Text: Deuteronomy 7:7-11
Introduction: As we finish an old year and begin a new year, it seems as though the only thing that is constant is the fact that everything is changing. Sometimes change brings growth and improvement, and other times change brings fear and instability.
· Technologically –from 8 track to cassette to CD, from a few thousand on the internet to millions, and internet traffic is doubling every 100 days.
· Socially – A man’s word is rarely his bond. Marital problems are the norm. Video games and worldly music have evolved.
· Politically – Nationalism is declining, globalism is growing
· Religiously – Many churches, in attempt to accommodate are teaching less doctrine, changing or eliminating the altar call.
Yet in this hour of human history, with more change in one year than took place over hundreds of years in the past, I serve a God who does not change… a God who is faithful and true.
Malachi. 3:6… For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Moses reminds us, the Lord thy God, He is God, the faithful God.
Note – Human nature cannot be relied upon, but we can trust in a God whose faithfulness upholds the world at this very moment.
I. God is Faithful in His Personality – verse 9a
Note – His very personality is reliable
Isaiah. 46:9… Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
A. Truthful – He keeps His Word!
Psalm 119:160… Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth forever.
Ill – If you are driving and see a sign – “Dangerous curve ahead” – you have three choices:
(1) Slow down
(2) Ignore – maintain speed
(3) Defy – accelerate – your response will not change the sign
John 14:6… Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
Romans 3:4… God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.
Deut. 32:4… He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth without iniquity, just and right is he.
B. Unchangeable (Immutability)
James 1:17… Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Note – God is not like a yo-yo.
He Is Faithful To FORGET-Heb. 8:12
He Is Faithful To FEED- Psalm 37:25
He Is Faithful To FORGIVE- Ps. 103:12 / 1 John 1:9
II. God is Faithful in His Provision – verse 8
Note–It’s always been God’s desire to meet His people’s needs.
A. Provision of Physical needs
Genesis 8:22… While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Note – This planet annually produces enough food for our physical needs.
Psalm 37:25… I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.
B. Provision of Emotional needs – verse 8a
Note – Love is more than an emotion—it is an action of my will under the direction of the Lord.
Note – Speaking to the children of Israel
Jeremiah 31:3… The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.
Lamentations 3:22… It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
Note – If we look to men to encourage us we will often be discouraged.
C. Provision of Spiritual needs
Note-Our spiritual sustenance comes from God’s Word
Psalm 119:89… Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven.
Psalm 119:138… Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Note – God’s Word will fill you up. Thank God, He will provide our needs—physically, emotionally, and spiritually!
III. God is Faithful in His Promises – verses 9-10
A. His promise to SAVE
Hebrews 7:24-25… But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Note – You can come to God only through Jesus!
B. His promise to KEEP
2 Tim. 1:12… For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
C. His promise to FORGIVE
1 John 1:9… If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Conclusion:
· He is Faithful in His Personality.
· He is Faithful in His Provision.
· He is Faithful in His Promise.
And… He Invites us to Abide with Him.
No matter how difficult things may seem, you can always count on God to be faithful and to keep His promises.
Text - 1 Timothy 1:15
Introduction: The faithfulness that Paul speaks of is to be convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and that He has been raised from the dead. The Greek word for “faithful” is pistos meaning: “believing, confiding, trusting.” In the New Testament in particular, it tells of one who is trusting in God’s promises, especially of the promise of the resurrection.
Are you convinced that Christ died for your sins and rose again the third day according to the scriptures? Let’s look at these faithful sayings.
1. THE FAITHFUL SAYING of SALVATION (1 Tim. 1:15)
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
A. This is the verse that started the modern missionary movement. Andrew Fuller, Baptist pastor in England, believed that the gospel was for everyone and it should be preached everywhere.
1. “Fuller championed the cause of foreign missions but strongly defended the Doctrines of Grace, The modern missions movement was founded on a thorough going commitment to the absolute sovereignty of God, coupled with uncompromising insistence upon the responsibility of man.”
2. Is the message of the Gospel worthy of all acceptation?
B. 1 Timothy 1:16-17.
Because the Gospel is worthy of all acceptation, Paul was saved. You cannot be too mean to be saved.
Paul obtained mercy- he did not get what he deserved (Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness...”).
2. THE FAITHFUL SAYING of SUFFERING (1 Tim. 4:9- 10)
1 Timothy 4:9-10 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
A. If you do anything, you will suffer reproach. If you do not want to be criticized, don’t do anything. In the ministry as well as elsewhere, the saying stands: “No pain, no gain.”
· One of the easiest things to find is fault-finding.
· It is smart to pick your friends, but not to pieces.
· Knock your friends often enough, and soon no one’s at home.
B.“They that live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
3. THE FAITHFUL SAYING of SATISFACTION (recompense) (2 Tim. 2:11-13)
2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
A. 2 Tim. 2:11 is well explained by Galatians 2:20. We are dead yet alive.
B. Romans 5:5-9
4. THE FAITHFUL SAYING OF STATEMENT (Titus 3:8)
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
A. How you live is important. We are not antinomian. Grace is the liberty to serve not the license to sin.
B. “Affirm constantly”-- We are to live as Christians day in and day out. We are never on vacation from our faith.
1. “Affirm” to assert with confidence.
2. Those who have believed are to be mindful of their testimony.
C. “Maintain” means to guard, to protect, to be the guardian of. It also means to care for.
1. Do you care enough about Jesus to maintain a good testimony?
2. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:17: “Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature...”
Conclusion: May our Lord find us faithful (Matthew 25:21)