Faith - Part 1
What do you do when you believe in God, but still wrestle with doubt?
In Faith: Get It. Grow It. Live It., Pastor Nichole Crowley shares an honest, practical message for anyone who wants stronger faith but feels stuck in fear, disappointment, waiting, or uncertainty. If you’ve ever prayed, “I do believe, but I’m struggling,” this will meet you right there.
Wanting stronger faith is not a sign that something is wrong with you. Often, it is the very place where God begins to grow something deeper. At the heart of the sermon are 3 simple but powerful truths:
Every believer receives a seed of faith
That seed is meant to grow
1. Faith grows when we feed it with the Word
2. Strengthen it in God’s presence
3. Exercise it through obedience
It begins with Jesus’ words in Matthew 18, where He points to the humility and trust of a child. Childlike faith does not need to have everything figured out before it trusts. It believes the Father is good, the Father sees, and the Father will provide. From there, she walks through the honest cry of the father in Mark 9: “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!” That prayer becomes a lifeline for anyone who believes in Jesus but still feels the tension of doubt, fear, disappointment, or unanswered prayer.
One of the strongest reminders here is this: If faith feels hard right now, it is not a sign that your faith is failing. She also makes it clear that faith is not just a personality trait; some people naturally seem to have more of than others. It is a gift from God, given to every believer as a seed, and that seed was never meant to stay small. It was meant to be nourished, strengthened, and grown.
This is for anyone who wants deeper trust in God, greater confidence in His character, and real growth in their walk with Christ. If your faith feels small, tired, tangled, or under pressure, don’t give up. Bring what you have to Jesus. The seed He planted in you can still grow.
📖 Scriptures Shared (summarized):
Matthew 18:1-3 Jesus teaches that the humility and trust of little children reflect the kind of faith that belongs in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Mark 9:22-24 A desperate father cries out to Jesus, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief,” showing that honest faith can still be real faith.
Romans 12:3 Every believer has been given a measure of faith by God.
1 Corinthians 12:9 Faith can also operate as a spiritual gift given by the Holy Spirit to strengthen others.
Romans 10:17 Faith grows by hearing the Good News about Christ.
Psalm 73:26, 28 God is the strength of our heart, and it is good to stay near to Him.
James 2:22 Faith and action work together, and obedience helps faith mature.
💡 Key Takeaway: Faith is a gift from God, but it is also something that can grow. Even if your faith feels weak, mixed with doubt, or smaller than you want it to be, God can strengthen it through His Word, His presence, and your obedience.
🎯 Call to Action: Pray this simple prayer this week: “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.” Then take 1 step to grow your faith this week: 1. Read the Word 2. Seek His presence 3. Obey what He is asking you to do
📲 If this encouraged you, share it with someone who needs their faith strengthened. Leave a comment with one thing God is growing in your faith right now.
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