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Why this is important: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus delivers powerful teachings that resonate through the ages, offering guidance and inspiration to all who seek to follow Him. Among these extreme teachings is a profound passage found in Matthew 21:21-22, where Jesus speaks about the power of faith. This may not be the faith you know from your denomination or theology. It is the faith Jesus expects. Warning: It is extreme.

Let’s delve into this scripture and explore its practical application in the life of a Christian, empowered by the Holy Spirit.

Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.[1]

Matthew 21:21-22 ESV

Note: Mark (11:22-24) describes the same thing this way. “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”

  1. Believe Without Doubting: Jesus declares, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt…” (Matthew 21:21). The first step in applying this teaching is to cultivate unwavering faith in God. This is extreme faith with extreme results. The Holy Spirit enables believers to trust in God’s promises wholeheartedly, without allowing doubts to hinder their confidence. As we surrender to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, He strengthens our faith, helping us overcome uncertainties and fears.
  2. Speak to the Mountains: Jesus continues, “…if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will be done.” (Matthew 21:21). This verse illustrates the authority granted to believers through faith. With the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, we possess the power to speak boldly against obstacles and challenges in our lives. By aligning our words with God’s will and exercising faith-filled declarations, we witness mountains of adversity crumble before us.
  3. Pray with Confidence: Jesus emphasizes the importance of prayer, stating, “…whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Matthew 21:22). The Holy Spirit empowers Christians to approach the throne of grace with boldness and assurance. Through prayer, we commune with God, expressing our deepest desires and trusting in His provision. As we pray in alignment with God’s Word and His will, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us, bringing about miraculous answers to our petitions.
  4. Persist in Faith: Persistence is key to unlocking the full potential of faith. Jesus encourages perseverance, declaring, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Matthew 21:22). The Holy Spirit strengthens our resolve, enabling us to endure trials and tribulations with unwavering faith. Even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges, we continue to trust in God’s promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them in His perfect timing.
  5. Walk in Obedience: Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). As we exercise faith empowered by the Holy Spirit, it must be accompanied by obedience to God’s Word. Our actions align with our beliefs, reflecting the transformative power of faith in our lives. Through obedience, we demonstrate our trust in God’s guidance and surrender to His divine will, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through us to accomplish His purposes.
  6. Celebrate Victories: When we witness the manifestation of God’s promises through our faith-filled prayers, it is essential to acknowledge and celebrate His faithfulness. Each answered prayer becomes a testimony to God’s power and goodness, strengthening our faith and inspiring others to trust in Him. The Holy Spirit fills our hearts with gratitude and joy as we witness His miraculous works unfolding in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Consider this from Vincent Cheung. I think he nails it. Jesus is radical when it comes to faith. Jesus is extreme about the results we will see.

We know what Jesus was like. The issue is which Jesus you want. Will you take the Jesus in the Bible, the one who talks to things and tells you to do the same? Or will you take the Jesus from your theological heritage, or from your denomination? Will you take the real Jesus in history, or the fake Jesus in tradition? Does your favorite theologian believe that you can have what you say by faith, or does he attack the doctrine? If he does not teach it or if he criticizes it, then he does not even have a Christian view of reality. And he is your idol. What does that make you?

Source: The Extreme Faith Teacher | Vincent Cheung

The bottom line:  Matthew 21:21-22 offers profound insights into the practical application of faith in the life of a Christian empowered by the Holy Spirit. As we cultivate unwavering faith, speak boldly against obstacles, pray with confidence, persist in faith, walk in obedience, and celebrate victories, we unleash the transformative power of faith in our lives and experience the abundant blessings God has in store for us. With the Holy Spirit as our guide and source of strength, we can overcome every challenge and walk in the fullness of God’s promises.

This is a worldview issue. What kind of world or reality is this? Is it one in which, if you have faith, under the Messiah Jesus, you can speak to something by faith — something like a blindness, or a river, or a cancer — and it would do what you say? Jesus said this is exactly that kind of world or reality. If you do not agree to this, exactly this, then your worldview is non-Christian at the metaphysical level, at the level of basic reality.

After Jesus said that if you have faith, you can command a tree like he did, and even a mountain (Matthew 21:21), he added, “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” (Matthew 21:22). And after he said that if you believe that whatever you say will happen, and it will happen (Mark 11:23), he added, “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

Thus, the teaching comes under the category of prayer. Then, after he said that “anyone who has faith” will perform the same miracles he did, and even greater miracles (John 14:12), he added, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it” (John 14:13-14). In his own ministry of miracles, before he commanded, “Lazarus, come forth!” he looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41). He said that he did not have to mention this (John 11:42). He did not have to address the Father right then, but he said it for the benefit of the people there. He could have made the command only, and he usually did it that way, but the connection to the Father was assumed (John 14:10-11).

  • Matthew 17:18-20 – And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
  • Luke 17:5-6 – The apostles said to the Master, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 21:21–22.