1 God is Faithful

2  2 Timothy 2:13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself  Hebrews 13: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” 6 So we may boldly say: 6 56 ​​ “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” “When you get to your wit's end, You'll find God lives there.”

3 God is Faithful  Numbers 13 Story of Caleb: one of the twelve spies Story of Caleb: one of the twelve spies Went into the promised land and saw it was good Went into the promised land and saw it was good Caleb spied out around Hebron Caleb spied out around Hebron Spies came back with a good report of the land and bad report of the ability to take the land even though God had promised it to them v 28 “Nevertheless”…Giants and fortresses Spies came back with a good report of the land and bad report of the ability to take the land even though God had promised it to them v 28 “Nevertheless”…Giants and fortresses V 30 Caleb tried to convince them of God’s faithfulness V 30 Caleb tried to convince them of God’s faithfulness V 33 The people saw themselves as grasshoppers Compare Isaiah 40: 22 V 33 The people saw themselves as grasshoppers Compare Isaiah 40: 22

4 God is Faithful  Numbers 14: 5-10 V 8-9 Caleb and Joshua try to convince the people to take the land… “the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” V 8-9 Caleb and Joshua try to convince the people to take the land… “the LORD is with us. Do not fear them” The other ten spies and children of Israel won the argument…and then spent forty years in the wilderness until they all die off…all except for Caleb and Joshua who received their inheritance of the promised land The other ten spies and children of Israel won the argument…and then spent forty years in the wilderness until they all die off…all except for Caleb and Joshua who received their inheritance of the promised land There are consequences to our choices! There are consequences to our choices!

5 God is Faithful  Joshua 14: 6-15 v7 – Caleb was forty years old when he was sent to spy out the land and he was promised the land where he walked. v7 – Caleb was forty years old when he was sent to spy out the land and he was promised the land where he walked. v10 - Caleb was now 85 years old and he wanted Hebron – the place where the greatest giants and fortified cities were (v12 & v15) v10 - Caleb was now 85 years old and he wanted Hebron – the place where the greatest giants and fortified cities were (v12 & v15) v12 – “I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” v12 – “I shall be able to drive them out as the LORD said.” v13 – “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.” v13 – “Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite to this day, because he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel.” v15 The land had rest from war v15 The land had rest from war We see the beginning and the end of the story…Caleb lived it for 45 years fully convinced of Gods faithfulness We see the beginning and the end of the story…Caleb lived it for 45 years fully convinced of Gods faithfulness

6 God is Faithful  Other characters Noah – built an Ark because God said to. Was God faithful?…Yes, it rained and Noah and his family were saved Noah – built an Ark because God said to. Was God faithful?…Yes, it rained and Noah and his family were saved Abraham – left country, home and family to follow Gods word. Was God faithful?...Yes, even when Abraham screwed-up. He told the King of Egypt that is wife was his sister, out of fear. God delivered him and Sarah Abraham – left country, home and family to follow Gods word. Was God faithful?...Yes, even when Abraham screwed-up. He told the King of Egypt that is wife was his sister, out of fear. God delivered him and Sarah Moses – committed murder out of a passion to free the Israelites. Was God faithful to him? Yes, he called him and used mightily to truly set the people of Israel free. Moses – committed murder out of a passion to free the Israelites. Was God faithful to him? Yes, he called him and used mightily to truly set the people of Israel free. “Don't let your worries get the best of you; Remember, Moses started out as a basket case.” Esther – she at a young age was taken into the King to be his wife. God faithfully protected her and again brought deliverance for the Jews Esther – she at a young age was taken into the King to be his wife. God faithfully protected her and again brought deliverance for the Jews Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo were young boys when they were taken by the Babylonians. They took a stand for God and God blessed them above their peers. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo were young boys when they were taken by the Babylonians. They took a stand for God and God blessed them above their peers.

7 God is Faithful  The disciples set free from prison… Acts 5:  Peter set free from Prison by an angel with the church praying constantly… Acts 12:  Paul and Silas in Prison after being beaten, lead the Jailer and family to the Lord… Acts 16:  many were killed (martyred) for their faith Steven – was stoned to death Steven – was stoned to death Peter, Paul, James were all martyred Peter, Paul, James were all martyred …how is God faithful in that? …how is God faithful in that? Other personal accounts and testimoniesOther personal accounts and testimonies Stevens death Acts 7: in Paul’s presenceStevens death Acts 7: in Paul’s presence

8 God is Faithful

9  God is faithful to us ALL THE TIME  Ask our brothers and sisters in China, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia. They face persecution and famines, storms earthquakes, drought, wars  There are many stories of God’s faithfulness, He does not forget us or leave us. He provides, heals, restores, delivers, comforts…He is faithful to us.  Bible prophesy and recent prophesies suggest times are going to be difficult…but our God is Faithful ALL THE TIME  Our friends, neighbours and family members are going to be afraid and calling out for help  …if we are more confident in our God and His faithfulness toward us than in what we see with our eyes, we will transform this world…just like Caleb did!  People will see us and say “I want what you have”.  People will cry out for God’s help and intervention and He will use us.

10 God is Faithful  How do we get there: Pray (there are various prayer meetings including a twenty four prayer room on Friday – there have been many answers to prayer through that prayer time) (See Andrew and Linda Kralka); Pray (there are various prayer meetings including a twenty four prayer room on Friday – there have been many answers to prayer through that prayer time) (See Andrew and Linda Kralka); pray for one another; pray for one another; give thanks to God; give thanks to God; encourage one another with testimonies of God’s faithfulness; encourage one another with testimonies of God’s faithfulness; body ministry - if the Lord places something on your heart for someone in the congregation, share it with them or pray with them. body ministry - if the Lord places something on your heart for someone in the congregation, share it with them or pray with them.

11 God is Faithful “The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.”