FAITHFULNESS

“His lord said to him, well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matt. 25:21 NKJV).

It is important to note that verse 23 is a repeat of verse 21. When a verse is repeated in Scripture, it indicates importance and means pay attention.  There are only a few things that are as important in our character as faithfulness. A lack of faithfulness means a lack of character. Thus we want to note the following truths about faithfulness: the review of faithfulness, the revealer of faithfulness, and the reward for faithfulness.

Review of faithfulness – In context, we have a parable about a man who left on a journey. Before he left, he gave some money to some of his servants. When he returned, he reviewed their stewardship of the money. The parable is a picture of the activity of the Lord. He has given each of us gifts and responsibilities. When He returns, He will review our faithfulness. Let’s not be tempted to be unfaithful and think that it does not matter how we live our lives. The Lord Christ will one day return and review our faithfulness.

Revealer of faithfulness - “You were faithful over a few things.” Faithfulness was demonstrated by how these men handled a few things. “Few” here refers to things of small significance. These men were faithful in small matters. Our faithfulness is revealed in how we do in small matters. If we are not faithful in small matters, we will not be faithful in big matters. Let’s not despise small responsibilities, but do the best we can.

Reward for faithfulness - “I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.” It pays to be faithful. The world may mock it as unimportant, but God does not. If we want to be rewarded by God and promotion in God’s service, we need to be faithful even if where we are now is a small place of service. To know something of the joy of the Lord, we need to be faithful. Real joy does not come without faithfulness.

(Adapted from Butler’s Sermon Starters Vol. 2)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Faithfulness to God is our first obligation in all that we are called to do in the service of the gospel!”

Iain Hamish Murray (1931 - )

British Pastor and Author

Word Study

Example

In 1 Peter 5:3 we read, “Nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock” (NKJV).

Example is the Geek word týpos (τύπος = too'-pos). The word means strike, smite with repeated strokes. Literally, it refers to a visible mark or impression made by a stroke or blow from an instrument or object. Figuratively, it refers to a pattern, model, or copy of the original of something, whether a physical object, such as a statute, or a principle or virtue. In classical Greek, týpos was used to denote the imprint of something upon something else, as well as representing the example of conduct or the pattern for establishing doctrine. In the Septuagint týpos was used in reference to a model. In the New Testament týpos was used to mean example. It was also used metaphorically as in Adam being a týpos or type of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Fear Nots” Found in the Bible

“They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good” (Jer. 10:5 KJV).

Did You Know…

According to Job 31:4, God sees all our ways and counts all of our steps

Bible Quiz

Who is recorded in the Bible as speaking the first lie?

**Answer to last week’s Bible Quiz: What was the final obstacle the children of Israel had to face before entering the Promised Land? Crossing the Jordan River (Deut. 3:27-28).

Names For the Lord Jesus in the Bible

“LIGHT OF THE WORLD”

"Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life!” (John 8:12 NKJV).

1. Meaning – LIGHT OF THE WORLD speaks of the Lord Jesus as the source and bearer of light to mankind. He is the only source of illumination in spiritual matters.

2. Insights – This claim by the Lord Jesus is especially appropriate in view of the fact that great golden candelabra (Menorah) were lighted in the Temple during the Feast of Tabernacles. This was done in remembrance of the “pillar of fire” which directed the Children of Israel by night in their wilderness experiences (Ex. 13:21). Even as Jehovah was their illuminating Guide then, so now the Lord Jesus is the ever present “I AM,” illuminating and dispelling darkness. To a world in sin and darkness, exposed to judgment and in need of salvation, the Lord Jesus is the light of the world. He is not merely a light or another light among many lights. He is the only Light, “the true Light” (cf. 1:9)..

Did You Know – Christian History

John Kitto was born December 4, 1804 in Plymouth, England. He was an English Biblical Scholar, Missionary and Author.

Kitto was a sickly child, but much of his childhood was spent in the workhouse because of the poverty of his family. He had no more than three years of education. But, with the help of his grandmother, he learned enough to devour any book that came into his hand. At the age of twelve Kitto fell on his head from a rooftop, and became totally and permanently deaf. His accident left him with an impaired sense of balance. Although the tragedies and sufferings left young Kitto disappointed and lonely, he found consolation in browsing at bookstalls and reading any books that came his way. Friends who were aware of his situation encouraged him to write articles for local newspapers, arranging for him to work as an assistant in a local library. Here he continued to educate himself.

In 1824, Exeter dentist Anthony Norris Groves offered him employment as a dental assistant. Living with the Groves family, Kitto was profoundly influenced by the practical Christian faith of his employer. In 1829 Kitto accompanied Groves on his mission to Baghdad and served as tutor to Grove’s two sons. When Kitto returned to England, he was asked by a London publisher to write of his travel for a series of articles in the Penny Magazine, a publication read at that time by a million people in Britain. Other writing projects followed as readers enquired about his experiences in the East.

Kitto was a careful observer of physical detail, and his retelling of Bible stories in the light of what he had seen brought the narratives to life and confirmed the accuracy of the ancient texts. His careful research into the geography, biology and archaeology of Bible lands, served to support and encourage confidence in the accuracy of the Bible. This has help readers of the Bible to understand many things that were previously obscure or contradictory to the Western mind.

Kitto was a most significant contributor to Christian scholarship. In all, he has written a total of twenty-three books, of which Charles Spurgeon considered the Daily Bible Illustrations to be “more interesting than any novel that was ever written, and as instructive as the heaviest theology.” It has encouraged the faith of readers of all ages and backgrounds, and stimulated the imagination of many a Sunday school teacher. In 1844 the University of Giessen conferred upon him the degree of D.D. In 1850 he received a pension for life from the British government. Kitto died on November 25, 1854 at Cannstatt in Germany.

A Little Humor

During a church service, a young child turned to his mother and asked, ‘Mom, why is the minister shouting so loud?’ The mother smiled and whispered, “Because he wants people to wake up and listen!”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“Eternal life is the only life insurance you can collect after death!”