1 Corinthians 4:2
Matthew 25:14-23
Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of Spirit = ‘Faithfulness’
- Faithful to our Faith (Behavior & Conduct)
Hebrews 10:23 ‘Let us hold fast the confession/profession of our hope/faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful’ (NKJ).
NLT Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise (NLT).
Great article – Hope for life – Nonprofit Counseling and equipping ministry
https://www.hopeforlifeonline.com/departing-from-the-faith-the-top-13-reasons-people-leave-christianity/
3. those who lack sufficient concern about the deadly reality of sin and its consequences.
4. those who do not give or receive correction well.
10. those who want to loved by the world & who love the things of the world.
13. those who have bad experiences in church.
Question: How can we measure our faithfulness to our ‘faith?’
Galatians 5:16-23
Extreme: Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Rev 2:10 NKJ)
Transition: Let me move on to my second piece to which I believe we should be faithful.
II. The Place / Authority of Scripture
2 Timothy 3:16 ‘All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work’. (NKJ)
We say that ‘The Bile is our only rule for faith and practice.’
Deuteronomy 4:2 “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you’.
Revelation 22:18-19,
Transition: Thirdly, we should be faithful in the…
III. Administration of our gifts/talents
Hebrews 3:5
Hebrews 3:5 ‘And Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward’, (NKJ)
Hebrews 3:5 ‘Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later’. (NLT)
Moses an ‘attendant’ to ‘discharge the duties committed to him by God’.
Luke 12:42-44 ‘And the Lord replied, (to the question of His return)
“A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. 43 If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. 44 I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. (Luk 12:42 NLT)
Matthew 25:21, ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant…’
Transition: So the text is specifically addressing the need to be faithful stewards of
IV. Resources / Stewardship (giving)
Christian Stewardship refers to the responsibility that Christians have in maintaining and using wisely the gifts that God has bestowed. God wishes human beings to be his collaborators in the work of creation, redemption, and sanctification.
Conclusion: Colossians 1:2
Pure Ministry
Introduction: As we have taken the time to honour our Pastors (and thank you), I invite you to look at 1 Thessalonians 2 with me. I. Paul’s Assessment (of Pure Ministry) – 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2a II. Paul’s Advantage (of Pure Ministry) – 1 Thess. 2:2b III. Paul’s (Ministries) Integrity – 1 Thess. 2:3-6 IV. Paul’s…
Word to the Wise
Introduction: Let me finish my thoughts on Matthew 8-10. Jesus is moved for the people and to send disciples/others into the whitened harvest field. Jesus does give additional instructions and awareness of lays before them. Question: Why did Jesus not send the disciples to Gentiles and Samaritans? In Romans 1:16 Paul writes, “I am not…
Author and Authorization
Matthew 10:1-15 Introduction: This is where I left off last week. Because there is a ripen harvest prepared by God himself… Jesus says, 9:38, ‘So pray, to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into the fields.’ Pray =Ask =Send = thrust forth – ‘The harvest is…
The Lost – A Whitened Harvest
Introduction: Last week I spoke about what the oil running down Aaron’s beard was all about. It was about the separation of objects and especially people for God’s use. Transition: In the Book of Matthew, after Jesus taught about matters like praying, not judging others, the ‘golden rule’, the problem with worrying, and some other…
Oil on Aaron’s Beard
Psalm 133:1-2; Lev. 8:10-12 Introduction: Some of you may have heard or studied this image in scripture of oil soaking Aaron’s beard and dripping down all the way to his toes. This comes from Psalm 133:1-2 & Leviticus 8:10-12. I sensed the Lord was putting this in my heart and mind and what the significance…
Nothing Formed
Isaiah 54:1-17 Introduction: The last verse of Isaiah chapter 54 is one of the verses we lean on frequently. NLT – Isaiah 54:17 ‘But in that coming day no weapon (turned, formed, forged) against you will (succeed, prosper)’. ‘You will silence every voice raised up to accuse you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants…
Harvest Seed
2 Corinthians 9 Introduction: Last weekend I spoke to you about Sabbath rest and how (Labor Day) was one of those days as a day of extra ‘rest’. Labor Day is also known as the last (unofficial) weekend of the summer. That’s the natural time (God’s time) we are moving into. The first official day…
Why Rest
Labor Day today is a welcomed day not only because it recognizes workers/labors, but because it gives us an extra day of ‘rest’. Judaism[edit] Main article: Shabbat See also: Hebrew calendar Jewish Shabbat (Shabbath, Shabbes, Shobos, etc.) is a weekly day of rest, observed from sundown on Friday until the appearance of three stars in…
The Big Stick
Exodus 15:22-16:27 Introduction: Trustin God during Bitter Times ‘The people complained and turned against Moses.’Meaning: 1) to lodge, stop over, pass the night, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lodge, pass the night 1a2) to abide, remain (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to rest or lodge 1c) (Hithpalpel) to dwell, abide 2) to grumble, complain, murmur…