Wednesday Sermon by Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

FAITHFULNESS-GENTLENESS-SELF CONTROL

SERIES: THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22-25

 

Only the power of God can produce the character of God in our lives. Faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are signs of life-marks of vibrant living.

The believer is to be a living example that there is life and a better way. That there is God’s power, a power beyond ourselves to help us be the people we were created to be. Writing about this issue, the apostle Paul said, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him”-Colossians 2:6-10. Let us look at this three fruit or flavors of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

FAITHFULNESS.

  • We live in a culture where things are fake, things are just not real anymore. People are becoming more fake than real.
  • We have fake people called personalities in the dark world, people let us down, go back on their word, break their promises.
  • But God is different.  God is real. God is faithful.
  • Today we have fake hair, fake beards, eye lashes, fake lenses, fake teeth, nails, breasts, buttocks, muscles.  Today we always ask, is that real or fake including fake news.
  • But God is different, God is real and God is faithful.
  1. God is faithful in temptations-1st Cor. 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
  2. God is faithful in protecting us from evil.

“But the LORD is faithful and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one-2nd Thess. 3:3.

  1. God is faithful in forgiving us.
  • “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness:-1st john 1:9.
  • But why is faithfulness such an attractive character trait for us to cultivate?
  1. Because it singles you out as a christian.
  • It is a sign that Christ lives in you and you have an assured future with Him in heaven.
  1. Because you will be entrusted with greater influence and responsibility by God and for God in the world-Matt. 25:23.
  • To the faithful God shows Himself faithful.

2nd Sam. 22:26, “To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show yourself integrity.”

  • God’s faithfulness is given to the faithful.
  • Joseph was faithful to his master. His master concerned himself only with his food-Gen. 39:6.
  • Daniels was very faithful. He had no corruption or negligent-Daniel 6:4.
  • Moses was faithful servant-Hebrews 3:5.
  • The worker who worked under Jeholada acted with complete honesty-2nd Kings 12:5.

But what is faithful?

  1. The Hebrew word khaw-seed=merciful, kind, pious, godly, good, holy, saint, loyal.
  2. God protects the faithful-godly, God will never abandon the faithful-Psalm 27:28.
  3. God’s eyes are on the faithful-Psalm 101:6.
  4. God remains faithful even when we are not faithful-2nd Tim. 2:13.

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful to those with integrity you show integrity”-2nd Sam. 22:26.

GENTLENESS.

  • Divine gentleness is about being strong, it is strength under control.
  • Divine gentleness means being submitted to God’s will.
  • Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your souls.”
  • Divine gentleness means being teachable.
  • Psalm 25:9, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”
  • Divine gentleness means being considerate.
  • “Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love”-Ephesians 4:2.
  • So why is gentleness such an attractive character trait for you to cultivate?
  1. Because gentleness will keep you looking good without plastic surgery!!-1st Peter 3:3-4.
  2. Because gentleness gives you greater influence-1st Peter 3:15.
  3. Divine gentleness is available to everyone who clings to Jesus Christ-Col. 2:6-10.

SELF-CONTROL.

  • We need divine help to be more self-controlled in our eating habits, spending habits, sexual habits, work ethics, parenting skills, language and speech, our thought life, exercise, spiritual habits (prayer, Bible study, service to God and others, temper.)
  • You will never make progress in any of these areas on your own, only the power of God can produce the character of God-2nd Peter 1:3-8.
  1. Self-control is the ability to control oneself, in particular to control one’s emotions and desires.
  • There are limits to freedom. “Your freedom extends to the end of your nose.” As on as your freedom encroaches on somebody else’s yours has to be limited.
  • Self-control means self-mastery-to master our bodies, our minds, our speech, our emotions, our habits.
  • In relation to food-self-control means moderation-Prov. 26:16.
  • In relation to sexuality it is restraint until marriage.
  • In relation to anger it means forbearance-Prov. 29:11.
  • In relationship to success it means humility.
  • In relationship to pleasure it means self-denial-Prov. 21:7.
  • In relationship to speech it means control your mouth-Ephesians 4:29.
  1. How to get self-control.
  • Self-boundaries. This far I will go no further.
  • When it comes to food, don’t get seconds.
  • On dates, don’t be alone in darkness or closed doors.
  • Think of consequences, lean of God’s resources.
  • Depend on God’s power not your own strength.
  • Rebuild your walls. Know your weak areas.
  • Pray and let God give you wisdom when you go and when you come. Let Christ be your Savior and guide.

CONCLUSION

  • It is God’s purpose for you to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit and so be just like His son Jesus Christ.
  • It was His purpose for you even before you were born-Romans 8:29, “He predestined us to be conformed to the likeness of His son.”
  • It is His purpose for you now, “And we are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the spirit”-2nd Cor. 3:18.
  • It is His purpose for you on that last day-1st John 3:2.

“What we will be has not yet been made known. But when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

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Rev, DR. Willy Mutiso

Rev, Dr. Willy Mutiso is the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Athiriver. He is widely known for his practical and dynamic teaching style which helps people apply the timeless truths of Scripture to their everyday lives.

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