A Faithful Servant

A Faithful Servant

Text: Mark 11:22-24

22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.

24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

Introduction:

He’s a baseball legend. Cal Ripken played all twenty-one years of his Major League career with hometown Baltimore Orioles. He holds several defensive records and he is only one of seven players who got 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. But as sportswriters reflected on his career as he retired at the end of the 2001 season, what many considered his most significant achievement was that, for sixteen straight years, he played in every single game, setting the all-time record of 2,632 consecutive games played. When the ill will from the 1994 players’ strike was still in the air, he tied and passed Lou Gehrig’s long-standing record for consecutive games played. The fans cheered loud and long. As one magazine said, “This wasn’t Joe DiMaggio hitting in fifty-six straight games or Hank Aaron’s clubbing 755 homers. This was a record that required a talent all mere mortals could display –faithfully showing up for work every day.”

I.Object of Faith. (GOD)

II.Opportunity of Faith. (For Whosoever

III.Obstacle of Faith. (Doubt)

IV.Operation of Faith. (Prayer)

V.Outcome of Faith. (Receive)

Conclusion:

In conclusion I would like us to take a look at other passage of scripture. First Corinthians 4:2 “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (KJV) “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” (NIV) This verse goes right along with the illustration in the introduction. Interestingly enough, Cal Ripken showed us a great example on being a Faithful Servant. “Faithfully showing up for work every day,” that is what makes someone a faithful servant in God’s book. For whatever work God has given you to do; at home, at your workplace, at school, in your ministry. We know that’s what God expects and honors because He says in the Bible, “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” Not successful but faithful. That means you keep showing up—you can be counted on, you’re consistent, you do what you say you’ll do, people can believe you, and they can depend on you. You’re not one of those “grasshopper” types who keep jumping around, abandoning commitments, always looking for something better.

God talks about those “who have been given a trust”. That’s you. That’s every one of us. God had trusted you with a specific place for you to serve Him; with talents and gifts with influence over people close to you, with the responsibility of presenting Jesus to the people in the place where He has assigned you. God has trusted you with the reputation of His son where you are. And what is He expecting of you? Faithfulness.

The results are not your business; they’re God’s business. That’s why He doesn’t say He’s expecting success. The results aren’t up to you, but the effort is—the faithful, persevering, won’t quit kind of effort. So keep on being there for your children each new day. Keep plugging away at that work God gave you to do, even if no one seems to notice and no one says thanks. Remember, God is simply asking you to be faithful. Keep those commitments you made, even if you feel like bailing out. What keeps you going when you don’t feel like it anymore? Colossians 3:23-24 says, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. ...for ye serve the Lord Christ.” It’s for Jesus—who didn’t quit on you when it was costing Him everything.

Keep faithfully showing up for God’s work every day. And when you round the bases for the last time, you can expect to be greeted at home plate by Jesus Himself saying “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!”

Have you been faithful to work for God every day? Here is a challenge I am going to leave with you. Ever since you became a Christian you have been commanded by God to reach others for Christ. Here is the challenge. This week find someone you can ask if they have any needs that you can pray about for them. Whither it be at work, school, or shopping.