I. Introduction

Many of us plan and live our daily lives, according to our needs and desires, what we want to do, and what we would like to achieve. We all have different needs and resources, and we also face different challenges. We sometimes have just enough, and other times we have plenty. We sometimes feel well and healthy, and other times we face health challenges. Those challenging experiences require from us the strength from within to face those experiences and overcome them. As people of faith, we are called to draw on our faith in God to meet these situations. Although the disciples and apostles encountered significant challenges, both Christ and Paul encouraged them to remain steadfast in their faith. Let's have a look.

II. Hold onto Your Faith

Both passages describe faith as fundamental to both the Christian experience and to effective Christian leadership. According to Acts Chapter 16 v 1-5, Timothy accompanied Paul on his missionary travels, and through their efforts the churches grew daily in faith and strength. Timothy was also Paul's diplomatic representative in Thessalonica and Corinth. So, Timothy was a close colleague of Paul, and Paul had a deep affection for him. They worked together, preached together and grew the churches together. Paul knew about Timothy's strong faith, which stemmed from his grandmother Lois and mother, Eunice. Paul, who is in prison, sends this message to Timothy to be strong, to keep the faith, and not to be afraid to testify about Christ, who was persecuted and crucified on the cross. He must have a sound teaching of the gospel, and must hold onto his faith, even when facing difficulties. In verse 6 Timothy is instructed to fan into the flame the gift God gave him, which is his ministry for which he was ordained. He must stir the fires, and let the word of God come through, so growth can happen, and souls can come to God. Be strong my brother, he says, and speak the word of God with no fear.

In Luke, the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith after He told them about the nature of sin and that when their brothers and sisters sin, they must rebuke and forgive them. If they sin seven times against them, and asked for forgiveness seven times, they must forgive them. To forgive someone who hurt you, made life difficult for you, is what Christ wants from them. Jesus knew this was not the easiest thing to do but gave that example of forgiveness as something that is part of Christian life. To do this, they asked for more faith. Christ's response is amazing. If they had faith as small as a mustard seed, they would be able to uproot the mulberry tree, which had an extensive root system, and rather difficult to impossible to uproot it, and then be able to plant it in the ocean, which would be even more of an impossible task. If they did that, the mulberry tree would obey them. Elsewhere Jesus used the example of how they would be able to move a mountain, if they had the faith of the small mustard seed. They did not need more faith. They just needed to use a little faith to forgive and to face any difficult challenges.

III. Conclusion

Paul knew what it meant to truly believe and lead a Christian life, overcoming many challenges along the way. He knew what it took to build and grow a church and showed his fellow apostles how to do it. They must fan into the flames that which God gave them, their calling. They all faced obstacles and persecution but persevered through their faith. Each of us is uniquely called to serve both within the church and in our wider communities. We are called to love, to serve, and grow our church. We are called to speak about the good news of Christ wherever we go, and we are called to have faith like a mustard seed, and God will do the rest. God requires from us to trust God in everything, our church, our lives, our health, our finances, and all the storms and challenges we face. But more…we must have faith in God to change circumstances in our lives, our communities, our nation, and this world. Our faith in God will allow God to move the mulberry tree, the mountain and the divisions we encounter, the unforgiving lives we live, and God will heal and reconcile us and bring peace. May God help us to hear the encouraging voice of Christ each time we face enormous challenges. May God help us to hold onto our faith. Amen.