Definition of Faithfulness 1. Adhering firmly and devotedly, as to a person, a cause, or an idea; loyal. 2. Worthy of trust or belief; reliable. 3. Consistent with truth or actuality
Loyally follow through on commands (spirit & letter), beliefs, responsibilities and promises, {time, money, strength and aspirations}
Achiever - I plan, start and reach the finish line in time to complete tasks and goals worthy of my potential.
Disciplined Disciple - I make the daily decision to deny myself for the service of God and the eternal glory of Christ.
Godly - I am continually learning and reprogramming my robot to do all that God has revealed (in the Bible) He requires of me.
Honest - I tactfully and transparently speak and live according to the truth, even when it hurts or is humiliating. What you see…
Loyal Lover - Without cowardice, I am committed to consistently sacrifice myself to do what’s in another’s best interest regardless of cost, personal preference, inclination, or their reaction or lack thereof.
1. Faithfulness Goes against the Grain of Society Num 12:7 My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
2. Characteristic of God Ps 36:5 Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and your faithfulness reaches unto the clouds.
Dt 7:9 Know the LORD is God, the faithful God, keeping covenant & mercy with them that love him & keep his commandments to 1000 generations
3. Steward does bidding 1Sam 2:35 I will raise me up a faithful priest, that shall do according to that which is in mine heart and in my mind
1Sam 22:14 who is so faithful among all your servants as David, goes at your bidding, and is honorable in your house?
1Cor 4:2 it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1Tm 3:11 wives be venerable, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things
Titus 1:6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot (capricious spending) or unruly.
a. Finances 2Kg 22:7 there need be no accounting made with them of the money delivered into their hand, because they deal faithfully
Lifestyle Lk 16:10 He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. 11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?
3Jn 1:5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatsoever you do to the brethren, and to strangers;
b. Work, Time, Opportunity, Experience, & Strength 2Ch 34:12 And the men did the work faithfully:
c. Speech & Truth Ps 5:9 there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness…Pr 11:13 talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter. Pr 14:5 A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
d. Fragile Ps 12:1 Help, LORD; for the godly man ceases; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.
Pr 20:6 Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? Isa 1:21 (cx rebellious)
4. Based/Founded in Fear of God Neh 7:2 charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many.
2Ch 19:9 And he charged them, saying, Thus shall you do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect/loyal heart.
Nourished by mercy 1Cor 7:25…yet I give my judgment, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Gal 5:22 HS fruit
Delight to God Mt 25:21 Well done, good & faithful servant: faithful over a few I will make you ruler over many enter you into the joy of your lord.
5. Basis of Blessings Neh 9:8 And found his (Abe) heart faithful before you, and made a covenant with him to give the land…
1Sam 26:23 May the LORD repay every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness…
Ps 101:6 Mine eyes shall be upon the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: he that walks in a perfect way, he shall serve me.
Pr 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent. Pr 29:14 KJV
Lk 19:17 he said to him, Well, you good servant: because you have been faithful in a very little, have you authority over ten cities.
Rev 17:14 the Lamb shall overcome them:…King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which you shall suffer…be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.
Protection Dan 6:4…they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
Ps 31:23 O love the LORD, all you his saints: for the LORD preserves the faithful, and plentifully rewards the proud doer.
6. Basis for Ministry and Influence Mt 24:45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has made ruler…
Ac 16:1…saying, If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us
2Tim 2:2 you heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.
1Cor 4:17 Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways
Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. Can faithfulness be compartmentalized? Is it faithfulness when we pick and choose our obedience?
2. Do some personality types have an easier time with faithfulness? Is it a function of upbringing/rearing? Unfair advantage?
3. What motivates you to be faithful? What is your “belief/faith” in? Why/how are you tempted to be unfaithful?
4. Where do you find it easier to be faithful? What helps you? How would you help someone be more faithful?
5. In what areas of your life do you struggle with faithfulness? How can you be more faithful to God this week? What items? |
