Faithfulness
It’s time to grow. What's in me is not for me.
Colossians 1:27 NIV
To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
We aren’t held back by what we don’t have, but by what we don’t use.
Galatians 5:15-21 NIV
If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery, idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:22-26 NIV
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.
Faithfulness
Psalms 115:1 NIV
Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV
Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Faithful:
- loyal in relationships
- dependable in all seasons
- promise keepers
- no surprises
Faithfulness matters.
Matthew 5:16 NIV
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Growing Faithfulness
I. As our relationship with Jesus grows, our faithfulness grows.
Changed people change.
John 14:12-17 NIV
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.“If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
John 15:16 NIV
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
Growing Faithfulness
I. As our relationship with Jesus grows, our faithfulness grows.
II. Faithfulness grows in a healthy garden.
Psalms 1:3 NIV
That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.
We should build our lives with and around faithful people.
Growing Faithfulness
I. As our relationship with Jesus grows, our faithfulness grows.
II. Faithfulness grows in a healthy garden.
III. Faithfulness grows in the little things.
It's the small things that bring about the big results.
Luke 16:10 NIV
“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.
Growing Faithfulness
I. As our relationship with Jesus grows, our faithfulness grows.
II. Faithfulness grows in a healthy garden.
III. Faithfulness grows in the little things.
IV. Fruit is meant to be eaten.
We will be known by our fruit.
Psalms 34:8 NIV
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
Go and make disciples; help people taste and see that the Lord is good.
Holy Spirit, how can I feed my _______?