Eighth message in Branches series on the fruit of the Spirit and union with Christ. After love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, we arrive at gentleness.

Galatians 5:22-24

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

Gospel of Matthew 11:25-30

"All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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• "Look to Christ. He deals gently with you. It’s the only way he knows how to be. He is the high priest to end all high priests. As long as you fix your attention on your sin, you will fail to see how you can be safe. But as long as you look to this high priest, you will fail to see how you can be in danger. Looking inside ourselves, we can anticipate only harshness from heaven. Looking out to Christ, we can anticipate only gentleness.”

  —Dane Ortlund, Gently & Lowly (57)

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  Preached on Sunday, March 23, 2025 at Renew Church by Pastor Jeff Patterson

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Talkback after Sunday 3/16/25 teaching » ⁠Branches: FAITHFULNESS⁠

• Featuring questions about kindness, goodness, and faithfulness, discussed between Logan Gilstrap and Jeff Patterson.
• How can we still display goodness to those who have wronged us, broken our trust, or disrespected us? Perhaps we have forgiven them. But the natural human and sinful instinct of having a tough time trusting them again, to strain with displaying goodness, can still be there and linger. Does that mean we haven't truly forgiven them?

Seventh message in Branches series on the fruit of the Spirit and union with Christ. After love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, we arrive at faithfulness.

Galatians 5:22-24

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

God is worthy of our faithfulness. » Why is He worthy? » Because He is faithful.

Gospel of John 15:1-17

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."

God provides for us (vv. 4-7)

God relates to us (vv. 15-16)

How do we faithfully respond?

• Patronage in the Roman Empire (Friends vs. "Friends")
• We abide in God (vv. 1-7)
• We obey God (vv. 9-17)
• We glorify God (v. 8)
• Our faithfulness to God glorifies Him, as everyone can see the fruit of His labor.
• We love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength since He deserves it.
• We love our neighbor for the exact same reason. Not because they deserve it, but because God deserves it.

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Preached on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at Renew Church by Logan Gilstrap

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