Trustworthy – Living in Faithful Trust.

Introduction: The Need for Trustworthiness

Good morning, Digital church. Today I want to talk about “Trustworthy” – a simple word, yet so vital in our lives. We live in a world where trust is often broken. Politicians make promises they don’t keep. Friends and even family members can let us down.

Many of us carry wounds from someone we trusted who proved untrustworthy. In such a world, a truly trustworthy person is like a rare jewel – precious and hard to find. Proverbs 20:6 puts it bluntly: “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful (trustworthy) person who can find?”.

We long for people we can depend on, for promises that won’t be broken, and for a God we can trust with our very lives.

This morning, we’re going to spend some time studying what the Bible means by “trustworthy.” We’ll examine the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words that our Bibles translate as “trustworthy” and explore their rich meanings in context. Then we’ll dive into key Scriptures – from the wisdom of Proverbs and Psalms to the letters of Paul and the visions of Revelation – to discover what, or rather, who is truly trustworthy.

Along the way, we’ll see examples of trustworthiness in action, as seen in the lives of biblical figures like Moses, Daniel, Paul, and, supremely, Jesus. I’ll share some stories – both from history and the present day – that illustrate what trustworthiness looks like in real life.

My prayer is that by the end of this message, you will be encouraged and comforted (that’s the pastoral part), challenged to live with integrity and faithfulness (that’s the prophetic call), and invited to put your trust in the only One who will never fail you (that’s the evangelistic appeal).

I’m speaking to myself as much as to anyone else. As I prepared this sermon, I found myself asking: “Am I a trustworthy person? Do I fully trust in my trustworthy God?” 

I suspect God wants all of us to ask those questions this morning – not to condemn us, but to lead us into His grace and truth. So let’s dig in, with grace in our hearts and the truth on our lips.

To start, we need to understand what the Bible actually means by “trustworthy.” That journey begins with a little word study – looking at the original languages of Scripture. Don’t worry, I won’t get too "preachy" on you. But these insights from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek will lay a foundation for everything else. So let’s begin by uncovering the Biblical meaning of “trustworthy.”

Understanding “Trustworthy” – Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek Insights

In the Old Testament’s Hebrew language, the concept of “trustworthy” comes from a root word you might recognize: ‘aman (אָמַן). This Hebrew verb basically means to be firm, solid, or reliable. Imagine driving a tent peg deep into solid ground – it’s firm and steady. That’s the picture of ‘aman. It’s often used for faithfulness or certainty. In fact, from this root, we derive words like emunah (אמונה), meaning faithfulness or faith, and the famous word “Amen.” Yes, every time you say “Amen,” you’re speaking Hebrew! 😀 Amen literally means “truly” or “so be it,” implying “it’s trustworthy and sure.” Thus, at its core, to be trustworthy in Hebrew is to be solid and faithful, someone or something that can be fully believed and relied upon.

For example, Isaiah 33:6 praises God, saying, “He will be the stability of your times, a wealth of Salvation, wisdom, and knowledge” – some translations say “the sure foundation”. That word “sure” is from ‘aman. The idea is that God’s faithfulness provides a firm foundation. Likewise, when Scripture refers to a person as “faithful” or “reliable,” it often employs a form of this word.

In Numbers 12:7, God says, “Moses is faithful in all My house” – describing Moses as trustworthy. And in Psalm 19, we read, “The testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple” – meaning God’s instructions can be fully trusted to guide us. So, whether describing God or godly people, ‘aman conveys rock-solid dependability.

Interestingly, parts of the Old Testament were written in Aramaic (a sister language to Hebrew). In those sections, the same root ’aman is used with the same meaning. A great example is the story of Daniel. Daniel 6:4 (which is in Aramaic) says: “They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent”.

Daniel’s enemies tried to dig up dirt on him – could you imagine politicians today not finding anything to accuse a man of? – Yet Daniel was so faithful in his duties that no fault was found. The Aramaic word for “trustworthy” used there is meheman – from ’aman, the same idea: reliable, faithful, utterly dependable. A few verses later, after God rescued Daniel from the lions’ den, we’re told “no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God”.

