Sermon: Semper Fi
by Chris Cumming
Begin this sermon by playing this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh5OlT-cslQ
I am a great fan of the TV series, Northern Exposure, which ran from
1990 to 1995. It is a running story of a number of characters who live
in the fictional town of Cicely, Alaska. One of the characters was
Maurice J. Minnifield. Mr. Minnifield is an ex-Marine and an
ex-astronaut and owner of many properties around Cicely.
He has great plans for the town and is, therefore, very protective of
both it and its image. Imagine his anger and concern when he finds out
there is a homeless person taking up residence in a vacant lot just off
one of the main streets. He takes a number of measures to get this bum
out of town and at one point decides to confront the gentleman head-on.
In his rather heated interrogation of this man, it comes to light that
he was once in the U.S. Marines. Well, that changed everything. The
look and expression on Minnifield’s face changes. He immediately begins
treating the man as a brother-in-arms. As he parts to go home, Maurice
utters the phrase, “Semper Fi” and the man enthusiastically responds
with, “Oorah.” “Oorah” means, “Right on”, “All-Right” or “Let’s go.”
It is the Marine absolutely agreeing with the meaning of “Semper Fi.”
Semper Fi or Semper Fidelis is Latin for "Always Faithful" or "Always
Loyal". Well known in the United States as the motto of the United
States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis has served as a slogan for many
families and entities, in many countries, dated to have been started no
later than the 16th century.
Since we have a number of brethren attending in this congregation who reside in
Canada, you all might be interested to know that the
West Nova Scotia Regiment [active since 1717]
also has, as its motto, “Semper Fi.”
So what does this term, “Semper Fi” have to do with us? What does it mean? Is
there a biblical case for this term and its meaning? What does this subject
have to do with my salvation? It is my purpose today to answer all of these
questions as I encourage all of us to invoke Semper Fidelis in our spiritual
lives.
Semper Fi.
The two key meanings of the phrase, “Semper Fi” are “faithfulness” and “loyalty”
so today we are going to talk about these two terms from the Word of God. We
are going to talk about faithful and loyal servants of God, which you are. What
we are going to see is that the only individuals entering the Kingdom of God are
faithful and loyal servants.
FAITHFULNESS
Matthew 24:45-47
45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over
his household, to give them meat in due season?
46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.
47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
Notice the commentaries:
Who, then, is a faithful and wise servant - By the conduct of a faithful and
wise servant Jesus intends to denote a faithful Christian, a servant of God, or
a teacher of religion. ~Barnes Notes
Who then is a faithful and wise servant -The Vulgate Latin adds, "do you think?"
and is a question put to the disciples, which they might apply to themselves: in
Luke 12:42, it is spoken in answer to a question of Peter's, in relation to the
above exhortation, whether it was spoken to them, or to all; and by this answer,
it looks as if it was more especially designed for them, though it may be
applied to other. The "servant" is there called a "steward", for such a servant
is meant; and a name that is very proper for the apostles and ministers of the
word, who are stewards of the mysteries of Christ, and of the manifold grace of
God; and whose characters are, that they are "faithful": for this is required in
stewards, that they be faithful to the trust reposed in them; as ministers are,
when they preach the pure Gospel of Christ, and the whole of it; conceal no
part, nor keep anything of it; seek not to please men, but God; neither seek
their own things, their ease, honour, and profit, but the glory of God, the
honour of Christ, and the good of souls; and abide by the truths, cause, and
interest of a Redeemer, at all hazards. And they are "wise", who know and are
well instructed in divine things; who make Christ the main subject of their
ministry; who improve their talents and time for their master's use, and the
advantage of those that are under their care; who seek for, and deliver
acceptable words and matter; and manage their whole trust, so as to be able to
give in a good account of their stewardship another day. ~John Gill
Quoted verse:
Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord
shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due
season?
Now from the Adam Clarke
Who then is a faithful and wise servant - All should live in the same
expectation of the coming of Christ, which a servant has with respect to the
return of his master, who, in departing for a season, left the management of his
affairs to him; and of which management he is to give an exact account on his
master’s return.
