Lesson 7
October 1, 2025
Will He Find Faith on the Earth?
Luke 18:8 (ESV) 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Adapted from Polishing the Pulpit, Branson 2025, presented by Dan Wrinkler
Class Overview
Will He Find Faith on the Earth?
Will He Find Faith on the Earth?
Will He Find Faith on the Earth? (Luke 18:8)
- Jesus' return as the Son of Man is a certain and solemn event that all believers should anticipate.
- Genuine faith is demonstrated through action, as seen in the paralytic's friends, the centurion, and the Canaanite woman.
- Self-righteousness, as exhibited by the Pharisees, focuses on external performance while neglecting internal matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
- Believers must engage in self-examination to ensure their faith is authentic and not just an outward show of religion.
The critical question is not just if we believe, but what kind of heart Jesus sees in us. The call is to cultivate a genuine, heartfelt faith, rather than the self-absorbed, external righteousness of a Pharisee.
The Certainty of Christ's Return
Jesus leaves no doubt about His eventual return. He assures His followers that the Son of Man will come again, an event of solemn significance. As described in Matthew 25, His return will mark a great separation, where the faithful are rewarded and the unfaithful are condemned. This inevitable event frames the urgency of His question: "Will He find faith on the earth?"
Two Kinds of Hearts
Throughout His ministry, Jesus observed two fundamentally different responses to His presence. This is clearly illustrated in Matthew 9:
- A Heart of Faith: Jesus saw genuine faith in the paralytic and his friends, who went to extraordinary lengths to bring him to be healed. He praised the "mega" faith of the Canaanite woman and the extraordinary faith of the centurion, both of whom were Gentiles.
- A Heart of Doubt: In contrast, the scribes and Pharisees harbored evil thoughts, accusing Jesus of blasphemy. Even the apostles demonstrated "little faith" when faced with storms, relying on their own reasoning instead of trusting God.
The Characteristics of a Pharisee's Heart
In Matthew 23, Jesus outlines the characteristics of the self-righteous scribes and Pharisees. This serves as a warning for what "faith" should not be. They were:
- Self-Absorbed: They were condescending and sought public recognition for their deeds.
- Hypocritical: They imposed heavy burdens on others that they themselves were unwilling to bear.
- Externally Focused: They meticulously followed minor rules while completely neglecting the more important matters of justice, mercy, and faithfulness. They maintained an appearance of righteousness while being corrupt internally.
The Call to Self-Examination
The message concludes with a direct and personal challenge. We are urged to look inward and ask what Jesus sees when He looks at our hearts. Does He see the great, active faith of the centurion, or the critical, self-righteous heart of a Pharisee? True entry into the kingdom of heaven requires a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees—a righteousness that comes from authentic, heartfelt faith, not just outward religious performance.
Study Game and Interactive Study Questions
Quiz: Will He Find Faith on the Earth?
Quiz Complete!
Fix the Timeline
Drag to put these in Matthew’s order
From “Will He Find Faith on the Earth?”—selected scenes where Jesus observes great, little, or tested faith.
Centurion’s servant healed—Jesus marvels at “so great a faith” (Matt 8:5–13).
Storm calmed—disciples rebuked, “O you of little faith” (Matt 8:23–27).
Paralytic forgiven and healed—Jesus sees their faith (Matt 9:1–8).
Two blind men healed “according to your faith” (Matt 9:27–31).
Peter walks, then sinks—“Why did you doubt?” (Matt 14:22–33).
Canaanite (Syrophoenician) woman—“Great is your faith!” (Matt 15:21–28).
Tip: long-press then drag on phones/tablets.
Journey of Faith: A Timeline Challenge
A Game for Barry's Bureau
Your challenge is to put the following five events from the sermon, "Will He Find Faith on the Earth?" in the correct chronological order. Drag and drop the events from the left column into the right column to build your timeline. Good luck!
Events to Place
Jesus demonstrates His authority by healing the paralytic.
Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee in a boat.
Jesus tells the parable of the persistent widow.
Scribes and Pharisees question Jesus' authority, thinking evil thoughts.
Friends bring a paralytic to Jesus through a roof.
Your Timeline
Put the story in order (Matt 9:1–8)
Jesus sees faith, exposes unbelief, proves His authority.
Friends bring a paralytic to Jesus in Capernaum.
Jesus “sees their faith” and says, “Take heart… your sins are forgiven.”
Scribes (and Pharisees) accuse in their hearts: “This man blasphemes.”
Jesus reads their thoughts and poses the challenge: Which is easier?
“That you may know the Son of Man has authority…”—He commands, “Rise.”
The man rises; the crowd glorifies God for granting such authority.
Tip: long-press then drag on phones/tablets.