How to Walk in the Spirit of Faithfulness

Philemon 4-7

Introduction.

  1. Loyalty in the military.

    1. On Sunday evening last week, we brought up the motto for the US Coast Guard, semper paratis.

    2. This morning, let us consider the motto for the US Marine Corps: Semper fi.

    3. This is actually short for semper fidelis—always faithful.

    4. They are always to be faithful to home and country, to their brothers in arms.

    5. Well, a young man in the military confided to someone that he never went about with another woman if he was within fifty miles of home.

    6. He was no doubt loyal to his country, to his fellow soldiers, but he was not loyal to his woman.

    7. His loyalty to her went only fifty miles.

    8. How far does your loyalty to the Lord go?

    9. Let’s consider this topic as we delve into the next characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit: faithfulness.

  2. Definition.

    1. This is an interesting Greek word which is used many times throughout the Scripture.

    2. It is the word πίστις, which is most often translated as “faith” – which is how it is translated in Gal. 5:22 in the KJV.

    3. But the word is used in a different sense here—I mean, clearly you’re going to have faith if you’re listening to Paul at all.

    4. So what kind of faith is this? Thayer offers these words: “fidelity, faithfulness, i.e. the character of one who can be relied on.”

    5. We might include words like loyal and reliable, someone who can be counted on, trusted.

    6. Are you faithful? Reliable? Loyal? Trustworthy? Can you be counted on?

  3. Philemon was one who was loving and faithful to the Lord and to others (Phm 4-5).

    1. Faithfulness to the Lord.

    2. Faithfulness to Others.

Body.

  1. Faithfulness to the Lord.

    1. God is faithful.

      1. In salvation (1 Cor. 1:9).

      2. In keeping us from sin (1 Cor. 10:13).

      3. In keeping His promises (2 Cor. 1:18-20).

    2. We should be faithful to Him.

      1. Not like the Pharisees (Matt. 23:23-24).

      2. Be faithful in worship (Phm 6; Heb. 10:24-25).

      3. Be faithful in obedience (1 John 2:3-6).

  2. Faithfulness to Others.

    1. In refreshing the hearts of our brethren (Phm 7; Prov. 25:13).

      1. Through hospitality (Heb. 13:2; Phm 1-2).

      2. Through giving to those in need (1 John 3:17).

      3. Through bearing one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-2; Matt. 11:28-30; Acts 3:19).

      4. Through kindness and goodness and love (Gal. 5:22).

    1.  
    2. In being dependable.

      1. Without it, we are a constant irritation (Prov. 25:19).

      2. We will keep secrets (Prov. 11:13).

      3. Yet we will be honest (Prov. 14:5; 27:6).

Conclusion.

  1. In our lives, let us learn to be faithful to one another.

    1. By refreshing their hearts,

    2. and being one you can count on.

  2. But more importantly, let us learn to be faithful to God!

    1. In every aspect of our lives, serving Him.

    2. In worship and in obedience.

    3. Not like the hypocrite.

    4. For we are soldiers in an army (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

  3. We can begin that journey of faithfulness by becoming a Christian.