OUTLINE:

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.

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.

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.

Faith Changes Everything
Faith is the vehicle, or the avenue, by which Christ can dwell in our hearts. And the heart is cleansed by faith in Christ; Acts 15:8-9, Eph 3:17. This happens at salvation, by grace through faith, and after salvation we are to guard what we've been given.

Mt 19:26
And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

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!

Jn 15:12
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you."

Lk 6:27-28
“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."

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!

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)

A person who lacks faith lacks ability.

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 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.

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)