10 Commandments of Church Effectiveness

Be Faithful Until Death

Commandments so far…

#1 – Present yourself as one approved#2 – Lift up holy hands in prayer#3 – In doctrine show integrity#4 – Flee evil desires#5 – Set An Example For Believers#6 – Pursue Peace#7 – Set Your Mind On Things Above

The only thing reliable is……..

•We want reliability!•Reliable cars•Reliable appliances•Reliable computers•Reliable internet•Reliable televisions

•What do we get?

•Occasionally reliable?•We can rely on the fact that nothing is reliable.

•But shouldn’t we, as Christians be reliable?

•Song: Can He Depend On You?

•Shouldn’t He be able to?

The Faithfulness of God and Christ

Deuteronomy 32:4-5 -- He is the Rock, his works are perfect,        and all his ways are just.        A faithful God who does no wrong,        upright and just is he.

 5 They have acted corruptly toward him;        to their shame they are no longer his children, but a warped and crooked generation.

Joshua 23:14 -- "Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

•Psalm 119:89-90 -- Your word, O LORD, is eternal;  it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations;  you established the earth, and it endures.

Lamentations 3:22-23 -- Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Jesus Is Likewise Faithful

Hebrews 3:6 -- But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.

A Lamb UnblemishedHebrews 9:14“How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to

death, so that we may serve the living God!”

1 Peter 2:22 – He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.”

We serve a faithful God and our Lord Jesus Christ is faithful.

We are God’s children and have been purchased with Christ’s blood. How faithful are we expected to be?

Faithfulness as a fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 -- But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Hebrews 10:22-23…let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in

full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

We have the full assurance of faith guaranteed by our faithful God.

1 Peter 4:10 -- Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms

How Does Faithfulness Affect our Effectiveness?

It restrains evil

Proverbs 16:6 -- Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;        through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil.

It expands our usefulness to God

Matthew 25:23 -- "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!'

It commends us to both God and men

1 Corinthians 4:1-2 -- So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

It Assures Our Future:

Commandment #8 – Revelation 2:10 –

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.

The Crown of Life!

The phrase is used only twice in the NT.James 1:12 and Revelation 2:10.

Also called an “everlasting crown” – 1 Corinthians 9:25

Called the crown of righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8

Called the crown of glory – 1 Peter 5:4

One Final Warning: Don’t Lose Your Crown!

Revelation 3:11 -- I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.

Can He Depend On You?