Sunday, September 27, 2015

Abstain From Fornication

Temple Baptist Church - 9-27-2015
1 Thessalonians 4:1-3; Genesis 2:20-25


Introduction:

A.  I find it enlightening that Paul, when speaking of sanctification, made specific mention of fornication.  Fornication is no longer a terrible sin in the eyes of the world or most churches.  At what is often called the First Jerusalem Council, the bible settles the subject of Law and Grace.  We are under grace and not law!  Here was the conclusion that these men of God came up with for the Galatian people.

Acts 15:29  That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.

B.  One of the sins that the bible emphasizes staying away from in the sin of fornication.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  (19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Ephesians 5:3  But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

C.  Fornication is an especially devastating sin so I want to look at it for a few minutes.  If you want to discover what God intends on any particular subject, you must go to the first mention of it.  Rightly dividing the Word of Truth brings about doctrinal purity and doctrinal purity brings about spiritual help

D.  Biblical hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation concerning the books of the Bible.  One of the first principles that you learn in Bible Hermeneutics Class is the Law of First Mention.  "God indicates in the first mention of a subject the truth with which that subject stands connected in the mind of God."

E.  In Genesis 2:20-25, we find the first man, the first woman, the first marriage, the first joining, the first conception, etc.  God’s intent was this:  one man, one woman, one relationship, one lifetime!  GOD HAS NEVER VARIED FROM THIS STANDARD!

1.  God’s standard rebukes sodomy.  It is not one man and one man!  It is not one woman and one woman!  It is one man and one woman!

2.  God’s standard rebukes fornication!  It is not relationships plural!  It is one man, one woman, and one relationship!

3.  God’s standard rebukes polygamy!  It is not one man and several women!  It is not one woman and several men!  It is one man and one woman for one lifetime!

4.  Is this popular teaching and preaching in our day?  NO!  Because fornication is both prevalent and popular in our day.  There is no longer shame for either losing one’s purity or choosing to live together while unmarried.

5.  Is this right teaching and preaching in our day?  YES!  God has never changed His mind on the subject and neither should we!  The Supreme Court did not change God’s mind, God’s Word, or God’s judgment!

F.  One of the most prevalent sins of our day is fornication. 

1.  Young people lose their purity at earlier and earlier ages.  Marriage is not the first choice of many as they choose living together as their first option.  I have had people get mad and leave our church because I would not put up with it. 

2.  Older people have lost their values.  So called Christian parents not only accept this particular sin but also approve of it by helping the young, sinful couple to set up housekeeping.  I want to help our young people as well as you older folks concerning the subject of fornication. 

FORNICATION - voluntary sexual intercourse between persons not married to each other.

G.  The world is pushing sex in almost every aspect of life.  Satan is constantly bombarding society on virtually every front perverted sexual behavior. 

1.  Pornography.  We consider pornography as adult magazines, adult movies, porn sites on the internet, etc. but it is much more diverse than these areas. 

2.  We are bombarded at Wal-Mart, the grocery store, public events, billboards, newspapers, J.C. Penny and Sears catalogues, and the list goes on.  What you now see in public places was once found only in men’s magazines.  Both women and men dress either provocatively or half naked in public.

3.  Now, we have gotten comfortable with these images of both male and female that were once classified as sinful!

H.  In Genesis 2, we find three phrases that I want to look at for a few minutes by way of introduction: 

1.  “cleave unto his wife – Cleave – to stick or to adhere to, to unite closely, strong attachment, to bond.  Marriage is bonding!  We use the term “bonds of holy matrimony.”

Psalms 102:5  By reason of the voice of my groaning my bones cleave to my skin.

Psalms 137:6  If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy.

2.  “one flesh” – one, not two!  Marriage is not a selfish act but a selfless act!

Matthew 19:5  And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

3.  “both naked…not ashamed”  The beauty of the physical relationship is within the bond of marriage.

Hebrews 13:4  Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.

I.  Fornication is one of the few sins that draws this formidable warning:

1 Corinthians 6:18-20  Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.  (19)  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  (20)  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.  (Satan slowly tantalizes the flesh with the desire for fornication while God commands you to flee!)

Proverbs 7:21-24  With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.  22  He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;  23  Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.  24  Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.

