraved maniac bombing your children's school; ---and your child is one of the maimed or missing or dead!

   Young people, what would you do if when you come home from school and you are met with the terrible shocking news that just a few minutes earlier your mom and dad went out for a quick shoppingtrip, when all of a sudden some alcohol crazed drunk driver came speeding into their lane; --- resulting in perhaps one of your beloved parents lives being snuffed out, just like that; ---and the other maybe not expected to make it through the night?? 

   You say; --- "Earl, you're just being morbid, using 'scare tactics'!" Don't you think for one split moment dear ones that these things can't happen to you. I'm not morbid, I read the news papers and watch TV news every day. It's there  EVERY DAY!!

   My fervent prayer is that you or your family will never have to experience such tragedy; ---But if it does; --- What will you do??  Will your faith crumble?  Will it fail??

   Or will you say with Job of old; --- (Job 23:8-12); "8Behold, I go forward but He is not there,Andbackward, but I cannot perceive Him; 9 When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him.10But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. 11My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside.12I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food."

   In continuing the passage from Peter, we looked at earlier, Peter put it thusly; --- (1 Pet. 1:6-7) "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials,  so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;"

   Death of loved ones, sickness, disappointments and failures in life are all just part and parcel of life here on this earth. And what you and I need to do is to, increase our faith; --- To fortify ourselves in the faith to the extent we will have reserve for such adverse times and NOT charge God foolishly!!

4. You see; a lack of faith produces fear; --- which in turn motivates us to resist or reject the beauty and simplicity of God's commandments which have been designed for our ultimate happiness.

    And as mortal men, we are very prone to limit our faith in an immortal God. Therefore, it becomes much easier to talk about our faith in God and how much we love Him; --- Rather than demonstrate that love and faith by obedience and laboring diligently in the works that God has given us to do.

    May we be reminded of Jesus' response when the apostles asked; "Lord, increase our faith."(Lk. 17:6) Jesus answered; ---"If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you."

    So with just some of the valid reasons WHY we should increase our faith; --- The most logical question would be HOW? --- How may I strengthen my faith?  This is a good question and a question found in the minds of many honest and sincere individuals.

    Individuals who have come to realize the true value of having genuine faith; --- Christians who are acutely aware of the fact that their faith does need to be stronger!!

    Many times I have looked out and have witnessed the lives and examples of others who have consistently demonstrated more and stronger faith than I; --- And seeing the tremendous faith they possess, I find myself desiring to be more like them. So, HOW may one increase one's own faith?  Let's make a few observations:

   And the number one observation is it is NOT done by some miraculous means.

    A. NOT MIRACULOUS

        This seems to be the "band wagon" a lot of folks are jumping onto these days. 

These people are seeking the wind; --- And when they think of "religion", their minds automatically shift into the gears of mystical, miraculous and good feeling!! That's their conception.

    They've allowed themselves to be conned into believing faith can somehow be obtained in a miraculous way; --- So it becomes quite natural that faith may surely be increased in like nature.

Or so they say!!

    I'm here to proclaim to you that nothing could be farther from God's truth!!  And farther more, the answer to this question is so simple, that to some people it is extremely hard to grasp.

    So let me humbly offer to you God's prescription; --- with a warning. And that warning is, if not taken according to directions; --- No results will be promised!!

    And again we pose the question; --- HOW may we increase our faith?

   B. BY FEEDING IT

       You see; --- faith grows in precisely the same way it starts. (NOT miraculously)

Note: Please bear with me, I know we've previously covered this, but it merits repeating. (Rom. 10:17); --- "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ".

     Remember Thomas? Doubting Thomas?  In (Jno. 20:25) Thomas said; --- "Unless I see in His hands the imprint of the nails, and put my finger into the place of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe." 

Then, some eight days later Jesus appeared once again as the disciples were in a locked room; we pick up in (Vs. 27); ---27Then He said to Thomas, "Reach here with your finger, and see My hands; and reach here your hand and put it into My side; and do not be unbelieving, but believing." 28 Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" 29 Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." 

   And in (Vs.30-31) John adds these beautiful words; --- " Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;  but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name."

   Faith comes from hearing; --- life comes from believing the written word of God!!  The word of God is food for our souls and nourishment for our faith!!  And dear friends, the more spiritual food you consume, the more your faith will increase!!  Lord, increase our faith!!

