FAITHFULNESS

Proposition State.: To exhort and admonish every Christian to be faithful as God's steward.

If the preacher stood before you and calmly informs you that he was too busy to develop a lesson, what would be your reaction? If he suggestions that we sing a song and go home, how would you feel? I'm sure that many of you find it hard to believe that a preacher would fail to keep his obligation.

When I did this same thing at Ft. Cobb, Duane Owen, one of the elders, told me that I should have informed the elders first; "For," he said, "you were almost fired!" He is right. If I neglect the duties given me, the elders should fire me. But, every brother who is unfaithful in his responsibilities should (and one day shall) reap the same consequences. This fact is so clear concerning my neglect. Why is it veiled and put out of sight with elders or deacons or teachers or members who are careless in their duties?

Matthew 24:42-48; 1 Corinthians 4:2; Luke 16:10-12

I.     WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE FAITHFUL?

        A.    Defined:

                1.     "Faithful"–Firmly adhering to duty; of true fidelity; loyal; true to allegiance; as a faithful subject. 3. constant in the performance of duties or services; exact in attending to commands....

                2.     Barclay:

                         a.     "... means fidelity, and is the virtue of the man who, through all the chances and the changes of life, down even to the gates of death, is loyal to God" (DSB, 1 Timothy).

                         b.     Fidelity; this word is common in secular Greek for trustworthiness. It is the characteristic of the man who is reliable" (DSB, Galatians).

        B.    Paul defines "faithful" as "who will do" (1Thes 5:24).

        C.    Examples:

                1.     Out of all the loyal servants of God recorded in Faith's Hall of Fame (Hebrew 11), Abraham shines forth as one who was firm in the observance of his duty. faithful!

                2.     God also singles out Moses (Num 21; Heb. 3:5-6).

                3.     The Lord is faithful (Heb. 3; Rev. 1:4-6).

                4.     The Father is faithful (Deut. 7:9; 1 Jn 1:9; 1 Cor. 10:13).

                5.     God’s faithfulness vs Israel’s faithlessness (Ps 78).

 II.    GOD'S CHARGE: (1 Cor. 4:2).

         A.    God, who is our heavenly Husbandman (the vineyard owner), does not hold us responsible for being imperfect; He does not hold us responsible for being unsuccessful; but He does hold us accountable to be faithful.

         B.    God does require or demand faithfulness (Rev.2:10; Gal. 5:22ff; Isaiah 1:26).

         C.    To simply profess Christianity is not enough (Mat 7:21-23).

III.  APPLICATION

        A.    Pro. 13:17 speaks of "faithful ambassador." Pro. 25:13 speaks of "faithful messenger." Understanding the primary meaning, what does "faithful servant" mean (Mat. 24:45)?

        B.    In the Home (Mat. 19:1-12; Titus 2:1-5; Eph. 6:1-4; 1 Tim. 3:11; Titus 1:6, KJ).

        C.    In the workplace, employer/employee (Lk 16:10ff; Col 3)

        D.    To the Lord (Acts 16:15; 3 Jn 1:5-7).

        E.    IMP: Be faithful in the small things

        F.     Attendance: Are we faithful in worship/Bible class?

        G.    Teach: Are we faithful in teaching the Bible? We can not all teach publicly, but we can all teach, home study (Proverbs 11:30; Daniel 12:3).

 IV.   THE JUST RECOMPENSE

        A.    God desires for us to know that He shall enrich and reward those who serve Him with unquestioned fidelity in all things that are good & right, pure & holy (Pro 28:20; Ps 101:6; 31:23; Matthew 25:21; Revelation 17:14).

        B.    God shall avenge and requite the faithless (Revelation 21:8; Matthew 24:37-51)

CONCLUSION: "What Is He Worth?"