Category: Faithfulness
Subject: Faithfulness
The Patternists: A Lifetime of Faithfulness
Solomon was a wise man. God greatly blessed his reign over Israel. He wrote Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. His advice to his son in the book of Proverbs serves as a guidebook to successfully navigating around the pitfalls of immorality and foolishness.
And yet, in the end, Solomon failed God. Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The Lord had warned him not to intermarry with these foreign women, but he ignored God. The text of 1 Kings 11 records his mistake. “Solomon clung to these in love” (2). “…his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lords, as did his father David” (3b-6).
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Sermon: A Book of Remembrance
Speaker: Tommy Davis
In Malachi 3, the prophet reminded the people of their disobedience, and their responsibilities before God.
Sermon: Lessons from Joshua
Speaker: Aaron Collier.
A discussion of the book of Joshua in a class setting.
Sermon: Assurance
Speaker: Josh Cox
As faithful Christians, we have assurance due to our relationship with Christ. Josh Cox discusses how to properly live in that hope.
Cast Off
Psalm 60 is an acknowledgement of sin as Israel was “cast off” by God due to His displeasure (1). The Psalmist recognized that victory for Israel was possible only if God was with her. Consider these words at the end of the Psalm:
“Is it not You, O God, who cast us off? And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies? Give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless. Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies” (10-12).
What a sad state to be “cast off” by God Himself. How could such happen? Well, it is certainly not because of any capricious tendency of God. Every time, the fault is with men. Jehovah told Israel through the prophet Isaiah, “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
We can not prosper without God. No matter the circumstance, without God “the help of man is useless.” Only with God can we gain victory, through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ! (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:57). “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15).
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Sermon: Our God is a Jealous God!
God was jealous for Israel, and demanded faithfulness from His covenant people. As Christians, we have that same relationship, and that same obligation!
The Patternists: Entrusted by God
The necessity, on every occasion, to respond to God’s authority in an appropriate manner is a central pattern found throughout scripture. While men feel that God is permissive and does not expect fealty from men, the Bible reveals otherwise, both explicitly, and implicitly.
As an example, consider Paul’s explanation of his God given stewardship in his first letter to the Thessalonians. “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
The Patternists: Faithfulness and Industry
In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul gave thanks to God for them. They were “beloved by the Lord”, as He chose them “for salvation” (2:13). He called them by the “gospel” (cf. Romans 1:16), so that they might obtain “the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2:14). In these words their standing as God’s children is well established.
Paul did not stop with commending them for their faith. He did not just give thanks for the standing they enjoyed. He in the remainder of this chapter and beginning of the next exhorted them to faithfulness and industry, working for the Lord. This is similar to what he wrote to the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
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Entrusted with the Gospel
The apostle Paul considered himself a steward. God had given him responsibilities as an apostle, and he took those responsibilities seriously. He wrote to the Thessalonians, “But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). As he wrote on another occasion, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
What is interesting about the Thessalonian text is how Paul defines faithful stewardship. “…even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” In the proclamation of truth it is important to please only one, God. That doesn’t mean that others will not be pleased, but that is not the mandate.
We need to understand this as well. When we preach God’s word, our intent must be to please Him. Whether or not men approve in the telling is not only not our concern, but not in any way within our control. Peter preached the gospel, leading to many conversions, (cf. Acts 2). Stephen preached the same gospel, leading to his own death (cf. Acts 7). Both pleased God in the telling. Jesus Himself had those who “heard Him gladly”, and those who put Him to death for what he had to say.
Do you want to be God’s faithful steward in the spread of the gospel? Then handle it in such a way as to please God, not men.
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Sermon: The Roles of Joshua, Son of Nun
Joshua serves as a wonderful example of faithfulness in every role he held in his life. Whether as a son, a slave, a servant, soldier, or spy. He saved his people, and is among those set apart by God. May we faithfully serve God as he did.
COVID-19 (17) Trust in the Mercy of God Forever
Psalm 52, a psalm of David, describes David’s words to an enemy who sought to inform King Saul of his whereabouts. Of this man, David wrote, “Your tongue devises destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking righteousness. You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue” (2-4). David then proclaims his confidence that “God shall likewise destroy you forever” (5).
Apparently this man, in his wickedness, had obtained financial security. David said of him, “Here is the man who did not make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness” (7). This description is so appropriate to our day. There are so many in our nation who have trusted in their riches.
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Sermon: Growth of the Body
The lesson shows the need for faithfulness and zeal, by noting the admonitions and commendations to the seven churches of Asia. The key is the individual in accomplishing this need (cf. Ephesians 4:11-14)
The Patternists: Great Harlotry
The Hebrew word translated harlotry in the Old Testament (NKJV) is zanah. It is translated whoredom in the KJV of the text. Actually, the entire phrase “has committed great harlotry” is the translation of that single word, as it is found in Hosea 1:2.
The word indicates wantonness. In effect, harlotry is to fornication as gluttony is to eating. Strong, in expressing this, adds to the definition “to commit adultery, usually of the female” words such as continually, great, and go a-whoring.
The Patternists: The Test of Faithfulness
The Greek word translated “faithful” in the New Testament is defined thus by Thayer:
1) trusty, faithful;
1a) of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties;
1b) one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust; 1c) that can be relied on.
Consider definition 1a) related by Thayer. The term is used of persons who show themselves faithful in the execution of commands, or the discharge of duties. This is a significant truth. Throughout scripture, people faithful to God were considered faithful by Him because they obeyed His commands, and did what was required.
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Sermon: Examine Your Faith
Speaker: Joshua Cox
Josh’s lesson establishes the need for every Christian to determine for themselves whether they are living faithfully for the Lord.
