Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Warren Wiersbe believes that the ' Fruit of the Spirit ' is segmented into "3" groups . . .
1. love, joy, peace = the Godward aspect of the Christian life.
2. patience, kindness, goodness = the manward aspect of the Christian life.
3. faithfulness, gentleness, self control = the selfward aspect of the Christian life.
What is meant by Faithfulness ?
Greek = pis'-tis ... persuasion, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself :-assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity, reliable, dependable.
Webster = constant, steadfast, firm in allegiance, unswerving loyalty, unwavering in conviction.
Faith is confidence in the trustworthiness of GOD. Faith involves confidence + conviction.
What is Faith ?
Faith is dead to doubts, dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities, It knows nothing but success.
Faith lifts its hand up through the threatening clouds, lays hold of Him who has all power in heaven and on earth.
Faith makes the uplook good, the outlook bright, the inlook favorable, and the future glorious. V.R. Edman
We have heard that seeing is believing ... The bible teaches that believing is seeing. 2 Cor. 5:7
St. Augustine stated - Faith is to believe what we do not see, and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.
Faith is...knowing the Lord's will + going and doing the Lord's will. - or -
Faith is...not knowing the Lord's will + standing and waiting for God to direct.
Faith is...the leaving of ... your way, your objects of trust, your self + the taking of GOD'S way and obeying it.
Corrie ten Boom - In God's faithfulness lies eternal security.
Mother Teresa - God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.
Faith is not a conscious thing, it springs from a personal relationship and is the unconscious result of believing someone. Faith does not become it's own object that produces fanaticism; but it becomes the means whereby God unveils His purpose to us. The business of faith is to convert Truth into reality. Just as we take food into our bodies and assimilate it, so, Jesus says, we must take Him into our souls. Faith is not seeing food and drink on the table; faith is taking it. Oswald Chambers
Difficulties are food for Faith to feed on. George Mueller
Hebrews 11:1-2,6 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the men of old gained approval..... And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
* * * Faith - - - the most important topic for Christians . * * *
An acrostic for F a i t h . . .
F -__________________ on God and His word. Rom. 10:17 ; James 1:22; Luke 11:28
A - Be_______________________ for active service. Isa. 6:1-8; John 2:5
Faith is an action word ! Tell God that you are available. It's not ability...It's availability.
I -__________________________ yourself in the life of others.
Jesus with Peter, James & John / Paul with Timothy.
T -_________________________ is crucial.
Praise God continually ! ! ! Thank Him for His unfailing love; unconditional acceptance...
Have an ATTITUDE of GRATITUDE ! ! !
H - Be ______________________. Be pure. Be clean. Be different. 1 Peter 1:14-16
* * Faith_________ . . . not faith___________ , not faith_________________.....Faith_________ ! ! !
The Nature of Faith . . . You have 2 Types :
_______________ belief = which is built on knowledge. Which best defines
_______________ belief = which is built on action. your Life ?
See James 2:14-26 ...
Action is the hallmark of authentic faith.
James forcefully condemns counterfeit religion that substitutes "theory" for "practice."
* * Which of the following statements is most accurate :
[1] Faith requires action. [2] Faith inspires action. [3] Faith desires action.
See Eph. 2:8-10 ...
We are saved by_________________...through_____________________.
We are saved unto____________________________________________.
In what area's of your life...do you need to trust GOD ? Be specific !
Would you say that you live by faith ? or by facts ? or by feelings ?
Which definition best suits you :
Seeing is believing . -or- Believing is seeing.
What action steps will you take to become a man / woman of faith ?
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