WHAT WILL PROVOKE ONE TO BE FAITHFUL? Revelation 2:10 I. Introduction. A. The encouragement: Revelation 2:10. B. They needed it: we need it: every generation. C. Is there one thing(one practice) that can help me or others to be faithful? D. How often people think: if I had his situation (opportunities)--then I could be faithful. E. "If you just understood my circumstances--you would understand!" F. Note: Eccl. 9:11. II. Body. A. Will a person be provoked to faithfulness by: 1. Possession of wealth? a. Being poor(povertous) is an unpleasant experience! b. If I could just pay my bills and have a little left over... (1 I must spend all of my time making a living... (2 If you just knew my situation... c. Solomon had wealth...and problems! d. Observe: Proverbs 13:7. e. Note: Proverbs 49:10. 2. Being wise? a. Again: Solomon. b. How many wise men obey the Lord? I Cor. 1:26. c. "Oh--if I had his knowledge, his accom- plishments--what I could be ..." d. The right stuff: James 3:17. e. Salvation & faithfulness is not decided by one's IQ! 3. Possession of power? a. If I could control what happens around me- b. The unfaithful kings of Israel & Judah. c. King Saul. d. Those who have power constantly fear losing it! e. The real power: Romans 1:16. 4. Having a good family background? a. Often comment on how well one does--in spite of his family. b. Yet: Unfaithful have come from faithful. (and vice versa) c. Can certainly be a source of strength. d. Consider: Eli's sons; Samuel's sons. e. The history of Israel illustrates. 5. Association with righteous activities? a. Hopefully: can have positive influence. b. Does not mean one is near God. (1 Again: Sons of Eli, Samuel. (2 Money changers; Pharisees, etc. c. It takes something more than being physically present with good people to be good! 6. Demonstration of miracles? a. "If I could just see..." b. Balaam did! c. What about Jonah as he watched over Nineveh?(whale; vine). d. The Israelites in the wilderness. e. Elijah & feeding the ravens? f. Those who observed Jesus actions. B. What can provoke to love and good works? 1. A true heart. Hebrews 10:22. (real, sincere, genuine) [Real state of affairs] 2. Fulness of faith. Hebrews 10:22. (entire confidence)[supreme fullness] 3. Hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience. Hebrews 10:22. (purging) [share in blood of Christ] 4. Holding fast the confession of our hope. Hebrews 10:23. (secure, safe, firm) (to be sure) [to be possessed] 5. Considering one another. Hebrews 10:24. (thoughtfully considering--to understand fully) [to examine closely] 6. Not forsaking the assembling. Hebrews 10:25. (to leave behind; abandon) III. Conclusion. A. Faith...from the heart...love...from the heart... holding fast to truth...can provoke to be faithful.-jy