Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit Never out of Season
“Faithfulness” & “Gentleness”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS,
and self-control…”
-Galatians 5:22
FAITHFULNESS requires us to submit our ways to God. It’s realizing that we are in need of a Savior and that He is in control of our lives.
Genesis 24:17 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.
Joshua 24:14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.
2 Samuel 2:6 “May the Lord now show you kindness and faithfulness, and I too will show you the same favor because you have done this.”
Psalm 57:10 “For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.”
Psalm 86:15 “But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.”
1 Corinthians 1:9 “God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.”
1 Corinthians 4:2 “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust, is faithful.”
Song: "O God My Faithful God"
vs. 1
O God, my faithful God,
True fountain ever flowing,
Without whom nothing is,
All perfect gifts bestowing:
Give me a healthy frame,
And may I have within
A conscience free from blame,
A soul unstained by sin.
vs. 4
Lord, let me win my foes
With kindly words and actions,
And let me find good friends
For counsel and correction,
Help me, as you have taught,
To love both great and small
And by Your Spirit’s might
To live in peace with all.
Trust God’s faithfulness –
1.Not to be afraid in times of suffering or in times the enemy is closing in. Do not fear sickness, trust in the Lord.
2.Stand firm in faith on the promises of God.
3.Step forward in faith and victory in Christ and see God’s deliverance, provision, salvation, healing, and faithfulness in crisis.
What gentleness means Biblically: Rather than asserting superiority, someone who is gentle wants to help others, even when they have done wrong.
An example of gentleness can be seen in John 8 when the Pharisees bring a woman who was caught in adultery to Jesus.
So, how do we get gentleness?
1.Be patient. It takes time to build trust. Practice being as gentle as you want to be, and continually evaluate your actions.
2.Do not expect anyone to forgive you. If people do forgive you for a past violent act, do not expect them to forget. You cannot change the past, but you can shape the future.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”
1 Corinthians 4:21 “What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?”
2 Corinthians 10:1a “By meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you –”.
1 Timothy 6:11 “But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”
2 Timothy 2:25 “Those who oppose him, he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”
1 Peter 3:15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.
This song is to the tune:
“Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
We need gentleness,
We need it every day.
The way we walk,
The way we talk,
And the way we play. (3 times)