Introduction:     The devil will try anything to dampen your faith. The Apostle was concerned that these believers might have become confused by false teaching or discouraged by all the persecution. When he got the good news from Timothy he rejoiced that they were remaining faithful! There is something about faithfulness that impacts people. If I’m not faithful, that is going to have a negative impact on your life! If however, I’m faithful, that will have a positive impact on your life! I call this the “Fallout of Faith.” When just one lone born-again believer is faithful to do what God has called him to do, stays faithful to the Word and Will of God, that believer, like fallout from a nuclear blast, affects and impacts his surroundings in lasting ways! Beloved, today, what we need are faithful people! Brother, if we could just get folks as faithful to the church as they are faithful to their jobs we would see revival!!! There are 4 effects of faithfulness that affected the Apostle Paul. Faithfulness:

I.           INSPIRES PATIENT ENDURANCE (V.7)

            A.        The Fatigue Factor

“Affliction” = pressure, anguish, burdened, persecution, tribulation, trouble. This is another word for stress. (Illus: Under the pressure and stress of life, what is in you is what will be squeezed out.) Timothy is gone and Paul has to pull his load. (Faithfulness is needed to share the load of ministry).

            B.         The Encouragement Experience

“Comforted” = to call near, i.e. invite, invoke - beseech, call for, (be of good) comfort, desire, (give) exhort (-ation), entreat, encourage.

II.         INFUSES NEW LIFE (V.8)
When we are down we need inspiration to get up! When you are faithful:

            A.        Expectation (hope) Is Rekindle

“Now we live” = “I’ve got a new lease on life.”

            B.         Endurance Is Renewed

The Apostle was infused with new life when he heard they were standing for the Lord!

III.       ENERGIZES JOYFUL WORSHIP (V.9)
Two ingredients in real worship:

            A.        Gratitude

Worship is a celebration of God. Faithfulness creates in us an attitude of gratitude.

            B.         Joy

There is no greater joy to our God and His people than to be faithful.

IV.       EXCITES INTERCESSORY PRAYER (V.10)
What can you do when you can’t talk to a person any longer? Intercessory prayer involves three things:

            A.        Love

You can never be an intercessor if you don’t love others or if you are self-focused.

            B.         Time

Real prayer will take time. (Illus: if you find something you don’t like…pray about it!)

            C.        Discernment

“Perfect” = to make complete. He’s praying that they will get everything out of the Christian life that God has purposed for them. (Illus: what good is it to have talent and ability if you’re not faithful?)

Conclusion:       (Illus: the King paid two servants to empty a well of water one bucket at a time into a basket. One quit the other was faithful and found a diamond ring in the empty well). God gives His greatest blessing, insights, and rewards to those people who are most faithful!