Big Idea: The lack of attention to our spiritual life will never produce faithfulness to God.
Five Areas of Unfaithfulness of the Israelites:
- Foreigners had access to Temple Courts. (vs. 4-7)
- The people were not tithing; therefore Levite priests were working other jobs and neglecting temple duties. (vs. 10-11)
- People were working on the Sabbath. (vs. 15)
- People were conducting business with outsiders on the Sabbath. (vs. 16)
- Men were marrying women from foreign countries. (vs. 23-24)
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so also a fool repeats his foolishness.”
Proverbs 26:11
Faithfulness: Establishing a good name with God and others based on loyalty to those relationships.
1. Faithfulness is a work of the Holy Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians 5:22-24
2. Faithful people are in the minority.
“Many a person proclaims his own loyalty, but who can find a trustworthy person?”
Proverbs 20:6
3. Faithfulness is found in little things.
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much.
Luke 16:10
4. Faithfulness is often found the second time.
“Remember then how far you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first…”
Revelation 2:5a
5. God rewards faithfulness.
“…. Remember me, my God, with favor.”
Nehemiah 13:31b
“For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth to show himself strong for those who are wholeheartedly devoted to him. You have been foolish in this matter. Therefore, you will have wars from now on.”
2 Chronicles 16:9
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:7-8
“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even to death on a cross. For this reason God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name,”
Philippians 2:8-9