Sermon Notes 07 December 2025

Series: Fruit That Lasts – Living the Spirit-Filled Life
Week 6 –  Faithfulness: Strong Enough To Stay
Pastor Ryan Perry Sermon 07 December 2025
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Series Theme

• The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give power—He grows the life of Jesus in us.
• Power without character is dangerous; gifts without growth are hollow.
• Discipleship isn’t information—it’s formation:
• Christ-likeness, shaped by the Spirit as we stay rooted in Christ.

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VERSES:
Galatians 5:22–23 • Hebrews 3:1–14 • Matthew 25:21 • Revelation 2:10 • Psalm 37:1–9

1. FAITHFULNESS IS A FRUIT, NOT A FEELING

• The world celebrates talent. Jesus celebrates faithfulness.
• Pistótēs = covenant-keeping reliability; steady, dependable, loyal.
• Faithfulness is not personality, discipline, or willpower—
  It is the supernatural strength the Spirit grows in you.
• Our job: Abide. Surrender. Show up.
• God’s job: Strengthen. Stabilize. Show off.

2. FIX YOUR EYES ON JESUS (Hebrews 3:1–14)

• The early church was tired and drifting; God’s prescription:
  “Consider Jesus… hold firmly… encourage one another daily.”
• Israel quit in the wilderness.
• Jesus stayed obedient in the wilderness and on the cross.
• Faithfulness = not hype, not emotion—just staying.

3. FAITHFUL IN LITTLE, FAITHFUL IN MUCH (Matthew 25:21)

• Jesus does not say “Well done, successful servant.”
• He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
• Be faithful when:
  • No one claps
  • The assignment feels small
  • The harvest is slow
• God multiplies whatever you refuse to drop.

4. FAITHFUL UNDER PRESSURE (Revelation 2:10)

• Smyrna faced death; Jesus said: “Be faithful unto death.”
• Our pressure today looks different—social, financial, cultural—
  but the call is the same:
  Stay faithful even when it costs comfort, approval, or reputation.
• Pressure doesn’t break the faithful—it reveals them.

5. THE FAITHFULNESS PLAYBOOK (Psalm 37:1–9)
David’s steps for staying planted:

1. Trust in the Lord
2. Do good
3. Dwell in the land
4. Befriend faithfulness
5. Delight in the Lord
6. Commit your way
7. Be still
8. Wait patiently

Most fruit never reaches the table because we uproot too soon.

6. VISION 2030: FAITHFUL TOGETHER

1. Faithful Roots — prayer, worship, Scripture, holiness
2. Faithful Branches — serving, showing up, reliability
3. Faithful Fruit — gospel mission to our community and the world

Vision 2030 is not a sprint—It is steady, Spirit-grown faithfulness becoming a movement.

RESPONSE: “Lord, Make Me Faithful”

• Return. Recommit. Receive strength to stay.
• Jesus was faithful for us—now He makes us faithful too.