"Lord, Teach Us to Pray" Part Three: "Developing Mountain Moving Faith"

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Summary of Message by Pastor Bryan Hudson, D.Min.

“Developing Mountain Moving Faith” Part Three from the series, “Lord, Teach Us to Pray”

Scripture Foundation: Matthew 17:14–21

The message centers on the account of a father who brings his tormented son to Jesus after the disciples failed to heal him. Jesus rebukes the demon, heals the boy, and rebukes His disciples for their unbelief—despite their intentions and prior efforts. He then teaches that “this kind” (of challenge and deliverance) only comes through prayer and fasting.

Main Theme: Faith Must Be Developed to Move Mountains

Dr. Hudson emphasizes that faith is not automatic or instant; it must be cultivated, prepared, and developed over time, just like any skilled profession. This sermon explores how true faith—faith that produces results and moves mountains—develops through process, prayer, fasting, discipline, and refining trials.

Key Points and Lessons

1. Faith Needs Development

• Faith is not a switch to flip but a process to grow.
• The disciples believed they could help the boy but lacked the spiritual development to meet the challenge.
• Just as craftsmen hone their skills over time, believers must grow in faith through experience and learning.

“You don’t start moving mountains. You start moving molehills.”

2. Understanding Unbelief

• Unbelief is not the absence of belief, but the lack of preparedness to meet a spiritual demand.
• Like a trained athlete who stops training and fails despite past success, the disciples failed because they were not ready.
• Unbelief = underdeveloped or unfocused faith.

3. Faith as a Mustard Seed

• Jesus didn’t say “faith the size of” a mustard seed, but “faith as a mustard seed”—meaning faith that grows.
• Mustard seed faith starts small but is planted, nurtured, and grows into something powerful.
• Growth can happen quickly when we are willing to lean into God and walk away from distractions.

4. Two Types of Faith

• Faith (noun): Beliefs, doctrine, lifestyle (Jude 3).
• Faith (verb): Belief in action—obedient steps based on God's Word (Matthew 17:20).

“You cannot have active faith without sound doctrine. Faith comes by hearing the Word.”

5. The Power of Prayer and Fasting

• Prayer and fasting are not about moving God—they move you.
• They shift your attention away from self-centered routines and help you focus on God.
• Fasting is not merely about abstaining from food; it’s about setting aside personal pleasure and self-satisfaction to align with God’s will.

“You can’t focus on yourself and focus on God at the same time.”

6. Hindrance to Faith: Offense and Bitterness

• Harboring offense or bitterness blocks faith development.
• Many offenses are not even sins—just preferences or misunderstandings.
• Scripture (Proverbs 19:11, Matthew 18:15) instructs believers to let go of offense or address it directly if it’s a true sin.

“Don’t let anyone live rent-free in your mind and hinder your faith.”

7. Faith Must Have Corresponding Action (James 2:14–20)

• Faith without works is dead. Words alone are not enough.
• True faith produces change—in your heart, life, and lifestyle.
• Faith is not a transaction, but a lifestyle aligned with the will of God.

“Faith is a habit—a consistent way of living and trusting God.”

8. Faith Will Be Tested by Fire (1 Peter 1:6–7)

• Trials are part of faith development. God uses refining fire to purify and strengthen our faith.
• Gold becomes more valuable after it is tested by fire—and so does genuine faith.

“You won’t burn up. You’ll come out better, stronger, purer.”

Key Quotes and Reflections

• “Faith is developed, not downloaded.”
• “Prayer and fasting don’t move God—they move you.”
• “Unbelief is not disbelief; it’s unpreparedness.”
• “Mountain-moving faith grows through molehill-moving obedience.”
• “Let go of offense—it’s not worth stunting your faith.”

Final Prayer and Exhortation

Dr. Hudson concludes by thanking God for the process of developing faith. He encourages believers to embrace:

• The disciplines of prayer and fasting
• The necessity of letting go of offense
• The value of genuine, tested faith

“Lord, thank You that our faith grows like a mustard seed—from a small beginning to something great and fruitful.”

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