Obviously we must not purposely tempt anyone to sin. But we must also be alert to the possibility that our conduct, while technically permissible, may be misunderstood by our weaker brother and result in his being tempted. Therefore each Christian must consider the impact his conduct will have on others. If the Christian knows or fears that his conduct will be misunderstood by another Christian resulting in his temptation, he must be willing to voluntarily forfeit his "right" to such conduct.    Illus. – casual consumption of alcohol

Rom 14:20 "... it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble...."

1 Cor 10:23,24,31,32; 11:1 "Everything is permissible -- but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible – but not everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. … So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God –even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many so that they may be saved. Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ." (NIV)

2. A Faith to Forgive Without Limit vv. 3-4

Jesus posed two scenarios here. The first is if your brother sins. The second is if your brother sins against you. Usually when a Christian becomes aware of his brother’s sin or is himself the target of his brother’s sin, his response is nowhere close to what Jesus prescribed. Retaliation, gossip, and alienation are the typical responses. These purely human responses are no less sinful than the sin of the offending brother.

Matt. 18:18-35;  Eph. 4:13; Col. 3:12,13.

3.  A Faith to Dream Without Measure vv. 5-6

Matt. 17:19,20; Mark 11:23

We must not have the "grasshopper complex" (Numbers 13:33)

Eph. 3:14-21

4. A Faith to Serve Without Praise vv. 7-10

Jesus asked three questions and then made one statement which becomes an imperative. The first question is answered by the second question. The third question is answered by the statement, and that statement becomes an imperative. As the reader considers the three questions, he is to imagine what his perspective would be if he were the owner of slaves.

The questions are simple and the answers are obvious. The statement, however, which becomes an imperative, requires that the reader now assume the realistic perspective of a slave.

That perspective is realistic, but the condition of the statement is purely hypothetical – "So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded …" No Christian’s obedience is complete and perfect. I think that the idea of Jesus’ words is, "Even if it were true that you had successfully accomplished everything that God wanted you to do (which was uniquely true of Jesus), still your attitude must be, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’"

Jesus here utterly destroyed the Roman Catholic "Doctrine of Supererogation" which holds that the apostles and "saints" have done more good works than were necessary for their own salvation and that other Christians can borrow from their surplus to make up for their deficit. From this doctrine comes the doctrines of purgatory and prayers for the dead.

Jesus clearly teaches here that it is utterly impossible for anyone to do enough good to earn or deserve salvation. For all who receive it, it is God’s gift given out of His grace to those who respond in faith and live by faith.

Conclusion

How our faith is increased is no mystery. Rom. 10:17 – "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing from the word of Christ."