THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: FAITHFULNESS

Sermon Notes, August 7, 2016

Rev. Garry McGlinchy

The fourth sermon in Pastor Garry’s sermon series on the fruits of the Spirit, based on Galatians 5:22-23 was titled “The Fruits of the Spirit: Faithfulness.”  

What is Faithfulness?  The word translated “faithfulness” is the same word translated “faith.”  It can mean a conviction about something, a conviction that leads us to some sort of action.  In Hebrews 1:1 we read “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  Faith, at its core, is the act of trusting God.  And when we believe in something wholeheartedly it leads us to action.  The whole 11^th chapter of Hebrews talks about how the faith of the saints of old caused them to act. 

“Faith” can also mean fidelity or trustworthiness, staying true to someone or something, and being trustworthy, being dependable, someone who can be relied on.  Understanding the word “faithfulness” this way reflects the way we should understand all the spiritual fruits in this passage.  When you think about it, aren’t all the spiritual fruits ethical in nature?  As we become more like Christ, we will become more faithful and loyal.  As this fruit grows within us, we become more trustworthy, more focused on serving God and God alone.  This does not mean that we will be double-minded; it means that we will have a steady faith, one that is not shaken by every bad thing that happens to us.    A faithful person is one who can be trusted and depended on.  Trustworthiness is the characteristic of the person who is reliable.

What is the foundation of faithfulness? What do we base our faithfulness on?  God is faithful.  We can be faithful because we serve a faithful God.  He has always done what He has said He will do.  If God says something you can count on it happening, good or bad.  1 Corinthians 1:9 says God is faithful.  We can look at passage after passage concerning God being faithful; when God promises you something, you can count on it.  If we’re dealing with temptation, we can resist temptation because God is faithful.  1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but when you are tempted he will provide a way out so you can endure it.  When we are told God is faithful we can count on God providing us a way out; we do not have to fall into temptations.  Even if we are faithless, God is faithful.  2 Timothy 2:13 reads “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

Jesus is faithful.  How many times is our faithfulness based on circumstances?  We will be faithful as long as everything is going well.  Jesus was faithful to the end.  He did not run from His calling when it got tough.  Jesus was faithful to the Father, and because of His faithfulness we get to enjoy the opportunity for salvation.  (Hebrews 3:1-2)  We can be faithful because the one we serve was faithful even though His faithfulness led Him to death on a cross.  In Philippians 2:7-9 Paul writes “. . . He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name.”

God’s Word is trustworthy.  We can trust God’s word.  Some people misuse it.  The best way to approach God’s word is with the help of the Holy Spirit.  God’s word will not lead us astray.  We can take any area of our lives, and in God’s word you will get advice and counsel that we can trust.  In Psalm 119:105 we read “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”  God’s word will give us all we need for a godly life. (2 Peter 1:3)  You can be faithful because you have a strong foundation to stand on.

There are many areas of our life in which faithfulness should be the rule, but here are three important areas: We are to be faithful to God above all else.  We are to be faithful to others, including being faithful to our families.  We are to be faithful to the church.  If I fail to do what God has called me to do, who will do it?  We need to be someone who can be counted on.  As the fruit of faithfulness grows in us we will become more and more of a blessing to God and the Kingdom.  We desperately need the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.  Let Him use you to the fullest!