10042015ToTheFaithfulDonRuhl

To The Faithful 

Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • October 4, In the year of our Lord, 2015

Prelude: 

Often we direct our teaching to 

the weak,

the unfaithful,

the doubter,

the complainer, and

the troublemaker.

Tonight I want to address those who DO NOT have to be 

begged,

pampered, and

accommodated

before they will attend the worship service or

work in and for the church.

I do not mean to sound sarcastic, but

you might be surprised by how much time

church leaders spend in dealing with

the weak, unfaithful, and the troublemakers.

We work with many

who are weak and

they still miss.

Tonight I will not address

those who complain the most

while doing the least.

Persuasion: 

To the Faithful: It Is Hard to Express How Wonderful You Are 

Sometimes we forget your efforts in the church and for the Lord.

However, you know that He never forgets.

Blessed are you, because

nothing keeps you from attending.

The weather, company, and other matters do not stop you.

You are dependable;

we do not have to replace you at the last minute, because

you are reliable in doing your duties in the church.

You Have Distractions 

You have the same distractions as others, but

you have set your priorities right.

Jesus described you well in Matthew 6, and

I am persuaded that the Lord will bless you

for putting His church first in your life,

33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt 6.33).

It is not that you do not have

the same sicknesses in your family, or

that you do not have the same need for rest, or

that family never comes to see you, but

you know what place the kingdom has in your life and

nothing deters you from it.

May your tribe increase.

You Always Support Good Works 

The good works of the church will always find your willing support.

You support good works with your money.

You support good works with your hands.

It is so automatic with you

that you will back a work with your

prayers,

time,

money,

effort, and

words

that we forget to recognize you.

However, the beauty of it is

that you do not look for recognition,

except from the Lord.

However, we want you to know

that the Lord has recognized your work and

He will not forget what you have done.

Matthew 10 gives us the assurance

that even something small (small in the eyes of men),

is not forgotten by God;

it might even be forgotten by you, but

God remembers it,

42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward” (Matt 10.42).

Hebrews 6 even goes so far to say

that it would be wrong on God’s part,

if He forgot the good

that you have done for His people,

who are the church,

10 “For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (Heb 6.10).

Revelation 14 pronounces a blessing upon you, because

you have been a blessing to the church, and

you have been a blessing to the world,

10 “Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.”’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them’” (Rev 14.10).

You do not just come in and sit in a pew, but

you visit with other members,

you greet our guests,

you teach classes,

you encourage the fainthearted,

you rebuke the sinners,

you submit yourself to those leading some good work,

in other words you are not a hindrance

to a work, nor

to the workers,

so people in the church do not have to spend time

getting you to support the church, but

you spend time encouraging others.

Worldliness Has No Part in You 

You are not toying with the world, nor

are you wanting the church to be like the world.

To you Christianity is not a burden, because

you are trying to escape the temptations of the world.

Therefore we do not have to spend time trying to

rescue you,

rebuke you, or

confront you, but

you have dedicated your life to the church, because

you first dedicated your life to the Lord Jesus Christ.

You do not

put down the church and

complain about her, but

you are hurt when others do so.

Do You Know What You Are? 

You are very simply what the Bible calls

a Christian,

a disciple of Christ.

Therefore the words of Numbers 6,

words which the high priest pronounced upon the children of Israel

so that God would bless them,

are also said over you,

24 “The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
26 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.”
(Num 6.24–26)

Exhortation: 

Therefore we do not offer you an invitation, 

unless you are compelled to use for it for some reason.

I want us all to sing, “Standing on the Promises,”

to remind the faithful

that they are standing on the promises of God, and

He does not forget what you have done, nor

does He forget what He has said He will do for you.

Even if no one comes forward,

I will offer a prayer for you,

asking the Lord to bless you.

May God bless each of you 

whom the church can depend upon

as we stand and sing joyfully.

To the rest of the congregation, 

you know who these people are.

Imitate them,

17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern (Phi 3.17).