Scripture
Psalms 36:1-12 NIV [1] I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked: There is no fear of God before their eyes. [2] In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin. [3] The words of their mouths are wicked and deceitful; they fail to act wisely or do good. [4] Even on their beds they plot evil; they commit themselves to a sinful course and do not reject what is wrong. [5] Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. [6] Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. [7] How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. [8] They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. [9] For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. [10] Continue your love to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart. [11] May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked drive me away. [12] See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!
Text:
2 Timothy 2:13 NIV if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
Introduction
Last week the sermon was “Faith and Patience: Waiting on the Lord”. This week we are going to talk about why we can wait on the Lord with faith and patience. It’s because God is faithful. Hence our sermon today; “Faith in God’s Faithfulness
We live in a world where promises are often broken. We experience disappointment, betrayal, and the harsh reality that people, even those with the best intentions, can sometimes let us down. Where can we find an anchor in this type of world? Where can we find something—or someone—who will never fail? The answer, dear friends, is in the unshakeable, unwavering, and eternal faithfulness of God.
Today, we turn our hearts and minds to "Faith in God's Faithfulness," exploring what it means to truly trust in a God who cannot lie, who cannot fail, and who always keeps His word. As we've said all year, maintaining a strong foundation in faith and aligning our priorities with God's will is a continuous process, not a quick fix, and this includes deeply understanding and embracing God's faithfulness.
Our text today is deeply significant: "If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself." This verse perfectly captures a core truth about God's very nature: He is faithful. It's not just something He does, it's who He is.
Consider Numbers 23:19: "God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?"
This shows a clear distinction between human frailty and divine perfection. Humans lie; God does not. Humans change their minds; God does not. When God speaks, it is done. When God promises, it is fulfilled.
2 Corinthians 1:20 NIV says For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. …
All of God's promises find their fulfillment and certainty in Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection serve as the ultimate confirmation of God's faithfulness. God's faithfulness is rooted in His unchangeable character.
This is the bedrock of our faith. Think about the sun rising every morning, the seasons changing with predictable regularity, the tides ebbing and flowing. These are physical manifestations of a universe ordered by a faithful Creator. If He is faithful in the natural realm, how much more so in the spiritual and relational realm with His beloved children?
Our faith isn't built on a foundation of "maybes" and "what ifs." It's built on a bedrock of certainty because God's promises are certain. God's answer to all of His promises is always "yes." It's a definitive, unwavering "yes" that was sealed by the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
So when we pray, when we read His Word, or when we face uncertainty, we can hold onto this truth. God's faithfulness isn't a question; it's the very ground we stand on. We can have faith in His faithfulness, knowing that His "yes" is eternal.
Even when we don't understand the "why" behind our circumstances, we can have confidence that God has a purpose for every season. We can be encouraged to stand no matter what and trust in God's perfect timing, even when that timing isn't ours;
Romans 8:28 NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Just as God told Josuha before he led the Israelites into Cannan Joshua 1:5: "No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you."
And just as He said to the nation of Israel through the prophet Isaiah in;
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
He is with us to strengthen us, to help us, and to uphold us. It’s a promise that goes beyond simply not leaving us; it’s a promise of His active, loving involvement in our lives, no matter what we face.
Steadfast Love and Mercy of God
The faithfulness of God is intimately connected with His steadfast love and mercy. Lamentations 3:22-23 which we read and talked about last week declares, "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."
What a comforting thought! Every morning God's mercies are fresh and new. This isn't because we deserve them, but because His compassion never fails. Even when we stumble, even when we fail Him, His faithfulness endures. We have the assurance of His ongoing grace and forgiveness. His faithfulness is the guarantee that His love will never abandon us, and His mercy will always be available.
Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV [13] And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, [14] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 NIV [21] Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, [22] set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
2 Corinthians 5:5 NIV [5] Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Being "sealed" with the Holy Spirit means God has marked us as His own. It's like a king's seal on an official document, indicating authenticity and authority.
The presence of the Holy Spirit guarantees that we are secure in God's hands and that we will persevere until the day of redemption.
The Holy Spirit's work in us now, sanctifying, comforting, guiding, and empowering us for service, is a foretaste of the full inheritance and glory that awaits us in heaven. It's like an initial installment that confirms the full payment is coming.
God's faithfulness is vast and boundless, reaching far beyond the limits of our understanding. It isn't defined by our ever-changing circumstances or confined by our human understanding. It is a faithfulness as certain and unchanging as the heavens themselves.
Psalm 36:5 beautifully affirms, "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."
