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Faithful in a Few Things
/Text: Matthew 25:14-24/
 
Place Preached - (Mississauga International Baptist Church)
Date Preached - (08~/27~/06)
 
INTRODUCTION: Retell Parable Briefly.
Introduce subject of faithfulness.
The Bible has much to say about Faithfulness.
*1 Corinthians 4:2 *Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
*Proverbs 20:6 *Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?
There are many examples of faithful men & women in the Bible.
LOOK UP & READ *Hebrews 11:6-10, 17-31, 32-38A*
 
Faithfulness is one of the great requirements of the Christian life!
 
*Micah 6:8 *He hath shewed thee, O man, what /is/ good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
We may not be the best parent, friend, witness, teacher etc. in all the world, but we can be faithful.
*Glamour is not Greatness*
Let it never be forgotten that glamour is not greatness; applause is not fame; prominence is not eminence.
The man of the hour is not apt to be the man of the ages.
A stone may sparkle, but that does not make it a diamond; people may have money, but that does not make them a success.
It is what the unimportant people do that really counts and determines the course of history.
The greatest forces in the universe are never spectacular.
Summer showers are more effective than hurricanes, but they get no publicity.
The world would soon die but for the fidelity, loyalty, and consecration of those whose names are unhonored and unsung.
- James R. Sizoo
Bits & Pieces, June 22, 1995, p. 11.
We will look today at the Definition, the Dispensation and the Dividends of Faithfulness as seen in the life of the Good & Faithful Servant of Matt 25.
 
! I.
The Definition of Faithfulness
 
A full definition of faithfulness takes into account several ideas
 
 
!! A. Reliability & Dependability
 
In the transaction of business.
In the execution of commands.
In the discharge of official duties.
The faithful person is one who will get the job done.
*Psalms 15:4 *….
/He that/ sweareth to /his own/ hurt, and changeth not.
Someone once asked James J. Corbett, at that time heavyweight champion of the world, what was the most important thing a man must do to become a champion.
He replied, “Fight one more round.”
The Duke of Wellington said that the British soldiers at the Battle of Waterloo were not any braver than Napoleon’s soldiers—but they were brave for five minutes longer.
That is about it for the Christian.
*Proverbs 24:16 *For a just /man/ falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.
*Hebrews 12:3 *For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
!! B. Earned Confidence
 
This is very similar to the first aspect of the definition of faithfulness.
The difference being that one is what you are, the second is what others come to know you to be.
Your faithfulness may go unnoticed in some area of life, but never by God!
The faithful person develops a reputation as being trustworthy, believable and credible.
In other words they have a track record.
What’s yours?
*Proverbs 25:19 *Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble /is like/ a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.
There is a final element that is essential to a full definition, without it everything else collapses.
!! C. The Backbone of Belief
 
“Faith-Full” or Full-of-Faith!!
 
We are talking about one who trusts simply and fully in the promises of God.
There is a traceable and unmistakable link between Faith & Faithfulness.
What you do is important (The Act of Faithfulness).
But your actions flow out of a core system of beliefs.
(The Foundation of Faithfulness).
ILLUS:  What I believe about God impacts how I live my life.
What I believe about time and eternity, the afterlife will make a marked difference in how I spend my time.
What I believe about Jesus Christ, the Bible, the Church etc. etc. all have practical implications – Every doctrine of God’s Word ought to inspire faithfulness in some area of my Christian life.
ILLUS:  Conversely – We have people conducting suicide missions, plotting terrorist activities and flying planes into buildings in recent years, because of a nefarious belief system.
! II.
The Dispensation of Faithfulness
 
“thou hast been faithful over a few things”
 
Not “ALL” responsibility, but an “AREA” of responsibility.
No matter how small we think our role, we should understand that it is a matter of utmost importance and eternal significance.
God has given each of us a stewardship, or administration over a few things, it is not much.
*1 John 5:3 *For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
It is not a burdensome thing to serve God faithfully in the few things he has entrusted to us!
 
What are they?
!! A. Our Individual Life
 
LOOK UP & READ *John 21:18-22* (EXPLAIN)
 
*2 Thessalonians 3:11 *For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
BUSYBODY – Self-appointed expert in the affairs of another.
With that in mind consider the following…
 
For Believers – *Hebrews 2:1 *Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let /them/ slip.
For Unsaved – *Matthew 16:26 *For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
!! B. Our Calling
 
“Called to be saints”
 
*Hebrews 2:3 *How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard /him/;
 
Called to be servants
 
Called to specific ministry.
1.
Ekklessia – “called out” assembly – We are an assembly of the Called.
*Revelation 17:14 *These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him /are/ called, and chosen, and faithful.
2.
Specific Life’s Vocation – Pastor, Missionary etc.
 
!! C. Spiritual Gifts
 
*Rom 12:3-9;  I Cor 12:1-11, 27-31;  Eph 4:7-16*
 
1.
Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities to minister or serve.
2.
Spiritual gifts are given to believers by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor.
12:7-11)
 
Every believer has a gift or “/Gift-Mix/”
 
3.
The giving of a spiritual gift is an act of God's grace (the major part of the word which is translated "gifts" is the New Testament word for "grace," compare Rom.12:6 and 1 Pet.
4:10).
*2 Timothy 1:6 *Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
! III.
The Dividends of Faithfulness
 
In many ways faithfulness is it’s own reward.
The joy of a job well done, a good and restful sleep at night, the quiet confidence that God will see us through a difficult situation.
In addition, there are significant rewards for the faithful believer reserved for eternity.
!! A. Proclamation of the Master’s Approval
 
“Well done,/ thou/ good and faithful servant:”
 
This commendation was both personal and sincere.
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