Living Out Faithfulness
Today we begin our study on 3rd set of
Fruit of Spirit
1) Faithfulness, Gentleness & Self-Control
Paul says:
“Against these things there is no law.”
This 3rd set reflects on our
Personal Life,
when under the control of Spirit.
For today’s lesson, we focus on:
2) Faithfulness
Greek word Pistis has several meanings
Three of them are found in Galatians
In the context of Gal 5:22
3) Faithful- Trustworthy & Reliable
Faithfulness is a fruit of Spirit.
IF He is working in our lives,
He’s changing us.
He’s making us more like Jesus.
Let’s talk about Faithfulness means.
There are two aspects of HOW faithfulness
should affect us:
4) 1. We Should Be Faithful (Trustworthy & Reliable)
In Our Dealings With Others
Do others trust us?
If we give someone our word,
do we stand-by that commitment?
How many times have we moved,
only to have others say:
“I’ll help you load the truck.”
And no one showed-up.
Or have someone say:
“I’ll help you with that project”
And never follow-through.
Are we considered reliable by others?
If not, the Holy Spirit needs to
grow that fruit in your life.
Trustworthiness & Reliability
are reflections of honesty.
We may not intend to be dishonest,
but unreliable people are.
2 Tim 2:1-2
Paul instructs Timothy on personal qualities
that we’re to have
5)
You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
Paul tells Timothy,
“Don’t waste your time with unreliable people.”
Unreliability makes you unqualified
to teach others
Again, if this defines you,
You need the Holy Spirit's help.
The 2nd area Paul addresses
6) 2. We Should Show Our Faithfulness
In How We Live
You can’t talk about Heaven on Sunday
& live like hell the rest of the week.
Are we being faithful in how we live?
Christians need to reflect change in
HOW they live.
2 Corinthians 3:6
7)
He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant
Your role
Act as a minister
Tell people about Jesus
Paul says:
“You need to be faithful in that task.”
Faithfulness is follow-through
& completion of the task.
2 Corinthians 5
8)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creationhas come: The old has gone, the new is here! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
As his ambassadors,
We carry His message.
We tell others that:
-Salvation comes through Christ
-Salvation can be their’s
3rd part of Faithfulness
8.5) We Should Be Faithful To The Message
In Lk 16, Jesus tells
Parable of Shrewd Manager
Jesus compares handling wealth
With handling the GREATEST treasure
9)
Lk 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
We have eternal treasure.
God has placed you where
He wants you.
The salvation of your family/friends
may rest upon you.
In the Parable of Shrewd Manager,
The rich man calls the manager into his office.
10)
2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
How will God one day view our management?
All of us are managers in God’s Kingdom.
How are we doing?
Are we being faithful?
0 views
