On August 29, 2021, Pastor Eric shared one of God’s greatest virtues: faithfulness. What does it mean to be faithful? Being faithful is putting our faith into action. When we are faithful to God it means that we trust that He will care for us, we follow where He leads, and we love Him in return.

Read Matthew 25:14-23

Pastor Eric summarized Jesus’ parable as follows: The master, a very wealthy man, who went on an extended trip, entrusted his talents (money) to three of his servants, according to their ability. Each talent represented a significant sum of money. A talent was equal to approximately 6,000 denarii. Since one denarius represented an average worker’s daily earnings, a talent would have been roughly equivalent to 20 years wages for the average worker. The master gave five talents to the first servant, two talents to the second, and one talent to the third. The first and second servants invested the funds wisely, doubling the funds entrusted to them, but the third servant, who was afraid of losing his master’s money, hid his talent in the ground and earned nothing. When the rich man returned, he rewarded the two who invested his money, but severely punished the servant who kept the money safe but unproductive.

The Lord expects His children to be good and faithful servants. God knows our capabilities. We don’t all have the same measure. He doesn’t expect the same results from all of us. He wants us to do something good with the talents that we are given. He most certainly wants us to do more than bury our talents in the ground. This parable applies to all of us today: God has given each and every one of us a variety of gifts, and he expects us to use those gifts in His service. Although the church is one unified body, each of its members has a special gift or ability to be used for the good and growth of all. Everyone is important to building others up.

Christ gave these gifts to his children to equip the church through all of the gifted individuals who make use of their talents.

Read Genesis 39:2-12

As seen in Genesis 39, Joseph also exemplified faithfulness. He was purchased by Potiphar, a powerful Egyptian official and captain of Pharaoh’s guard. Potiphar soon saw that Joseph was successful in all he did. Therefore, Potiphar appointed Joseph as the head of his entire household. As a result, Joseph was blessed and everything he was responsible for prospered. Thanks to Joseph, others were also blessed. A problem arose, however. Joseph was well-built and handsome, and after a while Potiphar’s wife took notice of Joseph and seduced him repeatedly. However, he continually and persistently refused. He would not betray his master’s confidence or sin against God. Potiphar’s wife was furious and her fury converted into a quest for revenge. She told her male servants that Joseph attempted to rape her. Consequently, Joseph was falsely imprisoned. Though Joseph was thrown in jail, the Lord was still with him. Soon after, with God’s help, Joseph entered the service of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.

Many Christians today have trouble responding to sin as effectively as Joseph did. And some believe that their temptations cannot be overcome, but that is a lie straight from the pit of hell.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13

As this verse states, all temptations a Christian might experience are common to everyone. There are no unique or extreme temptations that are impossible for us to overcome. If other people have managed to resist the temptation we are facing, then we can too. We should rest assured that the strength of the temptations we face will be proportionate to the strength God gives us to resist them. God does not promise to exempt us from troublesome temptations, but He does undertake to limit its intensity and provide a way of escape, so that we may be able to endure it.

Are we able to remain faithful to God in the face of temptation? Are we able to live a righteous life? God’s highest hope for us is that we become like Him, faithful in all our ways.

When we walk on the path of faithfulness, we will enjoy five wonderful assurances:

It leads to a blessed life.

If we are committed to being faithful to the Lord and living in the center of God’s will, we will have a blessed life.

See Proverbs 28:20 and Proverbs 3:3-4.

It leads to eternal rewards.

The Lord promises eternal rewards to those who faithfully serve Christ, even onto death.

See Revelation 2:10    

It leads to promotions in the kingdom of God.

If we are faithful to Christ, our levels of responsibility will increase in the kingdom of God.

See Luke 16:10-12

We exemplify the character of God. 

See Exodus 34:6

Faithfulness is being loving, loyal, steadfast and dependable. In other words, we exemplify the character of God.

It confirms we are true believers.

See Galatians 5:22-23

Faithfulness is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in a Christian’s life. Being faithful confirms we are true believers.

Are you walking on the path of faithfulness? Are you faithful with what God entrusted in your care?

Watch full sermon here: