Become An Active Learner

LESSON 9: FAITHFULNESS

THE MANNER OF SPIRITUAL GROWTH

It is of the utmost importance to understand and apply the truths associated with faithfulness. The Lord Jesus told several parables in which He indicated that He rewards faithfulness.

NKJV: Matthew 24:45-51, “Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master made ruler over his household, to give them food in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. ⁴⁷ Assuredly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all his goods. ⁴⁸ But if that evil servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming, ⁴⁹ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunkards, ⁵⁰ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him and at an hour that he is not aware of, ⁵¹ and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

NKJV: Luke 12:40-48, “Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” ⁴¹ Then Peter said to Him, “Lord, do You speak this parable only to us, or to all people?”

⁴² And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season? ⁴³ Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. ⁴⁴ Truly, I say to you that he will make him ruler over all that he has. ⁴⁵ But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and be drunk, ⁴⁶ the master of that servant will come on a day when he is not looking for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in two and appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. ⁴⁷ And that servant who knew his master’s will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. ⁴⁸ But he who did not know, yet committed things deserving of stripes, shall be beaten with few. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.”

NKJV: Revelations 2:10, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

NKJV: 1 Corinthians 15:58, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”

FAITHFULNESS

The Manner

How to Serve and How to Build:

FAITHFULNESS IS A CONTINUOUS, STEADY, UNINTERRUPTED PERFORMANCE IN LIFE
AND ALL ITS RESPONSIBILITIES WITHOUT BOASTING ABOUT IT.

A. Seven Reasons for Faithfulness

1. It is a Rarity in Men: Faithfulness is rarely found in people. This is what King Solomon had to say about Faithfulness:

NKJV: Proverbs 20:6, “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?”

It is rarely found in the world, it is seldom found in the Church. Yet in the midst of unfaithfulness the lord Jesus Christ is looking for faithful servants, who will stand true to Him unto the end at any cost.

Will you strive to be one of this very rare class of people?  

2. It is Representative of Our Father: Spiritually, we have two fathers, God and Abraham.

a. God: Firstly, the Scriptures indicate that we are children of God by faith.

NKJV: Galatians 3:26, “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.”

NKJV: Romans 8:16-17, “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, ¹⁷ and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.”

Faithfulness is a very prominent and vital characteristic of God as stated by Paul in an Epistle to the Corinthians.

NKJV: 1 Corinthians 1:9, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

NKJV: 1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

NKJV: 1 Thessalonians 5:24, “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

NKJV: 2 Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.”

NKJV: Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

At the close of Paul’s life in prison he wrote to his son in the faith, Timonthy:

NKJV: 2 Timothy 2:13, “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”

NKJV: 1 Peter 4:19, “Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.”

We are to represent our Heavenly Father here on earth. Therefore, it is essential that we demonstrate this character trait of faithfulness.

b. Abraham: Secondly, we are the children of Abraham by promise through faith. Paul wrote to the Galatians:

NKJV: Galatians 3:6-9, “just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” ⁷ Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. ⁸ And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” ⁹ So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.”

Paul indicated that Abrahan is the father of all who believe.

NKJV: Romans 4:11-12, “And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, ¹² and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised.”

So, both our Heavenly Father and our spiritual earthly father are represented in Scripture as bearing the character trait of faithfulness. Since the children are to bear the image of their father, we are responsible to be faithful.

3. It is Reflected In Christ: The Lord Jesus reflected faithfulness in ALL His ways.

• He faithfully communicated His Father’s will and sentiments to God’s chosen people.
• He faithfully ministered to the afflicted, even to the loss of rest, sleep and time to eat.
• He faithfully proceeded on His way up Calvary’s hill and dies an agonizing death on the cross to save us from sin.
• He was faithful in rising again and ascending into Heaven to apply His blood on the Mercy Seat in heaven.

NKJV: Hebrews 3: 1-2, “Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our confession, Christ Jesus, ² who was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was faithful in all His house.”

He is called “Faithful and True”

NKJV: Revelations 19:11, “Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war.”

NKJV: Hebrews 2:17, “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.”

He is continuously faithful as our High Priest in Heaven interceding for us.

NKJV: Hebrews 7:25, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.”

God is working all things together for our good that we might be conformed to the image of Christ.

NKJV: Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

God is seeking to develop the characteristic of faithfulness in us. We can reflect this quality of His through the enabling of the Holy Spirit.

4. It Is The Result of Faith: Faithfulness is the outcome or result of true faith which is really commitment. Without true faith one cannot be faithful. Faithfulness is necessary to prove you have Spiritual faith.

5. It is Required of Stewards: A principal requirement or prerequisite for one to be a steward is faithfulness.

NKJV: 1 Corinthians 4:2, “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

Stewards are trusted bondslaves (servants) who are expected to faithfully manage that which has been faithfully committed to their trust.

Paul wrote what is expected of us as stewards of the gifts we have been given by God.

NKJV: 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Some day we will be required to give an account of our stewardship, which is the management of all that has been entrusted to us at the tribunal Judgement Seat (bema) of Christ.

