Hebrews 10 19 23 19 Therefore NKJV brethren

Hebrews 10: 19 -23 19 Therefore, (NKJV) brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Faithfulness • Our theme for 2017 is simply “Faithfulness” • We introduced our theme back in January • Last month we spoke about the faithfulness of God

Faithfulness • This morning we begin at the beginning • In Genesis 1, the Bible gives us the creation account • There is certainly much to take note of there in chapter 1

Faithfulness • Verse 26 reveals something very important to our very nature • There God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to our likeness” • We were made in the image of God, to be according to His likeness

Faithfulness • It’s something that should humble us, but that we should take very seriously as well • We were made to be like God in some way • It wasn’t the physical, since God is a spirit

Faithfulness • We are a reflection of who God is, in every way possible • Therefore, we are to take on the characteristics of God that will help us to be recognized as in His image • One of those things is faithfulness

God’s Faithfulness • We mentioned already that God is faithful (I Cor. 10: 13; Rev. 19: 11) • We noticed that the idea of faithfulness carries with it loyalty of course • However, it also is defined as trustworthiness; dependability

God’s Faithfulness • God is faithful, therefore we can rely upon Him • We can trust that God will do what He says that He will do and we can trust who He is • So from God’s faithfulness we go to our faithfulness…

Our Faithfulness • Just as God is faithful, He expects us to find ourselves faithful to Him • It means that we are to be loyal to God, just as a husband to his wife (or vice versa) • Being loyal to God means we do not leave Him or forsake Him for another

Our Faithfulness • Again, it also carries with it the idea of trustworthiness and dependability • Are we loyal to God? • Are we one that God can trust or rely upon in what He asks us to do for Him?

Our Faithfulness • Hebrews 10: 19 -23 • We are told to hold on to our hope without wavering (v. 23) • We are then given the reason that we should hold fast. . . “for He who promised is faithful”

Our Faithfulness • God’s faithfulness should lead to our faithfulness • We look to God, even His Son Jesus for our living example of who we should be • I Peter 2: 21 -23

Our Faithfulness • Jesus set an example of loyalty, trust, and dependability • It’s not just that He Himself was loyal, trustworthy and dependable • Jesus was loyal to God, trusted Him and depended on Him

Our Faithfulness • How many times do we see Jesus deferring to the will of God? • He trusted in God and His plan wholeheartedly • Philippians 2: 8 tells us that Jesus was obedient to God’s will, even to death!

Our Faithfulness • God trusted His Son, knew that He was dependable and trustworthy • Can God trust me? • Can God rely upon me? • Can God depend on me?

Our Faithfulness • Even in the face of persecution, I need to be faithful (Rev. 2: 10) • Even in what is the least, I need to be faithful (Luke 16: 10) • As a steward of what God has given me, I need to be faithful (I Cor. 4: 2)