Examining Faithfulness
INTRODUCTION.
A. “When Pompeii was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, there were many people buried in the ruins. Some were found in cellars, as if they had gone there for security. Some were found in the upper rooms of buildings. But where was the Roman sentinel found? Standing at the city gate where he had been placed by the captain, with his hands still grasping his weapon. There, while the earth shook beneath him -- there, while the floods of ashes and cinders covered him -- he had stood at his post. And there, after a thousand years, was this faithful man still to be found.” (Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, pg 143)
B. What do you think of when I use the word faithfulness? Generally speaking, the word faithfulness carries the idea of one being faithful to a person, to a cause, or to a belief. Faithfulness can also mean to be trustworthy, being able to be trusted, to be relied upon to accomplish a task or to abide by one’s word or commitment.
C. In the illustration, the Roman sentinel was faithful to his charge to remain at his post. Despite the ultimate of adversities, he did not abandon his post. He stood his ground against an unconquerable adversary.
D. The question that we need to ask ourselves today is this: What does being faithful mean to us? With this lesson, I would like to examine the subject of faithfulness as taught by the Bible.
E. Let us begin by examining God’s faithfulness.
I. THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD.
A. God kept His covenant made with Israel. (Deuteronomy 7:6-10)
1. God made a covenant with His people, the Israelites.
2. As long as His people loved Him and kept His commandments, then God kept His “covenant and mercy with them.”
3. As biblical history shows, as long as the Israelites loved God and kept His commandments, then God was with them. However, when the Israelites ceased to serve God, God punished them.
B. God kept His covenant with Abraham. (Genesis 12:1-3; Acts 3:25-26)
1. “And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.”
2. By God sending His son, Jesus Christ, to turn men from their iniquities, He fulfilled His covenant made with Abraham.
3. By God fulfilling His covenant with Abraham, we too, reap the benefits.
C. God has established a new covenant through His son, Jesus, to which He will also be faithful. (Hebrews 8:7-13)
1. Because of this new covenant, our sins and lawless deeds will be remembered no more.
2. This new covenant required the sacrifice of Jesus. (Hebrews 10:10 - “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” KJV)
3. This covenant, to which God is faithful, will be everlasting. (Hebrews 13:20-21)
D. Consider the following benefits of God’s faithfulness.
1. We are called by the faithful God into the fellowship of Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:9)
2. Our faithful God provides ways to overcome temptations. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
3. Our faithful God will keep our souls. (1 Peter 4:19)
E. God has been faithful in the past and is faithful today. Just as God is faithful, so was and is Jesus faithful.
II. THE FAITHFULNESS OF JESUS.
A. According to Revelation 1:5, Jesus is the faithful witness.
B. Because of His faithfulness to God, Jesus is a “merciful and faithful high priest.” Because of His faithfulness, Jesus Christ made possible reconciliation for our sins. (Hebrews 2:17)
1. In order for reconciliation to be made possible, it was necessary that Jesus suffer and die for ours sins. (1 Peter 3:18)
2. Because of His faithfulness to God and to us, Jesus came to this earth to establish the new covenant or testament. This covenant or testament became effective when Jesus, the testator died. (Hebrews 9:15-17)
C. So far, we have shown the faithfulness of God and the faithfulness of Jesus. Let us move on to show the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit.
III. THE FAITHFULNESS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
A. The Holy Spirit was charged with the responsibility of continuing to teach the God’s word after Jesus left this earth. (John 14:25-26; 16:12-15)
B. The Holy Spirit began the fulfilling of His duties on the day of Pentecost, 50 days after the death of Jesus. (Acts 2:1-4)
1. The Holy Spirit led Philip to the eunuch. (Acts 8:29)
2. The Holy Spirit told Peter it was safe to go with the three men sent by Cornelius. (Acts 10:19-20)
3. The Holy Spirit deterred Paul in his journey and instructed Paul to go to Macedonia. (Acts 16:7-9)
4. The Holy Spirit leads men to salvation through the word. Those who are lead by the Spirit become sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
IV. THE FAITHFULNESS OF CHRISTIANS.
A. Our examination of the faithfulness of God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, revealed perfect examples of faithfulness. It is imperative that we strive to follow these examples.
B. We must be faithful to God and to Jesus Christ.
1. Without faith, one will not be able to please God. (Hebrews 11:6)
a. If a person has faith in God, then he will believe that God is and that God will reward those who diligently seem him.
b. The idea of faith in God goes far beyond a mere acknowledgment of the existence of God. True faith in God means to diligently seem Him.
c. If one does not diligently seek God, then his faith is not sufficient. Without true faith, it is impossible to please God. If a person is unwilling to diligently seek God, then he is unwilling to fully obey God.
2. Christians have been justified by their faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:24-27)
3. Christians are sons (children) of God through faith in Jesus Christ. (Galatians 3:26)
a. True faith tells us to obey all the words of Jesus.
b. In Mark 16:15-16 defined the gospel (good tidings) as: If a person believes and is baptized, he would then be saved.
c. When a person has faith in Jesus, he will obey the command to be baptized. When he obeys the command to be baptized, he is baptized into Jesus Christ, putting on Christ. (Galatians 3:27)
d. When a person is baptized into Christ, he becomes a son of God.
C. Being faithful calls for us to be faithful in our responsibilities; being worthy of trust. Consider the parable of the good steward. (Luke 12:42-48) Consider the following responsibilities which Christians must honor:
1. Continue to believe in Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:8-10)
2. Continue to confess Jesus Christ before men. (Romans 10:8-10)
3. Continue to study responsibly the word of God. (2 Timothy 2:15)
4. Continue to worship God in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23-24)
5. Continue to support the work of the local church. (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:12-31)
CONCLUSION.
A. In this lesson, we have shown the faithfulness of God, the faithfulness of Jesus, the faithfulness of the Holy Spirit. We have also shown that Christians are to be faithful to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.
B. What happens without faith?
1. Without faith, you will not be able to please God.
2. Without faith, you will not study God’s word and grow spiritually.
3. Without faith, you will not assemble with the saints.
4. Without faith, you will not serve God, thereby not being allowed to enter into Heaven.
C. How serious are you about being faithful to God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit?
D. How serious are you about being faithful to the church, the body of Christ?
E. Let us all follow the wonderful examples set for us so that we will spend eternity in Heaven with God the Father, Jesus the son, and the Holy Spirit.
Examining Faithfulness -- August 8, 2004 -- File # 1157 - Faithfulness
by John M. Duvall – Lawton ,OK