A Thousand Messages, One Truth: The Faithfulness of God
Introduction:
It’s hard to believe we are here today, not just for another sermon, but for the one thousandth sermon that God has blessed me to write and share. As I reflect on this journey, I am reminded of God’s unchanging faithfulness. His Word has been my constant source of wisdom, guidance, and strength, and it is this same Word that I want to lift up today. One thousand sermons, and yet, one truth remains at the heart of every message—God is faithful. His Word is true, and it changes everything.
Let’s start by anchoring our thoughts in one of the most powerful declarations of God’s faithfulness:
Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT): "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."
In this thousandth sermon, I want us to look at God’s faithfulness from three key perspectives: His faithfulness to His Word, His faithfulness to His people, and His faithfulness through all seasons of life.
1. God’s Faithfulness to His Word
God’s faithfulness is first and foremost seen in His commitment to His Word. Scripture is full of promises, and every single one of them reflects God’s unwavering reliability.
Isaiah 55:11 (NLT): “It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”
In the Hebrew, the word for faithfulness in Lamentations is ’emunah (????????), which comes from the root word meaning steadfastness, firmness, fidelity. God’s Word stands firm, unchanging, and reliable. It accomplishes what it sets out to do because it is grounded in His unchanging nature.
One thousand sermons, and the Word of God has not returned void. Time and again, we have seen its power at work in our lives. It has comforted us in times of sorrow, convicted us in times of sin, and called us into deeper fellowship with our Saviour.
As we celebrate this milestone, let us recommit ourselves to the Word of God. It is our anchor in a world of uncertainty. It is our guide when we are lost. God’s Word will not fail us because it reflects His faithful character.
As Charles Spurgeon once said, “The promises of God never fail; the stars may burn out, but His Word remains eternal.” Let us be people who treasure the Word and trust in its promises.
2. God’s Faithfulness to His People
Not only is God faithful to His Word, but He is faithful to His people. From Genesis to Revelation, we see the story of a God who remains true to His covenant, even when His people do not.
Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT): “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.”
God has not only been faithful to the patriarchs and prophets; He has been faithful to us. He has been faithful to this church, to every heart that has called out to Him in prayer, to every life that has been transformed by His grace. Just as He was faithful to Abraham, Moses, and David, He is faithful to you.
Exegesis of “faithful” in Deuteronomy:
In Hebrew, the word for faithful is ’el emunah (??? ????????), which means the “God of steadfastness” or “God of reliability.” This isn’t just a quality of God; it is His very nature. God does not change, and therefore, His faithfulness is eternal.
Reflect on how God has been faithful to you. Think of the prayers He has answered, the times He has provided when you were in need, the way He has walked with you through trials. One thousand sermons, and in every season, God has been there. His love and faithfulness never waver.
As A.W. Tozer puts it, “God never hurries. There are no deadlines against which He must work. Only to know this is to quiet our spirits and relax our nerves.” God’s faithfulness means we can trust Him in the waiting, in the struggle, and in the celebration.
3. God’s Faithfulness Through All Seasons
As we reach this thousandth sermon, it is a reminder that God’s faithfulness transcends time. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8, NLT). His faithfulness endures through all the seasons of life—whether in times of joy or times of sorrow.
Psalm 46:1 (NLT): “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.”
The seasons of life change, but God does not. In every season—whether we are on the mountaintop or walking through the valley of the shadow of death—God remains with us. His faithfulness is not dependent on our circumstances, but on His character.
In the Greek, the word faithfulness in the New Testament often comes from the root pistos (p?st??), which means trustworthy, reliable, or faithful. It’s the same word used to describe the unchanging nature of God in 1 Corinthians 1:9 (NLT): “God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Application:
No matter what season you are in today, know that God’s faithfulness is with you. One thousand sermons have been written and preached, but the message remains the same—God is faithful, and He is with us through every moment of life.
As the preacher and theologian John Piper once said, “God is always doing 10,000 things in your life, and you may be aware of three of them.” Trust that even when you don’t see it, God is working, and His faithfulness will carry you through.
Conclusion: A Call to Trust in God’s Faithfulness
As we reflect on this milestone of one thousand sermons, we stand as witnesses to the faithfulness of God. His Word has never failed us. His love for His people has never wavered. And through every season, He has been our refuge and strength.
Call to Action:
As we look to the future, may we continue to trust in the faithfulness of our God. Let His Word dwell richly in your heart. Stand firm in His promises, knowing that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion (Philippians 1:6, NLT). Let us live lives that testify to the grace, love, and faithfulness of our great God.
Invitation to Faith in Christ
If you are here today and have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ, I invite you to do so now. He is faithful to forgive, to redeem, and to give you eternal life. The Bible says, “If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (1 John 1:9, NLT). Today is the day of salvation. Turn to Jesus, the faithful One, and find rest for your soul.
