Your Faithfulness

 We've been in a series on the beatitudes for some time now and have come to the last section today. We've been looking at the different 'blessing' statements of Jesus; His teachings that turned the concept of 'being blessed' a bit upside down. In the passage we're going to examine today, you might notice that Jesus changes the focus a bit. Let's jump right in to our text this morning from the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)...

Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, (2) and he began to teach them, saying: (3) "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. (6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

(8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. (9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. (10) Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

- Now, up until this point, Jesus had been using the words 'they' and 'theirs' – 'theirs is the kingdom of Heaven', 'they will be comforted', 'they will inherit the earth'. But in verses 11 and 12, He changed things and used the words 'you' and 'yours'. Notice…

(11) "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. (12) Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Jesus made this section very specific and personal for His followers. Maybe it was because He knew what would lie ahead and understood just how hard it is to follow Him faithfully. That's the idea I want to draw out of this section – faithfulness; no matter what comes.

Faithful Christians stay faithful to Christ. I'm not talking about perfection. All of us still sin even after we've given our lives to Jesus. What I'm talking about is – despite the hard times, despite the stumbles, despite any opposition or persecution – one who is a faithful Christian will stand firm to the end. If you're to be called faithful, you need to be…

I. Faithful in your trials

In Matthew ch. 25, Jesus tells a parable about a man who leaves and places his servants in charge of his affairs in his absence. To the ones who did well with what they were given, he said, in Matthew 25:23 (NIV)...

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!'

Last week we looked at the idea of persecution of The Church on a larger, national level, even a global level. I'd like to really focus more now on our individual commitment to Jesus and what that entails. I'd like to focus on personal faithfulness - which is always easier said than done. If it was easy to follow Jesus, everyone would be doing it. The Apostle Paul points out in 2 Timothy 3:12 (NIV)...

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Being a faithful Christian has nothing to do with whether you ever face hard times – you will face hard times – it's how you respond to those trials. Now I'm not suggesting we go around living as 'victims' - 'oh, woe is me, everyone's against me' - quite the contrary. But repeatedly in scripture, we're told that following Jesus will bring a price in this life. We're told to…

A. Expect trouble

Nowhere in scripture can you find that Jesus ever promised that once you were baptized into Him that everything would be easy. Nowhere does any Apostle ever say that we will avoid hardships or pain or even facing evil, staring it right in the face. Peter puts it bluntly in 1 Peter 4:12-14 (NIV)...

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (13) But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (14) If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.

If you never face any hard times or difficult decisions or persecution or loss specifically for following Jesus – you're probably not doing it right. I'm not talking about going out and looking for a fight, but if you really do try to live your life publicly with Christ's values in this world – you will find opposition. What price are you willing to pay to remain faithful?

And there's something here I want to point out - we will all suffer in this life at some time or another. That's not an option, it's just the human condition in this fallen world. But suffering persecution is a choice - because all you have to do to avoid persecution is compromise.

Quite a few years back in Virginia, the Governor ordered 17 state trooper chaplains to no longer speak the phrase 'in Jesus' name' in their public prayers. Six of the seventeen turned in their badges and stepped down rather than obey. There was a lengthy and expensive legal battle which they eventually did win, but only after a new Governor was elected. But legal win or loss - I don't think it really matters to the question, 'which of those 17 men could genuinely be called 'faithful' to Jesus?'

Following Jesus probably won't cost most of us our jobs - but I have known people over the years where it did. And even if it doesn't affect your employment, it will cost you something. The way to stand firm is found in the second half of the scripture we just looked at in 1 Peter. Don't focus on what you might lose, but…

B. Focus on your blessings

In this life, following Jesus may cost you friends or relationships. It may cost you your reputation among peers or co-workers. It may cost you business customers or money. It may cost you opportunities or personal hopes and dreams. It may cost you a job or even as we talked about last week, there are many for whom following Jesus has cost them their lives.

But – is there anything in this life that can compare to what we gain by following Jesus? What in this life can compare to eternal life with Jesus in Heaven? Those who are faithful focus on the blessing that comes when Jesus returns, not on the price to be paid because of opposition or persecution here and now. This life is not all there is!

That is the absolute reality – but I understand that in fact, again - it's easy to stand up here and say whatever you have to give up is worth it compared to what you'll gain. I get that – I do. But it is the ones who will pay whatever price that has to be paid – those are the ones who, despite their trials, will be called faithful in the end.

It's not easy – that's why we're told to expect trouble, to be ready for it and then to focus on the prize ahead; the blessing of a life with Jesus! So, if you are to be called a faithful Christian, you need to be faithful in your trials - and you also need to be…

II. Faithful in your testimony

In scripture, we see the account of Peter. After Jesus had been arrested – we see that Peter fulfilled Jesus' prophecy when he denied that he even knew Jesus three separate times. We also see, not long after that, in the book of Acts, that it's Peter who takes the lead and speaks the most boldly and preaches the first Gospel message on the Day of Pentecost. Peter testified boldly about Jesus and about 3,000 people were baptized!