That word “trusted” is also from ’aman. Daniel’s trust in God and his trustworthiness to God and others went hand in hand. We see this dynamic throughout Scripture: those who deeply trust God become trustworthy in their own right by God’s grace.

Now, let's jump to the New Testament, which was written in Greek. The key Greek word for “trustworthy” is pistos (πιστός). This word is usually translated “faithful” or “faith-believing,” but it carries the same dual meaning: trusting and trustworthy.

According to the lexicon, pistos means faithful, reliable, sure. It comes from the verb peithō, meaning to persuade or convince. A pistos person is someone who has been persuaded or convinced – they believe – and as a result, they are trustworthy or believable.

In Greek, there isn’t a sharp line between faith and faithfulness. If you truly have faith, you will be faithful; if you are faithful, it shows true faith. One Greek dictionary defines pistos as “a person who shows themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of duties” – in other words, someone dependable in all areas of life.

This word pistos is used all over the New Testament. It describes faithful servants, faithful stewards, faithful words and teachings, and above all, the faithfulness of God and Christ.

Let me give you a few quick examples. Jesus uses pistos in the Parable of the Talents: “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Paul uses it to describe fellow workers: “Tychicus... is a dear brother and faithful minister in the Lord” (Ephesians 6:21). And importantly, pistos is used to describe God: “God is faithful, who has called you” (1 Corinthians 1:9) and “if we are faithless, He remains faithful” (2 Timothy 2:13).

When Paul wants to emphasize a completely reliable statement, he introduces it with “pistos ho logos” – “This is a trustworthy (faithful) saying.” We’ll look at one of those in a bit. But by now we see the pattern: whether in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, the idea of “trustworthy” is always about faithful reliability – firmness, steadiness, dependability, truth. It’s an attribute of God, and it’s a virtue God desires in us.

With that understanding, let’s turn to Scripture itself and see how “trustworthy” is applied. We’ll see two major themes emerge: God is trustworthy and utterly faithful in Himself and His Word, and God calls us to be trustworthy, reflecting His faithfulness in our lives. We’ll explore this in three parts: (1) The Trustworthiness of God, (2) Trustworthy Lives of God’s People, and (3) Trusting the Trustworthy One – an invitation for us all.

1. The Trustworthiness of God – “Faithful in All He Does”

First and foremost, trustworthiness is part of God’s character. If there is one being in the universe who is truly and perfectly trustworthy, it is the LORD God. The Scripture repeatedly declares that God is faithful – He can be counted on, He keeps His promises, He never lies or fails. One of the foundational verses for this is Deuteronomy 7:9: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations”. Did you catch that title? “The faithful God.” It’s practically God’s name! When God revealed Himself to Moses, He described His own character as “abounding in love and faithfulness”.

In Hebrew, that is chesed ve’emet – covenant love and reliability. God’s love is not a fickle emotion; it is steadfast and sure. He is faithful to His covenant promises even when His people are not.

The psalms overflow with praises of God’s trustworthiness. Psalm 145, a beautiful song of praise, proclaims, “The LORD is trustworthy in all He promises and faithful in all He does.” Think about that – all He promises and all He does. God has never over-promised and under-delivered. He has never failed to do what He said He would do. We may not always understand His timing or His ways, but we can trust His heart and His word completely.

Psalm 111:7 echoes this, saying, “All His precepts are trustworthy” – everything God says is dependable and true. And Psalm 119:160 says, “The sum of Your word is truth; every one of Your righteous rules endures forever.” In other words, God’s Word is as trustworthy as God Himself, because it comes from His faithful character.

I love how the prophet Isaiah describes God: “He is a sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge” (Isaiah 33:6). God is a sure foundation – not sinking sand, but solid rock. When we build our life on Him, we’re building on bedrock. Moses sings in Deuteronomy 32:4, “He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He.” Hallelujah – that’s our God! 👍

One of the ultimate Biblical images of God’s trustworthiness is found in the book of Revelation. In Revelation, the apostle John sees glorious visions of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God’s plan. Twice in the final chapters, a phrase stands out: “These words are trustworthy and true.” In Revelation 21:5, as God declares He’s making all things new, He tells John: “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true”.

