Faithfulness

I. Introduction
   A. Hebrews 11
      1. Hebrews 11:1: faith
      2. Hebrews 11:6: requirement of faith
      3. Whole chapter: examples of faith
   B. Having faith essential for Christian living
      1. Fruit of Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23
      2. Ephesians 2:8-9: saved by grace through faith
   C. What does it mean to have faith and to be "faithful"?
   D. Let us investigate the Scriptures

II. Being Full of Faith
   A. There really are two aspects of faithfulness
   B. One: "full of faith"
      1. Idea that one is marked by the attribute of having faith 
         in someone
      2. In this case, notably, God
   C. Important to understand the concept of faith involved
      1. Faith, in our world, seems to refer to any belief system
      2. Legitimate use of the word
      3. The Bible presupposes something greater
      4. Not mere agreement to idea, but trust and confidence in the 
         One believed
      5. Seen in Hebrews 11
   D. Acts 11:23-- encouragement to Christians
   E. This type of faith is not often seen
      1. When the Bible speaks of faith as a verb, we see it rendered 
         as "believe"
      2. Belief/faith is often seen merely as a profession of what 
         one accepts mentally
      3. Such, proper, is profession, not belief/faith
      4. Many profess belief without really having confidence in the 
         object of faith
      5. Matthew 7:13-14; 21-23, James 2:19
      6. We cannot imagine that such is pleasing to God!
   F. As Hebrews 11 indicates, God seeks people who fully trust 
      in Him
      1. Galatians 2:20
      2. If we are "full of faith", we must have great confidence 
         in God!
      3. This is not going to be seen just in the areas of life 
         where it is easier for us to trust in God
      4. It must, in fact, be in every area of life!
   G. Do we trust God?
      1. Do we trust that He knows what is best for us, better than 
         we ourselves (cf. Hebrews 12)?
      2. Do we trust that He will provide for us and take care of 
         us, even if it is not immediately apparent how He will do 
         so (Matthew 6:25-34)?
      3. Are we willing to first take decisions we must make to Him 
         in prayer?
      4. Do we constantly ask ourselves whether what we're doing 
         reflects His will?
   H. Intertwined with humility
      1. Proper faith requires humility
      2. Matthew 18:1-4
      3. Children illustrate proper faith
      4. They have great confidence in parents and other trusted 
         adults and have less of the pride of independence that 
         hinders us!
      5. We must have that kind of humble, trusting faith!
      6. Quite difficult for us to do!
   I. A person "full of faith" must also have faith in others
      1. Faith in brethren is another requirement!
      2. For the church to operate properly (Galatians 6:1-2, 
         1 Corinthians 12:12-28, etc.), its members must work 
         together
      3. If the members do not have confidence in each other, 
         it's not going to work!
      4. Trust-building exercise illustration
      5. Working together can only happen among people who have 
         confidence in each other!
      6. Yes, as humans, we fail sometimes, and others fail us
      7. This does not get us off the hook!
   J. Being a person full of faith, therefore, is quite critical!

III. Being Dependable
   A. "Faithful" has another aspect: one able to be relied upon
      1. Matthew 25:21
      2. Luke 16:10, 12
   B. People should be able to have confidence in one who has 
      confidence in God!
      1. Matthew 8:5-13
      2. Centurion marked as a great example of faith
      3. He understood faith from being a centurion-- trusting in 
         some as he is trusted by others!
   C. God as the example of faithfulness
      1. 1 Corinthians 1:9; 10:13
      2. We have faith in God because God is dependable!
      3. We have all confidence, thanks to what He has done, that 
         He is able to do what He promises-- be our God, deliver us, 
         and redeem us!
   D. Are we reliable and faithful?
      1. Can people depend on us?
      2. Are we people of our word?
      3, Can we be relied upon in a time of need?
   E. Faithfulness cycle
      1. These two attributes work in their own cycle!
      2. Being dependable requires an understanding of depending on 
         others
      3. It is quite difficult to depend on people who themselves 
         are not reliant or reliable!
      4. Does not God depend on those who depend on Him to get His 
         message out (Matthew 28:18-20)?
      5. As Christians, we must be both dependable and dependent on 
         each other!  
      6. Sometimes we do not have the faith in other Christians as 
         we ought, and many times other Christians have failed us
      7. To "give up" and seek faith from others does not accomplish
         God's purposes!
      8. We are all required to show greater faith toward each other 
         and to God!
   F. To be dependable is just as much a part of being faithful as 
      having confidence!

IV. Conclusion
   A. Faithfulness is quite critical for the Christian
   B. Without it we cannot please God or be there for each other
   C. With it, we can change the world!
   D. Let us strive to both trust God and each other more deeply 
      while becoming more dependable for God and each other!
   E. Invitation/songbook