“The Fruits of the Spirit” Faithfulness

But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22

Dictionary:

Faithful.  Keeping faith, loyal, reliable, dependable, steadfast, resolute, committed, dedicated.

“A faithful person is hard to find.”  Prov. 20:6

A counselor conducted a survey in which he asked what quality in people they dislike the most; what trait in other people do they find most disturbing.  The #1 answer: unfaithfulness.  People described that in many different ways.  “I hate it when people say one thing but do something else.”  “It drives me crazy when people promise to come through and they fall through.”  “I can’t stand it when people say ‘count on me’ and then when you do they seem to say ‘count me out!’””It really bothers me how people don’t work out their problems and disagreements.”  

It’s true even of the most important relationships!  About half of all marriages end in divorce; if you counted all those “de facto” marriages of people living together but never bothered to technically get married, then the “unfaithfulness” is around 80%.  Even where faithfulness is treasured the most, it's not very treasured.

A couple of generations ago, a man might stay with the same company for 25 years – perhaps for his entire working life.  A professional athlete was often committed to a team or a community for his entire professional career.  Such is not only rare today; it’s often seen as foolish.  One author stated that the biggest single change in our society in the past 100 years is the “collapse of faithfulness.”   Ted Schmidt worked as the head of personnel at a JC Penny store in Indiana for nearly 40 years.  He notes that the biggest change in employees during that time was “a rapid decline in any commitment to the company, store, or the other associates.”  He stated, “people today will quit at the drop of a hat – for any reason, or no reason at all.”  

1.

Do you think there’s been a “collapse of faithfulness?”  How so?  What evidence would you share?

2.

Do you think that’s true even for Christians?  Is it true in the church?

3.

Think of one person that, to you, models faithfulness.  It could be a family member, teacher, friend.  Share their story with the group.

Bill Hybels offers the following definitions of faithfulness:

•

Faithfulness means you stick with something long after the shine wears off.

•

Faithfulness means you keep your word even if it ends up costing you a lot more than you ever anticipated it would.

•

Faithfulness means your commitment counts for more than your pride, opinions or feelings.

•

Faithfulness means you work through relational problems rather than tossing people out like yesterday’s garbage.

•

Faithfulness means you refuse to jump ship even if the waves are crashing everywhere.

4.

How do YOU define “faithfulness?”

Like all the “fruits of the Spirit,” faithfulness comes from God

God is faithful… 1 Cor. 1:9, 1 Cor. 10:13 and others

He who calls you is faithful and He will do it.  1 Thess. 5:24

Thy faithfulness is as firm as the heavens.  Psalm 89:2

The steadfast faithfulness of the Lord endures forever.  Psalm 117:2

Thy faithfulness endures to all generations.  Psalm 119:90

Great is Thy faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:23

5.

What examples from the Bible or the life of Jesus would you use of His faithfulness?

6.  What examples would you use from your own life?

And it is to be reflected by us!  

His master said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant!  You have been faithful over little, I will set you over much!  Enter into the joy of your master!” Matthew 25:21

Be faithful unto death and I will give you the crown of life.  Revelation 2:10

7.

Revelation 2:10 is an often quoted verse.  It contains a great comfort but it has a hook in it!  What is that?  What does that mean?

8.

 Revelation 2:10 is often used at Confirmation and when people join the church.  Do you think people “hear” it?  How is it similar to the vow made at marriage?  

9.

Those who join the military make a similar vow.  What’s the motto of the US Marine Corps?

10.

In your life, in what areas is faithfulness easiest?  Hardest?  What can you do to grow in faithfulness in those tough areas?

11.

 How can we encourage faithfulness in others?  Our children, friends, fellow workers, members of our church family?

“Fruit of the Spirit” Kindness

The fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:25

Note:  The Greek word for this “fruit” is very broad and hard to translate.  It can mean humility, gentleness, kindness, tender-hearted, caring, serving, generous, supportive, etc.  

How are all these concepts related?

