Faithfulness. Bryant Hewitt Message

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/24819254

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ag3T7-rJVwc


Bryant Hewitt Continues with the 3 part series of Gal 5:22-23, p Fruits of The Spirit. Faithfulness, gentleness  and self-control.Do join our Peace Tour as we bring the Lords Crusades to Africa, India, Asia Europe. www.bryanthewitt.com

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS FAITHFULNESS

   A. THE FAITHFULNESS THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., pistis - often used in the NT of a conviction or belief
         in respect to God and Christ
      2. But it also is used to describe the quality of "fidelity,
         faithfulness"
         a. "the character of one who can be relied on..." - Thayer
         b. "faithful, to be trusted, reliable..." - Vine
         c. William Barclay calls it "the virtue of reliability"
      3. This virtue, unfortunately, is not too common...
         a. While many may claim it, the wise man declared it hard to
            find - Pr 20:6
         b. The Psalmist decried the lack of "faithfulness" in his day,
            describing a condition that sounds much like our situation
            today - Ps 12:1-2
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of
         FAITHFULNESS in their lives

   B. FAITHFULNESS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Faithfulness is essential for those who would receive the crown
         of life - Re 2:10
      2. Some areas in which we need faithfulness:
         a. The use of our 'talents' (i.e., abilities, opportunities)
            - Mt 25:21,24-26
         b. Our duties to the church (e.g., its assemblies) - He 10:
            24-25
         c. Our duties as parents, spouses, children - Ep 6:4; Tit 2:3-5;
            Ep 5:22-23; 6:1-3
      3. Those who are faithful will be blessed by the Lord - Ps 31:23;
         Pr 28:20
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         FAITHFULNESS?

[Next we observe that...]

VIII. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GENTLENESS

   A. THE GENTLENESS (MEEKNESS, KJV) THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., prautes - gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness
         - Strong
      2. "the ability to bear reproaches and slights with moderation,
         and not to embark on revenge quickly, and not to be easily
         provoked to anger, but to be free from bitterness and
         contentiousness, having tranquillity and stability in the
         spirit." - Aristotle, On Virtues And Vices
      3. Gentleness (or meekness), then, is that virtuous quality by
         which "we treat all men with perfect courtesy, that we can
         rebuke without rancor, that we can argue without intolerance,
         that we can face the truth without resentment, that we can be
         angry and sin not, that we can be gentle and yet not weak."
         - Barclay
      4. A virtue displayed by both Moses and Jesus - Num 12:3; Mt 11:
         28-30
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of GENTLENESS
         in their lives

   B. GENTLENESS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. We are to receive the Word of God with meekness (prautes) - Ja
         1:21
      2. We must approach brethren in error with a spirit of gentleness
         (prautes) - Ga 6:1
      3. We must correct those in opposition with humility (prautes)
         - 2Ti 2:24-25
      4. We are to answer inquiries concerning our hope with meekness
         (prautes) - 1Pe 3:15
      5. Meekness (prautes) is necessary for the Christian man who would
         be wise - cf. Jm 3:13-18
      6. Meekness (prautes) is necessary for the Christian woman who
         would be precious in the sight of God - 1Pe 3:1-6
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         GENTLENESS?

[Finally, we consider that virtue which is most needed in dealing with
fleshly lusts...]

IX. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS SELF-CONTROL

   A. THE SELF-CONTROL THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Gr., egkrateia - it comes from the word "kratos" (strength),
         and means "one holding himself in" - Robertson
      2. Thayer defines it as:  "the virtue of one who masters his
         desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites"
      3. MacKnight adds the thought:  "Where this virtue subsists,
         temptation can have little influence."
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of
         SELF-CONTROL in their lives

   B. SELF-CONTROL IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. This virtue is necessary to overcoming the "works of the flesh"
         (such as fornication and outbursts of wrath) - cf. Ga 5:19-20
      2. The indwelling Spirit is given to the Christian to aid us in
         this regard - cf. Ro 8:11-14
      3. The Spirit's aid comes in response to asking for it in prayer
         - cf. Ep 3:16,20
      4. We must be willing to stand strong in the power of God's might
         - cf. Ep 6:12-18
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         SELF-CONTROL?