Staying Connected: Cultivating Faithfulness in Turbulent Times

Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered at Friesland Community Church to reflect on God's enduring faithfulness, especially in times of senseless violence and turmoil. Psalm 119:89-91 reminds us that God's word is eternal and His faithfulness spans all generations. Even in the face of recent violence, we are called to be led by God's Spirit, not by anger. We celebrated God's faithfulness and the spiritual fruit of faithfulness that should be evident in every believer.

During the children's sermon, we used apples to illustrate the importance of staying connected to Jesus, the true vine, to grow and ripen in our faith. Just as an apple needs to stay connected to the tree to become ripe and sweet, we need to stay connected to Jesus through prayer, scripture, and community to grow in the fruit of the Spirit.

We also discussed the importance of faithfulness in both big and small things. Using the example of the I-35W bridge collapse in 2007, we learned that even a small failure can lead to a massive collapse. Similarly, God's faithfulness in small things ensures our foundation is always secure. David's words in Psalm 57:9-11 and the story of Joseph remind us that God is always working behind the scenes, even in times of hardship.

Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24-27 emphasize the importance of building our lives on the firm foundation of His words. Faithfulness isn't just about the big acts but also about the small, consistent acts of obedience. Quick fixes may seem appealing, but steady growth leads to true fruitfulness. We are called to stay connected to Jesus, the true vine, to produce a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit.

In conclusion, we are reminded that no good works make us worthy; only Jesus does that. However, staying connected to Him will naturally lead to good works. We must cultivate the fruit of the Spirit by staying vigilant in our faith, praying, reading scripture, and living out the truth. Let us press on towards the goal that God has for us, never neglecting the small things that build a strong foundation of faithfulness.

### Key Takeaways

1. God's Faithfulness in All Things: Psalm 119:89-91 teaches us that God's word is eternal and His faithfulness spans all generations. Even in times of senseless violence and turmoil, we are called to trust in God's enduring faithfulness and be led by His Spirit, not by anger. This faithfulness is not just in the grand events but in the small, everyday moments of our lives. [03:52]

2. Staying Connected to Jesus: Just as an apple needs to stay connected to the tree to ripen, we need to stay connected to Jesus to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. This connection is maintained through prayer, reading scripture, and being in community. Without this connection, our spiritual growth is stunted, and we cannot produce the sweet, ripe fruit that God desires. [17:01]

3. Faithfulness in Small Things: The I-35W bridge collapse in 2007 illustrates how a small failure can lead to a massive collapse. Similarly, God's faithfulness in small things ensures our foundation is always secure. We must not overlook the small acts of faithfulness in our lives, as they build the strong foundation needed to withstand life's storms. [46:19]

4. Building on a Firm Foundation: Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24-27 emphasize the importance of building our lives on the firm foundation of His words. Faithfulness isn't just about the big acts but also about the small, consistent acts of obedience. Quick fixes may seem appealing, but steady growth leads to true fruitfulness. [50:32]

5. Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit: We are called to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit by staying vigilant in our faith. This involves regular prayer, reading scripture, and living out the truth. By doing so, we stay connected to Jesus, the true vine, and produce a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit. This steady growth leads to a life that reflects God's faithfulness and love. [01:00:25]

### YouTube Chapters

[0:00] - Welcome
[03:52] - Opening Prayer and Worship
[09:28] - Praise Songs and Reflection
[15:17] - Children's Sermon: The Apple Lesson
[24:57] - Special Offering Announcement
[27:30] - Community and National Prayer
[37:17] - Sermon: Faithfulness and the Fruit of the Spirit
[50:32] - Building on a Firm Foundation
[01:00:25] - Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
[01:03:36] - Closing Prayer and Song
[01:12:39] - Benediction and Farewell

Study Guide

### Bible Reading

1. Psalm 119:89-91: "Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you."
2. Matthew 7:24-27: "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."
3. Galatians 5:22-25: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

### Observation Questions

1. What does Psalm 119:89-91 say about the nature of God's word and His faithfulness?
2. In the children's sermon, what was the significance of the apple illustration? ([17:01])
3. According to Matthew 7:24-27, what is the difference between the wise and foolish builders?
4. What are the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-25?

