October 19, 2025 Service - "Cultivated & Called" Week 7

Devotional

Day 1: God’s Faithfulness Is Our Foundation

Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed; His compassions never fail and are new every morning. God’s faithfulness is the bedrock upon which we stand, and it is His steady presence and unwavering love that sustain us through every season—especially in times of trial, disappointment, and uncertainty. When we reflect on our lives, we can see countless ways God has shown up, provided, and carried us, even when we did not realize it in the moment. His faithfulness is not just a distant theological truth but a daily reality that invites us to respond with gratitude, praise, and trust. [03:19]

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV)
"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."

Reflection: Think back on a specific moment when you felt overwhelmed or uncertain—how did God’s faithfulness show up for you, even if you only recognized it in hindsight?

Day 2: Faithfulness Is the Fruit God Cultivates in Us

The Holy Spirit produces faithfulness in the lives of believers, shaping us to reflect God’s own character. This faithfulness is not just about believing in God or confessing His faithfulness, but about living it out in our daily actions, relationships, and commitments. It is a steady, trustworthy presence that others can rely on, a constancy that mirrors God’s own dependability. As we surrender to the Spirit’s work, our lives become marked by a devotion to God and a reliability toward others, showing the world a glimpse of the faithful God we serve. [29:22]

Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV)
"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. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you sense the Holy Spirit inviting you to become more dependable or trustworthy this week?

Day 3: Faithfulness Is Devotion in Worship, Not Just Routine

True faithfulness expresses itself in a deep devotion to God, not merely in outward routines or religious checklists. It is about being captivated by God’s beauty, kindness, and love, so much so that our hearts are surrendered and our lives oriented around Him. This devotion is seen in the lives of biblical figures like Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and ultimately Jesus, who remained faithful even when it was costly or difficult. Faithfulness in worship is not about perfection or performance, but about giving God our full affection and attention, choosing relationship over routine, and surrendering our comfort for His glory. [41:22]

Romans 12:1 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Reflection: Is your worship of God more rooted in routine or in relationship? What is one way you can intentionally give God your full attention and affection today?

Day 4: Faithfulness Means Being Dependable in Our Conduct

Faithfulness is not just a private devotion but is revealed in how we show up for others—in our families, workplaces, schools, and communities. When we are steady, reliable, and present, we reflect the character of God to those around us. Our lives may be the only Bible someone reads, and our faithfulness can point others to the faithful God we serve. Whether it’s in parenting, marriage, work, or friendship, God calls us to be people who keep our word, who show up even when it’s hard, and who bring light into dark places by our consistent presence and love. [47:09]

Matthew 5:16 (ESV)
"In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: Where is God calling you to “show up” more faithfully this week—at home, at work, or in a relationship—and what would that look like in practical terms?

Day 5: Faithfulness Is Choosing to Persevere in Difficult Seasons

Faithfulness is most powerfully revealed not in easy times, but in the midst of trials, disappointments, and seasons we wish we could avoid. Like Frodo in the mines of Moria, we may wish our circumstances were different, but God invites us to ask, “How can I be faithful here?” Instead of wishing away the hard moments, we are called to persevere, to remain present, and to trust that God is cultivating Christlike character in us through every twist and turn. Our faithfulness in the difficult places becomes a testimony to God’s sustaining grace and a source of hope for others. [54:57]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a current challenge or disappointment—how might God be inviting you to remain faithful and present in this situation, rather than wishing it away?

Sermon Summary

Faithfulness is not always the most glamorous or emotionally stirring aspect of our walk with God, but it is one of the most essential. The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, and His mercies are new every morning. As recipients of God’s unwavering faithfulness, we are called to let that same faithfulness take root and grow in our own lives. This is not just about believing in God’s faithfulness or singing about it on Sunday mornings, but about allowing the Holy Spirit to cultivate a dependable, steady, and trustworthy character within us.

