Faithfulness

What or who inspires you to increase your faithfulness?

• Who strong is our faith? What are we believing for?
• 2 Timothy 1 v 3-18
• Paul was back in prison when he was writing this letter. Paul new this was the end of the road for him and he knew he needed to fast some final encouragement and words of wisdom onto Timothy.
• Paul had three key reasons for writing to Timothy at the time::

1. Paul was lonely and wanted to inspire Timothy because was like his son.
2. Paul was concerned about the welfare of the churches in that time because of the rule of Nero.
3. He wanted to write to the Ephesian church through Timothy.

• Paul was faithful right up to the end of his life, this what he modelled to Timothy. Timothy was encouraged and inspired by Paul's faith. This grew Timothy's faith because he was invested into by Paul and saw Paul live his life in faith.
• Timothy lived out his faith. He had faith to see God do the greater things.
• 3 John 1 v 3 - "It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it."
• We need to strive to live a life of faith so this verse is applicable for all of us.
• We are all influenced by many different people but who you are influenced by is your choice.
• Our faithfulness is birthed in us because someone has sown that into. Nobody is born and lives faithfully to God if no-one tells them about it.
• My faith stems from my parents sowed into me as a child and we are reaping a harvest of joy and gladness as I live and keep striving to live the life of faithfulness.
• If I allow people around me who aren't faithful and I listen to them then this will affect my faith.
• What do you have faith for God to do? In your life or in other peoples.
• God gives us opportunities to show our faith.
• Acts 9 v 36-43 - "³⁶ In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. ³⁷ About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. ³⁸ Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” ³⁹ Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. ⁴⁰ Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. ⁴² This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³ Peter stayed in Joppa for some time with a tanner named Simon."
• Peter had a great opportunity to put his faith in God and God did a miracle. 
• It drew other people to God. 
• But this was a big thing for Peter to have faith to happen so when did he start stepping out in faith?
• Matthew 14 v 22-36 - Tells us of when Peter first steps out in faith. 
• Peter had a great amount of faith and was willing to step out in faith. 
• Peter had faith to see a miracle. 
• Peter could have just ignored the opportunity but he went out of his way to pray and heal Tabitha. 
• What opportunities is God giving us? 
• When we step out in faith God will do something. 
• Peter stepped out in faith and God healed Tabitha. 
• We need to continue to live our faith out and believe for the great things God will do in us and through us.
• How can you be more faithful?