Eddie J. Cornelius, Minister Emeritus
How to Remain Faithful in a Changing World.
1 Cor. 4:1-2
INTRODUCTION:
A. In a world rife with false teachers, false doctrines, false religions and change agents in the church, it is
increasingly difficult for Christians to remain faithful.
B. There are those who tell us that it is not only acceptable but desirable to establish fellowship with
denominations.
C. Others tell us that the church itself must change to accommodate and be more relevant to the people of
today.
D. Still others say that the way we worship is stifled, stiff and down right boring and therefore must be
changed if we are to compete with the fast growing denominations of today.
E. In view of these things, how is the Christian to remain faithful?
F. Today we will look at three ways the Bible teaches us to remain faithful.
1. We are to be safe.
2. We are to be sober.
3. We are to be steadfast.
DISCUSSION:
I. We Must Learn to Appreciate the Safe Way.
A. That old adage "better safe than sorry" has ever been true and remains so today. Whether we are
talking about driving, using hand tools, power tools or serving God.
B. When we realize that our safety depends upon God, we will have more respect for His word. Psa
119:117 Hold thou me up, and I shall be safe: and I will have respect unto thy statutes
continually. When it comes to serving God it truly is "better safe than sorry".
C. Prov 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD
shall be safe.
1. Fear of man and his opinions and teachings will indeed ensnare us and entangle us in the affairs
of this life.
2. Trust in God and His word is the only safe recourse.
D. Lev 25:18 Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and
ye shall dwell in the land in safety.
1. We have Israel for an example. As long as they kept the "statutes" and "judgments" of God
they dwelt in the land in safety.
2. As soon as they began to follow the practices of the people around them , they began to falter
and finally found themselves in bondage to men and not God.
E. The New Testament, especially the epistles, was given for our safety. Phil 3:1 Finally, my
brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not
grievous, but for you it is safe. :2 Beware of dogs (2 Pete. 2:20-22), beware of evil
workers, beware of the concision. :3 For we are the circumcision, which worship God in
the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
F. We are warned not ". . .think of men above that which is written,. . ." (1 Cor. 4:6). It is
always safe to do that which is written in the word of God, the New Testament. That is why we
must be serious when it comes to the Word of God.
II. We Must Practice Sobriety.
A. Sobriety is ". . . soundness of mind, i.e. (lit.) sanity or (fig.) self-control:--soberness, sobriety.
nepho, nay'-fo -to abstain from wine (keep sober), i.e. (fig.) be discreet:--be sober, watch.
sophron, so'-frone;- safe (sound) in mind, i.e. self-controlled (moderate as to opinion or passion):-
-discreet, sober, temperate.
Scott, Foresman Advanced Dictionary-- Sober 1 not drunk. 2 temperate; moderate; 3 quiet;
serious; solemn; 4 calm; sensible; (Ex. a sober opinion not influenced by prejudice or strong
feeling.) 5 free from exaggeration or distortion; 6 quiet in color;
B. The first thing we notice about sobriety is that it is commanded for virtually every part of the
church. No one is exempt.
1. 1 Tim. 3:2 The Bishops or the Elders and their wives must be sober. (Tit. 1:8)
2. 1 Tim. 3:11 The Deacons and their wives must be sober.
3. Tit. 2:2 That the aged men be sober.
4. Tit. 2:3-4 The aged women must be sober.
5. Tit. 2:4 The young women must be taught sobriety by the aged women.
6. Tit. 2:6 the young men are exhorted to be sober minded.
C. Good reasons for sobriety are given in the Bible.
1. 2 Cor. 5:13-14 ". . .the love of Christ constraineth us;" That is, it holds us in check and
prevents us from going too far.
2. 1 Thess. 5:1-10 We know and understand the times in which we live because we are
children of the day, children of light.
a. We know that the return of Christ is eminent. 1 Pet 4:7 But the end of all things is
at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
b. We know the gravity, the seriousness of what is at stake. The wrath of God vs. the
salvation of God by Jesus Christ.
c. Because of this we know that we cannot allow anything, not wine or other intoxicants,
not emotionalism, not carelessness, nothing to affect our thinking.
3. 1 Pete. 1:13-16 We must be serious because our goal is a serious one. We are striving for
divine perfection. We are striving to be holy even as He is holy.
4. 1 Pet 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: :9 Whom resist stedfast in the
faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are
in the world.
D. When one recognizes the value of living in the safety of God's word and being serious, sober,
sound minded, he will be lead to be steadfast.
III. We Must Be Steadfast.
A. Probably the most well known passage commanding and describing steadfastness is to be found
in 1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in
vain in the Lord.
B. But let us consider another passage that does not receive as much attention. 1 Cor 7:37
Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power
over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth
well.
1. First notice that stedfastness begins in the heart, in the thought process.
2. This one does not consider it necessary to have additional revelation beyond what is written,
but his trust is in the word of God.
3. Because he has his thinking right, he trusts in the word, he has power over his own will.
right thinking + trust in the word = power over the will.
4. This then allows one to make firm decisions based on the teachings of Christ.
C. Heb. 2:1-4 teach us to give careful attention to the stedfast word of God.
D. Heb 3:14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
confidence stedfast unto the end;
E. Heb 6:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie. . .(His
promise and His oath) 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and
stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
