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
Hold On Tight
Isaiah 35:3; Hebrews 12:12 NKJ Isaiah 35:3 ‘Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees’. NLT Isaiah 35:3 ‘With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees’. NKJ Hebrews 12:12 ‘Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees’, NLT Hebrews 12:12 ‘So take…
Called and Appointed
John 15:12 John 15:12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, than1 to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 “No longer do I call you servants,…
Onesimus – The NT Hobo
Book of Philemon Introduction: For some, especially the young, the word or term ‘hobo’ might not be familiar. Growing up there was an understanding in my mind that there were actually hobos who would jump onto trains to get them to and from wherever they were going. What is the history of the hobo? They…
Me and My Church
Introduction: There is the Church Universal And then there is the Local Church. Question: What is the Local Church. Place of gathering; The Location (could be at the beach), the structure or the building or the facility where one gathers for: • Worship and teaching: A place to regularly gather for worship, prayer, and hearing…
But The Greatest of These
1 Corinthians 13 Introduction: Valentines Weekend. There is nothing wrong with dinners, chocolates, cards or flowers. When it come to Love, there are all kinds of things uses and pointed to as objects or illustrations: • Books – Romeo & Juliet; Gone with the Wind, etc. • Music / Songs – ‘Endless Love’, Diana…
Champions
1 Corinthians 1:25-26 Introduction: Superbowl Sunday. Champion – noun– a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition or series of competitions, so as to hold first place: the heavyweight boxing champion. Anything that takes first place in competition. One definition that I found that I like about what it means to be a…
Flood or The Blood
Psalm 32:1-7 Psalm 32:6, ‘Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment’. (Psa. 32:6 NLT) Introduction: Let’s look at a ‘communion text’ as we are contemplating the beauty of celebrating around the Lords Table. NKJ Psalm 32:1 <A Psalm of…
God In The House
NKJ – Psalm 127:1 <A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.> Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. The Psalms of Ascent are a collection of psalms in the Bible, Psalms 120–134, that were sung by Jewish pilgrims…
But Others – When All Else Seems to Fail
Introduction: I started the year with Immanuel, God with us, then last week, ‘Getting Rid of Stuff’, and now I will spend the next two weeks to speak to you about the role of Faith in our lives. 11:1-2, ‘Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen: it gives us assurance…