FAITHFULNESS

Galatians 5:22-23 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. …

DEFINITIONS1
• FAITH: (greek: pistis (n)) – 1. conviction of the truth of anything, belief; 2. fidelity, faithfulness – the character of one who can be relied on.
• FAITHFULNESS – (n) – the quality of being faithful; fidelity. Exhibiting faith.

GOD’S FAITHFULNESS

Lamentations 3:22-23 22Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

• God’s love and compassion never fail—they are new every morning!

2 Timothy 2:11-13 11Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

• God is faithful even when we are not!

OUR FAITHFULNESS

Galatians 3:1-9 1You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard? 3Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? 4Have you experienced so much in vain—if it really was in vain? 5So again I ask, does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard? 6So also Abraham “believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” 7Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. 8Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” 9So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.

• Our faith (belief) is what justifies us, not our works… but a faith without action is dead.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see

What is the opposite of faith?
I BELIEVE! I HAVE FAITH! GOD HELP ME IN MY UNBELIEF AND LACK OF FAITH! (Mark 9:14-26)

• Faith is not a feeling.
• Faith is not a formula.

FAITHFULNESS IS A CHOICE

Psalms 119:30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.

Proverbs 3:3-6 3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

A PRAYER & PETITION TO HAVE FAITHFULNESS

Hebrews 10:19-23 19Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Proverbs 3:3; Psalm 1:3; 3 John 1:3; Matthew 23:23

Icebreaker: What is something you do consistently? Do you have a morning or night routine? Do you have a rhythm for your favorite hobby or sports team?

1. Something was significant in the sermon to you; share what that might be.
2. Read a passage used in the sermon. What is it saying about faithfulness and God’s heart?
3. What is important about faithfulness? A) Where have you experienced faithfulness? B) What can make trusting and faithfulness challenging?
4. What impact would letting the Spirit cultivate faithfulness in your life have on your thoughts and actions? A) What relationships and situations might be affected? (Is there another fruit that God is asking you to pursue being cultivated in your life?)
5. Read Hebrews 11:1-3,6 & 12:1-3. How do you fix your eyes on Jesus? A) What do you need to throw off or get untangled from?
6. What are you doing differently because of this sermon series on Cultivate?

Try it! Read Hebrews 11.

Passages to prepare for next week, Cultivate! Week 9, Gentleness
This week, read: Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 25:15; Isaiah 40