And again in Revelation 22:6: “These words are trustworthy and true; the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent His angel to show His servants what must soon take place”. It’s like God Himself puts His signature of reliability on the grand finale of Scripture. All the prophecies, all the promises of His coming kingdom – you can count on it. History may seem chaotic, but God’s Word about the future is utterly trustworthy and will come to pass.

Even more striking, Jesus Himself is given a title in Revelation that sums up His perfect trustworthiness. In John’s vision of Jesus returning in glory, riding a white horse, John writes: “I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True”. Hallelujah! One of Jesus’ eternal names is “Faithful and True.” He is the ultimate trustworthy One. He is faithful – meaning He is loyal, steadfast, unwavering – and He is true – meaning genuine, real, the very embodiment of truth. In Jesus Christ, the trustworthiness of God is made human, made visible, made personal.

Think about Jesus’ life on earth: He proved faithful every step of the way. He was faithful to His Father’s will, obedient even to death on a cross. He was faithful to every prophecy about the Messiah – not one word failed. He’s faithful to us – “Surely I am with you always,” He promised, and He sent His Spirit to ensure it.

And Jesus is faithful to save all who come to Him – “Whoever comes to Me, I will never cast out,” He said. When we discuss trustworthiness, we must begin and end with God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – as the ultimate source and gold standard of what it means to be faithful and true.

Now, let’s pause and apply this in a pastoral way. Knowing that God is utterly trustworthy is a great comfort, isn’t it? People may have let you down; life may have dealt you some rough blows; perhaps you struggle to trust anyone because of past hurts.

But God will not let you down. You can trust Him with your heart, your hopes, your hurts. Hebrews 10:23 encourages us: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.” If God said it, He will do it. He’s not like a politician who changes with the polls, or a friend who flakes out when it’s inconvenient.

God is consistent. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). That means the same Jesus who loved and forgave sinners in the Gospels is alive and willing to receive you today. The same Jesus who carried Peter when his faith faltered will carry you. The same Lord who provided for the Israelites in the wilderness will provide for your needs. We can take all His promises to the bank – the full faithfulness of God backs them.

Isn’t that encouraging? 🙂 In a world of uncertainty, our God is a rock. You might be waiting on God for something right now – waiting for an answer, a provision, a breakthrough. I urge you: do not lose heart. He has not forgotten you. He cannot forget you – He has engraved you on the palms of His hands. His timing may not be ours, but His timing is perfect. Sometimes He waits specifically to build our trust. But He will come through, one way or another, for your good and His glory. You can trust His character even when you cannot trace His ways.

2. Called to Be Trustworthy – Faithfulness in God’s People

So God is trustworthy – praise the Lord! However, we must now consider our response. God’s trustworthiness isn’t just a comforting truth; it’s also a calling and a challenge for us. God calls His people to be trustworthy as well. In other words, because God is faithful, He wants us to become faithful. Because we serve a trustworthy God, we ought to be a trustworthy people. Faithfulness is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us (Galatians 5:22). It’s not optional; it’s a mark of true discipleship.

Throughout Scripture, the great men and women of faith were marked by trustworthiness – both their trust in God and their faithfulness to God. Let’s look at a few examples:

• Abraham – You might recall that Abraham’s defining trait was his faith in God. “Abram believed the LORD, and God credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6). Abraham trusted God enough to leave his homeland and later to offer up his son Isaac. But Abraham also became trustworthy – so much so that God called him His friend and entrusted Abraham with great promises. Nehemiah 9:8 says God found Abraham’s heart faithful before Him. What a testimony: God Himself vouches for Abraham’s trustworthy heart!

• Moses – We mentioned earlier that God said, “Moses is faithful in all My house”. Moses was entrusted with the entire law and leadership of Israel. Hebrews 3:5 in the New Testament echoes this: “Moses was faithful as a servant in all God’s house.” Now, Moses had his human flaws, but overall, he proved to be a reliable, obedient servant of the Lord, worthy of the trust placed in him. In fact, Moses’ faithfulness is contrasted with Israel’s frequent unfaithfulness. At one point, Moses even intercedes for Israel’s failures, basically saying, “Lord, these people are untrustworthy, but remember You are trustworthy and merciful.” Moses mirrors God’s own faithfulness through steadfast leadership.

