Galatians 5:22-23

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. 

*Illustration: Old Faithful (Image or video)

Faithfulness described:

• Reliable or constant.
• You can count it.
• Respected or marveled at for continued trustworthiness.

Unfaithful described:

• Didn’t fulfill expectations.
• Violation of relational vows.
• No longer trusted, broken relationship, not sought out.

- (Galatians 5:22) good faith, honesty, integrity, walking the walk, not wavering.

aman or emunah (Hebrew)- trustworthy, constant, reliable.

God is the standard of constant reliability and trustworthiness. 

Psalms 26:3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

• We know God for nothing less than he is unchanging and worthy of trust.
  
  
• Our emotional and spiritual stability is reliant upon God’s faithfulness.

Psalm 36:5 Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.

• The love and faithfulness of God is beyond our comprehension.
  
  
• There is nothing beyond the reach of God’s love and faithfulness.

Psalm 40:10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.

• God’s love and faithfulness are newsworthy of being shared with our oikos.

If not for God’s love and faithfulness the cross never happens.

Proverbs 16:6 Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.

• The cross was not a duty but love on display.

Our level of faithfulness does not determine God’s faithfulness.

Romans 3:3 What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness?

• Our unfaithfulness will distort some people’s view of God’s faithfulness.

Being faithful is a reliance on God for the outcomes of life. 

1 Samuel 26:23 The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed.

• By faithfully relying on God’s faithfulness we have confidence in his coverage for the outcomes.

We experience God when we live out love and faithfulness.

Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

• Embrace God’s character for yourself.

Proverbs 14:22 Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness.

• We will experience God’s love and faithfulness as we pursue and live out his goodness.

Proverbs 20:28 Love and faithfulness keep a king safe; through love his throne is made secure.

• People follow leaders who lead with pure motives and reliable actions.

Benediction: 

3 John 3 It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. 

Discussion Guide:

1. How have you seen someone’s unfaithfulness in a marriage damage not only the spouse but others? Explain.
2. Give an example of a marriage where you have seen faithfulness give strength and encouragement to others? Why is it that a faithful marriage strengthens others?
3. Read 1 Samuel 26. How does David show trust in God’s faithfulness in his challenging situation? How is David rewarded for his faithfulness in trusting God’s faithfulness?
4. What does it look like to aspire to having 3 John 3 said about you?