FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS (or faith?) 1
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 2
Greek word for faith and faithfulness is πίστις pistis From the root verb πείθω peíthō to be fully persuaded to be convinced to be fully assured. It is divine persuasion; God s warranty that guarantees the fulfilment of the revelation He births within the receptive believer. 3
1. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 the assurance of things hoped for the conviction of things not seen 4
1. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 Jim Wallis Faith is believing in spite of the evidence and then watching the evidence change. 5
1. Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 FAITH IS: a robust confidence in the hopefilled promises of God FAITH IS NOT: reasonable or even sensible 6
2. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him Hebrews 11:6 must believe that He exists rewards those who diligently seek Him 7
2. And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him Hebrews 11:6 FAITH IS: necessary in maintaining a healthy relationship with God FAITH IS NOT: a one off event, but an ongoing adventure 7
3. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead James 2:17 You MUST do good works or your faith will DIE! You do good works BECAUSE your faith is ALIVE! 9
3. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead James 2:17 You MUST produce apples or you are NOT an apple tree! You produce apples BECAUSE you are an apple tree! 10
3. So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead James 2:17 Just because you can t see what God is doing doesn t mean nothing is happening BUT good works should always accompany real living faith. FAITH IS: alive if accompanied with works FAITH IS NOT: inactive not just talking 11
4. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ Romans 10:17 In our adventures of faith the big question will always be: DID GOD REALLY SAY? 12
4. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ Romans 10:17 He upholds the universe by the word of His power Hebrews 1:3 (His word) shall NOT return empty but shall accomplish that which I purpose Isaiah 55:11 13
4. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ Romans 10:17 Let God be true but every man a liar is the language of true faith. A W Tozer 14
But the centurion replied, Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed when Jesus heard this, he marvelled and said to those who followed Him, Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith. Matthew 8:5-10 15
4. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ Romans 10:17 FAITH IS: the result of trusting what only Christ has said FAITH IS NOT: mustered up enthusiasm 16
5. For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:10 Not a complicated principle we have less than little faith! 17
5. For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:10 FAITH IS: very very powerful FAITH IS NOT: being used to full potential 18
FAITH IS: A robust confidence in the hope filled promises of God Necessary in maintaining a healthy relationship with God Alive if accompanied with good gospel works The result of trusting what only Jesus has said Very very powerful 19
FAITH IS NOT: Reasonable, or even sensible A one off event but an on-going adventure Inactive and ineffective it s not just talking Mustered up enthusiasm Being used to it s full potential But why isn t it being used to full potential? 20
Remaining where we are is far more comfortable than taking a risk. Especially when what s on offer doesn t seem that appealing. BUT to live that way is selling the gospel short and selling ourselves short. Pursuing Christ and His promises is ALWAYS more rewarding 21
So where does that leave us with faithfulness? Cultivating a lifestyle of faith will result in us being a faithful people. Having a robust and living faith in Christ will cultivate a lifestyle of faithfulness towards Christ. 22
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS (or faith?) 23