### Interpretation Questions

1. How does Psalm 119:89-91 provide comfort in times of senseless violence and turmoil? ([03:52])
2. Why is staying connected to Jesus compared to an apple staying connected to the tree? What does this imply about our spiritual growth? ([17:01])
3. How does the story of the I-35W bridge collapse illustrate the importance of faithfulness in small things? ([46:19])
4. What does it mean to build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus' words according to Matthew 7:24-27? How does this relate to faithfulness? ([50:32])

### Application Questions

1. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's faithfulness in a small, everyday moment. How did it impact your faith? ([47:09])
2. What are some practical ways you can stay connected to Jesus daily through prayer, scripture, and community? ([17:01])
3. Think of a small act of faithfulness you can commit to this week. How can this act help build a stronger foundation in your spiritual life? ([46:19])
4. Are there areas in your life where you have been seeking quick fixes rather than steady growth? How can you shift your focus to long-term faithfulness? ([51:33])
5. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel needs more cultivation in your life. What specific steps can you take to nurture this fruit? ([01:00:25])
6. How can you apply Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24-27 to a current challenge you are facing? What does building on a firm foundation look like in this situation? ([50:32])
7. Reflect on the statement, "No good works make us worthy; only Jesus does that." How does this truth influence your approach to good works and faithfulness? ([59:09])

Devotional

Day 1: Trusting in God's Enduring Faithfulness
God's faithfulness is not limited to grand events but is evident in the small, everyday moments of our lives. Psalm 119:89-91 teaches us that God's word is eternal and His faithfulness spans all generations. Even in times of senseless violence and turmoil, we are called to trust in God's enduring faithfulness and be led by His Spirit, not by anger. This faithfulness is a constant reminder that God is always with us, guiding us through both the good and the challenging times.

In our daily lives, it can be easy to overlook the small ways in which God shows His faithfulness. Whether it's through a kind word from a friend, a moment of peace in a busy day, or the beauty of nature around us, God's faithfulness is always present. By recognizing and appreciating these small moments, we can strengthen our trust in God's unwavering presence and love. [03:52]

Psalm 119:89-91 (ESV): "Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; you have established the earth, and it stands fast. By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants."

Reflection: Think of a recent small moment where you felt God's presence. How can you remind yourself of God's faithfulness in your daily life?

Day 2: Staying Connected to Jesus
Just as an apple needs to stay connected to the tree to ripen, we need to stay connected to Jesus to grow in the fruit of the Spirit. This connection is maintained through prayer, reading scripture, and being in community. Without this connection, our spiritual growth is stunted, and we cannot produce the sweet, ripe fruit that God desires.

Staying connected to Jesus requires intentional effort and commitment. It means setting aside time each day to pray, read the Bible, and engage with fellow believers. By doing so, we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us, transforming us and helping us to grow in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This growth is a lifelong journey, but it is one that brings us closer to God and helps us to live out His will for our lives. [17:01]

John 15:4-5 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: What specific steps can you take today to strengthen your connection to Jesus? How can you incorporate prayer, scripture, and community into your daily routine?

Day 3: Faithfulness in Small Things
The I-35W bridge collapse in 2007 illustrates how a small failure can lead to a massive collapse. Similarly, God's faithfulness in small things ensures our foundation is always secure. We must not overlook the small acts of faithfulness in our lives, as they build the strong foundation needed to withstand life's storms.

In our walk with God, it is often the small, consistent acts of obedience that make the biggest difference. These acts may seem insignificant at the time, but they contribute to a solid foundation of faith. By being faithful in the little things, we demonstrate our trust in God and our commitment to following His will. This faithfulness prepares us to face larger challenges with confidence, knowing that God is with us every step of the way. [46:19]

Luke 16:10 (ESV): "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much."

Reflection: Identify a small area in your life where you can practice faithfulness today. How can you be more intentional in your daily acts of obedience to God?

Day 4: Building on a Firm Foundation
Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:24-27 emphasize the importance of building our lives on the firm foundation of His words. Faithfulness isn't just about the big acts but also about the small, consistent acts of obedience. Quick fixes may seem appealing, but steady growth leads to true fruitfulness.

Building a firm foundation in Christ requires dedication and perseverance. It means consistently applying His teachings to our lives, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. By doing so, we create a strong, stable base that can withstand the storms of life. This foundation is built through daily habits of prayer, scripture reading, and living out God's truth. As we grow in our faith, we become more resilient and better equipped to handle whatever challenges come our way. [50:32]

Matthew 7:24-25 (ESV): "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock."

