1. Faithfulness
Matthew 25:14-30

2. Viewed Subjectively Agree with me: faithful
Disagree with me: unfaithful
God’s Word is the standard

3. Definition Synonyms: Opposite of laziness
Loyalty
Trustworthiness
Steadfastness
Opposite of laziness
God’s testing (Deuteronomy 8:1-3)

4. Importance of Faithfulness
Stewards
Must be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2)
Unfaithful are removed (Luke 16:2)
God decides (1 Corinthians 4:3, 4)

5. Importance of Faithfulness
Gospel committed to faithful men
Harm done by unfaithful (2 Timothy 2:2)
Effectiveness involves ability and faithfulness (James 3:1)
Often “give them work to make them faithful”
Faithful in small things (Luke 16:10)

6. Importance of Faithfulness
Need for faithfulness
Faithful men chosen (Acts 6:3)
Right on the “issues,” but unfaithful
Put on the Lord (Romans 13:11-14)
Proper influence (1 Timothy 4:12-16)

7. Why Are Some Unfaithful?
Ignorance
New converts
Indifference (Luke 8:14)

8. Why Are Some Unfaithful?
Worldliness
Condemned (1 John 2:15-17)
No concern for eternity (Colossians 3:1-4)
Too concerned with “creature comfort”
God will provide (Matthew 6:24-33)
“In the world, not of the world” (John 17:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 5:10)

9. Maintaining Faithfulness
Proper attitude toward the Word
Our foundation (Matthew 7:21-27)
Christ’s authority (Colossians 3:17)
Faithful service is a result of a proper attitude

10. Maintaining Faithfulness
Be something, not just do something
Give ourselves (2 Corinthians 8:5)
Love God with all our heart (Matthew 22:37; 1 John 4:19)
Gomer’s unfaithfulness began in the heart (Hosea 2:5; Matthew 15:18, 19)

11. Maintaining Faithfulness
Heed what we have been taught
Few abruptly forsake the Lord (Hebrews 2:1-3)
A drifting process…
Don’t wait until others are devoured (Galatians 6:1, 2)
Keep our heads in the Word

12. Maintaining Faithfulness
Run the race with patience
Jesus’ example (Hebrews 12:1)
Steadfastly (Hebrews 10:36, 39)
Consistently (2 Peter 1:3-11)

13. Conclusion
Don’t sit down

14. Adlai Stevenson
“On the plains of hesitation lay the blackened bones of countless millions who at the dawn of victory sat down to rest and resting died?”
To Harry Truman as they considered dropping the atomic bomb

15. Conclusion
Don’t sit down
Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)