STAND BY ME

 

Today I want to share with you how the Lord will stand by you and be faithful.

1.       GOD IS FAITHFUL TO FORGIVE SINS WHEN THEY ARE CONFESSED.  He was faithful to humble himself, become a man, live a sin free life, go to cross, shed his blood, and pay the penalty for sin.  Without His faithfulness, we would not have the wonderful benefit of being forgiven. 

 

a.      We can be assured that when we confess our sins, pardon will be granted, and forgiveness given.  John writes in 1 John 1:9  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

 

b.       The good news is when we come and confess our sins, He forgives. He pardons. He accepts us and we can become His disciples,  be assured that God is faithful and will forgive.

 

2.      GOD IS FAITH TO NOT ALLOW YOU TO BE TEMPTED BEYOND WHAT YOU ARE ABLE.  1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

 

a.       God is right there with you.  He won’t let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. The faithful God will always provide to you a way of escape.  God is in the battle with you.

b.      You will never be overcome, conquered or be a victim.

 

3.      GOD IS FAITHFUL TO COMPLETE THE WORK HE STARTED IN YOU.  You may not realize this, but the moment you sincerely gave your life to Jesus Christ. God enrolled you in his plan. His plan for you is your ultimate transformation. He desires for you to become like Jesus Christ.  God’s goal is that you would become mature and complete. His plan for you is that you would walk in victory.

 

a.      Here are some things to consider.  God finishes what He starts.  God didn’t get halfway through creation and then give up. Rather, in six days he created the earth and the heavens and on the seventh day he rested. He looked at what he did and he said it was good.

 

b.      Jesus didn’t go halfway to Calvary and then cast the cross aside and say I won’t complete my mission.  He went all the way until he was able to utter those beautiful words on the cross, “It is finished!”

 

c.      When he saved you. He said I am going to complete the work I began.  Philippians 1:6 NLT  “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”

 

d.      There are many believers that are in a position to say the following:  I may not be all that I should be. I am not what I used to be. I am still under construction. God is not done with me.

              God is faithful. If he saved you. He can sanctify you. In other words, He can set you apart for his 

              purposes.

 

e.      1 Thessalonians 5:23-24  “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.”

 

f.       God will finish the work that he started in you.  He will do that as you are exposed to the Word, as you receive the promptings of the Spirit, He will continue working in your life.  God has His ways to move us toward becoming like Him. God will complete the work.  1 Corinthians 1:8-9  “who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 

4.      GOD IS FAITHFUL TO PROVIDE YOUR NEEDS  Philippians 4:19  “My God shall supply all of your needs according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.”  He is your provider. Just think of his faithfulness. He feeds the birds. He provides food for the oxen. The flowers of the field are more beautiful than Solomon in all his splendor.  He is the faithful God.

 

 

5.      GOD IS FAITHFUL TO GO WITH YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY.  In our relationship to a faithful God He promises to guide us.  As we connect with Him on a daily basis, his hand guides our life. We sense God cheering us on.  He becomes our biggest fan. He is telling us by His Spirit, I am with you! You will make it to the end.  If we need guidance, God can lead us.  God knows how to give us strength no matter what the circumstances.  God will be faithful to walk with  you every step of the way!

 

a.      Paul tell us in Romans 12:1-2, that as we submit to God, We can know the perfect and acceptable will of God..  You do not have to be in the dark about the will of God.

b.      As we go out from this place.  You now know that God will stand by you throughout this week.

 

Show God’s faithfulness.