Fruit of the Spirit: Faith-fullness

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Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, chrestotes/gentleness-kindness/beneficence, goodness, faith-fullness

 1. Dynamic of Dependence/Abiding: Spirit of God (Truth) uses the Word of God (Truth) to produce in us the Mind of Christ (Jn 14:6)

    We glorify God by submitting to His plan for us to be fruit bearing disciples  alternative is fruit of flesh resulting in shame/loss -1Cor 3

 2. Fruit is always the result of seed  (word of God), soil (fertile heart), and cultivation (Spirit -light, water, weeding, time/maturity).

I. Faith/Trust that what God has Revealed is the Reality/Truth Heb 11:1-6 Belief/Action that brings to fruition God's promises

Heb 10:19 having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus...21 and having a High Priest over the house of God,

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

24 let us consider one another to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling...exhorting one another see the Day approaching. 

Heb 11:1 faith is the groundspring of things hoped for, the reproof/bringing to light of things not seen 2 by it the elders obtained a good testimony

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible. 

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah..warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark...became heir of the righteousness which is acc to faith  11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 37 destitute, afflicted, tormented 38  of whom the world was not worthy. 39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony thru faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

II. Loyalty/Fidelity Faith-fullness springs ek abiding/deepening/conscious faith in God's revealed character, commands, & promises

A. We grow in faith thru stretching and enduring trials to our belief, in the forge of affliction, w/ expectant dependent prayer  TOYL end

B. Believe: God loves us,  always has our best interests at heart; wants rlshp w/ us & to use us; w/ us always, provides all we need,  judges stewardship

2Thess 1:3...your (work prompted by) faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other 4..endure

Lk 18:7 avenge elect 8 When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth? Pr 20:6 goodness, but who can find a faithful man?

C. Little Faith?Fear & Fail Mk 4:38 Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing? 40 Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?" 41 feared exceedingly "Who can this be, the wind and the sea obey Him!"  Mt 14:30  Rev 21:8 fearful and unbelieving

2Tim 1:7 God has not given us a spirit of fear/timidity, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 1Pt 5:7 cast cares He cares 4 u

D. Root all your decisions and actions in the Revealed promises and commands of God  Rm 14:23 for whatever is not of faith is sin

Mt 25:21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things..make you ruler...Enter into the joy of your lord.

Lk 12:42  faithful and wise steward  16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust...

11 Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?

Steward Mindset 1Cor 4:2 required in stewards that one be found faithful. 17 faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

III. Cultivating Faithfulness  Ps 37:3 Trust in the LORD, do good; dwell in the land, and cherish/cultivate faithfulness.NASB

2Chron 31:18 for in their faithfulness they sanctified themselves in holiness. Rm 14: ...whatever is not sourced in faith is sin.

A. Love and Humility Ps 31:23 love the LORD, all you His saints! For LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person

Ps 78:8 not be like their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation, that did not set its heart aright, and whose spirit was not faithful to God

B. Loyalty protect/defend reputation Pr 11:13 A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.

Develop Understanding Pr 13:15 Good understanding gains favor, but the way of the unfaithful is hard.

Dependent Trust Pr 28:20 A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

C. Proverbs Wisdom Isa 1:21 the faithful city has become a harlot! It was full of justice; righteousness lodged in it, but now murderers.

Pr 2:1 receive my words, treasure my commands within you. 2 incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 

3 cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 If you seek...hidden treasure 5 Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God. 9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice, equity and every good path.

D. Faithful for Glory Heb 3:2  faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses was faithful in all His house 3...worth of more glory

2Tim 2:2  things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also

Rev 2:10 Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. v13 Antipas

Rev 17:14 Lamb will overcome, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why is seeking God difficult? Do we need warm fuzzies or immediate gratification to achieve other worthwhile/noble goals?

2. How do we be faithful stewards of our time, treasure, talents, truth, experience, opportunities, relationships, etc? See Semper Fi in TOYL

3. How do you demonstrate a supernatural (above nature) bold, confident faith-fullness/loyalty toward your God, objectives, and others?