Continuing to be Faithful to Our God
Establishing a New Normal • Sermon • Submitted
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Introduction
Introduction
Perhaps you have had experience with Attention Deficit Disorder or commonly known as ADD. We think sometimes of this being relevant to children but did you know that almost 4% of the adults in our nation also deal with this? According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), it is a persistent pattern of inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity that is more frequently displayed in some more than others. Some examples of these behaviors include:
having difficulty focusing, organizing, and paying attention
having difficulty staying still
squirming
fidgeting
having difficulty being patient
being unable to wait your turn
interrupting others
having difficulty following through on instructions or tasks
It almost sounds like the sermon time in a church service! Maybe you have been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD and have an understanding of this disorder. It is indeed prevalent through out our country. However, what seems to be more prevalent is what I would call SDD, Spiritual Deficit Disorder. It seems more than ever, even before the pandemic swept across our globe, that church attendance is at an all time low. When it comes to God-centered living, we as a world are not claiming this as perhaps we once did.
According to BARNA.COM, a Christian research company, one third fewer Americans attend church now than they did in 1993. That was before we had two months of churches across our land being closed due to the pandemic mandates.
Over the last 10 years, there has still been a steady, if slow, decline, with just under seven in 10 Americans (69%) affirming they pray weekly. In fact, overall research shows that in the last 25 years, Americans have softened their practice of Christianity. Now with the assistance of a pandemic and the inability to attend church services and Bible study opportunities, we are ripe to continue this trend and we can become a statistic ourselves if we are not careful
So as we continue to establish a new normal, how can we continue to demonstrate our faith in God?
There are many ways. I want to show you just how you can do that by looking at two verses in God’s word, one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. God’s Word is so powerful, that often He can teach us very much in just a few verses, and in this case just two.
But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
One of the amazing things to me about the Word of God is that you can often take two verses such as these, that are completely unrelated in context yet similarly powerful and alike in their meaning. Why? Because God is consistent in His Word! God’s Word gives us great assurance, phenomenal instruction, and hope for our present circumstances. However, it is up to me to take it as truth and apply it in my life on a daily basis. If I do not do so, it does not negate the truth of God’s word by any means. I can choose whether to obey or disobey, believe or not believe, trust or place my trust in something man-made.
As I have thought about this, I have realized that there are many choices I make. So I thought it would be interesting to use the letter “I” as a point of alliteration in what I can do to continue my faith in our God.
Intention
Intention
In the first phrase of 1 Samuel 12:24, we see the words, “But be sure.”
BE SURE shows INTENTION. If I want to grow in my faith, I need to be intentional about doing so. I need to make time for it. I need to study God’s Word. I need to make myself accountable with other Christians. I need to feed my spirit on the truth of God’s word. God’s Word will make good people better and bad people good!
In the area of moral theology, an intention influences the morality of an action. A good intention usually makes for a good action. A bad intention ruins a good action. When we set our hearts and minds on doing the will of God, we will have good intention that produces good action. As a result, we will see not our faith continue to grow, we will be instrumental in growing the Kingdom of God!
Intensity
Intensity
When you are sure and practice intention, you will do so with intensity. Notice what Samuel is saying to be sure to do: He is saying to be sure to FEAR the Lord. Now we need to understand that there are two distinct fears described in God’s Word. One is phrased “fear not” and the other other is what we have here, “fear the Lord.” One has to do with false evidence appearing real, which is the absence of peace. The other has to do with the one Who is the the Author of Peace and can give peace that passes all understanding! One is saying you don’t have to be afraid and this one is saying that we should we should have an awe and respect of all God is and all He is able to do. Both are scriptural and both are applicable to us today. We do not have to worry because God is with us.
When we fear the Lord, we are recognizing His intensity, which is His strength, His might, His power and all He is! He has the power to create, to make new and to forgive.
But with you there is forgiveness;
therefore you are feared.
In recognizing the intensity of the Lord and fearing Him, the Bible says we are doing several things. When we fear the Lord, we are learning more about Him.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
When we fear the Lord, we are shunning evil.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
When we fear the Lord, we are recognizing that in Him are all things so we will have what we need.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
When we fear the Lord, we gain life.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.
Samuel gives us the command to fear the Lord and he also gives the admonition to “serve Him faithfully with all your heart.” This brings another level of intensity. Faithful at its very best will be with all one’s heart. It means to serve truthfully, lastingly, and reliably. When we serve Him faithfully and with all our heart, it means we are serving Him with all our being and all that we are. In doing so, we will “consider what great things He has done for us.” This leads us to another “I” word that will helps us continue to be faithful to our God. We will be able to do so INTELLECTUALLY.
Intellectually
Intellectually
Then word consider literally means to think about, to contemplate, to reflect on. When we use our minds to do so, we are doing exactly what we are created to be and do. Daniel 4:16 implies that the mind of a human is greater than that of an animal. God designed us to be able to think better than any other of His creation. As we think, our knowledge provokes our actions.
Every prudent man acts out of knowledge,
but a fool exposes his folly.
When we consider the great things God has done for us, we are opening our minds to a more beautiful understanding of who He is and what He has done.
He is your praise; he is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes.
What are some awesome wonders that God has done in your life that you could testify about today? I would encourage you to write them down and keep a list to remind you of your many blessings. Watch what happens when you start thinking about “these great things He has done for you.” You will see that God is so faithful and you will start to see ways in which you can be more faithful as well. This will lead you to the last “I” and that is INTEGRITY.
Integrity
Integrity
Paul takes this idea to another level. In 1 Corinthians 4:2, he is talking about work ethic that was completely engulfed in integrity. It was a common practice called oikonomoi. It was the work of one who was not closely supervised. The most common example of this was that of a housekeeper. This person was to not do his or her own tasks but to do what the owner of the house desired for his tastes. This housekeeper or steward was to make sure that everything was properly cared for and adequately provided. The food they prepared was to be of the head of the household’s liking. Their work had to be shown that they were faithful.
We have been entrusted to do God’s work. We are to carry out His commission to His liking and not to that which might be of our tastes. We have been given the real deal! We must be people of full integrity as we have given the gift of a relationship with God Himself. All He asks in return to be faithful. That simply means that we are to impart His truth as it is revealed to us by His Holy Spirit.
How are you doing with that? Are you proclaiming the interests of the One that owns it all or has selfishness creeped in on you? Let me encourage you to continue to be faithful and share for you a few habits that will help you.
First, if you want to know what God wants you to do, then get to know Him better and better. Spend time with Him. In this day of pandemic mandates, aren’t you glad that we do not have to be socially distant from our Lord? In fact, He wants you to be one with Him! Spend time studying His Word, let it enrich you while it molds and shapes you at the same time.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
The more you allow the word of Christ to dwell in you, the more faithful you will become.
Secondly, as the word richly dwells in you, allow it to make you grow in Christ likeness now more than ever.
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God,
God has saved you! What are you going to do about it? Continue to grow in the faith of our Lord!
Be Intentional!
Be Intense about it!
Be Intelligent about the things of God!
And do it all with Integrity because the the Name you bear!
Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.
It is required