Below are notes to a sermon preached Wednesday evening, April 19, 2000, at Gospel Light Baptist Church, Albany, Georgia.
FAITHFUL SAYINGS
By Michael D. O’Neal Pastor, Gospel Light Baptist Church Albany, Georgia
Scripture Reading: Ps. 119:137-144
Text: Psalms 119:138
Psalms 119:138 Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Introduction: God’s testimonies are “very faithful.” That is, you can COUNT on the word of God. It will never let you down. You will never find it to be wrong on anything.
All of the scriptures are faithful sayings, but there are five particular passages of the Bible which are described as “faithful sayings.” I want us to examine them tonight and pay especial attention to them.
I. GOD HAS A FAITHFUL SAYING CONCERNING MEALS FOR SAINTS
1 Timothy 4:1-9 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation.
A. Seducing commandments are given by unclean spirits – 1 Tim. 4:1-3
B. Scriptural cleansing is practiced by the saints – 1 Tim. 4:4-5
C. A spiritual comparison is made – 1 Tim. 4:8
II. GOD HAS A FAITHFUL SAYING CONCERNING THE MISSION OF THE SAVIOR
1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
A. The mission of the Savior was plain
B. The mission of the Savior was planned
C. The mission of the Savior was primary
D. The mission of the Savior was passed on
III. GOD HAS A FAITHFUL SAYING CONCERNING THE MAINTAINING OF OUR SERVICE
Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
A. There is an obligation
B. There is an order
1. Salvation, THEN service
2. Faith, THEN works
C. There is an outcome
1. Helpful toward others
2. Rewarding in the millennial kingdom
(next point)
IV. GOD HAS A FAITHFUL SAYING CONCERNING THE MILLENNIAL SUPREMACY
2 Timothy 2:11-13 It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
A. There is the promise of the resurrection – 2 Tim. 2:11
B. There is the possibility of a reign – 2 Tim. 2:12
C. There is a penalty of retreating – 2 Tim. 2:12
1. Contrary to the pronouncements of people in the Church of Christ, Jehovah’s False Witnesses, and other cults, 2 Tim. 2:12 does not teach that a believer can lose salvation.
2. It teaches that he can lose what he stood to gain in the same verse: RULING WITH CHRIST in the millenium.
3. Salvation is a gift, but the inheritance in the millennium is a reward based on service:
Colossians 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
V. GOD HAS A FAITHFUL SAYING CONCERNING MISERY AND SUFFERING
Revelation 22:1-6 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4 And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. 5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. 6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done.
Praise God! No more curse – V. 3; no more night – V. 4; no more artificial lighting – V. 5! GOD is our light! We read also in Rev. 21:4
Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
No more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, and no more pain! Amen!
In eternity,
A. The Lord will bring our city
1. Revelation 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a
bride adorned for her husband.
B. The Lord will be our companion
1. Revelation 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and
he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
C. The Lord will banish our crying
1. Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
D. The Lord will brighten our countenance
1. Revelation 22:5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord
God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.