Setting the Example: Faith

The apostle Paul instructed a young pastor named Timothy “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 ESV 

This is the same instruction the apostle Peter gave. Addressing pastors he wrote “As a fellow elder, I appeal to you: Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don’t lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your own good example.” 1 Peter 5:1-3 NLT

The word example here (τύπος) means “pattern,” or “model,” which is what a pastor ought to be to the flock. While none of us will be a perfect example, the people who attend our church (generally speaking) ought to be able to look at our lives and see what a godly life looks like. And according to Paul, we’re to set the example in at least five areas: speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. And in this post we’re focusing in on setting an example in faith (πιστεύω). 

The Greek English Lexicon of the New Testament defines faith (as used by Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12) as believing to the extent of complete trust and reliance on God. 

The faith journey begins when we trust and rely on God to save us from the penalty for sin. And while this is a wonderful place to start, it’s a terrible place to stop (in terms of trusting and relying on God). Once faith is born, like an infant, God expects it to grow and in time become strong.

If you recall, the disciples’ faith started small. This is why Jesus repeatedly referred to their faith as little.

• When they were worrying about food, drink and clothing Jesus said to them “…if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:30 ESV 
• When they were on the Sea of Galilee and a great storm arose and they were freaking out Jesus said to them “Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?” Matthew 8:26 ESV 
• When the apostle Peter walked on water he began to doubt, and therefore began to sink, and therefore began to freak out. And when he did Jesus said to him “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 ESV 
• Even though Jesus had miraculously provided food for tens of thousands of people, the disciples began worrying about having enough food. So Jesus said to them “O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread?” Matthew 16:8 ESV 
• When the disciples were unable to cast a demon out of a boy and asked Jesus why, Jesus told them “Because of your little faith.” Matthew 17:20 ESV 

Were they saved? Yes, all but Judas. But had they learned to believe to the extent of complete trust and reliance on God? No, not yet. The apostle Peter would eventually (with integrity) be able to charge believers “…be strong in your faith…” (1 Peter 5:9 NLT) but note with me that he wrote this three and a half decades after Jesus’ death and resurrection. So his faith didn’t start this way, it got there in time. And this is the goal for every believer, that the small faith we start with will grow and grow and grow until it becomes strong. 

• When the Jerusalem church needed to find some men to lead the church’s food program for the poor, among others “…they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…” Acts 6:5 ESV 
• Likewise, Barnabas “…was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith.” Acts 11:24 ESV 
• The apostle James speaks of being “…rich in faith…” (James 2:5 ESV) which could be defined as living “…in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:22 ESV), which means living in a perpetual state of strong confidence and deep trust in God. This is to “…walk by faith, not by sight…” 2 Corinthians 5:7 ESV And when we live this way we can join the apostle Paul in saying “…the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God…” Galatians 2:20 ESV

Well, the question begs: How do I grow my faith? I want it to move from little (Matthew 6:30) to much (Acts 6:5), from weak (Romans 14:1) to strong (1 Peter 5:9) but how exactly does this happen? 

Fortunately for us, Scripture is very clear, “…faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 ESV) Faith develops as we read, study and meditate on the Word of God. It’s how faith is born and how faith grows. So if you want to be strong in the faith, you have to be strong in the Word. The psalmist describes the person who will be strong in faith, saying “…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:2 ESV

While reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word is the number one way that we can grow our faith, it can also grow as we remember God’s past faithfulness. 

• In Matthew 16 Jesus said to his disciples,“O you of little faith, why are you discussing among yourselves the fact that you have no bread? ⁹ Do you not yet perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you gathered? ¹⁰ Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you gathered?”Matthew 16:8-10 ESV 
• Jesus is disappointed in their lack of faith because only months earlier – right there in the outskirts of Bethsaida – in the same place they’re at now – there was another bread shortage. In that instance, there were some 25,000 mouths to feed and only 5 loaves of bread. But Jesus miraculously multiplied what they had to the point that not only was everyone fed – but there were 12 baskets of leftovers to boot. 
• And then a short time after this, there was another bread shortage while Jesus and his disciples were ministering in the Gentile region of The Decapolis. In that instance, there were some 20,000 mouths to feed and only 7 loaves of bread. But once again, Jesus miraculously multiplied what they had to the point that not only was every fed – but there were 7 baskets of leftovers. 
• So Jesus is rightly asking his disciples: How is it that you are worrying about us only have one loaf of bread to split between the 13 of us? If I could take 5 loaves and meet the needs of 25,000 people – and if I could take 7 loaves and meet the needs of 20,000 people – don’t you think I can take 1 loaf and meet the needs of 13 people? 
• Had the disciples focused on God’s provision in the past, it would’ve inspired faith in the present. But far from focusing on it, they forgot it, which is why Jesus asked them “…Do you not remember…?” Matthew 16:9 ESV 
• To contextualize this passage, we (the staff of New Day) shouldn’t be worrying about the Agawam location. We should remember how faithfully God provided for the Enfield location and have faith that He will do the same for the Agawam location. If we forget all the ways that He provided then, it’ll be easy to worry about Agawam. But if we intentionally reflect on God’s faithfulness then, it will inspire faith now. 

Now what I’ve described above is how every single disciple of Jesus ought to live. 

1. We ought to trust God for salvation. 
2. Then we ought to read God’s Word and meditate on his past faithfulness so our faith can grow and grow and grow. 
3. Then one day, even if it takes time, God will look down from heaven and see us living a life rich in faith (trusting Him for daily provision (Matthew 6:11), trusting Him when we’re in trouble (Acts 27:25), trusting Him when we’re facing a seemingly insurmountable obstacle (Matthew 17:19-20), trusting Him when we need wisdom (James 1:5), trusting Him when we’re tempted which is what it means to take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16), and trusting Him that He is working all things together for good (Romans 8:28)). 

And what Paul is telling Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12 is that church leaders must lead the way in living the life of faith. We must set the example of being faith-filled, not fear-full. 

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What opportunities exist in this present season (where we’re starting a new location) to demonstrate the life of faith to those we lead?