The Marks Of A Christian - Loyalty

Paul said, “I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.” He was in prison at this time. Chains were about his ankles, but his soul was free. He was a prisoner of Caesar, but he was a free man in Christ Jesus. Christ was his only master.

Picture him there in prison, writing this letter to the Galatians. He wanted to use a striking illustration to show them that he belonged to Christ. He notices that everything around him is marked with the sign of the Emperor Caesar. Now Paul said, I have some marks branded on me. They are the marks of the Lord Jesus.” Marks received at Philippi. Marks at Lystra. These marks show that he belonged to Christ. These were physical marks, but the great apostle bore many spiritual marks also.

We ought to have marks upon us as Christians, declaring that we belong to Christ. If we do not have these marks, we are not bearing fruit. One mark I want to talk to you about is the mark of loyalty.

I. Loyalty Must Be Exemplified.

1. We see it exemplified in Paul.

a. From the moment he met Christ on the road to Damascus, until the time his head rolled off the block, Paul was loyal.

b. He would have saved himself from suffering and death and been a man of fame, but Christ meant more to him.

c. We need men like Paul today.

2. We see loyalty exemplified in Jesus.

a. He was loyal to His heavenly Father. Hebrews 10:9; Matthew 26:39-43

b. Jesus has always been loyal to us.

c. Every great man has been a man of loyalty.

II. One of Our Greatest Needs Today is Loyalty

1. First, we need loyalty in our land.

a. Loyalty is the opposite of lawlessness.

b. Lawlessness is great in our society today.

c. If you are loyal to your country, you will obey its laws.

2. We need loyalty in the home.

a. Our homes are not building the men and women they once did.

b. There was a time when the memory of home would cause a man or woman to walk a straight path. Not now.

c. There is little respect for authority in the homes of today. Ephesians 6:1-3

d. We also need loyalty to the marriage vows.

3. We need loyalty in the church.

a. We have men’s names on our church rolls but few who make the church the center of their life.

b. Too many of our loyalties are given to the things of the world.

c. When called on to help in a ministry, they are too busy with the things of the world.

d. Words carved over European fort, “We will die under these ruins rather than surrender.”

4. We need loyalty in the little things of life.

a. If you are not faithful in the little things you will never be faithful in the big things.

b. A girl can commit a small act of immodesty and that disloyalty will lead to bigger sins.

c. A boy can be just a little bit dishonest and that dishonesty may lead to embezzlement, robbery and prison.

d. If a man is not loyal to the tithe when he makes $50 per week, he won’t be loyal when he makes $500.

e. Saw a member in Delano gambling at a golf course. He said, “Only playing for small stakes”, if it is wrong to gamble it is wrong to gamble, small or great.

5. We need to be loyal to our convictions.

a. Convictions are based on the Bible.

b. Hebrews 11:23-26; Moses was faithful to his convictions.

c. John the Baptist; lost his head.

d. Loyalty to your convictions will often bring you into conflict, on the job, to your husband, family.

e. Whatever the cost, let us be true to our convictions.

6. We need to be loyal to Christ.

a. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

b. Many people come to church and learn the right principles but forget them when they get back to the world.

c. President Roosevelt, “We must be Americans and nothing else.” Christians and nothing else.

III. Loyalty Will Be Rewarded.

1. There is the reward of receiving greater light. The more loyalty, the more Christ reveals himself to us.

2. There is the reward of greater usefulness. Matthew 25:23. True in business, also as a Christian.

3. There is the reward of the master’s approval. “Well done thou good and faithful servant.”