So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'”
(Luke 17:6-10)
Jesus was a faith teacher. Everywhere He went He taught faith, and everything that He said contained faith. He taught how faith could be great and He illustrated “little faith.”
All who traveled with Him knew that great faith was pleasing to Jesus.
‘Increase Our Faith’
One day the apostles approached Him and said to Him, “Increase our faith.” They knew that great faith produced great miracles. They knew that great faith pleased Jesus.
Their desire was to please Him and to have great signs and wonders take place at their hands in order for the Lord to be magnified, so they requested, “Increase our faith.” Jesus then gave an explanation of how faith could be increased.
In Luke chapter 17, verse six, Jesus answered them with the illustration of the mustard seed. Jesus said that if they would have the faith of the smallest of seeds, then they could command a mulberry tree to be pulled up by its roots and to be planted in the sea and that it would obey them.
Then Jesus said something we would not expect Him to say. However, it provides us with a fresh look at faith and if we can understand the mystery of this illustration, it can unlock great faith in our lives today. Here’s what Jesus said….
…He told His disciples that if they had a servant who had toiled all day in the field, at the end of the day when the servant entered their house, instead of allowing the servant to eat first, the servant should continue working by preparing a meal for the master. Only after the master was fully satisfied should he even consider preparing his own meal.
Then Jesus said that the servant should not be thanked, nor should he expect to receive thanks for doing the thing he was commanded to do. But instead, he should recognize he is only a servant and was doing what was his duty.
The Duty Of Faith?
Keep in mind this illustration about the servant was Jesus’ reply to the apostles’ request to have their faith increased.
Romans 10:17 says that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. This is how faith comes. After faith arrives, it increases by the believer doing the duty of faith.
What is the duty of faith?
The duty of faith is seeking first His Kingdom, obeying His commands, and putting Him before ourselves in all that we do. We must walk by the Spirit, we must walk in love and not expect to receive thanks for doing our duty.
Then, according to Jesus, our faith will increase.
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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.
Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.
Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.
As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.
Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.
Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.