Fruit of the spirit #7 Faithfulness

          This is the 7th teaching on the fruit of the spirit, and today we’re going to be teaching on the fruit of Faithfulness. It’s unfortunate that the KJV translates it "Faith", when most of the other translations render it "faithfulness", even the W. E. Vine’s Dictionary of N.T. Words, says that it should be translated “Faithfulness."

          I. In the natural quite a bit of the world’s dealings has to do with Faithfulness. It goes from a business sense, to international dealings (Treaties and Agreements), to even family relationships.

                   A. Their success depends a lot on Faithfulness or unfaithfulness of those involved. “Trust” is part of the definition of the word “Faithful.”

                             1. Faithlessness brings confusion.

                   B. Getting away from the natural side of faithfulness and into the spiritual realm, all of God’s promises, and our hope for salvation, all depends on one thing, “GOD IS FAITHFUL.”

                             1. That’s a very important statement. Remove His Faithfulness and all assurance vanishes, all faith in Him disappears.

                             2. Turn with me to a few scriptures dealing with the faithfulness of God.

                                      i. 1COR 1:9

                                      ii. (1CO 10:13) Says something similar. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God {is} faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear {it}.” (KJV)

                   C. HEB 10:23 You can put your faith in God’s promises because He is Faithful.

                             1. HEB 11:11 Whatever God promises He will faithfully carry them out.

          II. There are basically 2 covenants in our Bibles, The old and new covenant.

                   A. Both of them depend upon the faithfulness of the parties involved.

                             1. In the O.T. God was faithful, but Israel was not.

                             2. In the N.T. God is still faithful, but the difference is that our side of the covenant is guaranteed by the faithfulness of Jesus.

                                      a. HEB 2:17 (HEB 9)

                                      b. (REV 3:14) Says that Jesus is the faithful and true witness.

          III. We have already mentioned that God is faithful; it is an attribute of God.

                   A. When we received Jesus, we also received the Fruit of the spirit in our hearts.

                   B. Paul said in (1CO 7:25) “As one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.” (KJV)

                             1. You received faithfulness when you received the Lord.

                             2. Let me give you some examples of faithfulness from the Word.

                                      a. HEB 3:1-2

                                                i. Here we see that Jesus was faithful and so was Moses in his job that was given to him.

                                      b. In (NUM 14:24) In referring to Caleb the Lord said, “But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.” (KJV)

                                      c. Paul said of EPAPHRAS In (COL 1:7 & 4:12) “As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; who is {one} of you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” (KJV)

                                      d. Paul speaks of Timothy in (1COR 4:17) as “Faithful in the Lord.”

                                      e. Paul also speaks of Onesimus, the ‘RUNAWAY SLAVE,’ as a “Faithful and beloved brother” in (COL 4:9)

          IV. The Word “FAITHFULNESS” implies not only faithfulness, but also Trustworthiness, Loyalty, Reliability, consistency, or Steadfastness.

                   A. Being Trustworthy is essential for the Christian walk.

                             1. JAM 5:12 We’re told to be men and woman of our word.

                   B. 1COR 4:1-2 The word “FAITHFUL” here can also mean “TRUSTWORTHY.” Listen to the AMP translation of V 2, “Moreover, it is [essentially] required of stewards that a man should be found faithful [proving himself worthy of trust].”

                             1. All of us are stewards in the Lord in some way or another.

                             2. If we’re all supposed to be faithful, trustworthy, and loyal, how much more for those who serve in the Church or minister the Word.

                   C. What about reliability?

                             1. Can the Lord count on you?

                                      a. If He asks you to pray, will you?

                                      b. What if He asks you to witness?

                             2. What about reliable in business?

                                      a. That’s one of your biggest witnessing tools. It might be in a positive way, or if you’re not trustworthy in business, it’s in a negative way.

                                      b. People are going to look at your business affairs to see if you’re a true Christian.

          V. We need faithfulness to the end.

                   A. The rewards for God’s servants are going to be based on “Faithfulness” in the job the Lord has given you, in His Word, as well as what He has spoken to your heart (SPIRIT).

                             1. In (MAT 25:21) Jesus said, “Well done, {thou} good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

                                      a. This was faithfulness of diligent service. Not just faithfulness alone.

                             2. Look at a similar passage of scripture over in LUKE 19:17‑19

                                      a. Both of these men were given the same job, but the reward was based on their faithfulness to that job.

          B. We’ll close with this 1 last scripture, REV 2:10.

                   1. No matter what happens in life, continue to be faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will receive that crown of life.

TFC and WOLCC Sun AM 8/21/94 & WOLCC Sunday, June 11, 2000 and August 18, 2005