12/06/09 “Virtues” Series: Part 3 – Faithfulness
Virtues Series Part 3 - Faithfulness
12 6 09 HT AM
Proverbs 20:6 NKJV / 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 NKJV
Today we continue our virtues series – Virtues are principles to live our life by! Each virtue serves as an umbrella over our entire life. This morning we are going to talk about Faithfulness.
Proverbs 20:6 NKJV
Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But
who can find a faithful man?
1 Corinthians 4:1 NKJV
Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1 Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.
Opening observations from our text:
1. There is a crying out for faithful people
2. Being faithful is a requirement of ALL stewards
3. Faithfulness is best when you see your life as a stewardship rather than an ownership!
In order to create the conversation flow on faithfulness I will use very common human analogy of faithfulness or being unfaithful to draw us to a new understanding.
The most common analogy about faithfulness is that of relational fidelity, in fact this is the exact analogy and living message that God used in the book of Hosea a minor prophet book in the Old Testament.
Question: Which of the following would qualify as being unfaithful in a relationship? (use pics to show each category, be discrete)
1. Adulteress – (a multi-relational person)
2. Absent – (a none involved person)
3. Apathetic – (a “careless” person)
(Example here)
Quickly all of us jump on the idea that the adulteress person is unfaithful, yet as you look at all three in the context of Biblical faithfulness ALL THREE would qualify as being unfaithful.
We snarl at the adulterer in disgust! Ironically as perverted as the culture is there is still resentment for adultery. On the other hand we tolerate the absent or apathetic, what we fail to call out is that apathetic and absent is the breeding ground for the adulterer! This morning you must open your mind to the truth that this idea of being faithful us much broader than marital fidelity. This conversation bridges to our spiritual life, personal integrity, careers literally every area of your life -I want to get your attention today about your entire life!
Faithfulness is found in what you do, not just in what you do not do!
What creates unfaithfulness?
The book of Hosea breaks it down
1. Control
Hosea 8:9 NKJV
For they have gone up to Assyria,
Like a wild donkey alone by itself;
Ephraim has hired lovers.
To hire something out is to place in your hands the authority and control. You can “hire” out and never exchange money – the point here is trying to CONTROL what happens in your life, you can study this all day long – the bottom line is any area of your life that you are trying to take “control” rather than being a faithful steward – faithfulness will NOT be the outcome!
2. Selfishness
Hosea 2:5 NKJV
For their mother has played the harlot;
She who conceived them has behaved shamefully.
For she said, ‘I will go after my lovers,
Who give me my bread and my water,
My wool and my linen,
My oil and my drink.’
Can you say, me, my and I! This entire passage is full of self-centered perspective. Faithfulness and selfishness do not dwell together.
3. Deception
Hosea 9:10 NKJV
“I found Israel
Like grapes in the wilderness;
I saw your fathers
As the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season.
But they went to Baal Peor,
And separated themselves to that shame;
They became an abomination like the thing they loved.
Israel believed they could find benefit by loving and pursing unworthy objects, sadly in return they become like them. Inside of us voices echo that something else will satisfy! What these voices fail to tell you is that you will become like them.
Proverbs 4:23 NKJV
Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:24
Put away from you a deceitful mouth,
And put perverse lips far from you.
Proverbs 4:25
Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you.
Proverbs 4:26
Ponder the path of your feet,
And let all your ways be established.
Proverbs 4:27
Do not turn to the right or the left;
Remove your foot from evil.
Benefit of Faithfulness
Proverbs 28:20a NKJV
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
• BLESSING IS GOD WORKING FOR YOU!
How do we create faithfulness?
Go with me to Matthew 25, the Parable of the talents: A Master gave three tiers of money to his servants, he placed in their hand the oppourtunity to be faithful. Two of them were found faithful one of them was not! In this parable we see a Biblical example of being faithful.
Being Faithful
1. Generate a result
Matthew 25:15 NKJV
And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
Matthew 25:16
Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
Matthew 25:17
And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
Matthew 25:18
But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
Are you doing anything? Generating results in your life? Relationships, spiritually, socially, career, etc…
2. Give more back than you received
Matthew 25:19 NKJV
After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
Matthew 25:20
“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
Matthew 25:21
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
Matthew 25:22
He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
Matthew 25:23
His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
We have all been entrusted with special gifts, are they better because of our stewardship?
3. Gain a stewardship mindset
Matthew 25:26 NKJV
“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Matthew 25:27
So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
See everything as God’s – NOT YOURS!
4. Give up control
Luke 17:32-33 NKJV 32 Remember Lot’s wife.
33 Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it. The power to live a faithful life comes from being born again. We can’t be faithful in our own strength, we need the strength of God to help us. Would you like his help?
Faithfulness is found in what you do, not just in what you do not do!
Galatians 5:22 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:23
gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Galatians 5:24
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.