Faithfulness is often forged in the difficult seasons—when life is disappointing, frustrating, or uncertain. It is in these moments that our true devotion to God is revealed, and our reliability in relationships is tested. The fruit of faithfulness is not about perfection, but about showing up—again and again, even when it’s hard, even when we don’t feel like it. It’s about being the kind of person who can be counted on, whose word is true, and whose presence is steady.

This faithfulness expresses itself in two primary ways: devoted love for God and dependable conduct toward others. Devoted love is not just about attending church or checking religious boxes, but about a heart captivated by God’s goodness and a life surrendered to His way. It’s the kind of devotion we see in Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and ultimately in Jesus Himself, who remained faithful even unto death. Dependable conduct means that our faith is visible in the way we live—at home, at work, at school, and in our communities. We become living examples of God’s faithfulness, showing up for others, keeping our commitments, and persevering through trials.

The call is not to mere behavior modification, but to a transformation of the heart—a reorientation of our lives around the faithfulness of God. In every season, especially the challenging ones, we are invited to ask: “How can I be faithful here?” Whether in our families, our work, our relationships, or our church, God is cultivating in us a faithfulness that reflects His own. May we be a people who show up, who love deeply, and who live out the dependable, steady character of Christ in every area of our lives.

Key Takeaways

1. Faithfulness is forged in difficulty, not comfort. The true measure of faithfulness is revealed when life is hard, when we face disappointments, frustrations, and trials. In these moments, our devotion to God and our reliability in relationships are tested and refined, shaping us into people who reflect God’s steadfast character. [22:04]
2. God’s faithfulness in us is both vertical and horizontal. As the Spirit cultivates faithfulness, it expresses itself in devoted love for God and dependable conduct toward others. Our faith is not just a private matter; it is meant to be lived out in community, impacting how we love, serve, and show up for those around us. [33:02]
3. Devotion in worship is more than routine; it is a captivated heart. True faithfulness in worship is not about checking boxes or attending services, but about a heart that is surrendered and captivated by God’s goodness. This kind of devotion leads us to choose God’s way, even when it costs us comfort or convenience. [41:02]
4. Our faithfulness is a living testimony to the world. The way we show up—in our families, workplaces, and communities—gives others a glimpse of God’s faithfulness. When we are steady, trustworthy, and present, we become living examples of Christ, inviting others to see and know the faithful God we serve. [49:31]
5. Faithfulness is a call to presence, not just action. God invites us to show up where He has placed us—not just to do more, but to be present, dependable, and surrendered in every area of life. Whether in parenting, marriage, work, or church, faithfulness is about being available and attentive to God’s call in the ordinary and the difficult. [57:18]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:19] - Lamentations: God’s Great Faithfulness
[17:24] - Opening Prayer and Blessing for Children
[19:31] - Introduction: The Challenge of Faithfulness
[20:54] - Faithfulness: Where the Rubber Meets the Road
[23:16] - The Story of Norman Geisler: The Power of Showing Up
[27:13] - Cultivated and Called: Series Recap
[29:05] - Reading Galatians 5: The Fruit of the Spirit
[31:46] - What is Faithfulness?
[33:02] - Faithfulness: Devoted Love and Dependable Conduct
[39:54] - Faithfulness as Devotion in Worship
[46:54] - Faithfulness as Dependable Conduct
[52:53] - Faithfulness in Everyday Life
[53:46] - Lord of the Rings: Choosing Faithfulness in Difficult Times
[56:44] - Reflection and Invitation to Renewed Devotion
[58:05] - Closing Prayer and Call to Faithfulness

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Lamentations 3:22-23 (ESV) — > The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV) — > 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. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

Observation Questions

According to Lamentations 3:22-23, what is the source of hope for God’s people in difficult times?
In Galatians 5:22-25, what does Paul say is the evidence of the Holy Spirit at work in a believer’s life?
The sermon described faithfulness as “showing up—again and again, even when it’s hard, even when we don’t feel like it.” What examples did the pastor give of this kind of faithfulness in everyday life? [[49:31]]
The sermon mentioned that faithfulness is not about perfection, but about being steady and dependable. What biblical characters were highlighted as examples of this? [[43:07]]

