THE FIVE INGREDIENTS OF FAITH
by Eddie Lawrence

INTRODUCTION- We often talk about taking a step of faith, but actually a step of faith involves several "steps" in order to truly be faith.

TEXT- Luke 5: ¹ So it was, as the multitude pressed about Him to hear the word of God, that He stood by the Lake of Gennesaret, ² and saw two boats standing by the lake; but the fishermen had gone from them and were washing their nets. ³ Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
⁴ When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
⁵ But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” ⁶ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”
⁹ For he and all who were with him were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken; ¹⁰ and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid. From now on you will catch men.” ¹¹ So when they had brought their boats to land, they forsook all and followed Him. (NKJV)

NOTICE THE FIVE INGREDIENTS OF FAITH IN THE ABOVE PASSAGE:

1. KNOWLEDGE

(V5)..nevertheless at Your word…
Simon (Peter) first had to know what Jesus wanted him to do before he did it. He heard Jesus Word.

The first ingredient is knowledge. In order to act upon something, you first have to know about it.

For example, if the local restaurant had a two-for-one special on their Ribeye Steak Dinners, in order for me to get in on it and experience it, and eat one of those dinners, I would first have to know about the offer.

Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17) the Word of God. How can people be saved if they do not hear? This is the question Paul asked the Romans. In other words, people first have to know what God is saying.

2. BELIEF

(V5) But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Notice Peter’s objection at first, we have already done this and caught nothing. In other words, it is hard to believe that there is any reason in the natural to act on what you are saying.

Yet, Peter made the decision to believe what Jesus said. Had he not chosen to place faith in what Jesus said, he would never have let down the nets.

Once a person knows then they must choose whether or not they believe that knowledge is correct. Is it true?

To continue the restaurant illustration, you would not go for a special offer at a restaurant if you did not believe they were having the special offer. You would assume it would be a waste of time. This was Peter’s first thought, but he moved through it and make the choice to believe Jesus word.

3. COMMITMENT

(v5) …nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.”

Notice Peter says, "I will" let down the net. These is an act of his will. He is commiting himself to doing what Jesus said even before he does it.

If a person has decided that they have heard and know about is true, then the next step is whether or not, they will commit to that truth. A person can believe that it is true that the restaurant is offering a two-for-one special on their ribeye steaks, but may not commit to actually taking the step to utilize the offer. They may hear of others who have gone and eaten one of the steak dinners and who share that is wonderfully delicious and a great deal, and still not get one for themselves. In order to fully experience the truth of what they have heard about and believe to be true, they have to commit to it for themselves. In other words, they head toward the restaurant with the full intent of buying.

4. ACTION

(v6) And when they had done this…

Peter actually followed through on his commitment and did it. This is the action part.

This is the step of acted upon a commitment made. To continue the illustration. This is the step of entering the restaurant, ordering and eating the steak.

5. RESULTS

(v6) And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. ⁸ When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

The results of Peter’s step of faith is that he saw in the natural what he had already heard, believed, committed to and acted upon in his spirit and life. He experienced a bunch of benefits:

-A boat load of fish "a great number of fish"
-Enough to share with others "signaled to their partners"
-A deeper revelation of Who Jesus was "fell down at Jesus’ knees" An act of worship.
-A deeper revelation of Who he was "sinful man"
-A powerful public witness "all were astonished"
-A realization of purpose for his life "from now on you will catch men"

This last ingredient is really more of a benefit of faith. The result one receives because he has heard and known, believed, committed to and acted upon what he has heard, and experienced it for himself. This is standing up at the table at the restaurant, rubbing your belly, and being fully satisfied and full because you ordered and ate the two-for-one special. You then walk out and become a witness to what you have experienced to others whom you think would enjoy a ribeye steak dinner at a great price.

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