FOCAL VERSES:
Fruits of the Spirit
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control… Galatians 5:22-23 ESV
Abiding in the Vine
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5 ESV
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John 15:8-10 ESV
I. Faithfulness
God is Faithful
Your faithfulness endures to all generations… Psalms 119:90 ESV
The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. Psalms 145:17 NIV
Jesus is faithful
Jesus lived and is an example of faithfulness. “I watch to see what the Father is doing. He shows me everything He is doing. I do what I see the Father doing.” John 5:17,19-20 (paraphrased) Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby – p.78
(17) My Father is working until now, and I am working… (19-20) The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. John 5:17,19-20 ESV
Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist. Isaiah 11:5
I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True. Revelation 19:11
We are called to be Faithful
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3 NIV
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2
If we abide in the vine, we are receiving all we need to produce faithfulness in our lives.
We are going to look at some aspects of God’s faithfulness, see how Jesus lived out that faithfulness, and talk about how our faithfulness can reflect the nature and character of God. Finally, we look at some faithful people in the Bible.
1. Faithful to keep His promises. His word is truth.
Know that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and mercy to a thousand generations with those who love him and keep his commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV
I will not take from him my steadfast love or be false to my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Psalms 89:33-34 ESV
Many prophecies have been told and fulfilled, showing God’s word is true.
What promises/prophecies has God revealed that were fulfilled?
Promise of a Savior –
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. Isaiah 9:6 ESV
Approximately 2,500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2,000 of which have already been fulfilled. (Hugh Ross, reasons.org) Over 350 prophecies were fulfilled in the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
What promises/prophecies can we expect to be fulfilled in the future?
There are many prophecies of the end times and the return of Christ. We can trust these prophecies because God keeps his promises; His word is true.
Jesus
The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
What promises/prophecies did Jesus reveal that were fulfilled?
Promise of Comforter – Fulfilled
(16-17) I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper/Comforter, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (23) If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (26) TheHelper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:16-17,23,26 ESV
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. John 16:13-15
What promises/prophecies can we expect to be fulfilled in the future?
Promise of a home in Heaven
In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. John 14:2-3
Promise of eternal life
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 ESV
Since His word is true, and other things he has said have been fulfilled, we can trust what he says about the future. His word is true.
Knowing God’s faithfulness in his promises and truth, what should our faithfulness look like?
We should keep our word and always tell the truth.
Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Ephesians 4:25 ESV
Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. Proverbs 12:22
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV Of the seven things God hates, three have to do with lying.
A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter. Proverbs 11:13 ESV
2. Faithful to pursue the lost
Knowing the end in the beginning, God still chose to create man with the purpose of fellowship.
God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:9
God doesn’t just love us. He is faithful to pursue a loving relationship with us. He takes the initiative to bring you into that relationship. (Experiencing God p. 52) God must take the initiative because “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.” Romans 3:10 ESV
What do you think of when you think of Jesus pursuing the lost?
God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
If we are faithless, he remains faithful, because he cannot deny himself. 2 Timothy 2:13
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17
Faithful to leave the ninety-nine in the fold and pursue the one lost sheep. Luke 15:4-7
Knowing God’s faithfulness to pursue the lost, what should our faithfulness look like?
In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. 1 Peter 3:15
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures/wins souls is wise. Proverbs 11:30
3. Faithful to Love and Show Mercy
Hebrew word “hesed” is used 245 times to describe God’s steadfast love and lovingkindness that inspires merciful and compassionate actions toward us.
In various versions, hesed is interpreted as “lovingkindness,” “faithfulness,” “mercy,” “goodness,“ “loyalty,” and “steadfast love.” They are all right. There’s just no one equivalent term for this complex Hebrew word.
The Lord described himself to Moses, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in “hesed” and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6
The hesed of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23
Your love (hesed), LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalms 36:5
Psalms 89 is a psalm of God’s faithfulness. Verses 1,2,5,8,14,24,33,49
I will sing of the hesed of the LORD forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, “Hesed will be built up forever; in the heavens, you will establish your faithfulness. Psalms 89:1-2
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; hesed and faithfulness go before you. Psalms 89:14
What do you think of when you think of Jesus showing of love and mercy?
Any interaction with those who needed healing and forgiveness.
He had compassion for them – Widow of Nain Luke 7:11-15, Two blind men Matthew 20:29-34, possessed in the tombs Mark 5:1-20
They are like sheep without a shepherd Mark 6:34 Fed the 5,000 Mark 6:35-44
Knowing God’s faithfulness to show love and mercy, what should our faithfulness look like?