Reflection: What are some specific ways you can build a stronger foundation in Christ? How can you incorporate His teachings into your daily life to ensure steady spiritual growth?

Day 5: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
We are called to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit by staying vigilant in our faith. This involves regular prayer, reading scripture, and living out the truth. By doing so, we stay connected to Jesus, the true vine, and produce a harvest of the fruit of the Spirit. This steady growth leads to a life that reflects God's faithfulness and love.

Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit is an ongoing process that requires intentional effort and dedication. It means being mindful of our actions and attitudes, and striving to align them with God's will. By staying connected to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in us, we can develop qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities not only benefit our own spiritual growth but also positively impact those around us, reflecting God's love and faithfulness to the world. [01:00:25]

Galatians 5:22-23 (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."

Reflection: Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel you need to cultivate more in your life? What practical steps can you take today to develop this quality and reflect God's love to others?

Quotes

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "As Christ followers we should have level heads towards whatever's going on. Not led by anger. We can be angry but not being led by anger. We should be led by God's spirit and we do that today as we're celebrating God's faithfulness today as we look at the the spiritual fruit of faithfulness that is in each and every believer." [03:52] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The only way we're going to ripen is if we stay connected to Jesus but so many people walk away from the fruit of the spirit and they won't get any more ripe. Are they Christians? Possibly we don't know only God knows that but the way we continue to get to a place we all want to be is staying connected to Jesus by reading the word by helping each other out being in community." [18:36] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "We need to stay connected to the tree until we are fully ripe and when we are fully ripe that is when we are ready to go home to be with Jesus. Yes, this world is great and I don't want to leave this world but the world that is with Jesus in person we want that." [57:57] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "No good works make us worthy. Only Jesus does that. But Jesus causes us to do good works. We need to realize that we can't divorce good works from salvation. But good works will never get us to salvation. That's why the doctrine of grace is so important to us and so often misunderstood." [59:09] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We have an enemy who is trying to destroy us. Satan hates humanity, and he wants to take us out, away from the vine, away from the tree of life. But yet, God says, I'm here. And I'm reminded of that this week as I always try to read this book by C.S. Lewis. It's called Screwtape Letters. And it's an allegory or fiction about two demons trying to take people away from God." [01:11:43] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "We should continue to grow and get rid of the acts of the flesh. So I don't know if you can remember back to 2007 August 1st, 2007. I actually know where I was in that day. I had just started my program in my undergrad. I felt God calling me into ministry and Pastor Barry had said you need to get trained. Yes, you may be gifted in some of these areas like music and speaking and whatnot but you need to get trained theologically." [42:29] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Faithfulness isn't just in the big things. It's the small things too that are important. We see this all the time when hurricanes come to the coastline. Houses that weren't properly built they get destroyed. But as building codes get better and they start building more and more sturdy structures they withstand these hurricanes. Why? Because they've learned their lessons from the failures. See, one small failure can cause a massive collapse. But consistent faithfulness builds a structure that will stand firm in the hardships." [51:33] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Quick fixes they'll always lead to failures. Steady growth leads to fruitfulness. We need to understand that we can't just do the big things and call it good. In my younger years I thought I was a good person because I didn't do those big, big sins. But I had so much stuff in me and I still am wrestling with things that are within me that I know that I'm not good at or not from God." [53:15] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "We need to stay connected to the tree. We need to stay connected to Jesus. How do we do that? Well, we've been saying this almost every week. Prayer. Praying to him. How's your prayer life? Is it just when life hits the fan that you're like, oh, I'm going to pray to Jesus? Like throwing up the Hail Mary? Or are you having a conversation with God daily? Maybe sometimes more. Are you staying connected through prayer? Are you staying connected through scripture? Reading scripture letting it wash over your mind to tell you the truth from a truth. And then finally living out the truth." [01:00:25] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "We need to be pressing on towards the goal that God has for us. Never forgetting that we have so many distractions in our world today. We have so many good things. But are we neglecting the great things at our own peril. Let's pray Lord I pray as we get ready to close today that we're reminded that your faithfulness should cause us to be faithful as well." [01:01:42] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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Transcript

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