J.  There was a time when men kept their hands off of the women.  Even in church, parents made them sit with a song book between them.  The Bible declares that it is not good for a man to touch a woman.  I want to look at several things that fornication does to the believer:

1.  Fornication Causes A Loss Of Innocence Never To Be Regained – As was with Adam and Eve in the garden, innocence is lost.  There is the permanent realization that purity is gone and cannot be regained.  God gave to every young person a very special gift:  innocence and purity!

2.  Fornication Brings About A Guilty Conscience – You will never look at yourself the same again.  Others may never find out but you will always know and the reminders that are many will be painful.  You will have a lifetime of sorrow to contend with.

3.  Fornication Exposes To The Possibility Of Sexually Transmitted Diseases – You will never know for sure that the other person that you were involved with has not had sexual relations before.  STD is rampant in our society and many such diseases are incurable.  Explain that to you future husband or wife!

4.  Fornication Defiles The Beauty Of Marital Sex – Pre-marital sex cheapens the act and will cause you to look at both it and your intended mate in a different light.  Fornication will cause you to both act and react in a defiled way.  It will damage your relationship with either your husband of wife.

5.  Fornication Brings Innocent Children Into This World – The world is full of young, unwed mothers and fathers.  The young parent’s carefree childhood is gone as they enter into the world of adulthood before they become adults.

Ecclesiastes 11:9-10  Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.  10  Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth arevanity.

6.  Fornication Is A Sin Against The Temple Of The Holy Ghost – The Spirit of God lives within each believer and is subjected to our sin.  He is joined to you and you are joined to another!

1 Corinthians 6:16  What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Conclusion:  Much more could be said but I believe that there is enough in this message for us all to get THE MESSAGE!  Flee fornication and you will be wise.

Two Hearings

Temple Baptist Church - 9-27-2015
John 5:24-29


Introduction

A. Our Lord began these verses with “Verily, verily!”

1. These words indicate a subject of special importance.
2. These words were used to denote a clear and certain revelation.

B. Here we find one of the greatest passages of Scripture dealing with salvation, death, and eternal judgment.  I once say this upon a sign: “Life is short, death is sure, sin the cause, and Christ the cure.”

C.  There are two hearings found in these verses that I want to look at this morning.

1.  The Hearing of Salvation - Vs 24-26 “The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”  The dead in verse 25 is a reference to the spiritually dead or unsaved.  Notice that they “hear the voice of the Son of God” which is a reference to the Word of God, the Bible.  Those who answer that call to salvation become God’s children.

a. Salvation’s Agent – “heareth my word” - Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Romans 10:16-17  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?  (17)  So then faithcometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

b. Salvation’s Acceptance – “believeth on him” - John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

1 John 5:10-13  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.  (11)  And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  (12)  He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  (13)  These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

c. Salvation’s Attribute – “everlasting life” - John 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall anyman pluck them out of my hand.

d. Salvation’s Appointment – “and now is” - 2 Corinthians 6:2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)

e. Salvation’s Assurance – “shall not come into condemnation” - Romans 10:12-13  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.  (13)  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

2. The Hearing of Judgment – Vs 27-29  All that are in the graves shall hear his voice” are those who have died, either in the Lord or without the Lord.  Here, we find one of the Bible Gaps recorded.  The Resurrection of Life is for those who have “done good” or heard and heeded God’s call to salvation through God’s Word.  This resurrection is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and takes place prior to the beginning of Jacob’s Trouble or the Tribulation Period.  The Resurrection of Damnation is for those who have “done evil” or rejected God’s Word and call to salvation  This resurrection takes place at the end of the Millennial Reign of our Lord Jesus Christ in Revelation 20:11-15.  The lapse of time between these two resurrections is app. 1007 years.

a. The Appointment of Death - Vs 27 - Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

b. The Appointment of Judgment – Vs 28-29 - Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment

c. The Judgment Seat of Christ for the Saved - The works of the saved are judged here, not the sins of the saved as Calvary is a finished work and covers it all!  Praise God!

1 Corinthians 3:14-15  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  (15)  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

2 Corinthians 5:10  For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

d. The Great White Throne Judgment for the Unsaved or Spiritually Dead – The unsaved are judged for their works!

