Fundamentals of the Faith Lesson 9 - Faithfulness Matthew 7:21-23

Faithfulness Defined 1. Steady, stability, Trustworthy 2. Completely Reliable

Faithfulness Defined Doing the will of the Father " Not everyone who says to Me, ' Lord, Lord, ' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21

Faithfulness Defined Walking in the Light But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

Faithfulness = Opposite of Faithless Faithless/perverse generation Then Jesus answered and said, " O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to Me." Matthew 17:17

Faithfulness = Opposite of Faithless Faithless, unbelieving Then He said to Thomas, " Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." John 20:27

The Necessity of Faithfulness Till death …Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev 2:10b

The Necessity of Faithfulness Keep yourself in the love of God keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude v.21

The Necessity of Faithfulness Overcome 20 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning.

The Necessity of Faithfulness Overcome 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

The Necessity of Faithfulness Overcome 22 But it has happened to them according to the true proverb:"A dog returns to his own vomit," and, "a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire." 2 Peter 2:20-22

The Necessity of Faithfulness Do not depart from God 12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called " Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

The Necessity of Faithfulness Do not depart from God 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end, Hebrews 3:12-14

Examples of unfaithfulness Simon the sorcerer 18 And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles ' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, 19 saying, " Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."20 But Peter said to him, " Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

Examples of unfaithfulness Simon the sorcerer 21 You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity." Acts 8:18-23

Examples of unfaithfulness Galatians 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Examples of unfaithfulness Galatians 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:4-7

Demonstration of Faithfulness Keeping your eyes on Jesus looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Demonstration of Faithfulness Growing in Christian Virtues Fruitful Growth in the Faith5 But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, 6 to knowledge self- control, to self- control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, 7 to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Demonstration of Faithfulness Growing in Christian Virtues 8 For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.

Demonstration of Faithfulness Growing in Christian Virtues Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; 11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:10-11

Demonstration of Faithfulness Prayer 5 And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.

Demonstration of Faithfulness Prayer 6 But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.

Demonstration of Faithfulness Prayer 8 " Therefore do not be like them… Matthew 6:5-8a

Demonstration of Faithfulness Faithful attendance Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

Demonstration of Faithfulness Abounding in the Lord’s work Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Demonstration of Faithfulness Looking to gain heaven For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Demonstration of Faithfulness Practical & Daily ways to demonstrate Faithfulness 1. Consistent involvement in church activities 2. Carefully & fully using your talents 3. Good management of your financial means 4. Honoring marriage vows 5. Being a true friend to your friends

Conclusion 1. Failure in faithfulness results in separation from God 2. Failure in faithfulness results in separation from other faithful brethren, which may include family members. 3. Faithfulness to God is an area where the Christian cannot fail. The results are of eternal consequence.