AM Scripture Reading: Psalm 89.1-8

This Morning’s Sermon:                                                          Brent T. Willey

UNDERSTANDING

FAITHFULNESS

Introduction:

1. What does it mean to be faithful?

2. The Biblical usage:

   1. Hebrew: aman- “to be firm, endure, be faithful, be true, stand fast…” [Vine]. Three words derive from this verb:

      1. Amen- “So be it!” (Psa. 106.48)

      2. Emet- “truth” (Psa. 25.5)

      3. Emunah- “faithfulness” (Psa. 89.1ff)

   2. Greek: pistos- “trusty…that can be relied on” [Thayer]. (53x in the New Testament)

3. Faithfulness is the key to a right relationship with God!

I. OUR FAITHFUL GOD

1. Characteristic: His dependability! (Lam. 3.21-23)

2. Application:

   1. Covenants & promises (Deut. 7.9; 2 Pet. 3.9; Heb. 10.23)

   2. “God is faithful” (1 Cor. 1.9; 10.13; cf., 2 Thess. 3.3).

3. Longevity: (Psa. 119.90; Rom. 3.3)

II. THE FAITHFUL WORD

1. Characteristic: God’s Word is reliable! (Titus 1.9)

2. Application:

   1. Produces faith (Rom. 10.17)

   2. Lights our path (Psa. 119.105; Prov. 6.23; 2 Pet. 1.19)

   3. Accomplishes God’s will (Isa. 55.10-11)

3. Longevity: (Isa. 40.8; Matt. 24.35; 1 Pet. 1.5)

III. THE FAITHFUL PEOPLE

1. Characteristic: Reliable & trustworthy! (Heb. 11)

2. Application:

   1. Faithful servants (Matt. 25.21, 23)

   2. Faithful stewards (1 Cor. 4.1-2)

   3. Faithful teachers (2 Tim. 2.2)

   4. Faithful martyrs (Rev. 2.13; cf., Acts 22.20)

3. Longevity: (Matt. 10.22; Rev. 2.10; 2 Tim. 4.7)

Conclusion: People without faith have reduced life to a brief, meaningless existence – and will miss out on heaven! (Heb. 11.6)