In Galatians 5:22-23 KJV interprets the fruit of faithfulness as Faith. At first, I was thinking faith is very different from faithfulness, but I decided faith is the invisible quality that is demonstrated in acts of faithfulness.
James 2:17-18 speaks of faith and works - If faith has no works, it is dead, being alone. A man may say, “You have faith, and I have works: Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith BY my works. I’m going to change that verse, and I think it will still be truth. “If faith has no visible works of faithfulness, it is dead, being alone. A man may say, “You have faith, and I have faithful works: Show me your faith without your faithful works, and I will show you my faith BY my faithful works.”
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. James 1:27
If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? James 2:15-16
At the Judgment, sheep and goats Matthew 25:31-46
When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne… Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Matthew 25:31,34-35
4. Faithful to forgive
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
“I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Hebrews 8:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. Psalms 103:12
He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:19
What do you think of when you think of Jesus forgiving?
The man with palsy (lowered through roof) – Matthew 9:1-8
Woman who washed his feet with her tears – Luke 7:36-48
Crucifixion – Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Luke 23:34
Knowing God’s faithfulness to forgive, what should our faithfulness look like?
Love your enemies, (bless them that curse you,) and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:44
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus said to him, I say not, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21-22 (Vs 23-35 parable of forgiven debt)
If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” Luke 17:3-4
The best way to defeat an enemy is to make him a friend. Abraham Lincoln
5. Faithful to restore
For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease. Though its root grows old in the earth, and its stump dies in the soil, yet at the scent of water, it will bud and put out branches like a young plant. Job 14:7-9 (That water represents the power of the Holy Spirit. It represents the word of God.)
You may feel cut off, you may feel cut down, maybe you feel like your dreams aren’t possible, but if you get around the water (the Holy Spirit), your tree will come back again. New life enters. You’re renewed and refreshed and restored.
May even through discipline. …God disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11
Old Testament – taken into captivity by Assyria and Babylon
What do you think of when you think of Jesus restoring?
Every person he touched was physically and spiritually restored.
Prodigal son - God is the father in the story of the prodigal son. The son came home. While her was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt hesed and ran and embraced him and kissed him. The son had rehearsed what he would say. ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.’ But the father didn’t let him finish, he said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.’ The father restored the son to the position of son. Luke 15:20-24
Knowing God’s faithfulness to restore, what should our faithfulness look like?
II. Our faithfulness is not for us.
Faithfulness begins and ends with God. When you display the fruit of faithfulness, it changes lives in a culture that is so unfaithful. My fruit is not just for me. It is meant to be shared, meant to be a blessing, meant to be evidence to point people to something bigger. Great is THY faithfulness oh Lord God, Almighty.
III. Faithful in a little
At an elderly friend’s funeral, they said these words about her. ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Matthew 25:21,23 Parable of the talents.
Unfaithfulness Servant - His master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! …Take the talent from him. Even what he has will be taken away. And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Matthew 25:26, 28-30
Why did the unfaithful servant do nothing? – Why did the unfaithful servant hide his talent? He said, “Because I was afraid.” Matthew 25:25
What are some things that we might be afraid of?
At the Red Sea – Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff. (Exodus 14:15-16) We typically have to take that first step in complete faith. It’s uncomfortable. It’s scary.
If you can’t be faithful in a little, God will not give you a larger assignment. p46, He uses the smaller assignments to develop character. Experiencing God p47
IV. God accomplishes His purposes through the faithful
What person in the Bible comes to mind when you think of faithfulness?
So many possibilities.
• Abram/Abraham
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. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” So Abram went, as the LORD had told him… Genesis 12:1-4 ESV
God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” Genesis 22:1-2 ESV
• Daniel
Faithful not to do what God said NOT to do – did not eat certain foods Daniel 1:8
Faithful to do what God said to do – pray
Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:4-5
• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego - Daniel 3
If you do not worship, you shall immediately be cast into a burning fiery furnace. And who is the god who will deliver you out of my hands?” They answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
• Hall of Faith/Hall of the Faithful – Hebrews 11
Abel, Enoch (did not see death because he pleased God, without faith it is impossible to please God vs.5), Noah, Abraham, Sarah (through faith she received strength to conceive and delivered a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who promised vs. 11) Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses
