July 13, 2014 | Fruit of Holy Spirit | Faithfulness

Welcome to THE NATHAN REPORT!
What a beautiful day. Its raining here heavily and temperature is about 26° - 27° C. 

We started off with praise and worship, here is today's playlist:

1) Great is your faithfulness - Israel Houghton

2) Lord you are good - Israel Houghton

3) God will make a way - Don Moen

4) Our God - Chris Tomlin and Matt Redman

Beautiful worship, great tracks, closed with a beautiful prayers followed by offerings and today's announcements.

As you all know, last week Rev. Vivek Dindorkar along with team of 5 executives from the Church were supposed to travel across Maharashtra, meeting various pastors and their congregations. They traveled almost 1300 KMS. Many churches were under hard conditions as well as financial turbulence, walls were in bad condition due to extensive hail storm and bad weather conditions. However, people were full of Spirit and happy to be in the house of God. Great example of someone being called children of God. Though they were living under extreme poverty, but spiritually they were extremely rich.

Here are the list of announcements: 

- On July 17, we have men's fellowship from 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM. All attendees may leave after breakfast post meeting.

- GLTC Graduation ceremony will be held on 23rd August at 6:00 PM. Location will be confirmed in coming weeks.

- From 15th - 19th September, we will be having a trip to Jaipur, Rajasthan. Next month we plan for a trip to Orissa.

As you all are aware, this is a continuous installment of our ongoing theme, "FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT", and today we will be discussing about FAITHFULNESS.

To begin with, we have a quick story of a very rich man who was lying in his hospital's bed and doctors have already answered in disappointment, "There is no chance that this man could be brought back to better health. He is going to die". Then one pastor who hears about this dying rich man, plans to pay a visit. Upon visiting, the pastor explains the healing power and miracles of Lord Jesus. Rich man tells pastor, "If God saves me from dying, I will donate one million dollar to your church!", so pastor prays for the rich man. Miraculously, the rich man is healed, astonishing doctors and family members.

One day, pastor was walking down the road and realizes a man taking a walk is the same rich man for who he prayed few years back. Pastor approached him and reminds of the promise rich man made on his death bed. The rich man acknowledges pastors acquaintance and responded, "Did I really say that?, pastor replied, "Yes". Rich man responded, "So I guess that shows how sick I was". Pastor smiles and walks away.

This illustration is really good to explain the difference between being faithful and unfaithful. 

What is faithfulness?

Faithfulness is steadfastness, constancy, or allegiance; it is carefulness in keeping what we are entrusted with; it is the conviction that the Scriptures accurately reflect reality. Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God—His existence, His works, and His character. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit; it is the result of the Spirit working in us. But the Spirit is also our seal of faithfulness. He is our witness to God's promise that if we accept the truth about God, He will save us.

What are the features of faithfulness?

- Faithful.

- Reliable.

- Loyal.

- Steadfast.

- Dedicated.

- Trustworthy.

- Dependable.

- Constant.

Whether someone is faithful, you need to see these attributes in that person's life. 

The Greek word for the word faithfulness used in the Bible is "πίστις", which is literally pronounced "Pistis".

Well, if you looked in the dictionary, you would find a technical definition that says, "To follow through with a commitment regardless of difficulty." That’s a good definition. 

But let me give you one that may be easier to remember, "Faithfulness is love hanging on." It is love saying, "I will not quit. There may be misunderstandings, there may be disappointments, there may be discouragements, but I will not quit." It is love hanging on.

Faithfulness is believing that God is Who He says He is and continuing in that belief despite the vagaries of life. Functionally, that means we trust what God says in the Bible, and not necessarily what the world or our own eyes tell us. We trust He will work out everything for good. We trust He will work His will in us. And we trust that our situation on earth is nothing compared to our future reward in heaven. The only way we can have such faith is by the Holy Spirit's influence. He testifies to the truth and impels us to seek God. The Spirit makes us faithful.

By faith we receive salvation. Faithfulness is virtue of God and He expects His children to be faithful and different from the children of the world. 

We have few references:

2 Timothy 2:2, "And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men[a] who will be able to teach others also."

Psalms 36:5, "Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds."

2 Timothy 2:11, "The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him."

2 Timothy 2:13, "if we are faithless, he remains faithful - for he cannot deny himself."

1 Corinthians 4:2, "Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful."

We need to be faithful because we serve a faithful God.

Galatians 5:22-23 clearly say, "22 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."

At times, while working in our office, we sometimes try to please our boss by putting some extra effort. No need to please your boss, but you must please your heavenly Master and your faithfulness will be rewarded. 

FOR WHOM SHOULD WE BE FAITHFUL TO?

1) Faithfulness towards God:

Few references:

Psalms 89:27-28, "27 And I will make him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth. 28 My steadfast love I will keep for him forever, and my covenant will stand firm for him."

Proverbs 28:20, "A faithful man will abound with blessings, but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished."

Revelations 2:10, "Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Illustration: There was a pastor posted in a remote area where he rented a place to live and worship. Some months later, pastor was asked to vacate immediately. Resistance resulted in throwing pastor's all household items on the road. Pastor was homeless with his wife and infant child. They threatened him to leave immediately, else they would kill him. Pastor said, "No, I will not leave! God has brought me here". Few weeks later, a generous lady gifted him with a piece of land with a hall already built on it. When Rev. Vivek visited their Church, the entire hall was packed with people. Few tube lights were in working condition and few were not. Irrespective of lights whether working or not, there was fire burning in the heart of congregation.

We have another illustration:

One of the best known Christians in the early church was probably sitting in the congregation when this letter was read. His name was Polycarp. He later became Smyrna’s bishop and was martyred about 160 AD. At his trial he was commanded to curse Christ. He refused and responded, ”I have served the Lord for 86 years and have received only good from him, how can I forsake my king now?” That’s so true! God has been faithful to us, now He’s asking us to be faithful to Him, even unto death! 