Between Peter's denial of Jesus and then his spirit filled testimony – Peter experienced something that made all the difference. - Peter saw Jesus crucified and then rise from the grave! You can't have an encounter with the living Christ and remained unchanged! Before Jesus rose from the dead, Peter was afraid to admit that he even knew Him. After Jesus conquered death, we see a whole new person in Peter!

Are you willing to talk about your hope in Jesus? Do people around you see a huge difference because you know Jesus? Will you be faithful...

A. With your words

A few years back, I had an opportunity to 'put my money where my mouth is'. I like this story because I actually don't end up looking like an idiot at the end...

I was in the hospital with a two ruptured discs in my back and I met a Dr. who did a series of injections into my spine. When he found out where I worked, he asked where our Church was located. A second Dr. who would be monitoring my vitals came in and I noticed that she was wearing a traditional Muslim head scarf. It was then that a nurse in the room asked both doctors and me what the difference was between Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

- That's not controversial at all… And for further context - the first name of the Dr. who was about to stick very large needles in to my spine was 'Mohammed'.

Now I had a choice to make. Was I prepared to give a reason for the hope that I had in Jesus while a very nice Muslim man was sticking long needles in my back? I was face down on the table, so I really couldn't see their faces – but what followed felt like a very cordial conversation. We talked about religion and Jesus as The Son of God as the injections progressed and, not sure how I managed it, but we even laughed together as I talked to them about Jesus and ministry.

I was extremely blessed. God gave me the clarity of mind, the courage and the right words to take a stand for Jesus in a gracious way, as much as you can when you're lying on your stomach. For the sake of 'tolerance' and not risking my spine, I could have said 'well, all major religions are pretty much the same' – but, God allowed me the strength to speak the truth about Jesus and give a gentle and respectful testimony.

I'm not sure into what interesting situations God may place you – but when He does, will you be ready to give a reason for the hope that you have in Jesus? Faithful Christians are faithful in their testimony. And to have a consistent testimony you also need to be faithful…

B. With your resources

And by resources, I mean everything that God has given to you. We know we should be faithful in our words, but we also have to be faithful in using what God has given us to support those words. God's people support God's work with their time and talents and resources!

When we're young, '80 years' seems like an eternity. As we mature, we realize that '80 years' passes in the blink of an eye. David wrote this in Psalms 39:4-5 (NIV)...

Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. (5) You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath.

We have each been given a limited amount of time on this earth. And we don't know how long that is. I just performed a funeral on Friday for Deanna Dvojacki who was just six months older than me. In the whole scope of things - whether it's one year or a hundred - it's not very much time at all. How will you choose to spend that time? In light of eternity, will what you spend the bulk of your time on matter at all?

Be faithful with your time in service to God's Church, His personal calling for your life and to your family! Earning a living, and hobbies and entertainment all have a place, but when we get to Heaven – God probably won't be praising us for how much time we spent at work. I want to make sure that I served Him first, that I accomplished what He wanted of me and also that my family is there beside me! Be faithful with your time!

1 Peter 4:10-11 (NIV)

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (11) If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

God has given every one of us gifts and abilities to use for His purposes. Be faithful with your resources - your time and abilities. And also, to speak very bluntly – be faithful with your money.

Our relationship to money, whether we have a lot or a little, is always a spiritual issue. Of course, I care about the finances of Deep River because it directly affects the ministry of Deep River – but I'm most concerned with how you respond to God. I'm most concerned that you are using all the resources that God has given you for His purposes! I am most concerned that any money you have never comes between you and your relationship with God. Jesus says…

Matthew 6:24 (NIV)

No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

If you are faithful in your trials, faithful in your testimony, faithful with your time and abilities but fail to be faithful to God with all of your resources – you will miss out on so many blessings that God wants to pour out on you!

So What?

When Jesus was teaching His early disciples this passage called the beatitudes, He wasn't simply teaching religion. Religion can be all about teaching the proper form and rituals to perform in order to please God. Jesus was teaching a relationship, a way of life, in order for us to be truly happy, blessed and fulfilled!

Jesus, God in the flesh, the One who designed us, was giving us the key to how to be blessed, how to be happy in this life and the next. What it really boils down to is this – are you going to try to live your way, or His way? Do you come to Church at Deep River because it's your religion, or do you live as the Church because of your relationship with Jesus Christ? Are you more interested in life here on earth or in your reward in Heaven?

I pray that each of us, in the end, will be able to hear the words, "Well done, good and faithful servant! Come and share your master's happiness!'"