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!”
16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there.
The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
Despite all the things that happened to Job, he remained to be “Found Faithful”.
Scripture shows us GOD’s heart seeking those who will be Faithful to HIM.
Proverbs 20:6 Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?
Luke 18:8b Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”
Faithful in Marriage
Matthew 19:6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Faithful as parents
Deuteronomy 6:6-9
6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Faithful to carry out JESUS’ Great Commission, the plan for the CHURCH to carry out and be Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD, sharing the Good News, Gospel of JESUS CHRIST to our own world around us.
Matthew 28:19-20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
There is no other way except through JESUS, and living in CHRIST is how we remain faithful
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
And HE Carries our burdens (to remain faithful)
Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Without JESUS, we can do nothing. We cannot be faithful without living, and listening to HIM.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
JESUS has the authority, and HE gives us authority as Children of GOD, followers and Servants of JESUS, to carry out “Being Faithful”.
Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
Our Focus…JESUS. To be Found Faithful like JESUS who carried out GOD’s PLAN for SALVATION despite the cost and pain.
Hebrews 12:2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Don’t look at the things of this world, Seek and set your mind on things above. Despite the loss that he experienced, Job confirmed, “I know my Redeemer Lives!”
Colossians 3:1-2 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.
With GOD’s Help, and our commitment to HIM as Servants of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of GOD, We will be “Found Faithful”. Faithful to the great commission of sharing Christ to others, no matter our lot. Realize that through our testing, we are being refined, so that we can present HOW the LORD has carried our burdens and given us strength to live our lives for HIM.
So, what do we have to be thankful for this thanksgiving? The LORD GOD and HIS Mercy and Grace to us.
Regardless of our circumstances here on this earth, our focus on the LORD and Spiritual Things, should give us a grateful heart of Thanksgiving toward HIM.
Jude 1:24-25 (Benediction)
24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 25 To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessing
Bill