Revelation 20:11-15  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  (12)  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  (13)  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  (14)  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.  (15)  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

1) They are resurrected to stand before God.  “And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God … And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them”

2) The books are opened and they are judged according to their works.  “and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works”

3) They are cast into the eternal Lake of Fire.  “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire”

Conclusion:  I Thank the Lord that I heard His voice many years ago, believed on Christ, and passed from death to life.  If you are here without Christ this morning, you need to hear and heed His call.

Sunday, September 20, 2015

The Necessity of Continual Spiritual Growth

Temple Baptist Church - 9-20-2015
1 Thessalonians 3:8-13

 
Introduction:
 
A.  We have spent a lot of time bragging on this little church in Macedonia and the bragging was warranted!  This was one of the greatest churches in the Apostolic Period!  They were both an example and encouragement to their contemporaries as well as to us in these latter days.
 
B.  In our verses for tonight, I want us to see that their past performance was not enough! 
 
1.  There have been many great churches that started right, ran the race, and ultimately began to decline spiritually.  What happened to good other churches that are in decline can also happen to our church.
 
2.  The same with God’s children.  How many could we name tonight that were once on fire for God, faithful in the work of the Lord, and out of the battle today?  What happened to these brethren who once were counted among the faithful and are no longer with us can also happen to either you or me.
 
C.  How do we guard against spiritual failure?  
 
1.  I believe that the key is continual spiritual growth!  The church is doing great!  Their testimony sparkling!  Their charity and liberality astounding! 
 
2.  But their future unsure!  Good churches fall!  Spirituality, doctrinal purity, and good works MUST be maintained.  The Apostle Paul sends his best man, Timothy, to teach and ground them in God’s Word to ensure their future reliability in the work of the LORD.
 
D.  Their conversion was biblical.  1 Thessalonians 1:5-6  For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.  (6)  And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:
 
E.  You must be saved in order to grow spiritually but salvation alone will not mature you.
 
1.  You MUST be Regular.  Faithfulness is imperative for spiritual growth.  You cannot get what God wants you to have by missing services.
 
2.  You MUST be Receptive.  The Word of God is not meant to hurt God’s children but it is a sharp, two edged sword that cuts when preached.  It must be received in order to bring about spiritual growth.
 
3.  You MUST be Responsive.  The Word of God must be heeded.  Hearing without heeding is useless.
 
4.  You MUST be Responsible.  Continuance is the key to maintaining spiritual growth.  Many begin well, run well, and end up spiritually ship wrecked.
 
F.  Their counselors and comforters were essential.  1 Thessalonians 2:11-13  (11)  As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children,  (12)  That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.  (13)  For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
 
G.  Their continuance was contingent.  1 Thessalonians 3:1-3  Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;  (2)  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:  (3)  That no man should be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto.
 
H.  Their course was established.  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13  And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:  (13)  To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
 
1. The Dangers of Lack of Spiritual Maturity
a.  Carnality - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3  And I, brethren, could not speak unto
you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I
have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to
bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas
there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal,
and walk as men?

James 3:16  For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and
every evil work.
b.  Division- 1 Corinthians 1:10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
 
c.  Destruction - 2 Timothy 2:26  And that they may recover themselves out
of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 

1 Peter 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the
devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 
 
2.  The Foundations for Spiritual Maturity

a.  The Bible - 2 Timothy 3:16-17 
All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness:  2 That the man of God may be perfect,
throughly furnished unto all good works. 

b.  The Pastor - Ephesians 4:11-13  And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of
the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the
knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ: 

c.  The Church - 1 Timothy 3:15
  But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know
how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church
of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 

d.  Trials -   James 1:4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 
1 Peter 5:10  But the God of all grace, who hath called us
unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 
 
3.  The Results of Spiritual Maturity
 
a.  Spiritual Maturity And Unity - 1 Corinthians 1:4-10  I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;  That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;  Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:  So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there
be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the
same mind and in the same judgment.
 
b.  Spiritual Maturity And Scriptural Understanding - 1 Corinthians 2:6-10   Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:  Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth
all things, yea, the deep things of God.
 
c.  Spiritual Maturity And Personal Holiness - 2 Corinthians 7:1  Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. 
Ephesians 4:24-32   And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:  Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.  Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath
forgiven you.
 
d.  Spiritual Maturity And Doctrinal Purity - Ephesians 4:11-16  And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;  For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ:  From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual
working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love.

e.  Spiritual Maturity And God's Will - Hebrews 13:20-21    Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
 
f.  Spiritual Maturity And The Tongue  - James 3:1-2   My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also
to bridle the whole body.
 

