Text: Selected Texts
Proverbs 25:19
“Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint.”
*Being unfaithful always causes hurt and pain to yourself and those around you.
*We are not called to compare or cast judgment we are called to be faithful.
1. The faithfulness of God’s character to us.
2. The Spirits work producing faithfulness in and through us.
3. The ever increasing pattern of faithfulness in a person’s life.
Lamentations 3:21-23
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
I. FAITHFULNESS DEFINED
*Spiritual fruit is never produced through keeping laws and rules but through loving Jesus and being obedient to the Spirit.
Proverbs 20:6
“Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
Psalm 12:1
“Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men.”
*Faithfulness can never be measured on a short term moment but on a long term pattern.
*A Working Definition: Faithfulness is someone who is trustworthy, dependable, and honest having proved this over a long period of time.
Lamentations 3:21-23
“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
II. FAITHFULNESS DISPLAYED
A. In the Character of God
Psalm 119:90
“Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.”
Isaiah 25:1
“O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.”
I Corinthians 1:9
“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.”
I Corinthians 10:13
“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.”
I Thessalonians 5:23, 24
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
*God’s proven faithfulness is what we look to as we seek to set a pattern of faithfulness in our own life.
B. Through The Conduct of God’s People
*Our conduct reveals the character of Christ dwelling in us.
*Faithfulness is all encompassing.
II Timothy 1:12
“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
II Timothy 4:7, 8
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
*Faithfulness means knowing what you really believe, who you truly love, and what you’re ultimately committed to.
*Steps To Increasing Your Faithfulness
1. Surrender to the Spirit.
2. Study the Scriptures.
3. Structure your life around living for God’s glory.
4. Seek out spiritual mentors who can help you grow.
II Timothy 2:2
“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”
5. Surround yourself with other faithful people.
*The pattern of Christianity is faithful people, following a faithful God encouraging others to remain faithful.
