"And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching." vs5-6

This is the condition we are in now. The Lord does nothing great among us, because of unbelief. He could take the truth in ten seconds, and do more than us in a thousand years. He could take the truth and do mightily, but we believe not.

What is the origin of unbelief? How does it manifest itself?

First, unbelief results from pride. We trust ourselves, rather than the Lord. We rely on our own greatness and want to be seen. We do not care for people. We want to be right, and we're content with truth… but we don't mind having little impact. We blame everything on the sovereignty of the Lord. We don't take responsibility for spiritual deadness.

Some say that it's God's job to wake the dead, but it's ours also. Ezekiel 37:9 — "Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the Lord GOD: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.”" He doesn't want us speaking and nothing happens. He wants his energy and power.

Secondly, he wants us to acknowledge that unbelief is the problem. He doesn't want us getting off the hook! He doesn't want us blaming others.

Let's not look to society, and say, “They are the reason the gospel is powerless. They are why we see few conversions.” Let us look to ourselves, and say, “It's our own unbelief. It's our own self seeking. It's our reliance upon truth without the Spirit, and trusting human ability. It's our own satisfaction with seeing nothing!” If we BLAMED OURSELVES then it could be remedied. If we turn attention to ourselves, then we can be cured. We blame others for our faults, and there's little healing! We shake our heads at the world!

Let us cry a river for our own unbelief, and blame ourselves before God. Let us believe more, and we'll see more. John 11:40 — "Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?”"

Thirdly, unbelief is unjustified. The great God hears us through prayer. He's ready to act in power! He will not deny us his Spirit! Psalm 119:90 - "Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast.”

Throw out self confidence. Throw it all away. Look no longer to self satisfaction and a “job well done,” while God has not acted upon the assembly. Put no trust in programs and strategies. Don't merely say, “Let's get them under the gospel, and God will act.” Trust God to act, and LOOK for it! Expect it daily. Like Elijah, look for the rain, or keep praying. James 5:18 — "Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." This is believing God. We ought not be content without seeing God's power in the land.

“God must act,” we say. We have no other choice. We can't go on without mighty works.

God will act. If he did not mighty works because of unbelief, then he'll do them by faith. He'll do them because he's faithful to raise the dead. He'll do mighty works because power is in his hands, and he's faithful to break through! He can be called upon to act in our generation. He is alive, and he is not hindered. Unbelievers can't quench faith: A cold world can't freeze a burning church.

Let us give ourselves to this - faith in God. Let us believe and expect. Let us look for his activity. Let him be among us powerfully. The manifest presence of Christ, and the wonder of his nearness must clothe us. Someone Else must be in the building.

If we believe, we'll see his glory. Look to him, and he'll appear.

Finally, faith relies on the finished work of Christ. It is not focused on self. Galatians 3:2 — "Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?" Feelings have nothing to do with it. God says he gives us the Spirit because of his Son, and by faith in him. Let us look to Christ for God to work.