"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses ENTRUST to FAITHFUL men, who will be able to teach others also."  2 Timothy 2:1-2

If I am to treasure Jesus and be a kingdom-minded person: strong, loving, blessing others, legacy-leaving, and joyful - then I must be saturated with the gospel of grace, (“It is finished!” John 19:30) and live in community with faith-filled people who embrace the sacred trust given to them to live out the gospel truth for the neighborhoods, nations, and generations to come.

1. Faithful people know the FAITHFULNESS of the triune God.  

“...if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself.”  2 Timothy 2:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except that which is common to man. God is faithful…”  1 Corinthians 10:13

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. HE WHO CALLS YOU IS FAITHFUL; HE WILL SURELY DO IT.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

“As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes. For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.”  2 Corinthians 1:18-22

2. Faithful people know they are loved (in vital community with other believers).
(2 Timothy 1:2, 1 Corinthians 4:17, Ephesians 6:21, Colossians 4:7,9).

“Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.”  Philippians 4:1

“Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.”  2 Corinthians 7:1

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.”  1 Peter 2:11

“This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder…Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.”  2 Peter 3:1, 14

3. Faithful people understand they are entrusted with a high calling.

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?”  Luke 16:10-11

“But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”  Luke 12:48  

“This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare...”  
1 Timothy 1:18

QUESTIONS

1. How do we celebrate the faithfulness of God on a daily and weekly basis (as individuals, a community of faith, network of friends, family)?

2. What adjectives describe “faithful men”?

3. Why does being loved lead to courage/faithfulness?

4. How does our “high calling” compel us to faithful living (for the neighborhoods, the nations and the coming generations)?