Sermon Tone Analysis

FOUND FAITHFUL

1 Peter 1:3-9

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.

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.

B. We need to be FOUND FAITHFUL as parents

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:

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:

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

He also said in:

He promised to carry your burden:

And He said that you can do nothing without Him.

All power rests with Him:

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

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.