Found Faithful - A Message For Thanksgiving

Sermon Notes: The wilderness experience – Found Faithful

William Akehurst, HSWC

It’s required for stewards to be found faithful.

A few years ago, my family went to Virginia Beach and visited the Military Base of Cape Henry to view it’s lighthouse. While there, we learned a deeper spiritual significance of our country when we noticed a cross erected there.

Even before America became established as a nation, the founding fathers erected a cross on the shores of Cape Henry Virginia and dedicated the land for the purpose of sharing the Good news of JESUS to the whole world through a Covenant of Dedication, a prayer prophesied in April 1607 by an Anglican minister, the Reverend Robert Hunt.

Here is what he prayed and prophesied that day:

“We do hereby dedicate this Land, and ourselves, to reach the People within these shores with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to raise up Godly generations after us, and with these generations take the Kingdom of God to all the earth. May this Covenant of Dedication remain to all generations, as long as this earth remains, and may this Land, along with England, be Evangelist to the World. May all who see this Cross, remember what we have done here, and may those who come here to inhabit join us in this Covenant and in this most noble work that the Holy Scriptures may be fulfilled.”

After this Covenantal prayer, they read the following Bible passage: "All the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the Lord, and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee. For the kingdom is the Lord's and he ruleth among the nations” (Psalm 22:27-28).

As a nation, we’ve moved away from this founding faith. As for us…Servants of CHRIST, we can no longer be silent. We are to carry out the mission as faithful Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD as ordained in scriptures and by that covenant made with GOD for our nation so many years ago.

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 just Servants of Christ, but Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD. And to be “Found Faithful” as stewards of (servants properly handling) the mysteries of GOD. This mystery of Salvation through the Blood and Sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST the Son of the Living GOD.

We rejoice in knowing that we have hope in a living savior, JESUS CHRIST. HE died and rose again and by following HIM, we have the real hope and promise of Eternal Life. Vs. 6 In THIS we Rejoice Greatly, even in various trials, because our focus is on eternity, not what is temporary.

1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

We must be ready. “Found Faithful” for HIS return.

Matthew 24:44/Luke 12:40 Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”

We must HOLD FAST, and Change our way. Waiting, expecting, HIS Soon coming Return

Revelation 3:3 Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore, if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you.

This thanksgiving, we have many things to be thankful for. But what if everything you had was taken from you? Would you remain “Faithful”?

Job 1:13-22

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”