Polycarp was denounced to the government, arrested, and tried on the charge of being a Christian. When the proconsul urged him to save his life by cursing Christ, he replied: "Eighty-six years I have served him, and he never did me any wrong. How can I blaspheme my King who saved me?" The magistrate was reluctant to kill a a gentle old man, but he had no choice.

Polycarp was sentenced to be burned. As he waited for the fire to be lighted, he prayed:

Lord God Almighty, Father of your blessed and beloved child Jesus Christ, through whom we have received knowledge of you, God of angels and hosts and all creation, and of the  whole race of the upright who live in your presence:  I bless you that you have thought me worthy of this day and hour, to be numbered among the martyrs and share in the cup of Christ, for resurrection to eternal life, for soul and body in the incorruptibility of the Holy Spirit.  Among them may I be accepted before you today, as a rich and acceptable sacrifice, just as you, the faithful and true God, have prepared and foreshown and brought about. For this reason and for all things I praise you, I bless you, I glorify you, through the eternal heavenly high priest Jesus Christ, your beloved child, through whom be glory to you, with him and the Holy Spirit, now and for the ages to come. Amen.

2) Faithfulness towards others:

References:

Ephesians 4:16, "From whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."

Roman 12:5, "So we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."

1 Thessalonians 4:9-10, "9 Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, 10 for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more."

Illustration: Someone was giving a testimony. He told, "I have a fine family, fairly large house, established business and have been involved in supporting various organizations as well as churches. There are various organizations who are seeking me to join with them. What more could I ask God?" Upon hearing this, someone sitting on the back shouted, "How about asking HIM a good dose of humility?"

We should notice in others what is good, to their praise, that we may engage them to abound therein more and more. All who are savingly taught of God, are taught to love one another. The teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teachings of men; and men's teaching is vain and useless, unless God teach. Those remarkable for this or any other grace, need to increase therein, as well as to persevere to the end. It is very desirable to have a calm and quiet temper, and to be of a peaceable and quiet behavior. Satan is busy to trouble us; and we have in our hearts what disposes us to be unquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's matters, have little quiet in their own minds, and cause great disturbances among their neighbors. They seldom mind the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work with their own hands. Christianity does not take us from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be diligent therein. People often by slothfulness reduce themselves to great straits, and are liable to many wants; while such as are diligent in their own business, earn their own bread, and have great pleasure in so doing.

Pride is a sin in us by nature; we need to be cautioned and armed against it. All the saints make up one body in Christ, who is the Head of the body, and the common Centre of their unity. In the spiritual body, some are fitted for and called to one sort of work; others for another sort of work. We are to do all the good we can, one to another, and for the common benefit. If we duly thought about the powers we have, and how far we fail properly to improve them, it would humble us. But as we must not be proud of our talents, so we must take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and self-denial, we are slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of others. We must not say, I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and do nothing; but, I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out myself to the utmost, in the strength of the grace of Christ. Whatever our gifts or situations may be, let us try to employ ourselves humbly, diligently, cheerfully, and in simplicity; not seeking our own credit or profit, but the good of many, for this world and that which is to come.

 3) Faithfulness towards Church:

Here we have three points to this - 

a) Faithfully attending regular services.

Acts 2:42, "They were faithful in listening to the teaching of the missionaries. They worshiped and prayed and ate the Lord’s supper together."

Hebrew 10:25, "Not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Once, preacher Charles Spurgeon said, "In fact, there is no worship of God that is better than the hearing of a sermon."

b) Faithfully attending social services. 

c) Faithfully attending church activities.

We move to the closing with a powerful prayer. We wonder, are you going through a painful experience? Do you feel that you’ve been knocked down, or maybe that you’ve fallen? Have you been fickle & irresponsible? Are you tempted to quit? Don’t stop. Keep pressing on. Hang in there, because faithfulness is love hanging on.

If you’re here this morning outside of Jesus, & you don’t know Him as your Lord & Savior, we want you to know that Jesus didn’t quit. He went all the way to the cross & gave His life so that you & I might have the promise of everlasting life.

And His salvation is available to you. Today you can begin your journey with Him. He will never leave you or forsake you. And when you’re knocked down & you try to get up by yourself, you’ll find His strong arm there to help you get back on your feet again. 

So if you’re here and you have a decision on your heart, we encourage you to pray with us:

Dear heavenly Father, this is one of those days in which there’s nothing really grumble-worthy going on in my life. Though I’m sure I could muster up plenty of things to complain about, those things would quickly lose their size and impact, when held up along side of the riches of the gospel. Father, thank you for forgiving all of my sins, through the work of Jesus. May I never take that miracle of grace and generosity for granted. And may this rich standing in grace compel me to greater forbearance, patience and forgiveness towards others. Father, thank you for not only pulling me up out of all kinds of “pits”—those of my own choosing and other’s doing, but also for crowning me with your love and compassion. I’m no longer a slave to sin and death, and now, I’m a member of your priestly and kingly people—who reign in life through grace, as we love and serve others. What a privilege! Father, thank you for satisfying my desires with good things. What do I have that I have not received from you? Absolutely nothing. Thank you for intending my pleasure and for resourcing my delights. You’ve not only given me your love—which is better than life; you’ve also given me so many good things, which greatly enhance life in this broken world. Things to eat and see, smell and savor, touch and share; things to make me laugh and people to dry my tears; things to sing about and things to quietly ponder. Though my body is getting older, you are continually giving me a youthful, renewed heart, for which I praise and worship you. This I pray, in Jesus’ exalted and caring name. Amen!