Luke 8:22-25 Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.

There is so much to teach on in these passages that it could consume ten devotionals. Today I want to focus on just the words Jesus spoke, “Where is your faith?” Did you notice they did not answer Him? They wondered, they discussed and they were amazed, but they did not answer.

Ask yourself, “Where is my faith?”

Do you have a clear answer? Did your answer sound like this; “I put my faith in you Lord!”

That sounds like you have given it away and no longer possess faith. Yet in Luke 17:5 the apostles ask Jesus to increase their faith, as if it were a thing possessed. Do you have it or do you not?

Interestingly Jesus did not give them their request but rather spoke a parable. Read that soon to see His answer. At the end Jesus made a summation.

So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

My faith is busy doing what I am commanded.

John 3:36a He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life:

There it is, the only requirement for salvation. If anyone should tell you more is needed for salvation then they do not believe this word.

This gets me to my title, business. How I make that leap can be found in 1 Corinthians 12:5-6

And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

Administrations, and operations, those are words used in business models. Once you look to the issues of salaries, insurance, bills, bookkeeping, maintenance, sound systems, lighting, furniture, computers, pamphlets and bylaws, it looks more and more like business. And it is.

The Roman Catholic Church is a business. The Lutheran Church is a business. The Baptist Church is a business. Methodist, Episcopalians, Church of Christ, 7^th Day Adventists, and Pentecostals, they are all business models. We cannot limit this name calling to the biggies. Independents we call non-denominationals and the ever growing Calvary system are also businesses.

The latest in a growing field of believers reside in Home Church. These small and often poor churches are growing in numbers but not size. They often do not have the financial wherewithal to gather in large halls, nor do they need to since many are 6 to 10 members in size. They meet wherever they can, mostly in member’s homes. No overhead, no collections, often in the poorest of countries, yet have leadership and accountability for God is the God of order.

Each and everyone, from the largest to the ones who can only gather in 2’s or 3’s are all part of the body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:13-14 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

If you find yourself unhappy with your current business model, fear not, salvation only has one demand, i.e. John 3:36. One Spirit.