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Sermon: Semper Fi
by Chris Cumming
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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 !!!
See
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