FOUND FAITHFUL

There is something that is often not thought about when it comes to Scripture and the Truths of it. There is a dichotomy in our spiritual walk as Believers that is overlooked.

The Scripture this morning reminds of this fact. Notice how it teaches in verses 3-6 of the blessings and provision of the Lord that bless and give us much to rejoice over but at the same time he say we face manifold temptations.

So the dichotomy is that while we are heavy, we can also be happy. While harassed, we can be joyful. That thought we are hindered we can still rejoice.

What is needed is actually found in these couple of verse here.

In verse 7 is says that we have a trial of our faith.

The assumption is that we have faith. That faith is going to face challenges - but in the midst of the trial - we should be found unto praise and honour and glory when Christ appears.

That means when the Lord returns - that we should be “FOUND FAITHFUL.”

Let’s Pray.

It must be the goal of any and every church, any and every believer and any and every pastor to be FOUND FAITHFUL for our God.

· This is not a game we are playing.

· This is not a club we are part of.

· This is not something to keep us entertained or to keep us busy.

· This should be and must be the goal of every everyone of the members of MBC if they seek to honor God for His precious gift that He has bestowed on us.

I. Being FOUND FAITHFUL is not a common find

As we look at society loyalty and faithfulness is not something that found often.

But, believe it or not in Christ’s ministry it was hard to find as well. He lost most of his followers when he gave one strong message that they didn’t like and then was forsaken by his own closest followers as He was arrested, tried and crucified.

Proverbs 20:6 AV

Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?

It is not something that is found often. Faithfulness ot God

Marriages are weakening, family unity, church unity, school unity, and even national unity is failing. It is failing in society, it is true in denominations - it is hard to find. But the Lord continues to look for it.

Luke 18:8 (AV)

...when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

II. Being Found Faithful is God’s will for every believer

It is the High calling of God

It is His will and desire that we would be “FOUND FAITHFUL.”

While we may not have all the talents, finances, location, facilities or even potential by the standards or opinion of others – we do have the great God of Heaven who has committed the following to us:

He can do the impossible.

He can do anything.

He loves to use the weak things of the world to confound the wise.

His strength is made perfect in weakness.

He has given us all the necessary tools.

He is not a respecter of persons – meaning He will use anyone – if – HERE IS THE CATCH – GOD IS LOOKING FOR THOSE THAT ARE “FOUND FAITHFUL!”

Can God use any of us for anything? Of course, He can, but oh how he wants to use those that He has found faithful.

II. Being FOUND FAITHFUL is what your family needs

We have many responsibilities before God and things that He wants us to do but if we can narrow it down to a very basic formula for our success and that we can apply to our lives for this year in every area – it would be that we can be found faithful.

A. We need to be FOUND FAITHFUL as a spouse

The best way to have a marriage that lasts is to have Christ at the center of it. His instruction, His encouragement, His example in it of His love will help anyone to be that faithful spouse they should be.

Matthew 19:6 AV

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

B. We need to be FOUND FAITHFUL as parents

Deuteronomy 6:6–9 AV

And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.

C. We need to be FOUND FAITHFUL to our responsibilities in the family

I’ve met too many people that have lost a spouse or family member because of the neglect of their responsibilities.

Men who live for their Hobby - people who live for that moment of temporary pleasure; that fulfilling of their own selfish desire - which by the way, doesn’t have to mean some wicked desire infidelity - but it can mean they ruin their lives because they live carnaly, seeking to fulfill whatever desire of the flesh - that would lead to their ruin.

The temptation of laziness

The temptation of indulging in some unhealthy habit

THat tempation to spend, spend, and put more on credit

The thoughtlessness of entertainment.

The lack of provision for your family. The neglect of investing time with your family. THe

III. Being FOUND FAITHFUL is what your church needs

Faithful to our Church

In attending services

In being invested in each other

In serving within it.

Church is only able to go forward as its leadership and its membership are faithful to it.

In contributing to it in time, energy and finances.

Faithful to being involved in fulfilling the Great Commission

Faithful to personally reaching others with the Gospel

Faithful to our devotional life

Church is never perfect – because we are not perfect. Yet, there is a God in heaven who sent His Son to die for us and who loves His church, this church. We need to love it to.

Understand that all that we do here involves three primary goals:

1. To Honor and Glorify God

2. To Fulfill the Great Commission of reaching souls here in our community and around the world.

3. Help to grow those we have reached with the Gospel and help them go on to perfection (Spiritual Maturity) – which is basically to be “FOUND FAITHFUL.”

We didn’t lay out those goals, God did in His Word for us:

Matthew 28:19–20 AV

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The best way to be to be FOUND FAITHFUL in your church is to join with it, be accountable with it. People know that when they join it that we will have to be accountable to it.

IV. Being FOUND FAITHFUL has more to do with God than it does you

Now, I’m not one of those people that preach that you cannot do it, you must allow God to do it, meaning that your effort doesn’t contribute and that you cannot try or assist.

That is just not true.

But God is the solution to the equation. Without Him, you cannot do it.

Jesus said in:

John 14:6 AV

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

You cannot have salvation apart from Him, without Him, without His salvation.

He also said in:

He promised to carry your burden:

Matthew 11:28 AV

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

And He said that you can do nothing without Him.

John 15:5 AV

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

All power rests with Him:

Matthew 28:18 AV

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

SO GOD NEEDS TO BE OUR FOCUS WITHIN THE CHURCH AND OUR LIVES WITH IN IT FOR US TO SUCCEED.

Hebrews 12:2 AV

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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Colossians 3:1–2 AV

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

AND WE CAN DO IT, WITH GOD’S HELP WE CAN BE FOUND FAITHFUL.

We need to trust him and go forward. We need to live pure, live right, live trusting in Him, and live going forward obeying Him, that we might be found faithful.

You may not feel capable, I say get your eyes off yourself, just go forward, live pure, and trust God. It is not about you, other than looking to Him, and allowing yourself to be His instrument of service.

Robert Murray McCheyne, a preacher who passed in his early 30’s was quite influential - he said this:

“In great measure, according to the purity and perfections of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as great likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God.”—Robert Murray McCheyne

MAY GOD HELPS US ALL THIS YEAR TO BE – FOUND FAITHFUL TO HIM THIS YEAR

FOUND FAITHFUL

1 Peter 1:3-9

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