Isaiah 22:22
I will place on his shoulder the key to the house of David; what he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
A trusted servant wore the key to the king's house on his shoulder.
Q: How do we become TRUSTED??
Do you know what God REQUIRES of us in order to be trusted?
Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you (require) but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
1. Fear Him.
Okay. We REVERENCE Him.
2. Walk in obedience.
Okay. We DO WHAT He tells us to do.
3. Love Him.
Okay. We give Him our hearts.
4. Serve Him TOTALLY.
Okay. We submit to Him.
These 4 actions are ONLY the BEGINNING of proving He can trust US.
What else is there?
Daniel 7:14 (A prophesy of Jesus that Daniel saw in a vision)
He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.
The kingdom that has been brought to the earth for us won’t go away.
The only way we can find ourselves outside of the kingdom is if WE move.
Hebrews 12:20
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire.
How do we show gratitude? Thankfulness. Yes.
Let’s pay attention to the fine print:
God offers us a kingdom that cannot be “shaken.”
Citizens of a kingdom, of a country, become LIKE the country or kingdom in which they live.
Being an American is VERY different than being a citizen of any other country.
If you act like an American in rural China, you won’t go very far.
But we DON’T live in rural China.
We live here!
What happens in rural China should not affect me!
We must not be “shaken” by things outside of the kingdom.
The world is going crazy right now!
We must be shaped by THE KINGDOM into which we have been called!
Hebrews 12:20 KJV
Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
We must not be moved!
How deep is your allegiance to America?
God wants to know if anything can move you from your allegiance??
Matthew 24:45
"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
God is looking for those who hold His glory, His will and His interests in a priority above their own earthy wants and gains.
1st Thessalonians 2:4
On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.
1. Boldness
We are to speak the truth, as it has been given to us by God, all the time.
2. Approved by God
If we walk in the light of the gospel, not allowing trying circumstances to discourage us, then we are approved by God.
3. Speak to please God
Are we willing to be out of step with society's views and attitudes?
4. An Awareness that God examines our hearts
Our thoughts are known by God. Understanding this helps keep our motives pure.
1st Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
When you’ve been chosen, called by God, it’s for the long haul.
His question is not “Can I trust you for one event?”
It’s “Can I trust you to be as faithful at the end as you were at the beginning?
Can God trust us when we are under attack?
God wants to know if we will stand and fight or will we cut and run?
When two people get married they expect one another to remain faithful.
Faithfulness toward God begins with faithfulness toward family, faithfulness on our job, and faithfulness in financial dealings.
We SHOW ourselves trusted by the way we live in all the areas of our lives.
1. Can other people see how committed we are in our relationship to God?
2. Do other people see us walking out what we are speaking?
3. Can other people tell that that our private life and our public life match?
4. Can other people tell that you to be responsive to God’s leading?
5. Do other people hear us expressing confidence in God?
6. Do people hear us acknowledge God’s Words as the truth for our life?
We cannot wait for life's big challenges before learning a faithfulness that proves we our trustworthy.
What is it that proves us trustworthy?
A demonstration of faith that brings glory to God.
In ALL things, be UNSHAKABLE!!!
The whole world is watching!! The whole world is watching!!
Matthew 25:23
"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Don’t grow weary!
Never give up!