The Dictionary:

Kind  Gentle, tender-hearted, generous, affectionate

Care  Close attention, an inclination to do something, protection, custody, concern

All these qualities, fruits, come from God – we are called to reflectthem.  Read the following:

I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff comfort me.  Ps. 23:4

I, the Lord, am He who comforts you.  Isaiah 51:12

Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who loves us, gives us His grace,  eternal encouragement and good hope.  2 Thessalonians 2:16

When Jesus saw the crowds, He had compassion on them because they were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Matthew 9:36

1.

From whom comes all true comfort and care?

2.

Therefore, who will empower us to care?

The Bible is filled with examples of people caring for one another.  Perhaps the best known example is in Luke 10:30-37.  Read that.

3.

Three people encountered the wounded traveler.  The first was a priest, the second a Levite (of the priestly tribe and often assistants to priests).  The third was a “foreigner.”  What strong rebuke is Jesus giving?

4.

What motivated the Samaritan (vs. 34)?

5.

What costs and risks were involved in what he did?

6.

While Jesus certainly means to care even for strangers, the story is told that way to as to make the point clear.  Who else should we care for?

For each of the following verses, note what we are being called to do.  How are they all aspects of this “fruit?”

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by having the same love.  Phil. 2:1-2

Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit but rather in humility consider others as more important than yourselves.  Phil. 2:3

Each of you should look not just to your own interests but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Jesus Christ.  Phil. 2:4

If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last and the servant of all.  Mark 9:35

Serve one another in love.  Indeed, the entire Law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”  Gal. 5:13

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the law of Christ.  Gal. 6:2

Brothers, if someone is caught up in a sin, you should restore him, but be gentle for you too are sinners!  Gal. 6:1

Is anyone sick? He should call all on the elders and they should pray over him. James 5:14

If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  1 Cor. 12:26

Encourage one another and build each other up in the Lord.  1 Thess. 5:11

Hold each other up in highest regard. Live in peace with each other.  Warn the idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.  Always be kind to each other – and to everyone else.  1 Thess. 5:13-15

Offer hospitality to each other.  1 Peter 4:9

There should be no division in the church, its members should have equal concern for each other.  If one suffers, all suffer with him.  If one is honored, all rejoice with him.  1 Cor. 12:25-26

They devoted themselves to the Apostle’s teaching and to fellowship with each other, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  All the believers were together and had everything in common. Acts 2:44  All the believers were of one heart and there were no needy persons among them; they shared everything they had.  Acts 4:32 & 34

7.

How would you summarize these commands?

8.

For what church members have you prayed today?  This week?  Can you list them?  How can you grow in this “fruit?”

9.

When did you last phone a church member?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How can you grow in this fruit?

10.

 When did you last send a card or write a note to a church member?  Is this common?

11.

 When did you last offer purposeful words of affirmation or encouragement or strength or comfort to a church member?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How could you grow in this fruit?

12.

 When did you last have a church member over to your home for a personal visit?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How can you grow in this fruit?

13.

 When did you last help a church member with some personal need?  Is this common?  Why/why not?  How can you grow in this fruit?

14.

 When did you last thank a church member?  Suffer with them?  Rejoice with them?

15.  What about the above to those perhaps more difficult:  neighbors, fellow workers, strangers?  

The Fruit of the Spirit - Patience”

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 But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience,kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:24

The Dictionary: Patience  From the Greek “to suffer.”  

1.

Bearing pains or trials calmly and without complaint

2.

Manifesting forbearance under strain

3.

Not hasty or impetuous

4.

Steadfast and committed despite opposition, difficulty or adversity

Bill Hybels tells this personal story:

I love watching football.  Some time back, it was halftime of a Chicago Bears football game, and my beloved Bears had a slim lead.  I thought, as long as I had a few minutes, I would dash down to the 7/11 and get some munchies.  Certain to be back before the second half, I rushed to my car and arrived at the store in no time.  I left the car running in the parking lot (that would save me, oh, 3 seconds) and rushed in to get my chips and took my place in line.  I immediately noticed there were 4 people in front of me and only one girl working at the counter.  I would have skirted around them and left my money but I only had a $20.  