• Daniel – We already spoke of Daniel’s integrity. As a high official in a pagan empire, Daniel distinguished himself by consistent honesty and responsibility. “He was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him”. Imagine if the leaders of our day had that said about them! Daniel’s faithfulness in his public duty was rooted in his private devotion – he prayed consistently, and he refused to compromise his loyalty to God. In the end, his trust in God (praying when it was illegal) and his trustworthiness to the king (serving with excellence) both shone brightly. God shut the lions’ mouths, vindicating Daniel’s faith. Here’s a prophetic picture: if we trust God fully, we can dare to be trustworthy fearlessly, even in hostile environments. God will be with us as He was with Daniel.

• Paul – The apostle Paul is an interesting case. Early on, Christians didn’t trust him (for good reason – he had persecuted the church!). But God transformed Saul to Paul, and over time, Paul proved himself pistos – faithful. In 1 Timothy 1:12, Paul says, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to His service”. Isn’t that something? Jesus counted Paul trustworthy to preach the gospel. Paul then turned around and taught others to be faithful. He told Timothy, “The things you have heard from me... entrust to reliable (trustworthy) people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2). He also said, “It is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV). That verse uses the image of stewards – household managers. We are stewards of God’s truth and blessings, and we must be found faithful. No ifs, ands, or buts. In ancient times, a lazy or untrustworthy steward could lose their position; likewise, we cannot truly serve God while being careless or dishonest.

• Jesus’ followers – think of people like Mary Magdalene or John, who stayed by Jesus at the cross – they showed faithful love when others fled. Think of Stephen, who faithfully preached and kept his witness even unto death by stoning. Think of Priscilla and Aquila, who Paul says “risked their lives” for him – that’s loyalty and trustworthiness as friends. Or consider Onesimus, a runaway slave in the letter of Philemon, who, after coming to Christ, became useful and trustworthy such that Paul vouched for him. The Bible is full of stories of changed lives, where former cheats, liars, or cowards became people of integrity through God’s grace. Peter, who infamously broke trust by denying Jesus, later became a rock of the early church – bold and dependable, even to martyrdom. God can restore and build trustworthiness even where it was once lacking (more on that in a moment).

  
  

All these examples teach us that trustworthiness is precious. It’s a hallmark of godly character. As Proverbs 28:20 says, “A faithful person will be richly blessed” – there is reward in being trustworthy. And Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy”. In other words, a true friend is one who can be trusted to tell you the truth in love, even if it hurts a bit – that’s real loyalty. Better someone who corrects you for your good (a trustworthy friend) than someone who flatters you to your face but betrays you behind your back.

Now, let’s not idealize these Bible heroes as if they were superhuman. Their faithfulness was a work of God’s grace in their lives. And none of them (apart from Jesus) were perfectly faithful. The Bible also warns us of untrustworthiness. It laments how rare loyalty is among men. King David cried, “Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race” (Psalm 12:1). Often Israel as a nation was unfaithful to God – breaking covenant, worshiping idols – yet God remained faithful, patiently calling them back. The prophet Hosea’s whole life was a parable of God’s faithful love toward unfaithful people. And as we examine our own hearts, we have to admit we, too, have been unfaithful at times. We haven’t always kept our word. We haven’t always been the friend, spouse, or employee we ought to be. We may have areas of compromise or dishonesty that we need to repent of.

Here comes the prophetic challenge: Are you a trustworthy person? Can your family, your employer, and your friends count on your word? Do you follow through on promises, even small ones? Are you honest in your finances and dealings (even when no one is watching)? If you’re an employee, are you diligent even when the boss isn’t in the room – “not pilfering or slacking, but showing all good faith” as Paul instructs servants (Titus 2:10)?. Titus 2:10 in the NIV urges workers “to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.” What a concept – that our trustworthiness on the job or at school actually makes the gospel attractive! When Christians live with integrity and reliability, it’s a powerful witness to the world. Conversely, if we act just as flaky or corrupt as everyone else, it undermines our testimony.

