“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31 “Endures all things”

Description of Love 4. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5. does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6. does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7. bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8. Love never fails.

Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness Dealing with our fellow man

Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity Deals with our relationship with God

Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity 10.Spiritual strength 11.Open-Mindedness 12.Optimism 13.Faithfulness 14.Loverly Self

Military term - one in a violent battle “To bear bravely and calmly” “to bear up courageously” The ability to withstand hardship, adversity or stress, to continue firm or resolute through trials and difficulties.

“of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties. “to be trusted, reliable” “stedfast in affection or allegiance” LOYAL

Examples of Faithfulness Abraham - “faithful Abraham” Gal. 3:9 “by faith” Heb. 11:8, 17 Moses - “who is faithful” Num. 12:7 “Moses indeed was faithful” Heb.3:5 Paul - “he counted me faithful” 1 Tim. 1:12 “I have kept the faith” 2 Tim. 4:7 Timothy - “faithful in the Lord” 1 Cor. 4:17 “he served with me” Phil. 2:22

Examples of Faithfulness Silvanus - a faithful brother 1 Pet. 5:12 Antipas - a faithful Martyr Rev. 2:13 Onesimus - a faithful brother Col. 4:9 Tychicus - a faithful minister Col. 4:7 Daniel - he was faithful - Dan. 6:4 Hananiah - he was a faithful man - Neh. 7:2 David - as faithful as David - 1 Sam. 22:14

What it means to be Faithful Does not mean “being full of faith” It means a commitment to a cause 1 Cor. 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” Rev.2:10 “be thou faithful unto death.”

“Eighty and six years have I served Him, and He never did me injury: how then can I blaspheme my king and my Saviour?” “Thou threatenest me with fire which burneth for an hour, and after a little is extinguished, but are ignorant of the fire of the coming judgment and of eternal punishment, reserved for the ungodly. But why tarriest thou? Bring forth what thou wilt.”

What it means to be Faithful We are trust worthy We will execute the commands of God We are reliable and will bear up under any circumstances II Tim. 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

The Need for Faithfulness Parable of Sower - Luke 8:13-14 Rocky - Hear, receive, obey - fall away Thorny - hear, obey but cares and riches choke out their life so it brings no fruit to perfection Demas “hath forsaken me, having loved this present world” 2 Tim. 4:10

The Need for Faithfulness Still true today Fall away after troubles Matt. 24: "And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 "But he who endures to the end shall be saved.

The Need for Faithfulness Still true today 2 Peter 2: Escaped and entangled again 21. Better not to have known 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.”

The Need for Faithfulness Cannot be in heaven unless we are faithful Matt. 25:21 “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Mt. 10:22 “And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.”

The Need for Faithfulness To get the word into hands of faithful men 2 Tim. 2:2 “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Men

Rewards of Faithfulness “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Rev.2:10 "But hold fast what you have till I come.” Rev.2:25 Hold Fast = endure, remain faithful

Rewards of Faithfulness James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Jesus is the “finisher of our faith” Heb. 12:2

“Endures all things”

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9

“But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.” 1 Cor. 12:31 “Endures all things”

Description of Love 1.Patience 2.Kindness 3.Generosity 4.Humility 5.Courtesy 6.Unselfishness 7.Good temper 8.Guilelessness 9.Sincerity 10.Spiritual strength 11.Open-Mindedness 12.Optimism 13.Faithfulness 14.Loverly

Sermon by Arthur Pigman Evans Church of Christ 515 Gibbs Road Evans, Ga Sunday Evening November 10, 2013