Interpretation Questions

The pastor said, “Faithfulness is forged in difficulty, not comfort.” Why might God allow our faithfulness to be tested in hard seasons? [[22:04]]
The sermon described faithfulness as both “devoted love for God and dependable conduct toward others.” Why is it important that faithfulness is expressed both vertically (toward God) and horizontally (toward people)? [[33:02]]
The pastor asked, “Is your worship and is your devotion rooted in routine, this is what I do, or is it rooted in a relationship with the living God, communion with him?” What is the difference between routine and relationship in our faith? [[45:55]]
The sermon said, “Our faithfulness is a living testimony to the world.” How does our faithfulness (or lack of it) impact how others see God? [[49:31]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared a story about a church bus driver who kept showing up for a boy named Norman, even when there was no visible change for years. Is there someone in your life you are tempted to give up on? What would it look like to “keep showing up” for them? [[26:19]]
Think about a current area of your life that feels disappointing, frustrating, or uncertain. What would it look like to ask, “How can I be faithful here?” instead of “Why is this happening?” [[54:57]]
The sermon challenged us to be people whose “yes is yes and whose no is no.” Is there a commitment you have made (at home, work, church, or elsewhere) that you are struggling to keep? What step could you take this week to follow through? [[37:32]]
The pastor asked, “Is your worship rooted in routine or in relationship?” What is one practical way you could move your worship from routine to deeper relationship with God this week? [[45:55]]
The sermon described faithfulness as “showing up where God has placed you—not just to do more, but to be present, dependable, and surrendered.” Where do you sense God inviting you to be more present and dependable right now? [[57:18]]
The pastor mentioned that faithfulness is not about behavior modification, but about a transformation of the heart. Is there an area where you have been trying to “act” faithful without letting God change your heart? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to work in that area? [[27:49]]
The sermon gave examples of faithfulness in different life stages—parenting, marriage, work, retirement, school. Which of these areas is most challenging for you right now? What is one small, specific way you can reflect God’s faithfulness there this week? [[50:11]]

Sermon Clips

We are not called simply to hear God's word and to walk away unchanged. We're not called to sit in Sunday after Sunday after Sunday and to say, good message, preacher. He should learn how to talk a little bit. We're not called just to hear good messages and great singing and fellowship together, but to leave this place unchanged. We are called to come to this place, to gather with the body of Christ, to receive the manna from heaven and to allow the Holy Spirit to transform us. [00:27:57] (39 seconds) #TransformedNotJustInformed

God calls us to be marked by faithfulness. And we attribute it towards God and we receive His faithfulness. But here the Apostle Paul turns it inward, if you will. That faithfulness is not just believing in God. It's not just confessing His faithfulness, but it is the call to live like God. It is the call to exemplify and to exhibit His character, His faithfulness in our lives. [00:34:28] (33 seconds) #LiveFaithfullyLikeGod

Faithfulness in worship, it is not about a moment in a service. It is about a lifestyle that is surrendered fully and completely to the way of Jesus. It's not a one hour experience, but it is a whole life that is oriented around the way of Jesus. [00:44:57] (20 seconds) #WholeLifeSurrender

When our hearts are captured by God's beauty, when our hearts are captivated by the kindness and the goodness and the love of God, our lives, I believe, respond in devotion. We give ourselves to him. In our choices, in our attitudes, in our affections, and it is our lives that are declaring, Lord, you have our hearts. You have my trust, you have our obedience, you have our love, you have our affection. [00:45:17] (31 seconds) #DevotionInAction

Are you living as a person with dependable faith? That when the people around you look at your life, at home, at work, at school, in your neighborhood, do they see the faithfulness of God shining through you? Do they see the glimpse of the Father in heaven who is faithful? Do they see him in you? [00:55:56] (30 seconds) #RenewedDevotionAndPresence

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