Our Faith in His Faithfulness
So, what does it mean for us to have "Faith in God's Faithfulness"? It means several things. It means Trusting His Promises, Resting in His Character, Persevering in Hope, and Living a Life of Obedience
Trusting His Promises: Hebrews 10:23 encourages us: "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."
When God makes a promise, whether it's salvation, provision, guidance, or ultimate victory, we can hold onto it with absolute certainty. Our faith isn't in our ability to believe hard enough, but in His ability to fulfill what He has promised.
Having faith in God’s faithfulness means Resting in His Character, Even When We Don't Understand
Life often presents us with situations that don't make sense. We face trials, suffering, and unanswered questions. In these moments, our faith in God's faithfulness means trusting His character even when we cannot trace His hand. It means believing that He is good, He is sovereign, and He is working all things for our good, even if we can't see the full picture.
Having faith in God’s faithfulness means Persevering in Hope
Because God is faithful, we have a living hope. We can persevere through challenges, knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Hebrews 13:5: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Consider for just a moment the Great Commission, a cornerstone of Christian faith and action.
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV [19] Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The truest test and expression of our faith is our obedience to the Great Commission, because that obedience is founded on the unshakable promise of God's presence and faithfulness "always, to the very end of the age."
Our hope is not based on fleeting emotions or favorable circumstances, but on the unchanging faithfulness of God.
Having faith in God’s faithfulness means Living a Life of Obedience, Rooted in Trust
When we truly believe in God's faithfulness, it changes how we live.
Romans 1:17: "For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith.'"
A genuine belief in God's character (including His faithfulness) is not just intellectual assent but results in a transformed way of life.
As it says in Romans 12:1-2 NIV [1] Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. [2] Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
This is a powerful call to a change in perspective and thought, urging us to align our thinking with God's truth rather than the values of the world. It's about an internal transformation that leads to a new way of living.
Living a Life of Obedience, Rooted in Trust frees us from anxiety and empowers us to obey His commands, not out of fear, but out of a deep trust that His ways are always best. We align our priorities with His will, confident that He will guide us and sustain us.
Freedom from anxiety comes from trusting His provision and seeking His kingdom first.
Matthew 6:28-34 NIV [28] “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. [29] Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. [30] If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? [31] So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ [32] For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. [33] But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. [34] Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Our obedience is motivated by His faithful goodness
Romans 12:1-2: "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Our obedience leads to a transformed mind that recognizes and embraces God’s "good, pleasing and perfect will," because we trust that His ways are indeed best.
Psalm 19:7-8 says: "The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes."
Our obedience is born out of appreciation for the goodness of God’s commands, and not fear.Trusting God completely by submitting our ways to Him, leads to His guidance which makes our paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
God's faithfulness means He is actively working in us to align our desires and actions with His purpose.
Philippians 2:13 says: "for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
All of this paints a picture of a life transformed by a deep, abiding trust in God's unshakeable faithfulness, leading to freedom, joyful obedience, and confident alignment with His perfect will.
Conclusion
In a world that constantly shifts beneath our feet, the faithfulness of God stands as an unmovable rock. He is faithful even when we are faithless, for He cannot deny Himself. His love never fails, and His mercies are new every morning.
So let’s hold steadfastly to the hope we profess. Let’s cast our anxieties upon Him, knowing He cares for us. Let’s walk in obedience, trusting His perfect plan. And above all, let’s build our lives on the solid foundation of "Faith in God's Faithfulness," knowing that He who has promised is utterly and eternally faithful. Let this truth be a source of comfort, strength, and unwavering hope in your lives.
Prayer
Thank you for being the unshakeable rock in a world of shifting sands, for being a God who cannot lie, who never fails, and who always keeps His word.
Lord, we confess that there are times when our own faith is weak and our trust falters. We get distracted by the worries of this world, and we sometimes lean on our own understanding. Forgive us for our faithlessness, and remind us that even in those moments, you remain faithful, for you cannot disown yourself.
We pray that the truth of your faithfulness would sink deep into our hearts and minds. Help us to see your faithfulness in the changing seasons, in the new mercies you provide every morning, and in the promises you have made to never leave or forsake us.
Strengthen us to hold fast to the hope we profess. Help us to rest in your character even when we don't understand our circumstances. Give us the courage to persevere through every season of life, knowing that your perfect timing and purpose are at work.
May our lives be a testament to our trust in you. We pray for the freedom from anxiety that comes from seeking your kingdom first, and for the joyful obedience that springs from a deep love for you. Work in us, O God, to will and to act according to your good purpose.
We thank you for the sealing of the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of our inheritance, and the constant reminder that we are your treasured possession.
It is in your faithful and holy name we pray, Amen.
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