As I stood in line, I wondered if they give “slow” lessons to these people that work at 7/11.  I wondered why these people in line really needed these things and why they weren’t home watching the game.  I began tapping my foot, perhaps believing this would speed up things.  I thought, that girl could work a lot faster if she stood up and got off that stool.  And THEN she began to chat with one of the customers!  “Oh, great!” I thought to myself, “a social butterfly!”  Meanwhile, I was imagining the halftime show and wondered how long it had left.

I started eyeballing each person in line in front of me to see what they had in their hands.  I immediately became suspicious of the guy right in front of me because he was holding nothing, that meant he needed the girl to get something for him.  And my worse fear came true.  When he got to the front of the line, he asked the girl for a ham and cheese sandwich.  A ham and cheese sandwich!!! There should be a law against such things!

With only one girl working in the store, this meant that everybody in line (including me – I was next!)  had to wait until this lazy bum got his ham and cheese sandwich.  I might as well have crawled into a corner and taken a little nap.  “What kind of bread would you like with that?  White?  Wheat? Rye? Sourdough?  What kind of ham would you like? Baked?  Smoked? Country?  Would you like that ham thin sliced or thick sliced?”  What kind of cheese would you like?”  FOR ______ SAKE, I thought to myself, JUST GIVE HIM HIS ______ HAM AND CHEESE SANDWICH!  By now, I was certain the second half of the game was underway.  

When the guy FINALLY got his sandwich, I paid for my bag of chips and gave the girl the most glaring look I possibly could fashion.  I rush out to my car, sat down, slammed the door, and raced back to the house – breaking untold number of traffic laws in the process.  

By the time I got back to the TV, my nerves were a wreck, my stomach was in knots – and I missed a touch down.  That ham and cheese sandwich ruined by whole day.  

1.

What pushes your “patience button?”  

2.

What definition of “patience” does this story illustrate?

Read the following verses.  What do they say about God?

The love of God endures forever!  Psalm 136:1

Christ Jesus has displayed His unlimited patience… 1 Tim. 1:16

Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means our salvation.  2 Peter 3:15

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the Cross, scorning its shame.  Hebrews 12:2

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.  He will not always accuse nor will He harbor His anger for long.  He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who trust Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  Psalm 103:8-12

3.

What characteristic is described as belonging to God?  Why is this good news?  Ultimately, where does godly patience come from?

But the primary definition of patience has to do with enduring, hanging in there through thick and thin, it includes the concept of “suffering.”  Read the following:

As servants of God, we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance, in troubles, in hardships and distresses, in beatings, imprisonments, riots, hard work, sleepless nights, and hunger.  We commend ourselves to purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love…. Through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report, known yet unknown, dying and yet we live on – beaten but not killed.  We are sorrowful but rejoicing, poor yet making many rich, having nothing yet possessing everything.  2 Cor. 6:4-10

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His sons.  For what son is not disciplined by his father?  If you are not disciplined, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.  Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Father and live!  God disciplines us for our good.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace, for those who have been trained by it.  Therefore, strengthen those feeble arms and weak knees!  Hebrews 12:7-12

Among God’s churches, we boast about your perseverance and faith in the face of all the persecutions and trials you are enduring.  2 Thess. 1:4

We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces patience, and patience produces character, and character produces hope.  And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts.  Rom. 5:3-5

I, John, your partner in suffering and in patient endurance.  Rev. 1:9

I (God) know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.  You have persevered and have patiently endured hardships for My name and have not grown weary.Rev. 2:3

Be faithful unto death, and I (God) will give you the crown of life.  Rev. 2:10

4.

What is the definition of patience here?

5.

The Christian life will be marked by what?  Therefore, what will be needed?

6.

The Bible says we should REJOICE at our hardships and sufferings!  Do we?

7.

Patience produces what?

8.

Historically, Christians have often faced great persecution and hardships!  In many parts of the world, they still do!  But often, it’s pretty easy for us.  What’s the danger in that?