6. It Is Rewarded By Four Things: The Lord Jesus Christ will not let faithfulness go unrewarded. He promised He would reward His Faithful servants in four ways:

(1) A crown of life
(2) Commendation
(3) Cities in the Kingdom
(4) A Throne upon which to reign with Him forever

a.  A Crown of Life:  The Lord Jesus Christ sent a message to the church through His servant, John the beloved apostle. This message is directed toward faithfulness and designates the reward He will give to each one who remains faithful to Him unto the end of this earthly life.

NKJV: Revelations 2:10, “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Christ is not rewarding quitters. Only those who finish the race can receive the prize.

NKJV: 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

NKJV: Philippians 1:6, “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”

b. Commendation by Christ: Christ told a parable which involved stewardship, the parable of the talents:

NKJV: Matthew 25:14-30, “For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. ¹⁵ And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 

¹⁶ Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷ And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸ But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹ After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

²⁰ “So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹ 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.’

²² He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’ ²³ His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

²⁴ “Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁶ “But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷ So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸ So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

²⁹ ‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰ And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Faithful diligent service to Christ and faithful management of that which He has made us stewards will be commended by Christ and rewarded accordingly.

c. Cities In The Kingdom: Luke recorded the same story that Matthew did, but he added a touch of precision as he designated what the few things are, over which Christ will make the faithful servant a ruler.

NKJV: Luke 19:17-19, “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’ ¹⁸ And the second came, saying, ‘Master, your mina has earned five minas.’ ¹⁹ Likewise he said to him, ‘You also be over five cities.”

We who are faithful in all things, even the very little things will be given cities over which we will reign during the millennium. The millennium is the term that Scripture gives to the thousand-year reign of Christ over the earth in perfect righteous and peace.

d. Reign With Christ: God rewards faithfulness to Christ by providing thrones in order for those who are faithful to reign with Christ during the millennium.

NKJV: Revelations 20:4-6, “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. ⁶ Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.”

7. The Warning Against Failure: One more reason for faithfulness is the solemn warning by Peeter against failure to be faithful.

NKJV: 2 Peter 3:17-18, “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked; ¹⁸ but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

There is a wonderful and glorious promise if we are faithful…and if we are not, we will be judged accordingly. The decision is in your hands.

The Realm of Faithfulness: Where should we be faithful? In what areas do we need to be faithful? Every child of God needs to be faithful in supporting the local Church, in all six areas of growth set out in lessons 3 – 8, in stewardship, and in serving the Lord.

1. In Support of the Local Church: The first place for a babe in Christ is to be faithful in attendance and support of the local church as Paul exhorted.

NKJV: Hebrews 10:23-25, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Jesus was faithful in attending the synagogue every Sabbath day. Those to whom He has given eternal life are to follow His example in gathering together for worship, exhortation, and fellowship.

NKJV: Luke 4:16, “So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.”

The babe in Christ should begin immediately to follow this pattern faithfully and consistently for his/her own growth and blessing, and for the blessing and encouragement of other believers.

We must be faithful in our support of the local church in instruction, fellowship, in worship, and in prayer every week.

2. In All Six Previous Areas of Growth: We need to be faithful:
● in feeding on God’s Word daily.
● in Spiritual growth and holy living.
● in fellowship with God and His Son.
● in warring against Satan, the demons.
● in the world, and the flesh.
● professing believers who are walking as enemies of the cross of Christ.
● we need to be faithful in giving to the lord.
● we need to be faithful in following the lord Jesus Christ.

3. In Stewardship: We are responsible for all that God has entrusted spiritually, physically, and materially.

NKJV: 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

Not only must you be faithful in your giving to the Lord, but in the management of all you have received from the Lord.

As the Lord reveals truth to you, you should put it into practice in your life and you should share it with others.

You Should Carefully Consider The Management Of Your Body, Your Time, And Your Tasks, As Well As All Your Material Things Including Your Earthly Treasures.

4. In Service: Finally, we need to be faithful in our service to the Lord. As you grow in Christ, the Lord will entrust you with opportunities of service to Him. He has imparted spiritual gifts to you already. These will be manifested and developed as you grow.

It is expected that you will be faithful in service to Him in the use of these gifts. However, you must be careful not to take on too much so that you do not have enough time to properly manage the tasks for which you assume responsibility.

Yet on the other hand, do not postpone or procrastinate in assuming responsibility of that which the Lord opens the way and makes it clear to you, what you are to do.

When you decide to take a responsibility, fulfill it carefully, persistently, and faithfully.

NKJV: Luke 16:10, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.”

Begin to be faithful in the least things now and you will be given more and greater things in which to be faithful later, and great will be your reward.

Conclusion

Faithfulness is a continuous, steady, uninterrupted performance in life and all its responsibilities without boasting about it. It is difficult to find someone who is truly faithful, yet the Lord is seeking faithful servants who will stand true to Him until the end no matter what it costs.

The Lord Jesus Christ reflected faithfulness throughout His life as an example for us to follow and emulate, and to which to be conformed.

Faithfulness is a requirement and a prerequisite for stewards and a criteria by which they will be tried at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

We are warned by both Peter and Paul against failing and falling in faithfulness and the terrible consequences such failure brings.

Each one of us needs to be faithful in all six areas of growth:

● Flourishing      ● Filling      ● Fellowship      ● Fighting      ● Financing      ● Following

When you have put these truths into practice in your life, you will no longer be a babe in Christ, you will grow into spiritual childhood.