Here is an abstract of the duties of a minister of Christ.
1. He is appointed, not by himself, but by the vocation and mission of his
Master.
2. He must look on himself, not as the master of the family, but as the servant.
3. He must be scrupulously faithful and exact in fulfilling the commands of his
Master.
4. His fidelity must be ever accompanied by wisdom and prudence.
5. He must give the domestics - the sacred family, their food; and this food
must be such as to afford them true nourishment. And
6. This must be done in its season. There are certain portions of the bread of
life which lose their effect by being administered out of proper season, or to
improper persons.
1 Corinthians 4:1-2
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God.
2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
Notice a commentary on the second verse here:
Moreover - The fidelity required of stewards seems to be adverted to here, in
order to show that the apostles acted from a higher principle than a desire to
please man, or to be regarded as at the head of a party; and they ought so to
esteem them as bound, like all stewards, to be faithful to the master whom they
served.
It is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful - It is expected of
them; it is the “main” or “leading” thing in their office. Eminently in that
office fidelity is required as an indispensable and cardinal virtue. Fidelity to
the master, faithfulness to his trust, as the virtue which by way of eminence is
demanded there. In other offices other virtues may be particularly required. But
here fidelity is demanded. This is required particularly because it is an office
of trust; because the master’s goods are at his disposal; because there is so
much opportunity for the steward to appropriate those goods to his own use, so
that his master cannot detect it. There is a strong similarity between the
office of a steward and that of a minister of the gospel. But it is not needful
here to dwell on the resemblance. The idea of Paul seems to be:
(1) That a minister, like a steward, is devoted to his master’s service, and
should regard himself as such.
(2) that he should be faithful to that trust, and not abuse or violate it.
(3) that he should not be judged by his fellow-stewards, or fellow-servants, but that his main desire should be to meet with the approbation of his master - A minister should be faithful for obvious reasons. Because:
(a) He is appointed by Jesus Christ;
(b) Because he must answer to him;
(c) Because the honor of Christ, and the welfare of his kingdom is entrusted to
him; and,
(d) Because of the importance of the matter committed to his care; and the
importance of fidelity can be measured only by the consequences of his labors.
~Barnes Notes
Question: Is God faithful? If so, to whom is He faithful?
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth
covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a
thousand generations;
Question: Is God faithful to the faithful?
Psalm 31:23
O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and
plentifully rewardeth [punishes] the proud doer.
Question: Are the Law of God and all scripture faithful?
Psalm 119:138
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Notice the commentary:
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous -The Scriptures are holy,
just, and good; and what is contained in them are according to godliness; are
for instruction in righteousness, and teach men to live soberly, righteously,
and godly. ~John Gill
Question: Does a firstfruit reveal secrets or conceal them?
Proverbs 11:13
A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth
the matter.
Question: Are firstfruits faithful ambassadors? If so, ambassadors of
what exactly?
Proverbs 13:17
A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health.
Notice the commentary on, "but a faithful ambassador is health."
but a faithful ambassador is health - or, "an ambassador of truths" (s); one
that performs his embassy well and truly, he is salutary, useful, and profitable
to himself, and to them that send him: the word for ambassador is translated an
"hinge"; and he is so called, because upon his negotiations abroad the hinge of
political affairs turn at home. An ambassador of Christ, who does his work
faithfully, keeps back nothing that is profitable, but declares the whole
counsel of God; the sound doctrines he delivers are health to the souls of men;
as well as he is approved of God and Christ; and so it turns to his own health
and advantage, who will hear one day said unto him, "Well done, good and
faithful servant" ~John Gill
Question: Do firstfruits tell the truth?
Proverbs 14:5
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.
Question: Why are the wounds of a friend faithful?
Proverbs 27:6
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
"Wounds" here mean, "friendly reproofs." Notice the commentary...