It’s been said that character is who you are when nobody’s looking. A trustworthy person is the same in private as they are in public – that’s integrity. One historical example: Abraham Lincoln became famous as “Honest Abe.” As a young store clerk, Lincoln once realized at the end of the day that he had accidentally overcharged a customer by only a few cents. Instead of shrugging it off, he closed the shop and walked several miles that evening to return the woman her change.

On another occasion, he found he hadn’t given a customer the full measure of tea they paid for, and he went out of his way to deliver the missing portion. Little things, perhaps – but character is built on little things. Lincoln’s scrupulous honesty in small matters earned him a reputation that, decades later, gave him credibility as President during our nation’s crisis. Trustworthiness matters, even in what might seem minor. Jesus said, “Whoever is faithful with very little will also be faithful with much” (Luke 16:10).

So, brothers and sisters, how are we doing with the “little things”? Do we show up on time? Do we return borrowed items? Do we keep confidential what was told to us in confidence? Can people say of you, “I know I can rely on him or her”? It might be a convicting question for some of us. I know at times I’ve had to apologize for failing to keep my word. If that’s you, the answer isn’t to wallow in guilt – it’s to let God transform you. He can grow you into a person who is known for faithfulness. It begins with being faithful in the small, daily choices. And it starts by realigning our hearts with God’s truth.

Now I also want to speak a word of mercy here. Perhaps as I list these challenges, you’re thinking of ways you’ve failed – maybe you betrayed someone’s trust in the past, or you’ve lived a double life in some area. You might wonder, “Can I ever be considered trustworthy again?” The good news of the gospel is yes.

There is forgiveness and restoration for the unfaithful heart that repents. Our God is so merciful that He not only forgives our failures, He can change our very nature. Look at Peter, as I mentioned: he denied Jesus three times – talk about breaking trust! Yet Jesus lovingly restored Peter, and filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter became a rock of faithfulness. God can do that for you and me. If we’ve been unreliable or dishonest, we can bring it into the light, seek forgiveness (from God and those we hurt), and then, by God’s grace, begin rebuilding trust one step at a time.

Trust is rebuilt with consistent truth-telling and follow-through. It might take time – trust is earned in drops and lost in buckets, as the saying goes. But with God’s help, it’s never too late to become a person of integrity. In fact, the experience of receiving God’s grace can make you even more committed to the truth. Jesus said of the sinful woman who was forgiven, “She loves much because she was forgiven much.” Likewise, one who has been forgiven for dishonesty may treasure honesty all the more. So don’t let past failure define you. God’s mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness! (Lamentations 3:23).

3. Trusting the Trustworthy One – A Call to Faith (Evangelistic Appeal)

We’ve looked at God’s trustworthiness and our call to be trustworthy. Finally, I would like to bring these together with an invitation. Ultimately, at the heart of Christianity is a relationship of trust – us trusting in the Trustworthy One, Jesus Christ. All our efforts to be faithful and true are a response to His faithfulness and truth. We love because He first loved us; we become faithful because He is faithful to us.

For those here today who may not yet be believers in Christ, or are on the fence about fully trusting God, this is where I especially want to have your attention. Being a Christian is not primarily about following rules or checking boxes – it’s fundamentally about trusting a Person, Jesus, with your life. The Bible’s word for this is faith – and as we’ve seen, faith means trust. The question God has for each of us is: “Will you trust Me?” Will you trust His Word, which says that we have all sinned and need salvation? Will you trust His promise that Jesus died for your sins and rose again? Will you trust that He loves you and offers you eternal life if you will surrender to Him?

The apostle Paul gave what he called a “trustworthy saying” – a succinct gospel statement he urged everyone to accept. Hear it in 1 Timothy 1:15: “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”. Did you catch that? The message of Jesus is labeled “trustworthy.” It’s a rock-solid truth. You can stake your soul on it. Christ Jesus, the faithful and true One, came precisely to save unfaithful, untrue people like me and you. Paul even says, “I’m the worst of sinners” – yet Jesus saved him and counted him trustworthy to serve. If Jesus can save and transform Paul, He can save and transform anyone.