The Faithfulness Of God

Temple Baptist Church - 9-20-2015
1 Chronicles 29:10-13

 
Introduction:
 
A.  We have spent a couple of months looking at the God of David, a man after God’s own heart.  His excellent name, His wondrous works, His exceeding power, His matchless grace, His infinite wisdom, His eternal word, His majesty, His mercy, and His love.  All I can say is, “What a Saviour!”
 
B.  The Lord certainly needs nothing or anyone and yet He loves His children.  One of my favorite verses, Hebrews 13:5b says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
 
C. In retrospect, we can look back through the years, the trials, the disappointments, and the heartaches—God has always graciously proven Himself to be a “faithful Creator.”  I have often said that God must and will prove Himself to His children.  You cannot trust a gun that will not shoot, a car that will not start, or a plane will not fly.  God tells His children to trust Him and then proves Himself to them.  In Malachi 3, our God said to “prove me herewith!”  You step forth by faith and watch Him undergird your step. 
 
D. Based upon God’s past proving of His great faithfulness, we now can trust our future into His loving hands.  Does this mean that we will never have a problem or be disappointed?  No, it means that He will be there with us and for us. 
 
Isaiah 43:1-2  But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.  (2)  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.
 
Lamentations 3:22-26  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  23  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.  24  The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him25  The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.  26  It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. 
 
When I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!             
                          
E.  Just how much can God be depended upon?  He is everything, for everybody, in every place, in every situation, in every time frame.  He is God and He is faithful!  I am His and He is mine!
 
F.  No one can deny God’s faithfulness to His chosen nation, Israel.  Through the centuries, in both obedience and disobedience, the Lord has kept His promises to the Israeli people.  It is amazing that we could doubt His faithfulness to us as His chosen body. 
 
G.  One of the great blessings of knowing the God of your salvation is knowing His faithfulness.  Many good men of God have taken the path of doubt in trying times and, yet, the Lord recorded for us His continual faithfulness to them.  These things are for our ensample upon whom the end of the world is come.  In trying times, it is good to know that the Lord will never fail His children.
 
1.  There Needs To Be A Remembrance of His Faithfulness - Psalms 36:5 Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds.
 
Psalms 89:33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.
 
2.  There Needs To Be A Response to His Faithfulness - Psalms 89:1  I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.
 
1.  He Is Faithful In His Word - Psalms 119:86 All thy commandments are faithful: they persecute me   wrongfully; help thou me.
 
            a.  His Prophecies will not fail
 
b.  His Promises will not fail
 
            c.  His Preservation will not fail
 
2.  He Is Faithful In His Purposes - Isaiah 25:1  O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy    name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
 
            a.  His Plan has not changed - salvation by grace
 
            b.  His Person has not changed – holiness
 
            c.  His Purpose has not changed - conform us to His image
 
 
3.  He Is Faithful In His Salvation - 2 Timothy 2:13  If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
 
a.  In His Confirmation - 1 Corinthians 1:8 - Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
                                                                  
b.  In His Sanctification - 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
 
4.  He Is Faithful In Protection - 1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God   commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
 
5.  He Is Faithful In Answered Prayer - Psalms 143:1  Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness.
 
6.  He Is Faithful In His Mercy - Lamentations 3:21-22  This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.  It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.       
 
Psalms 103:10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us   according to our iniquities.
 
7.  He Is Faithful In His Chastisement - Psalms 119:75 I know, O LORD, that thy judgments are right, and that thou   in faithfulness hast afflicted me.
 
a.  Faithful to warn - 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
 
            b.  Faithful to correct
 
(1)  Sign of eternal life – 1 Corinthians 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
 
(2)  Sign of eternal love - Proverbs 13:24 He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes.
 
(3)  Sign of eternal sonship - Hebrews 12:6-7 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?
 
8.  He is Faithful In Forgiveness – 1 John 1:9  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.