The Marks of a Faithful Christian
Each of us takes on different roles in our lives. If I were to ask you this morning to write down all the roles that you have – we could probably be here most of the day. For myself I wrote down just a few. Here they are: when it comes to relationships I am a husband, a father, a grandfather, a son, an uncle, a cousin, a brother, a nephew and a friend. When it comes to occupation I am a Pastor and an Army Chaplain. When it comes to hobbies I am a gardener, a chicken farmer and a rabbit breeder. When it comes to work around the house I am a grounds keeper, a trash man, handy man and a gofer. Most of you know what a gofer is, don’t you? A gofer is a person who goes fer this and goes fer that. That’s what a gofer is. You see each of take on various roles in life.
Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians chapter four that a Christian has two primary roles. Please read along with me.
“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:1 (NKJV)
Paul tells us in this passage of scripture that we are both servants and stewards. We are:
1. SERVANTS of Christ
2. STEWARDS of the mysteries of God
The word translated “servant” was originally designated an underclass of seaman—one who was responsible to a higher-ranking officer. He was a rower in a boat. He had a boss over him who would tell him when to row.
The word “steward” literally means house-manager. He is the person who is in charge when the owner is away. In both of these roles God expects us to be faithful. Look at verse two:
“Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NKJV)
There is no greater privilege today for the Christian than to be known and remembered as a faithful servant of Jesus Christ. This morning we are going to look at three marks of a faithful Christian. What does a faithful Christian look like?
1. The first mark of faithfulness is ACCOUNTABILITY.
All of us as Christians are going to be held accountable. Who will you and I be accountable to? Our text tells us, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ.” We are going to be accountable to God.
The Bible tells us that all people in the world will accountable to Him:
"As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Romans 14:11 (NKJV)
God is the creator and master of the universe. The Bible says that at the last judgment God is going to ask us two questions. He will ask us first – what did you do with His son Jesus? Then He will ask us – what did you do with what I gave you? The first question is about relationship. How good of a servant were you? The second question is about the things He put you in charge of: your time, talents, possession, and information. How good of a steward were you? You and I are going to be accountable to Him in both of those areas. He is going to see if we were faithful.
How many of you remember the parable of the sheep and the goats? It’s found at the end of Matthew chapter 25. Do you remember that the Judge comes and separates the nations? He puts the sheep on one side and the goats on the other. Then he talks to each group saying to those on His left – you did not give me a drink – you did not visit me – you did not give me clothing. They will say, “But we did not see you.” Guess what – no excuse! You are accountable for what you did not do!
He will say to those on His right. You clothed me – you feed me – you visited me – you took care of me. They will say, “But we did not see you.” Guess what – no excuse! You are accountable for what you did do! Everything we do or don’t do – we are accountable for. You see being a faithful Servant and a faithful Steward begins with accountability.
Or what about the parable of the three servants? That parable is also found in Matthew chapter 25 – you remember it don’t you? That is the parable where one servant is given five talents. Another is given two talents and the third is given one talent. The one who is given five takes the money and doubles it. The second servant does the same. But the servant who is given one talent takes the money and buries it in the ground. Soon the master returns and calls for a day of accountability. “What have you done with what I gave you?” He asks. The Master questions each one of the servants – to see what they did with what they were given – that is accountability.
The first mark of a faithful Christian is accountability.
2. The second mark of faithfulness is PREPAREDNESS.
If we are faithful we are to always to be prepared.
There is another parable in Mathew chapter 25 that you may recall. It is the parable of the ten virgins. If you remember five were wise and five were called foolish – because all had brought lamps and were waiting for the bridegroom to come – but only five of them brought extra oil for the lamps. As night wore on the bridegroom was delayed and the five who did not prepare ran out of oil. They had to go and buy some more oil and while they were gone – the bridegroom came. The parable says that those who were prepared were invited into the wedding and the door was shut behind them. The five who had gone to buy more oil came back and found the door closed and they said, ’Lord, Lord, open to us!’ But he answered and said, ’Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Matthew 25:11-12 (NKJV)
Jesus tells his listeners that they should always be prepared – for no one knows the time when He will return. We are always to be faithful. We are always to be prepared.
A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, "I can sleep when the wind blows." This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him.
A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm.
They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly.
The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well.
The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, "I can sleep when the wind blows." Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.
There was nothing dramatic or sensational in the young boy’s preparations – he just faithfully did what was needed each day. Consequently, peace was his, even in a storm. Paul says "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful."
3. The third mark of faithfulness is COMMITMENT.
Jesus said it this way:
“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62 (HCSB)
He also said:
“He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:38 (NKJV)
Paul did not have an easy life as a Christian – but one thing he did have was commitment. The Bible tells us how Paul suffered as a Christian: “Five times he was wiped. Three times he was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times he was shipwrecked. He spent a night and a day in the sea. He faced dangers many times – more then many of us will ever face. But he always stayed committed to Jesus – he remained faithful. You see:
The commitments we make – MAKE US.
The commitments we make – SHAPE OUR LIVES.
As a pastor I have stood at the altar many times with a young couple standing in front of me and I have heard two young people commit to ----- “love, honor and cherish, for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day forward, as long as we both shall live.”
They both hope for the best in life. They hope for a bright future and that things will always go well. I hope that for them too. But I can’t tell them what lies around the next corner of life – I am not a prophet. But I do know that the Bible tells us that two committed together are stronger than one alone.
I can also tell you that when you make a commitment to Christ and remain faithful to Him, He promises that you will not be disappointed. He said:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV)
God does not require a lot of things from you.
You’re not required to be brilliant.
You’re not required to be articulate.
You’re not required to be literate.
You’re not required to be handsome or beautiful.
You’re not required to be eloquent.
But you are required to be faithful.
Prayer:
This day O Lord, allow me to commit myself to You. May I live a life knowing that I am always accountable to You. May I use the things You have given to me to Your glory and honor. May I be prepared for Your coming and may I be found faithful. Amen.