Faithful are the wounds of a friend - That is, friendly reproofs; which, though
they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause
pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love,
faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved,
ought to be kindly received; see Psalm 141:5; ~John Gill
Quoted Verse:
Psalm 141:5
Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it
shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head: for yet my prayer also
shall be in their calamities.
Question: If you are a faithful firstfruit, will you abound with
blessings?
Proverbs 28:20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that
maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.
Question: Is your being faithful a requirement of God?
1 Corinthians 4:2
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
The phrase, "found faithful" means faithful to both one's Godly Calling to the
Salvation Process and to all duties you are given.
Question: Were you called by a faithful being to be faithful?
1 Corinthians 1:9
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Question:
Is God faithful and can you count on Him to get you through the Salvation
Process?
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Question: Are firstfruits to be faithful to the Word of God? If so,
why?
Titus 1:9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by
sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
Question:
If we believe in God, is there something that we must be faithful to do? Is
there anywhere in the Word of God a faithful saying about this?
Titus 3:8
This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly,
that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.
These things are good and profitable unto men.
Question:
Is our faithfulness part of our profession of being a firstfruit?
Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;)
Question: Is God faithful to forgive us? Is He faithful to cleanse us?
What must we do if this is to be so?
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Question:
Is Jesus faithful?
Revelation 1:5
And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of
the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and
washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Question:
Are firstfruits commanded to be faithful unto death regardless of anything that
could happen in the end time?
Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast
some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten
days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
Recap
Here is a recap of what we learned from this set of questions.
1] God is faithful.
2] God is faithful to them that love him and keep his commandments.
3] God preserveth the faithful.
4] God's law and scriptures are faithful.
5] Firstfruits do not reveal secrets.
6] Our friendly reproofs of our friends are faithful.
7] The faithful abound with blessings.
8] Faithfulness is required by God.
9] Firstfruits are faithful to the Word of God.
10] Firstfruits are careful to maintain good works.
11] Firstfruits hold fast the profession of our faith.
12] If we confess our sins, God will forgive us and cleanse us.
13] Jesus is faithful.
14] Firstfruits are faithful until death.
Quotes on Faithfulness
Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable [commanding respect—Worthy of
reverence] than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred
excellences and endowments of the human mind.
Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God.
God has a purpose for your pain, a reason for your struggles, and a reward for
your faithfulness.
You cannot see faith, but you can see the footprints of the faithful. We must
leave behind "faithful footprints" for others to follow.
It costs to be faithful. It cost Abraham the yielding up of his only son. It
cost Esther to risk her own life. It cost Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
being put into a fiery furnace. It cost Stephen death by stoning. It cost Paul
his life. Does it cost you anything to be faithful to your Lord and King?
LOYALITY
While sitting at my computer, I typed into the Google search engine, "What
does the Bible say about loyalty?" I found a site with a very good answer.
Let me read what I found.
The word loyalty brings to mind a powerful sense of belonging and solidarity.
With it comes the idea of wholehearted fidelity coupled with unswerving devotion
and duty. In the Bible, the concept of loyalty is purely relational. This means
our whole being is thoroughly committed to someone (Joshua 24:15). Such
loyalty is expressed to us in both the divine and human realms as given to us in
the first two commandments: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength,” and “Love your
neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31; cf. John 15:13; 1 John 3:16).
Quoted verses:
Joshua 24:15
And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will
serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of
the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me
and my house, we will serve the LORD.
Mark 12:29-31
29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel;
The Lord our God is one Lord:
30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy
soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first
commandment.
31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his
friends.
1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we
ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
God established the very essence of loyalty through His covenant relationship
with His people: “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God
who maintains covenant loyalty with those who love Him and keep His
commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deuteronomy 7:9-read earlier). Through
His covenant, God’s people are assured of His never-ending love from which no
believer can ever be separated (Romans 8:35-39). God is promising His loyalty
and commitment to us. Although God’s covenants with man are unilateral—He
promises to fulfill them by Himself—there is still an admonition to loyalty on
man’s part. For God has made it clear that “if you ever forget the LORD your God
and follow other gods and worship and bow down to them, I testify against you
today that you will surely be destroyed” (Deuteronomy 8:19). Those who prove to
be disloyal are those who prove they do not belong to Him (1 John 3:24). But for
believers, we have the promise that even “if we are faithless, he will remain
faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).
