LIVE A FAITHFUL LIFE

Pastor Corey Mantz

Woodland Church

Sunday, September 1, 2024

(Proverbs 20:6, GNT) “Everyone talks about how loyal and faithful he is, but just try to find someone who really is!”

(Deuteronomy 7:9, GNT) “Remember that the Lord your God is the only God and that he is faithful. He will keep his covenant and show his constant love to a thousand generations of those who love him and obey his commands”

(Proverbs 3:3-4, GNT) “Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart. 4 If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.”

1. Demonstrate faithfulness with my promises.

(Ecclesiastes 5:5, CEV) “It’s better not to make a promise at all than to make one and not keep it.”

a.  He promises to provide what you need.

(Philippians 4:19, NLT) “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches”

b.  He promises to provide direction.

(Psalm 37:23, NLT) “The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.”

c.  He promises to provide help when we’re hurting.

(Psalm 34:17-18, NLT) “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help.  He rescues them from all their troubles.  18 The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”

d.  He promises to provide us peace.

(John 14:27, GNT) “Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. Do not be worried and upset; do not be afraid.”

QUESTION:  What’s one step you can take this week to regain trust and start keeping your promises?

2.  Demonstrate faithfulness with my relationships.

a.  Friends support us.

“Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, “What? You too? I thought I was the only one.”
… It is when two such persons discover one another, when, whether with immense difficulties and semi-articulate fumblings or with what would seem to us amazing and elliptical speed, they share their vision – it is then that Friendship is born. And instantly they stand together in an immense solitude.”  – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

(1 Thessalonians 5:11, NLT) “So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”

b.  Friends grow with us.

(Proverbs 27:17, NLT) “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”

c.  Friends stay committed.

(Proverbs 20:6, NLT) “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable?”

QUESTION:  What’s one thing you can do to strengthen one of your relationships?

3.  Demonstrate faithfulness with my resources.

a.  Invest your Time.

“Life is a coin you can spend it any way you want, but you only spend it once.” – Lillian Dickson

(Psalm 90:12, CEV) “Teach us to use wisely all the time we have.”

QUESTION:  Where can I begin to invest my time to make an eternal impact?

b.  Invest your Talents.

(1 Peter 4:10, ERV) “use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other.”

QUESTION:  Where can I use my talents to serve others?

c.  Invest your Treasure.

(Psalm 24:1, NLT) “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.  The world and all its people belong to him.”

QUESTION:  How am I investing my treasure for eternity?