Faithfulness: A Journey of Devotion and Intimacy

Summary

### Summary

Today, we explored the profound theme of faithfulness through the touching story of Greyfriars Bobby and the biblical account of Abraham. Greyfriars Bobby, a loyal dog, remained steadfastly by his master's grave for 14 years, embodying true devotion and commitment. This story serves as a powerful illustration of faithfulness, a virtue that is deeply rooted in our relationship with God.

We then delved into the life of Abraham, who was called by God at the age of 75 to leave his homeland and journey to an unknown land. Despite the uncertainties and long years of waiting, Abraham remained faithful to God's promises. His unwavering faith and obedience were evident as he built altars and worshipped God wherever he went. Even when he was 99 years old, Abraham continued to trust in God's promise of a son, demonstrating his deep and abiding faith.

Abraham's faithfulness led to a deeper intimacy with God, where he was not only a servant but also a friend of God. This intimate relationship allowed Abraham to intercede for his nephew Lot, showcasing the power of faithful intercession. Similarly, Jesus calls us to be His friends, sharing in His heart and mission. As we walk in faithful obedience and worship, we too can experience this deep intimacy with God, aligning our desires with His and bearing fruit that abides.

In our own lives, we are called to cultivate this faithfulness, especially during difficult seasons. It is in these times that we learn to stay close to God, allowing His grace to mold us. As we grow in our relationship with Him, we become powerful intercessors, praying and interceding for others with the heart of God. This is a high calling, as even now, Jesus intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father.

### Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness in Adversity: True faithfulness is demonstrated through unwavering devotion and commitment, especially during difficult seasons. Just as Greyfriars Bobby remained by his master's grave, we are called to stay close to God, trusting in His promises even when circumstances are challenging. [36:11]

2. Abraham's Journey of Faith: Abraham's life exemplifies a journey of faith marked by obedience and worship. Despite not knowing the next steps, he trusted God's promises and built altars to worship Him. This steadfast faith led to a deeper intimacy with God, where Abraham was not just a servant but a friend. [39:09]

3. Intimacy with God: As we walk faithfully with God, we enter into a deeper relationship where we share in His heart and plans. This intimacy allows us to intercede for others effectively, as seen in Abraham's intercession for Lot. Our prayers become aligned with God's desires, making them powerful and impactful. [42:50]

4. Chosen for Friendship: Jesus calls us to be His friends, sharing in His mission and heart. This friendship is marked by faithful obedience and worship, where we are grafted into the lifeblood of the kingdom. As friends of God, we have the privilege of knowing His plans and interceding for others. [45:27]

5. The High Calling of Intercession: Intercession is a high calling, as it reflects the heart of Jesus, who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. As we grow in our relationship with God, our prayers become powerful tools for transformation, impacting our communities and the world around us. [49:39]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[0:30] - Introduction and Story of Greyfriars Bobby
[36:11] - Bobby's Faithfulness and Legacy
[39:09] - Abraham's Call and Journey
[40:06] - Abraham's Faith and Worship
[42:10] - God's Promise to Abraham
[42:50] - Intimacy with God
[44:08] - Abraham's Intercession for Lot
[45:27] - Jesus Calls Us Friends
[46:07] - Faithfulness in Difficult Seasons
[47:33] - The Power of Intercession
[49:39] - Jesus' Intercession for Us
[50:25] - The Role of Intercessors in the Church
[51:42] - Growing in Faithfulness and Intimacy
[52:23] - Reflection and Prayer

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Genesis 12:1-4 (The Call of Abraham)
2. Genesis 18:1-15 (The Promise of Isaac)
3. John 15:15-16 (Jesus Calls Us Friends)

#### Observation Questions
1. What was Abraham's initial response when God called him to leave his homeland? (Genesis 12:1-4)
2. How did Abraham demonstrate his faithfulness and worship throughout his journey? [40:06]
3. What was Sarah's reaction when she heard the promise of a son, and how did God respond to her reaction? (Genesis 18:1-15)
4. According to the sermon, how does Jesus describe the relationship He desires with His followers in John 15:15-16? [45:27]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does Abraham's journey teach us about trusting God's promises even when the path is uncertain? [39:09]
2. How does the story of Greyfriars Bobby illustrate the concept of faithfulness in adversity? [36:11]
3. In what ways does intimacy with God transform our ability to intercede for others, as seen in Abraham's intercession for Lot? [42:50]
4. How does Jesus' invitation to be His friends change our understanding of our role in His mission? [45:27]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult season. How did you stay close to God during that time, and what did you learn about faithfulness? [46:07]
2. Abraham built altars and worshipped God wherever he went. What are some practical ways you can incorporate worship into your daily life, especially during challenging times? [40:06]
3. Jesus calls us to be His friends and share in His mission. How can you cultivate a deeper friendship with Jesus in your daily routine? [45:27]
4. Think of someone in your life who needs intercession. How can you pray for them with the heart of God, as Abraham did for Lot? [44:08]
5. The sermon mentioned that true faithfulness means devotion and commitment, especially in difficult seasons. What specific steps can you take to demonstrate unwavering faithfulness in your current circumstances? [36:11]
6. How can you align your desires with God's desires to bear fruit that abides, as mentioned in John 15:16? What specific actions can you take this week to start this process? [46:51]
7. Reflect on the role of intercessors in the church. How can you contribute to this high calling, and what steps can you take to grow in your prayer life? [49:39]

