Faithfulness is something different than you might think.

Steve Brown:
Faithfulness is something different than you might think. Let’s talk about it, on Key Life.

Matthew Porter:
It’s for freedom that Christ set us free, and Key Life is here to bring you Biblical teaching that encourages you to never give in to slavery again. Our teacher on Key Life is Steve Brown. He’s an author, broadcaster, and seminary professor who’s sick of phony religion.

Steve Brown:
Thank you Matt. If you have your Bible, we’re turning to a new text as we study the Book of Philippians, and we’re turning to a subject that is interesting that’ll make you wince until you understand what’s going on. It’s Philippians 2:14 through 18. And this is what Paul writes.

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe, as you hold out the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.

Now, we’re going to be talking about faithfulness next week, maybe a little bit today, but we’re going to be spending a good time in this text because it is a great text for the Christian who struggles with faithfulness. But I want you to note, let me go down a side road because I think it’s pretty important. Please note, if you will, the Biblical view of society. And I might add the accurate view of society. What is it? Philippians 2:15b

crooked and depraved

You say, I knew something was bent. I knew it was weird. I knew it was skewed. I knew it was out of sync. Well, you’re right. We’re looking at human beings, and this includes you, by the way. I started to say it doesn’t include me, cause I’m ordained. I heard the angels laughing, so it includes me, it includes you, and it includes everybody. That’s one of the reasons that a cancelled society can be such a bad thing. Because everybody has a reason to be cancelled. Because we are, as Paul said

crooked and depraved.

Now, he’s talking about the world, not about the Christian. Because the Christian is different. Because we know we are crooked and depraved. We have asked forgiveness from the proper person who can forgive us and then we’re getting a little bit better. Now, it moves slowly and sometimes we don’t see it, but we’re seeing that particular thing happen. And he says, and we’re going to see this later on when we get to it.

That we stand out like stars in a black sky.

You can see it! It makes a difference. Now, it’s not because we are so pure and so wonderful and so smart. It’s because we know that we aren’t. And when we know that we aren’t, and we with humility repent and go to God, and say, you’re right and I’m wrong. When we do that, God begins to do incredible things in our life. Now, once Paul says that we live in a crooked and depraved generation. In practical terms, that means that the world, society, America, Canada, that you’re not perfectible. I got angry last week and said something to a staff member and my family. When the smoke cleared, I said to myself, Why am I that angry? Why do I do that? What is it in me that gets out of control? And then I studied this text and I realized that there is something bent in me. And it won’t become straight until I stand before the Father and he makes a new edition of Steve Brown. Now, that doesn’t mean, and if you were listening on the teaching in the last text on working out one’s salvation, we’re getting better. It’s slow sometimes, but we’re getting better, but until there is a new edition, there’s going to be a struggle. I really thought that I’d be better by now, and I am better by now. In fact, in my prayer life, I said to the Lord, could you, you know, sometimes I think that it’s, that I’m awful and not making any progress. Could you show me? And I won’t be prideful about it because I know the other side. But you, could you show me a place where I’m getting better? And he did. Now, I’m not going to tell you what it is, because that would violate what he showed me. But I could see, he allowed me to see places where I’m getting better. But when you start by understanding the truth of a depraved generation, then you understand something about sociology. You understand something about educational theory. You understand why there’s division in the church. You understand why politics is so dirty. You understand why there’s such a need for an awakening and repentance that God would pour his Spirit out on you and me and our nation and the world. So, I thought I would stop and say that before we talked about faithfulness. You say, Steve, you may be the most cynical person I know. Well, actually I am. I’m a cynical old preacher, but I prefer to call it realism. And in some cases, that’s exactly what it is. It’s not cynicism that makes everything dark. Cynicism takes away all hope. Cynicism destroys faith. Cynicism will kill you, and I repent of it all the time. But realism, about the way the world works, a fallen world works, will enable you to understand what’s going on around you. My late mentor, Fred Smith, and I’ve told you that people accused me of making Fred Smith up so I can say weird things. That’s not true. Go to BreakfastWithFred.com and you can see some of the wisdom that I benefited from for almost 30 years. Fred Smith was the wisest man I’ve ever known, and maybe the wisest thing he ever taught me was about human depravity. He said, Steve, there are two views in the world. One says that people are basically good and kind and pure, and they make mistakes occasionally. And the other view says that people are basically depraved, sinful, and rebellious. And occasionally they do a good thing. He said, depending on which side of that you take, it will affect everything you think about everything else. It will affect how you see education, how you see news, how you see politics, how you see church, how you see everything. And that’s realistic. It is not without hope, because as we have seen, God is involved in this. And he’s making a difference. And he’s making a change. But it’s important to see that the reality of a fallen world is not to be taken lightly. We’re going to be talking about faithfulness. Let me just give you some verses. Psalm 31:23.

Love the Lord, all his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful.

Proverbs 26

Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?

Matthew 24:45 through 47

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household, to give them food at the proper time? It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

Ephesians 1:1

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus.

What does it mean to be faithful? It means not to leave. It means to stay. It means that even if you’re messing it up, you don’t run. That’s faithfulness. You think about that. Amen.

Matthew Porter:
Thank you Steve. And that’ll do it for this week’s journey through Philippians. Remember to join us again on Monday for another Advent moment with Steve and Matt Heard. And tomorrow, hope you’ll meet us again for Friday Q&A with Steve and Pete Alwinson. Tomorrow, they’ll answer a question from a listener about what to do when you’re anxious and trying to cast your burdens, but it’s just not working. Tune in for their answer. Well, I don’t know about you, but when it’s Christmas time, the thing I want most is just a little extra help. And when it comes to focusing on what really matters, we’d love to be that little bit of extra help for you. How? With a free booklet called Christmas Meditations. It’s a collection of Steve’s writings on the real reason for the season, the Incarnation of God in Christ. The booklet also has Scriptures and devotional questions to help you focus on the impact of Christ’s coming. It’s yours absolutely free when you call us right now at 1-800-KEY-LIFE that’s 1-800-539-5433. You can also e-mail [email protected] to order that booklet. Or to mail your request go to keylife.org/contact for our mailing addresses. Again, just ask for the free booklet called Christmas Meditations. And finally, would you consider giving to Key Life? Giving is easy, just charge a gift on your credit card or include a gift in your envelope. Or just pick up your phone and text Key Life to 28950, then follow the instructions. Key Life is a member of ECFA in the States and CCCC in Canada. And we are a listener supported production of Key Life Network.