Steadfastness in the Kingdom

UPGA SERMON FOR SUNDAY SERVICE:

Steadfastness in the Kingdom

Study Text: 1 Corinthians 15:58  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Introduction:

-   Steadfastness is an essential principle in Christian character. There can be no success nor prosperity in the Christian life when this principle is wanting. 

-   Just as Christian fortitude is noble, and pleasing to God, so a lack of steadfastness is ignoble and highly displeasing to God.

-  We shall discuss the topic under three sub- headings:

1.  The Explanation of Steadfastness in the Kingdom

2.  The Expectation of Steadfastness in the Kingdom

3.  The Evaluation of Steadfastness in the Kingdom

1.  The Explanation of Steadfastness in the Kingdom:

-  To be steadfast and unmovable is to be spiritually grounded. A steadfast person knows what he believes and cannot be “tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of doctrines” (Ephesians 4:14). 

-   An unmovable person can hear false teaching, engage doubters, and defend truth without it shaking his own faith. 

-   To remain steadfast and unmovable we have to know the Word of God. Second Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth”.

-    To accurately handle the word of truth, we must not only read the Bible, but we must allow it to become part of us. Its truth should so penetrate our minds and hearts that it shapes our thinking and our actions. 

-   It should so fill our minds that we can detect error when we hear it. Satan uses Scripture for his own purposes, twisting it to sound as though it says something it doesn’t say (Luke 4:9–11). If we have not been diligent in our study and meditation on truth, we are vulnerable to error. 

-   The false religions of the world can be persuasive when they quote Bible verses to support their error. Even Christians can be deceived by enticing heresy if they do not have a solid grounding in the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

-   It is God’s desire that we grow daily in our understanding of Him and His Word so that we will remain faithful to the end (John 8:31; 2 Peter 1:2; 3:18; 1 John 2:24).

2.   The Expectation of Steadfastness in the Kingdom:

There are so many areas where the Christian is expected to be steadfast.

1.  Steadfastness in Righteousness:

-   Luke 9:62.  Here our Lord says, ''No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.''

-    Jesus here is talking to Christians who ''look back.'' Back to what? Back to the old life! Back to the world! Back to the life they lived before they were converted. 

-   When we start out with the Lord Jesus Christ, we are to go ON with Him. We are to break completely from the old life and burn every bridge behind us, so there cannot be a retreat. To decide for Christ is a LIFE decision. 

-  NO MAN---it doesn't matter who he is, or what his position in life may be, or what his influence is---NO MAN, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. 

2.  Steadfastness in Doctrine:

- As Christians, we expected to be steadfast in the sound doctrines of the scriptures as practiced by the early Church in the Acts of the Apostles. 

-  It is not the will of God for us to be tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrines. That is why it is necessary for every believer to grow unto maturity spirituality to be able to discern the truth apart from errors and falsehood.

3. Steadfastness in Liberty.

-    We have been set free from the hold and grip of Satan through the blood of Jesus, when we truly receive Him as our Lord and Saviour.

-  We are to be steadfast in this liberty by doing away with all properties and involvement with the Devil that can bring us into bondage again. Galatians 5: 1.

4.  Steadfastness in Service

-  As Christian, we are also called to a faithful service in the Kingdom of God after our Salvation. Apart from the call to preach the gospel to the world, we are also to engage in various services in the Church for the expansion of the Kingdom of God.

-   We are to remain steadfast in these services without allowing discouragement or distraction.

5.  Steadfastness in Good Works

-   Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are expected to be full of good works, showing love and kindness to others and being a blessing to them in every area the Lord gives us the grace.

-   There is a tendency to grow weary of doing good for so many reasons. But, no reason is good enough to prevent our Steadfastness in good works.

6. Steadfastness in Devotion

-   We need to engage in regular, healthy,  personal and congregation fellowship with the Lord. Nothing must be allowed to hinder our effective fervent prayers, our diligent study of the Word, and our active participation in Church fellowship. Acts 2: 38 - 42.

7.  Steadfastness in Hope

-   The blessed hope of every believer is to make heaven, and be with Christ eternally at the end of this world. 1 John 3: 1 - 3.

-  We are expected to be steadfast in this hope of eternal life by keeping ourselves holy at all times, and by setting our hearts and affections on things above. Colossians 3: 1 - 3.

3.  The Evaluation of Steadfastness in the Kingdom

-   There are ways we can critically examine ourselves to evaluate our Steadfastness in the Kingdom of God. 2 Corinthians 13: 5.

1.  Ensure Victory in your Thoughts

-  You must be able to arrest every thought that is disobedient to Christ in your hearts. 2 Corinthians 10: 3 - 6.

2.  Ensure Victory in Temptations

-  Surely, temptations will come on every side, but God is also making a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10: 13.

-  When you fall easily to temptation, it is a threat to your Steadfastness in the Kingdom. James 1: 12.

3.  Ensure a Pure Conscience

-  We must have a conscience that is void of offense at all times before God and before men. This will strengthen your Steadfastness in the Kingdom of God.

-   In all your dealings with men, the Holy Spirit must bear witness with your spirit that you have done the right thing.

4.  Ensure the Right Motive

-   In everything you do, the right motive must be to glorify God and to be a blessing to man. Avoid personal and selfish interest and glory.

-   If you can be comfortable with anything that does not glorify God, and that is harmful to others, it is a clear indication that your steadfastness in the Kingdom is threatened.

5.  Ensure only Godly Influence

-   In every area of your life, never yield to negative or ungodly influence, no matter who is involved. You must also ensure that you produce only godly influence in the lives of others.

6.  Ensure self control.

-  To remain steadfast in the Kingdom of God, the grace of self control must be cherished and developed. Never allow the flesh or self to rule you. 1 Corinthians 9: 24 - 27.

-   Yielding to the Holy Spirit will ensure that your thoughts, words and deeds are pleasing unto God at all times. Galatians 5: 16 - 18.

7.  Ensure the Right Focus

-  Always make sure that you are not carried away with the things of the world. Let heaven and eternal inheritance be your focus.

-  The consciousness of staying here temporarily and living in heaven eternally will help a believer to remain steadfast in the Kingdom of God, whatever happens.

Conclusion:

-  We all need the grace of God to remain steadfast in the Kingdom of God till the end, and the grace is always available and sufficient if we can connect to it.

-  We should do all that is necessary on our own part to make sure we keep going in the right direction in our journey to eternity. Remember, the Holy Spirit is our Helper, our Comforter, our Teacher, our Intercessor and our Leader.