9.

Christians sometimes stop going to church because the parking lot is too full or someone sits where they like to sit.  Maybe the church changed the format of the worship folder, chopped down their favorite tree or changed the tune to a favorite hymn.  Maybe the pastor forgot their birthday or an usher neglected to return their “hello.”  And these are some of the more legitimate reasons! What would Jesus have to say about that?  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction.  Romans 12:12

We constantly remember your…labor prompted by love and your endurance inspired by hope.  1 Thess. 1:3

Be patient, brothers, until the Day of the Lord’s coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  You, too, must be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  Don’t grumble against each other, but be examples of patience in the face of all suffering.  Take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  We consider them blessed as they persevered.  James 5:7-10

Love is patient… 1 Cor. 13:4

10.

How is patience related to hope?  

11.

Commitment?  

12.

Dedication?

13.

Faithfulness?

14.

Love?

15.

On a scale of 1-10, how patient are you?  What can YOU do to improve that?

Tonight, I learned or was reminded about….

The Fruit of the Spirit” Peace

But the fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  Galatians 5:24

The Dictionary:

Peace  n.  1. Freedom from war or civil strife.  2.  A treaty or agreement to end war.  3.  Freedom from public disturbance or disorder; public security; law and order. 4.  Freedom from disagreement or quarrels; harmony; concord.  5.  An undisturbed state of mind; an absence of mental conflict; serenity.  6.  An inner calm, quiet or tranquillity.  

1.

What two kinds of peace are described in the definition?

2.

How does the definition define peace positively?  Negatively?  

3.

The word freedom is used 3 times in the definition.  What insight is found in that?

The Hebrews used the word peace as both a greeting and a farewell.  It was more than a way to say “hi” and “bye” but was a blessing.  The Lord and His angels also used this greeting.

The Lord said to him, “peace be with you.”  Judges 6:23

But the concept of peace is not necessarily the same as the worlds.  Read the following:

Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  So let not your hearts be troubled, neither let be afraid.”  John 14:27

4.

How is Jesus’ peace different than that offered by the world?

This peace comes from God and is the result of Christ’s atoning work.  This is an objective fact – in Christ there IS peace!  Read the following:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased.”  Luke 2:14

Jesus said, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”  Luke 7:50

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Romans 5:1

Jesus is our peace, for He has broken down the wall of hostility…making for us peace.  Eph. 2:14

Jesus made peace for us by the blood of the Cross.  Colossians 1:20

5.

According to the above verses, there IS peace between whom?  Why?  

This objective reality can completely change our inner emotions and attitudes!  Read the following:

I say this to you so that you may have peace in your heart.  John 16:33

The peace of God, which passes all our understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Phil. 4:7

Jesus said, “Take heart, it is I, do not be afraid.”  Mark 6:50

Peace I leave to you…let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.  John 14:27

Behold, God is my salvation, therefore I will trust and not be afraid.  Isaiah 12:2

Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts.  Col. 3:15

6.  On a scale of 1-10, how has the objective reality of peace brought an inner, subjective reality of  peace to your heart?

7.

What people, events, activities, etc. help you know and feel this “peace that passes all understanding?”

Besides dwelling on the objective reality of peace brought by Christ, see what else the Bible recommends for feeling peace:

Keep My commandments, then you will have peace like a river.  Isaiah 48:18

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, do – and the peace of God will be with you.  Phil. 4:9

But besides the objective peace between God and us, and the inner peace we feel as a result of that, God also calls us to peace with one another, to apply or share this peace with those around us.  Read the following:

Be at peace with one another. Mark 9:50

Let us pursue what makes for peace and mutual upbuilding.  Romans 14:19

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.  Matthew 5:9

Live in harmony with the brethren…as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Romans 12:18

8.

Who among your family and friends would you call a “peacemaker.”  How are the “blessed?”

9.

What makes someone a “warmonger” in their interpersonal relationships?

10.

What practical advise would you give yourself when you are feeling warring thoughts?

What did you learn or were reminded about tonight?