Devotional

Day 1: Faithfulness in Adversity
True faithfulness is demonstrated through unwavering devotion and commitment, especially during difficult seasons. Just as Greyfriars Bobby remained by his master's grave, we are called to stay close to God, trusting in His promises even when circumstances are challenging. This kind of faithfulness is not passive but active, requiring us to continually seek God and hold onto His promises. In times of adversity, our faith is tested, and it is through these tests that our faith is strengthened and refined.

When we face trials, it is easy to become discouraged and lose hope. However, it is precisely in these moments that we must remember God's faithfulness and His promises to us. Just as Greyfriars Bobby's loyalty became a powerful testimony, our steadfast faith can serve as a witness to others, demonstrating the power and love of God in our lives. Let us strive to remain faithful, knowing that God is with us and will never leave us nor forsake us. [36:11]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge you are facing. How can you actively demonstrate faithfulness to God in this situation today?

Day 2: Abraham's Journey of Faith
Abraham's life exemplifies a journey of faith marked by obedience and worship. Despite not knowing the next steps, he trusted God's promises and built altars to worship Him. This steadfast faith led to a deeper intimacy with God, where Abraham was not just a servant but a friend. Abraham's journey was not without its challenges and uncertainties, yet he chose to trust in God's plan and timing. His faith was not based on his circumstances but on his relationship with God.

As we reflect on Abraham's journey, we are reminded that faith often requires us to step into the unknown, trusting that God will guide us. Building altars, as Abraham did, symbolizes our commitment to worship and honor God in every season of life. It is through these acts of worship and obedience that we draw closer to God and experience His presence in profound ways. Let us be encouraged by Abraham's example to trust in God's promises and remain faithful in our journey of faith. [39:09]

Genesis 12:1-2 (ESV): "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel uncertain about the future? How can you take a step of faith and trust God with it today?

Day 3: Intimacy with God
As we walk faithfully with God, we enter into a deeper relationship where we share in His heart and plans. This intimacy allows us to intercede for others effectively, as seen in Abraham's intercession for Lot. Our prayers become aligned with God's desires, making them powerful and impactful. Intimacy with God is not just about knowing Him but also about being known by Him, sharing in His mission, and carrying His heart for the world.

This deep relationship with God transforms our prayer life, making our intercessions more powerful and aligned with His will. When we are close to God, we begin to see the world through His eyes, and our prayers reflect His desires and purposes. This kind of intimacy requires us to spend time in His presence, listening to His voice, and aligning our hearts with His. Let us seek to cultivate this deep intimacy with God, knowing that it will lead to a more effective and powerful prayer life. [42:50]

James 4:8 (ESV): "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Reflection: How can you intentionally draw closer to God today? What specific steps can you take to deepen your intimacy with Him?

Day 4: Chosen for Friendship
Jesus calls us to be His friends, sharing in His mission and heart. This friendship is marked by faithful obedience and worship, where we are grafted into the lifeblood of the kingdom. As friends of God, we have the privilege of knowing His plans and interceding for others. This relationship goes beyond servanthood; it is a call to partnership with God in His redemptive work in the world.

Being a friend of God means that we are invited into a close and personal relationship with Him, where we can know His heart and join Him in His mission. This friendship is built on trust, obedience, and a deep love for God. As we walk in this friendship, we are given the privilege of interceding for others, standing in the gap, and praying for God's will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let us embrace this high calling and seek to be faithful friends of God, sharing in His heart and mission. [45:27]

John 15:15 (ESV): "No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you."

Reflection: Reflect on your relationship with Jesus. How can you cultivate a deeper friendship with Him today? What specific actions can you take to align your heart with His?

Day 5: The High Calling of Intercession
Intercession is a high calling, as it reflects the heart of Jesus, who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. As we grow in our relationship with God, our prayers become powerful tools for transformation, impacting our communities and the world around us. Intercession is not just about asking for things; it is about standing in the gap, praying with the heart of God, and partnering with Him in His redemptive work.