Quoted verses:
Deuteronomy 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth
covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a
thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 8:19
And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other
gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye
shall surely perish.
1 John 3:24
And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby
we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
2 Timothy 2:13
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
In our relationships with one another, we are called to steadfast loyalty. Paul
speaks of his “loyal companion” in Philippians 4:3. This unknown person is
possibly Titus or Silas, but whoever it was, he was one who labored faithfully
with Paul. Then there’s Ruth, the very embodiment of loyalty as demonstrated in
her complete devotion and duty to her mother-in-law: “Don't urge me to leave you
or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will
stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).
Quoted verses:
Philippians 4:3
And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with
me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose
names are in the book of life.
Ruth 1:16
And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after
thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge:
thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:
For true believers, loyalty is shown in our commitment to Jesus and His gospel
(Mark 8:35; Romans 1:16). It is the acknowledgement that Jesus Christ is our
sole source of authority and salvation (Matthew 28:18; John 14:6). Such devotion
and commitment should echo the attitude of the apostle Peter, who said, “If
anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone
serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things
God may be praised through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11).
Quoted verses:
Mark 8:35
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his
life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto
salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Matthew 28:18
And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto
the Father, but by me.
1 Peter 4:11
If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let
him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and
ever. Amen.
As Jesus’ disciples, we demonstrate our loyalty and self-sacrificing allegiance
to Him by following His command: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Mark 8:34). But even when we fail
to be completely loyal and steadfast to Him, we have His assurance that He will
be loyal to us: “And surely I am with you always, even to the very end of the
age” (Matthew 28:20b).
Quoted verses:
Mark 8:34
And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto
them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross,
and follow me.
Matthew 28:20b
...and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Quotes on Loyalty
Confidentiality is a virtue of the loyal, as loyalty is the virtue of
faithfulness.
Distance does not matter if two hearts are loyal to one another.
When it comes to relationships, remaining faithful is never an option, but a
priority. Loyalty is everything.
The foundation stones for a balanced success are honesty, character, integrity,
faith, love and loyalty.
Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty,
and persistence. ~Colin Powell
Loyalty and devotion lead to bravery. Bravery leads to the spirit of
self-sacrifice. The spirit of self-sacrifice creates trust in the power of love.
Loyalty and friendship, which is to me the same, created all the wealth that
I've ever thought I'd have.
I'll take fifty percent efficiency to get one hundred percent loyalty.
The title of this sermon is, “Semper Fi.” I want to end this sermon with a
statement from one Cam Beck entitled, “The meaning of Semper Fidelis.”
The Meaning of Semper Fidelis
For my family, Semper Fidelis is more than a fancy slogan. It is truly a way of
life. My father retired from the Marine Corps in the 90s, after serving over
twenty years and more than one tour of duty in a combat zone. Therefore, my two
brothers and I grew up in a culture that demanded excellence and loyalty of its
members, and it showed. It is partially for this reason, I am convinced, that we
all joined the Marine Corps when we were of the appropriate age. Because of my
upbringing, it is somewhat difficult to imagine what life would be like, had I
not grown up surrounded by living, breathing personifications of "Semper
Fidelis," and I am increasingly beginning to realize that I do not
understand the mindset of those who had not. ~Cam Beck
[emphasis mine]
We can clearly see that the principles behind Semper Fidelis [faithfulness &
loyalty] originate with God and His Word. Like the marine who wrote those
words I just read, we are growing in the Salvation Process surrounded by living,
breathing personifications of “Semper Fi.” We are invoking faithfulness and
loyalty on a continual basis.
Oorah !!!
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