OceanSide church of Christ

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I AM STRUGGLING…

With Faithfulness

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   A few Sunday nights ago, we began a series of lessons entitled:  “I Am Struggling…”

1.    In the lesson, we noted that it is very common for Christians to struggle.

2.    We also looked at some of the things we must do when we are struggling.

 

B.   Once a month during 2020, I wanted to do a lesson in this series.  Most of the time I will be doing them on Sunday nights.

 

C.   I have chosen to do this second lesson on Sunday morning.  It is due to the topic.  The title of the lesson is:  “I Am Struggling…with Faithfulness.”

 

I.         FAITHFULNESS IS NOT OPTIONAL

 

A.   The foundational element of salvation is faith (Heb. 11:6).

1.    We hear the gospel and faith is produced in us (Rom. 10:17).

2.    It is faith the moves us to obey the conditions of salvation God has set forth in the New Testament (Jms. 2:17).

 

B.   Having become a child of God, we are to live the rest of our lives by faith.

1.    “Now the just shall live by faith” (Heb. 10:38).

2.    “(For we walk by faith, not by sight)” (II Cor. 5:7).

 

C.   The Lord does not want us to live with just a little faith, He wants us to be full of faith.  He wants us to be faithful. 

1.    Psalm 31:23

 

O love the Lord, all ye his saints:  for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

 

2.    I Corinthians 4:2

 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

 

3.    Revelation 17:14

 

These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them:  for he is the Lord of lords, and King of kings:  and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

 

II.        SOME STRUGGLE WITH FAITHFULNESS

 

A.   Struggling with faithfulness can take many forms.

1.    Doubt is an enemy of faithfulness.

a.    Does God really care about me?

b.    Does God hear my prayers?

c.     Why does God let things happen to me?

d.    Is this religion really the right one?

e.    Are my efforts in the kingdom worth it?

f.     Is there really a heaven and hell?

 

2.    Involvement in sin

a.    Sin is the transgression of God’s law (I John 3:4).

b.    Christians have died to sin and no longer serve sin (Rom. 6:6).

c.     Sin, however, has a tendency to creep into our lives and overtake us.

d.    Some get so deep into sin that it impacts their faithfulness to God.

3.    A bad attitude

a.    Attitudes are found in the mind.

They involve a person’s disposition toward something.

Our attitude is tied closely toward our feelings.

Anger, resentment, bitterness, hatred, and cynicism are key components.

b.    Our attitude and emotions eventually express themselves:  aloofness, cold shoulders, lack of participation, criticism, lack of financial support, etc.

4.    Lack of service

a.    Instead of being zealous of good works, those struggling with faithfulness cease from many good works.

b.    They do not participate in the works of the church. 

They quit using their talents.

They cease attending Bible classes and worship services.

Their good example turns into a bad example.

Bible study and prayer are not an important part of their life.

5.    A lack of joy

a.    Struggling with faithfulness often means just a lack of joy in Christian living.

b.    They go through the motions.

They are not interested in Christian fellowship.

They find no satisfaction in any work of the church.

 

B.   When Christians struggle with faithfulness, there are several problems that develop.

1.    They depart from God (Heb. 3:12).

 

Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

 

2.    They displease God (Matt. 25:26, 28, 30)

 

His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant…Take therefore the talent from him…And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness:  there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

3.    They have a negative impact on others (I Cor. 5:6).

 

Your glorying is not good.  Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

 

a.    Their attitudes permeate the church.

b.    Their judgments and criticisms permeate the church.

c.     Their doubts can permeate the church.

d.    Their sins can permeate the church.

4.    They can lose their souls.

a.    In the Parable of the Talents, three servants were in the lord’s house (Matt. 25:14-15).

b.    Two were invited into the joy of the Lord (Matt. 25:21, 23)

c.     One was cast into outer darkness (Matt. 25:30).

 

 

 

III.      SOME WHO STRUGGLED WITH FAITHFULNESS

 

A.   John the Baptist while in prison (Matt. 11:3).

 

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

 

1.    John was a kinsman of Jesus.

John had baptized Jesus.

John had heard of the following Jesus had.

2.    Why now question whether Jesus was the one who should come?  It seems his confinement in prison had caused him to doubt.  Therefore, he wanted confirmation.

 

B.    Peter

1.    Peter often boasted of his steadfastness to the Christ (See Matt. 26;33).

 

Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

 

2.    We all know the account of Peter’s denial.  The very night after he boasted that he would never be offended in the Christ, he betrayed Him three times (Matt. 26:69-75).

3.    It was a very dark time in Peter’s service to the Lord.  In fact, “he went out and wept bitterly” (Matt. 26:75).

 

C.   The Hebrew Christians

1.    We have been studying the book of Hebrews.

2.    These Christians were definitely struggling with faithfulness. 

3.    The entire message of the book is “remain faithful” (Heb. 6:11, 12)

 

And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:  that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

 

D.   The seven churches of Asia

1.    Five of the seven churches addressed in Revelation 2-3 are struggling with their faithfulness to God.

a.    Ephesus (Rev. 2:4-5).

b.    Pergamos (Rev. 2:14)

c.     Thyatira (Rev. 2:20)

d.    Sardis (Rev. 3:1)

e.    Laodicea (Rev. 3:15-16)

2.    Seven times the Lord exhorts them to repent, or, they would suffer the consequences of the unfaithfulness.

 

IV.      HOW TO OVERCOME UNFAITHFULENSS

 

A.   Remembrance

1.    There was something very important that brought us into our relationship with Jesus Christ at the beginning.

2.    We need to remember those things.  They were important enough to bring us to Christ.  They should be important enough to keep us faithful in Christ.

3.   Revelation 2:5; 3:3

Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.

 

B.   Watchfulness

1.    Definition

a.    Strong (1127):  to keep awake

b.    Thayer:  give strict attention to, to be cautious

2.    We have to pay close attention to our spiritual lives. 

a.    A couple of weeks ago, I wrote an article entitled, “Faithful Christian Living Involves Conscious Decision Making.”  Every decision we make in our lives can impact our Christian lives.

b.    Ephesians 5:15

 

See then that ye walk circumspectly (exactly, accurately), not as fools, but as wise.

 

C.   Knowledge

1.    Faithfulness begins with a deep faith.

2.    Faith comes by hearing God’s Word (Rom. 10:17).’

3.    NOTE:  We can never get too much understanding of God’s Word.  NEVER!

4.    Proverbs 2:11

 

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.

 

D.   Strength

1.    Strength involves zest, vitality, and power to withstand the struggles of the Christian life.

2.    Strength involves physical stamina and mental fortitude.

3.    Revelation 3:2

 

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die.

 

E.   Patience

1.    Simply defined patience is endurance.

2.    It involves the will to make it through to the other side.

a.    Pushing through the storm

b.    Destroying every obstacle.

c.     Defeating every enemy

d.    Listening always to God and not self

3.    James 5;11a

 

Behold, we count them happy which endure.

 

F.    Encouragement/support,

1.    When we start to struggle with unfaithfulness, we have a tendency to withdraw from our brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.    What we need to do is move closer to them. 

a.    They can encourage us (Heb. 3:13)

b.    They can share some of our burden (Gal. 6:2).

 

G.   Doing,

1.    One of the best things we can do when tempted to be unfaithful is to keep doing what God wants us to do.  As long as we are doing, we are faithful to God.

2.    Revelation 2:5; 2:26

 

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   An interesting question is posed in Luke 18:8.

 

…Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth.

 

1.    Faith resides in the hearts of men.

2.    We might also pose the question this way:  “When the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith in your heart?”

 

B.   Hebrews 10:23

 

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised).