Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness

I. Introduction:

II. Text: Galatians 5:16-23

III. Definition

A. Webster: To be faithful is to have steadfast loyalty or adherence

B. A faithful person is one upon whom we can rely.

C. A child of God is to be a dependable person.

IV. Faithfulness in word

A. Jesus wants His followers to be dependable in their word.

B. Matthew 5:33-37

C. We should not have to swear to prove that our word is true. We should be dependable in our word so that our integrity is without question.1 Peter 3:16 – Enemies should be ashamed if they question our integrity To do this, we must be careful what we promise and keep what we vow even if it is difficult or inconvenient to do so.

D. Keep our word with our vows to God

E. Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

F. When we become children of God, we vow faithfulness for all of our life even if our faith should cost us our life.

G. We must not take this decision lightly but make sure that we are dedicated to serving God. He will give us help to serve Him; we are never alone in this commitment.

H. When we vow our love and dedication to a spouse, it is a lifelong commitment.

I. Matthew 19:8-9 – Only infidelity can break the bond and allow the innocent spouse to remarry

J. Matthew 19:3-6 – Marriage is a lifelong commitment and no man should separate the married couple.

K. I wonder how many people approach the vow, pledging dedication until death, considering that if they are incompatible they will dissolve the marriage relationship? How many consider having an affair, in clear violation of the marriage bond, forgetting that they promised God to be faithful to the spouse until death broke the bond? Remember the Ecclesiastes writer, “it is better not to vow than to vow and not pay;” do not enter a marriage covenant unless you pledge to give everything in your power to keep that vow to God.

V. Faithful in Christian responsibility

A. 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 – faithful stewards

B. God has given us the responsibility to serve Him and teach others. We have been entrusted with carrying the gospel message to the community in this area, each individual is entrusted with the responsibility to lead the souls in their sphere of influence to Jesus. How are we meeting that responsibility?

C. We cannot tell God that we were not given sufficient tools to complete the work.

D. Good brethren and teachers to lead and instruct God’s will preserved in His word Many materials to help us teach others National freedom to spread the gospel without government oppression God expects us to produce fruit Isaiah 5:1-7

E. We must be faithful to God though none may see our service

F. Some job descriptions require one who “can work with little or no supervision.”

G. Christians should not serve to please men.

H. Matthew 6:1-7 – Some serve for show and recognition from men

I. Ephesians 6:5-8

J. Even in our occupations, we should work as if we were working for God. In all areas of our lives, we must work to please God, not to impress men.

K. We must not wait to be told what to do, but look around and see what needs to be done and do it with all of our might.

L. God wants us to be busy in service to our brethren but we have to look for opportunities to serve. No one is going to order you to serve, you must volunteer.

M. We will be accountable for our service

N. Matthew 25:14-30 – Parable of the talents

O. You must be honest in determining for what you are responsible. Then, you must be diligent in serving God and responding quickly to opportunities to serve.

P. We will be accountable in judgment for what we have done and what is lacking, Matthew 25:31-46

Q. “You did it unto me” – When we serve our brethren, we are serving Jesus. Jesus will not accept our weak excuses for failing to do what was commanded. If you hire a person to do a job and he is busy, but not doing the work that you hired him to do, would you be pleased? We were created for good works (Ephesians 2:10), not to spend all of our time fulfilling selfish desires.

R. Can God depend upon us to do His work until Jesus comes again?