As intercessors, we are called to pray with passion, persistence, and faith, believing that our prayers can bring about change. This high calling requires us to be in tune with God's heart, listening to His voice, and praying according to His will. It is a privilege and a responsibility to intercede for others, knowing that our prayers can make a difference. Let us embrace this calling and commit to being faithful intercessors, partnering with God in prayer to see His kingdom come and His will be done on earth. [49:39]

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (ESV): "First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."

Reflection: Who is someone in your life or community that you can intercede for today? How can you commit to praying for them consistently and with faith?

Quotes

1. "True faithfulness means devotion and commitment, steadfastly being there in good times and especially through difficult seasons. The Bible tells us the story of Abraham, who was 75 years old when God gave him a call to leave his country, his family, and his father's house and to go to a land that he would show him. So Abraham set out with his wife, his nephew, and his household. He didn't always know where he was going or what he would encounter, but as he stepped out in faith, God lovingly pursued him." [39:09] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Abraham's faith continued to grow, even when he didn't know what the next step would be. Even in the difficult seasons, he remained a humble and faithful servant while he waited for many years for the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to him. He remained faithful, and he worshipped God. Wherever God sent him, he built an altar, and he worshipped God. God had not only promised Abraham a son, but that he would be the father, the father of countless descendants, if he would just remain faithful and walk with him, and continue to worship him in a land where idol worship was the norm." [40:06] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "When we join the story, Abraham is 99 years old, and this is a story from Genesis 18. Abraham was resting in the heat of the day when he looked up, and he saw three men standing in front of him, and he knew that the Lord was with him. He knew that Jesus was one of them. And so he got up, and he ran to greet them. And he's 99 years old. And he bowed down to the ground, and he offered them hospitality. Come, rest. We'll bring water to wash your feet, and wait while we prepare food." [40:54] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The Lord chose Abraham to be his friend, and Abraham responded by saying, by faithfully following his directions for his life. Sometimes Abraham stepped out of God's will and made his own choices, and he didn't always respond to difficult circumstances with integrity, but the Lord used all those difficulties to mold him and to grow his character until he matured to the point where God could see that he was ready to be counted as a friend, ready to become the father to Isaac, and ready to become the father to nations." [44:49] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We are also chosen. We're chosen to share that faithful and intimate friendship with the Lord. We were chosen before the beginning of the world. God had each one of us on his heart. His desire is to walk in intimate, faithful friendship and fellowship with us. That doesn't mean we won't endure difficult seasons in our lives. But it's in those difficult seasons that we learn to stay close to God, that we meet with God. And by his grace, we learn how to be grafted into the lifeblood of the vine of the kingdom." [46:07] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6. "When we enter that place of intimacy, of faithful obedience and worship, we hear the Father's heart, and we can join in with the desires of his heart. And they become our desires. And the fruit of that, of that desire, is heartfelt prayers of intercession will flow from our lips. John 15, 16 says, You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide. So whatever you ask, the Father in my name, he may give you." [46:51] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7. "When the Lord deepened his relationship with Abraham, when he embraced him into that faithful place of obedient friend, he shared what was on his mind. He shared his plans. He was going to Sodom, and if there was any wicked and perversion of the people there, it was as bad as he heard, and Abraham's immediate response was intercession. And he called out for the life of his nephew, Lot, and his family. And he argued with God, and he got God to change his plans. And his nephew and family escaped the destruction of Sodom." [48:08] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8. "When we're in that place of intimacy with the Father, we learn his heart. We know that God is a just and fair God and we know how to pray and intercede for others. It kind of becomes an automatic response to circumstances and situations around us. Why do I think it's a high calling? What is Jesus doing right now? Romans 8, 34 tells us that Jesus Christ sits in a place of honor, at the right hand of the Father, interceding for all of us." [49:39] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

9. "When the grace of God descends on our relationship with Him, and we know what's on our hands, and what's on His heart, we have that freedom of friendship with Him because of a steadfast journey of worship and obedience to His voice. We grow to the place of powerful intercession, a place of prayerful crying out. I just think about the life of Betty, a faithful servant who was a mighty intercessor. Even if our crying out is just help, our wailing, our groaning, then we're walking in a place of fruitfulness that will have an impact on those around us." [51:42] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

10. "So we've heard about a lot of fruits of the Spirit over the summer. Patience and peace and generosity, joyfulness, forgiving, and faithfulness. And so here's a couple of things to ponder. What fruit is God developing? What is He developing in your life that would prepare you for His assignment? Where are you faithfully seeking those places of intimacy with the Father? Are you part of the lifeblood of the kingdom in such a way that you know the Father's heart and desire for your life? Pray about that. Amen." [52:23] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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