Feb13-19: The Fruit of the Spirit Is Faithfulness

Teaching Points

1. Notice the Bible’s description of God’s faithfulness.

ANSWER:

• Psalm 36:5—God’s faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
• Psalm 89:33—His faithfulness will not fail.
• Lamentations 3:23—God’s faithfulness is great.
• Psalm 89:2—His faithfulness is established in heaven. 

2. How does God’s faithfulness relate to us?

ANSWER:

• 1Corinthians 10:31—He provides a way of escape in temptation.
• 1Thessalonians 5:23, 24—He is faithful to work in us – to establish, settle, and preserve us.
• 2Thessalonians 3:3—He strengthens us and keeps us from evil.
• Hebrews 10:23—He is faithful to His promises.

3. What is the definition of faithfulness or faithful?

ANSWER:

• Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (ESV)
• Strong’s Hebrew: H530—firmness, security, moral fidelity, stability, steady, truth, and also translated once as faith. “Faithful” H539—to build up, support, firm, permanent, true or certain, right hand. “Faith” H529—established, trustworthy, trusty.
• “Faithful” Strong’s Greek: G4103—Trustworthy, trustful, sure, true. “Faith” G4102—credulence, persuasion, reliance upon Christ, conviction, constancy.

OBSERVATION:

• God’s faithfulness is far-reaching and unfailing.
• God is faithful to finish the work He has started in us if we will surrender.
• God limits the power of temptation by providing a way of escape.
• God keeps His promises and strengthens us and protects us from evil.
• Looking at the definitions of “faithfulness,” “faithful,” and “faith” we see that the definitions are related. You could say that a person who is “faithful” has “faith.”
• The process of being established, settled and preserved is linked to God’s faithfulness.

4. What did Jesus ask about faith in the last days?

ANSWER:

• Luke 18:8—Will He find faith on the earth?

5. Why is faith so critical for us?

ANSWER:

• Ephesians 2:8—By grace we are saved through faith.
• Hebrews 11:6—Without faith it is impossible to please God.
• 1 Corinthians 4:1, 2—We are stewards of God’s mysteries so we must be faithful.
• Hebrews 6:12—Through faith and patience we inherit the promises.
• Revelation 14:12—One of the characteristics of those giving the Three Angels’ Messages is that they have the faith of Jesus.

OBSERVATION:

• Jesus is looking for faith in His people.
• God has entrusted us with the treasures of His word and a knowledge of truth that we are to faithfully give to others. If Jesus is going to find faith on this earth, we must be faithful stewards.
• Faith is vital to our salvation and pleasing God.
• God’s end-time people have faith and patience. 
• How is patience developed? James 1:3, The testing of your faith brings patience.
• The word patience can also be translated: Constancy which is a definition of faith.
• Remember “faithfulness” is “faith” in action.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS:

• How does God’s trustworthiness link to our ability to trust in Him?
• What is it about faith that God loves?
• Why does God want us to be settled, established, and strong to resist evil?
• How can faith link with being sealed – see 2 Thess. 5:23, 24?
• How can we cooperate in this process?

6. Read Luke 16:10-12. What lesson is Jesus seeking to teach here?

ANSWER:

• If you are faithful in little duties, you will be faithful in greater responsibilities.

7.  Where does faith come from?

ANSWER:

• Romans 12:3—God has given all an amount of faith.
• Romans 10:17—Faith comes by hearing God’s word.

8. How is faith developed?

ANSWER:

• 1 Peter 1:7—purifying trials of our faith.
• James 2:26—faith without works is dead.

OBSERVATION:

• Faith must be exercised in order to grow.
• Exercising faith in little duties of life will build our faith so that we can be faithful in larger responsibilities. 
• Trials purify and strengthen our faith, as well as give us patience. 
• God has given everyone some faith.
• Our faith comes from God’s word and leaning on God’s word will build our faith.
• Faithfulness also comes through obedience to God’s word.

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

• How should understanding God’s unfailing trustworthiness make you feel about Him?
• Understanding that God is trustworthy, how do you relate to His promise to establish, settle, and preserve you for Christ’s coming?  
• Are you leaning on God’s word and trusting your life to His will?

8. Read Hebrews 12:1-4 and consider the following questions.

QUESTIONS:

• What are we called to do in verse one?
• Who is the finisher of our faith?
• How does looking to Jesus and laying aside the weights and sins that beset us enable Jesus to finish our faith?
• Contextually, what does it mean to look to Jesus?
• How did the joy set before Christ strengthen His faith to push through the cross?
• How can focusing on the joy of Christ strengthen us to go through our cross?

SOP:

• There is a great work for us to do if we would inherit eternal life. We are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live a life of righteousness. Many teach that all that is necessary to salvation is to believe in Jesus; but what saith the word of truth?--"Faith without works is dead." We are to "fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life," take up the cross, deny self, war against the flesh, and follow daily in the footsteps of the Redeemer. There is no salvation for us except in Jesus; for it is through faith in him that we receive power to become the sons of God; but it is not merely a passing faith; it is faith that works the works of Christ. Jesus has said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." We have a part to act as well as to believe; for we are to be judged according to our works.  {RH, March 6, 1888 par. 2} 
• Living faith makes itself manifest by exhibiting a spirit of sacrifice and devotion toward the cause of God. Those who possess it stand under the banner of Prince Emmanuel, and wage a successful warfare against the powers of darkness. They stand ready to do whatsoever their Captain commands. Each one is exhorted to be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity;" for we are to "live soberly, righteously, and godly" in this present evil world, representing the character of Christ, and manifesting his Spirit. We are to follow in his footsteps, as dear children. By beholding him, we are to be changed into the same image, reflecting the light of heaven into the moral darkness of the world.  {RH, March 6, 1888 par. 3} 

CONCLUSION:

• God is faithful. He reveals His faithfulness by the plan of salvation and granting daily strength to us. 
• God wants His people to be faithful. To accomplish this, He gives each a measure of faith through His Word and then allows trials to strengthen that faith.
• Our part is to believe and cling to God’s Word as we go through the trials.
• Surrendering sin and focusing our eyes on Jesus’ joy can empower us to win the victory so Jesus can finish our faith. 

APPLICATION QUESTION:

• How trusting, trustworthy, and consistent are you?
• Are you spending time in God’s word and claiming God’s strength to calmly go through trials?
• Are you willing to ask God to give you the strength to obey His will at all times and in all areas of your life?