GOD’S FAITHFULNESS: OUR EXPERIENCE IN THE
MIDST OF THE CHURCH
1 Corinthians 1:9 "God
is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord."
INTRODUCTION:
Every
time we celebrate the anniversary of our local church, we pause to remember the
faithfulness of God. We acknowledge that without His faithfulness, we can do
nothing; but through His faithfulness, we can do all things through Christ who
strengthens us.
(Philippians 4:13) Php
4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
The
Apostle Paul emphasized this truth: "God is faithful..." (1
Corinthians 1:9).
King
David acknowledged God’s faithfulness within the assembly:
(Psalm 89:5) "The
heavens shall praise thy wonders, O Lord: thy faithfulness also in the
congregation of the saints".
The
Prophet Jeremiah found hope in this attribute during his darkest hour:
(Lamentations 3:21-23) "Great
is thy faithfulness".
FIVE
GREAT EXPERIENCES OF GOD’S FAITHFULNESS
I. THE
EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S GREAT PRESENCE
Matthew 18:20 "For
where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of
them."
His
presence creates an excitement to be in the sanctuary.
(Psalm 122:1) I was glad
when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
His
presence encourages us to draw near and trust Him.
(Psalm 73:28) Pss 73:28
But [it is] good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord
God, that I may declare all thy works.
His
presence motivates us to dwell in His house and behold His beauty forever.
(Psalm 27:4) Pss 27:4
One [thing] have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may
dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of
the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
II. THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S GREAT PROMISES
2 Peter 1:4 "Whereby
are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises..."
We
have obtained "precious faith" that allows us to overcome the world.
(2 Peter 1:1) 2Pet 1:1
Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have
obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ:
(1 John 5:4-5) 1Jn 5:4 For
whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that
overcometh the world, [even] our faith.
1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but
he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
God’s
multiplied grace and peace enable us to labor more abundantly for His Kingdom.
(1 Corinthians 15:10) 1Cor 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which [was bestowed] upon
me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I,
but the grace of God which was with me.
He has
given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind to fulfill the Great
Commission without fear.
(2 Timothy 1:7) 2Tim 1:7
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of
a sound mind.
III. THE
EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S GREAT PROVISION
Psalm 126:3 "The
Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad."
Provision
follows those who are faithful to the Lord.
(Proverbs 28:20) Prov 28:20
A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich
shall not be innocent.
Like
Jabez, when we call upon God to enlarge our territory, He is faithful to grant
our requests.
(1 Chronicles 4:10) 1Chr 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me
indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that
thou wouldest keep [me] from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted
him that which he requested.
As we
support the work of the Lord, He supplies all our needs according to His riches
in glory.
(Philippians 4:15-19) Php 4:15
Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I
departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving
and receiving, but ye only.
Php 4:16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and
again unto my necessity.
Php 4:17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire
fruit that may abound to your account.
Php 4:18 But I have all, and abound: I am full,
having received of Epaphroditus the things [which were sent] from you, an odour
of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
Php 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need
according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
IV. THE
EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S GREAT PROMOTION AND PROGRESS
Acts 11:21 "And
the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned
unto the Lord."
When
God’s hand is upon the church, souls are added daily.
(Acts 2:41) Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there
were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.
Productivity
and Growth: Divine support leads to the multiplication of disciples and the
spreading of the Word.
(Acts 6:6-7) Acts 6:6
Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their]
hands on them.
Acts 6:7 And the word of God increased; and the
number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of
the priests were obedient to the faith.
Progress
in the ministry is not in vain; there is a crown of righteousness laid up for
those who finish their course.
(2 Timothy 4:7-8) 2Tim 4:7 I
have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:
2Tim 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a
crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
V. THE EXPERIENCE OF GOD’S GREAT PROTECTION
Psalm 91:1 "He
that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow
of the Almighty."
God
delivers the church from the snares of the enemy and from "noisome
pestilence".
(Psalm 91:2-3) Pss 91:2 I
will say of the Lord, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I
trust.
Pss 91:3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the
snare of the fowler, [and] from the noisome pestilence.
His
truth is our shield and buckler, removing the fear of the "arrow that
flieth by day".
(Psalm 91:4-5) Pss 91:4 He
shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his
truth [shall be thy] shield and buckler.
Pss 91:5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror
by night; [nor] for the arrow [that] flieth by day;
Though
thousands may fall around us, God’s faithfulness ensures that evil shall not
befall those who make the Lord their habitation.
(Psalm 91:7-10) Pss 91:7 A
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; [but] it
shall not come nigh thee.
Pss 91:8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold
and see the reward of the wicked.
Pss 91:9 Because thou hast made the Lord, [which
is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;
Pss 91:10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither
shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
CONCLUSION
The
history of this church is a testament to the faithfulness of God. We have moved
forward because we have:
1. Experienced God’s great Presence (Matthew 18:20).
2. Experienced God’s great Promises (2 Peter 1:1-4).
3. Experienced God’s great Provision (Psalm 126:3-4).
4. Experienced God’s great Promotion (Acts 11:21).
5. Experienced God’s great Protection (Psalm 91:1-12).
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