Maybe you’ve been let down by people, and it’s hard for you to trust even God. I understand – trust doesn’t come easily if you’ve been hurt. But let me assure you: Jesus is not like the others who failed you. He will never lie to you. He will never betray you. In fact, He died to prove His love and faithfulness to you. On the cross, Jesus was demonstrating that every promise of God’s mercy is true. Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And He didn’t stay dead – He rose, which means His promises of forgiveness and eternal life are absolutely trustworthy. The resurrection is God’s giant “Amen!” – the guarantee that Jesus is who He said He is and will do what He said He’ll do.

So the invitation is this: Will you put your trust in Jesus? I’m not asking if you agree intellectually that Jesus is the Son of God – I’m asking, will you entrust yourself to Him? There’s a famous story of a tightrope walker who strung a line across Niagara Falls. He walked back and forth over the roaring waters, even did it blindfolded. The crowd oohed and aahed. Then he took a wheelbarrow and rolled it across on the tightrope and back – amazing! Everyone cheered. Then he asked the crowd, “Who believes I can carry a person in this wheelbarrow across the falls?” They all shouted, “We believe!” But then he said, “Okay, who will get in the wheelbarrow?” And the crowd went silent. It’s one thing to say you believe; it’s another to trust with your life. 😅

Jesus, in effect, says, “I can carry you to eternal life. Do you trust Me enough to get in?” Being a Christian means getting into the wheelbarrow. It means saying, “Jesus, I’m yours. I trust You with my past (forgive me), my present (lead me), and my future (take me safely home).” I did that as a teenager – I said, “Lord, I’m scared, I have doubts, but I know You’re tugging on my heart. I’m going to trust You.” And He has never failed me. I’m not saying life became easy – but I’ve had an anchor for my soul through every storm, because I know God is faithful. Countless believers here can testify of the same: God has proved trustworthy again and again.

If you’ve never made that decision, or you’ve drifted away from the Lord, today can be your day of salvation. You can essentially pray, “God, I admit I haven’t been trustworthy – I’ve sinned – but I believe You are true. I believe Jesus died and rose for me. I trust You to save me and lead my life.” That kind of genuine faith is what God is looking for. And guess what? When you do that, God, in turn, counts you as righteous and trustworthy in His sight, because you’re now in Christ. He gives you His Holy Spirit, who begins to cultivate faithfulness in you. It’s a beautiful exchange: our broken trustworthiness for Christ’s perfect trustworthiness. We give Him our unreliable, wayward selves; He gives us a new heart that can learn to be steadfast.

Practical Application: Living Out Trustworthiness

As we move toward closing, let’s get very practical. What does it look like this week to apply what we’ve learned?

For believers here: Identify one area where you feel God is calling you to greater faithfulness. It might be your prayer life – can you be more consistent and steadfast in seeking Him daily, showing God that He can trust you to show up? It might be in your family – perhaps you need to be more faithful in keeping your promises to your spouse or children, or being truthful even in small matters. Maybe it’s at work or school – being diligent and honest, where you’ve been cutting corners or slacking. Or it could be in stewardship – being faithful with your finances, or with the talents God gave you, using them for His glory instead of burying them. Ask the Holy Spirit to pinpoint one thing, and then take a concrete step of obedience. Faithfulness grows with each step. Luke 16:10 – “Whoever is faithful with little will also be faithful with much.” Start with the “little” you have now.

Also, consider an area where you need to trust God more fully. Perhaps worry and fear have been creeping in, causing you to try to take control of things that you need to leave in God’s hands. Memorize a promise of God that speaks to your situation and remind yourself daily, “God, You promised this, and You are trustworthy in all You promise. I choose to trust You instead of my fears.” It could be something like, “You promised to never leave me nor forsake me,” or “You promised to meet my needs as I seek Your kingdom,” etc. Stand on that promise – say “Amen” to it – and act accordingly.

