FAITHFULNESS IS LOVE'S COMMITMENT (7 OF 9)
Scripture: Galatians 5:22, Hosea 4:1-12
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Faithfulness Is Love's Commitment (7 of 9)
Series: Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Dennis Marquardt
Galatians 5:22,24-25; Hosea 4:1-12
INTRO: One of the most important qualities in all healthy relationships is "faithfulness." In a culture that emphasizes success it is difficult for the importance of this quality to be fully appreciated. And yet, when we look at the life and teaching of Jesus we don't hear ANYTHING about success, Jesus didn't say, "Well done, you successful servant" He said, "Well done, you FAITHFUL servant."
Even parables that mention elements of success the emphasis is on faithfulness and not success - such as the parable of the talents and their investment by all but one wicked servant who never invested the one talent he was given. The focus of the parable was not the doubling of the investments by the others, but their faithfulness to invest.
Yet, as Christians we live in a culture that values things like success and reputations … and faithfulness is hardly ever the focus!
ILLUS: Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -- John Wooden former UCLA basketball coach, Marriage Partnership, Vol. 13, no. 3.
There is a great challenge for Christians living in a culture that has placed other values much higher than faithfulness … yet it is this very quality that characterizes the fullness of the Spirit in our lives! It is NOT an option in the Christian life, nor is it a value that can be minimized.
PROP. SENT: The Word of God teaches us that faithfulness IS THE characteristic of a Christian's commitment to Christ, faithfulness is love's commitment.
I. FAILURE Hosea 4:1-12
A. Challenge Hosea 4:1-2
1. Hosea found himself in a culture similar to ours today.
a. Israel was coming to the end of a very prosperous time in her history.
b. Corruption within institutions, religion, and poli ...
Series: Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Dennis Marquardt
Galatians 5:22,24-25; Hosea 4:1-12
INTRO: One of the most important qualities in all healthy relationships is "faithfulness." In a culture that emphasizes success it is difficult for the importance of this quality to be fully appreciated. And yet, when we look at the life and teaching of Jesus we don't hear ANYTHING about success, Jesus didn't say, "Well done, you successful servant" He said, "Well done, you FAITHFUL servant."
Even parables that mention elements of success the emphasis is on faithfulness and not success - such as the parable of the talents and their investment by all but one wicked servant who never invested the one talent he was given. The focus of the parable was not the doubling of the investments by the others, but their faithfulness to invest.
Yet, as Christians we live in a culture that values things like success and reputations … and faithfulness is hardly ever the focus!
ILLUS: Be more concerned with your character than with your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. -- John Wooden former UCLA basketball coach, Marriage Partnership, Vol. 13, no. 3.
There is a great challenge for Christians living in a culture that has placed other values much higher than faithfulness … yet it is this very quality that characterizes the fullness of the Spirit in our lives! It is NOT an option in the Christian life, nor is it a value that can be minimized.
PROP. SENT: The Word of God teaches us that faithfulness IS THE characteristic of a Christian's commitment to Christ, faithfulness is love's commitment.
I. FAILURE Hosea 4:1-12
A. Challenge Hosea 4:1-2
1. Hosea found himself in a culture similar to ours today.
a. Israel was coming to the end of a very prosperous time in her history.
b. Corruption within institutions, religion, and poli ...
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