   Remember in (Acts 20) when Paul was about to depart from Miltus to go to Jerusalem, not knowing what his fate would be, he sent for the Epheisian elders and reminded them that he had; "Not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God." (Vs.27)  He had taught and admonished them, and warned them in tears for three long years!!

   Now, in (Vs. 32) We read; --- "And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified."

  He said basically the same thing to the Corinthians; (1 Cor. 3:6) ---"I planted, Apollos watered, but it was God who caused the increase/growth."

   You know, not only are we to maintain a proper diet (right kind and quality of food); --- But of equal importance, our food must be consumed and digested right!!  And proper consumption of spiritual food (manna from above) involves; ---

   a. Persistence --- Continuing firmly and holding fast

   b. Regularity --- Orderly, and systematically in all steadfastness

   c. Liberality --- Generous portions, open-mindedness!!

   Here's where all of us who sometimes tend to "over-do" ourselves at the dinner table; --- Here's where we can really "chow down"; --- make spiritual gluttons out of ourselves, dig in and pile it on!!

   Sometimes we all need our toes stepped on a little bit; --- I know I do in order to get my attention!!  Don't you??   If some of us didn't feed our face more than we feed our faith; maybe we wouldn't have the strength to complain about not receiving joy and contentment from spiritual endeavors as some do!!

   Food for our spiritual health comes from:

a. Reading the word; --- daily private Bible study (Not just read, but read with understanding).

b. Attending services; --- where the word is faithfully preached.

c. Attend Bible classes; --- where the word is informally discussed (by all)

   Remember, if the prescription is to have the proper effect; --- you must follow directions!!

Lord, increase our faith!!  How? --- By FEEDING IT!!

   And I say to you; --- Show me a brother or sister who persistently neglectsdaily Bible study, Neglects attending worship services where the word is preached, and skips Bible classes or does not come prepared;--- Show me one who claims to be a Christian and minimizes the need for such things; --- And I'll show you a poor soul who is virtually starving his faith!!

   But not only do we increase our faith by feeding it; --- but also by;---

   C. EXERCISING IT

     Everyone knows that food without exercise makes for a sluggish, unhealthy body. Exercise is very important; --- But O' how vastly more so in the spiritual realm! 

    Paul instructed young Timothy; (1 Tim. 4:7-8); --- "But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline(NKJV = exercise) yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline(exercise) is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come."

   What are you telling us, Paul? --- If you want your faith to grow/increase, you must feed it and nourish it and cultivate it; --- Give it something productive to do!!

   The beloved apostle Peter had this to say in (1 Pet. 1:25); --- "The word of the Lord abides forever. And this is the word which was preached to you.

   He continues on in (2:1-2); --- "Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation," 

What do little new babies go for most of all?  --- Pure milk, unadulterated milk (no additives)!!

   But I'm afraid too many of God's children want to remain babies all their lives; ---Their growth is stunted; --- they become spiritually retarded!! God's prescription insists that His children be healthy, as well as rich in nourishment and exercise!!

   (Heb. 5:13-14)  The Spirit says; --- "For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed (unskillful) to the word of righteousness, (WHY?) for he is an infant(still just a baby),--- But solid food(strong meat)is for the mature (those who have grown up spiritually), who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil."

   How did they increase their faith?? --- "Who because of practice (exercise) have their senses trained to discern good and evil"!!  That's how!!!

   The Hebrew writer was dealing with some of God's children who had a real problem; --- some were in poor health. However, by the proper exercise and nourishment, they could obtain the ability to develop and grow to the extent of being able to absorb solid food, strong meat that naturally belongs to those who are more mature in the faith!!

   Some need to be ashamed! Some need to repent! --- Some need to learn how to put God to the practical test!!

   You might say; --- "I can't do it!"  "I don't have the time!" "I don't know how!" GOD says; "You stand without excuse!!"  "You can do it, shame on you!"

   "I can do all things through Him, who strengthens me! (Phil. 4:13)

   Jesus said; --- "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you." (Mt. 6:33)  Do you believe this??

   We sing the wonderful hymn; --- 

I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed,

That thou might'st ransomed be, And quickened from the dead;

I gave, I gave My life for thee, --- What hast thou giv'n for Me?

                                                                 Humbly and prayerfully submitted;

                                                                                Earl Wilburn