For those still seeking or unsure about faith: I challenge you to take a step toward trusting Christ. Maybe your step is to pray honestly, “God, if You’re there and Jesus is real, help me to know You. I want to trust You. Reveal Yourself to me.” God loves to answer prayers like that. Or maybe your step is to finally say “yes” – yes, I believe, I receive Jesus as Lord. Don’t put it off if God is knocking on your heart. He is so trustworthy – I promise you will not regret giving your life to Him. It’s the one decision that determines everything.

One more practical angle: relationships among us. Let’s be a church known for trustworthiness. That means we’re honest with each other, we keep confidences, we show up when we say we will, we serve faithfully in whatever ministry we’re part of (even when it’s behind the scenes). It means if we fail one another, we quickly apologize and make it right – that builds trust. It also means giving one another the benefit of the doubt and being gracious, because trust grows in an environment of grace and truth. Jesus built a small group of disciples who learned to trust God and each other. The early church in Acts had such unity and honesty that they shared all things and enjoyed favor with all people. We can strive for that kind of trustworthy community.

Remember, this is all rich in mercy. God isn’t asking for perfection overnight. He’s inviting us into a life where, step by step, our character is conformed to the character of Christ – the Faithful and True. And as that happens, not only are we blessed, but others are blessed through us. A trustworthy Christian shines brightly in this world. In an age of scandals and scams, when someone meets a person of integrity, it stands out. It points beyond us to Jesus.

Conclusion: Trust in the Lord – Our Faithful Invitation

As I conclude, I want to circle back to the heart of this message: Trustworthy. If you remember nothing else, remember that God is trustworthy, and He calls you to trust Him and become trustworthy by His grace. It’s like 2 Timothy 2:13 says: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” God’s faithfulness is the constant; our faith and faithfulness are our response.

I’d like to close with an image from the book of Revelation again. In Revelation 3:14, Jesus calls Himself “the Amen, the faithful and true witness.” He is the Amen – meaning He is the divine Yes to all of God’s promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). He’s the faithful and true witness – meaning we can rely entirely on His testimony and His leadership. He then calls the Laodicean church to repent of their lukewarm, unreliable ways and to open the door to Him for renewed fellowship. Perhaps some of us need to do the same – to repent of any unfaithfulness and invite the Faithful One to take His rightful place in our hearts and lives.

Closing Invitation: I invite you now to respond in your own heart. In a moment, we’ll pray together. If you realize you need to put your trust in Jesus for the first time, or to recommit your life to Him, please do so as we pray. Don’t let another day go by without knowing the security of being held by the Most Trustworthy Hands in the universe. And if you’re a believer who has been challenged about living a more faithful life, take this time to ask God for help. The same grace that saved you can empower you to change and grow.

Let’s bow our heads together:

Prayer: Father God, we come to You in Jesus’ name. We acknowledge that You alone are perfectly trustworthy – holy, faithful, true. Thank You for revealing Your faithfulness through the Scriptures and supremely through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, You are Faithful and True. You proved it by dying for our sins and rising again. We put our trust in You. Forgive us for our unfaithfulness, our sins, our broken promises. We repent and turn to You. Cleanse us by Your blood and fill us with Your Spirit. Make us a trustworthy people – people of integrity, consistency, and love – so that our lives bring glory to You and draw others to the truth. I pray for those today who are giving their hearts to You for the first time or coming back after wandering – assure them of Your promises, write Your law on their hearts, and let them know the joy of Your salvation. Teach all of us to trust You more, day by day, and to live in a way that You can trust us with Your work. Thank You, Lord, that even when we stumble, You remain faithful. We rest on Your unfailing love. In Jesus’ mighty and trustworthy name we pray, Amen.

Closing Word: If you made a commitment to trust Christ today, I rejoice with you – and I encourage you to tell someone (maybe me or a church leader or the friend who brought you). We want to support you as you start this journey of faith. And for all of us, let’s go out this week and be people who are faithful in action and courageous in trust. Remember: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). He is trustworthy, so you can safely put all your weight on Him.

Go in the grace and peace of our faithful God – and let’s reflect His trustworthiness to a watching world. Amen.

Pastor Terry

One Truth At A Time

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