INTRODUCTION:
Greetings in Jesus Christ name. First of all, I would like to greet you folks happy Church anniversary. Let the overflowing and abundant blessings of God be bestowed upon you and this church.
I am speaking to you about your church anniversary theme FAITHFULNESS. It is a very wide topic either God’s faithfulness or your faithfulness. Let me elaborate to you some definitions of the this word.
Mat 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
Faithfulness is derived from the Ancient Hebrew word “ EMUNAH” which means firm, steadfast and standing strong. It is like a shower that never stops the flow of water so as God’s faithfulness.
In the Greek text it is “PISTIS” which also means the following.
, n.
1. Fidelity; loyalty; firm adherence to allegiance and duty; as the faithfulness of a subject.
2. Truth; veracity; as the faithfulness of God.
3. Strict adherence to injunctions, and to the duties of a station; as the faithfulness of servants or ministers.
4. Strict performance of promises, vows or covenants; constancy in affection; as the faithfulness of a husband or wife.
To be faithful is to be reliable, steadfast and unwavering, and the Bible speaks of this type of faithfulness in four ways: as an attribute of God; as a positive characteristic of some men; as a characteristic that many men lack; and as a gift of the Holy Spirit. Faithful is also used in the sense of “believing,” as in the case of the Christians in Ephesus and Colossae (Ephesians 1:1; Colossians 1:2).
Ephesians 1:1, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Colossians 1:2, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Scripture speaks often of God’s faithfulness. Over and over, we learn that when God says He will do something, He does it (even when it seems impossible). When He says something will happen, it happens. This is true for the past, the present and the future. If this were not the case—if God were unfaithful even once—He would not be God, and we could not rely on any of His promises. But as it is, “Not one word has failed of all the good promises he gave” (1 Kings 8:56).
God is eternally reliable, steadfast, and unwavering because faithfulness is one of His inherent attributes. God does not have to work at being faithful; He is faithful. Faithfulness is an essential part of who He is (Psalm 89:8; Hebrews 13:8).
Psalms 89:8 says “ O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?”
Hebrews 13:8, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
In His faithfulness, God protects us from evil (2 Thessalonians 3:3), sets limits on our temptations (1 Corinthians 10:13), forgives us of sin (1 John 1:9), and sanctifies us (1 Corinthians 1:9).
II Thessalonians 3:3, “But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.”
I Corinthians 10:13 says “ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
I John 1:9 says, “ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
I Corinthians 1:9 Apostle Paul said to the believers there, “ God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
As we go to our text in Matthew 24:13, Jesus told his disciples that there will be signs of the end of the age and the signs of his coming. This is a part of his Olivet Discourse in this whole chapter.
Let us first observe what does the context of the text intended to say.
Jesus told the Twelve that the temple would be destroyed (Matthew 24:2), and, in response, they asked Him, “When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” (verse 3). Their question had two parts and so required two answers. Jesus combined those answers into one long discourse about what was ahead before He returned. Some of those prophecies were fulfilled with the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. The remainder has yet to happen.This specific verse is best understood when read in context. Verses Matthew 24:9–14 says “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.
At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
Those who endure to the end and are saved will stand firm through persecution.
Matthew 24:9 warns that Jesus’ followers would be “handed over to be persecuted and put to death. From the time of the apostles until present day, millions of Christians have been persecuted and put to death.
We are seeing an escalation of that in more recent days with global terrorism, but martyrdom has always been common in most areas of the world. Verse 9 goes on to state that Christians will “be hated by all nations because of me.” As Islam and atheism increase in nations that once held to Judeo-Christian values, we are seeing a greater fulfillment of this prophecy. Those who endure to the end and are saved will stand firm through false teaching. Matthew 24:11 goes on to warn of “many false prophets” appearing and deceiving the masses. We tend to imagine a “false prophet” as a flamboyant type, easily spotted and easily rejected. However, if this were true, then many would not be deceived by them. Instead, the false prophets are men and women with outward displays of Christianity, charismatic charm, and a way with words.
When Jesus says, “The one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13, ESV), He is speaking of those who are truly born again, whose lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. True followers of Jesus Christ will withstand the onslaught of wickedness, recognize and reject false teaching, and cling fast to the truth of God’s Word.
They will overcome this world and be granted reward in the world to come (Revelation 3:21). Those who have been sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13; 4:30; 2 Corinthians 1:22) have His power working in them to enable them to stand firm (Romans 14:4; Jude 1:24–25).
CONCLUSION:
As I close this message, brothers and sisters that are here in this church,let me remind you again. In this Christian life, our walk with God is not easy.
There are difficulties that will come, circumstances which seems hard to endure and fiery trial that will going to shake how firm we are in our faith with God. Folks, get ready to endure those tests and don’t worry, God will not give you trials that you cannot bear.
This church will face fiery trials but let me tell you, this church will be blessed not only in quantity but in Christian quality unless you folks stand firm in your faith. Backsliding is not a remedy in every problems you face.
Depend on him as you are STANDING FIRM IN THE FAITH UNTIL HE FINDS US FAITHFUL.
