Introduction: I found this illustration to open this message.  Some years ago, a preacher and his wife and I in a church they were, there were regular fellowships in the homes of different members. On one particular occasion, the fellowship was in the home of a couple, and she was not a cook. But she, determined to give her guest the best, did some baking. (After all, how hard could it be; just follow the recipe.)

      She did an admirable job.  The cake was moist and delicious; the cookies were enjoyable.  The fact that she had tried so hard made it all the more pleasant.  But one thing she lacked.  She had made a lemon meringue pie that really looked good.  But she had forgotten to put the lemon in her meringue pie.  It was not good!  Tasteless. Yuk!  Good for nothing but to be thrown out.

      There is a lesson here, Christians.  If you are a professing Christian and you are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit you are like a lemon-meringue pie without lemon- no flavor.

      Fruit bearing is the external evidence to an observing world that Christ lives within.  You cannot be filled with the Spirit and not produce fruit.  And the aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that we have under consideration this morning is FAITH. 

      In 1884, Albert Barnes said, "No man can be a Christian who is not thus faithful, and all pretensions to being under the influence of the Holy Spirit when such fidelity does not exist, are deceitful and vain.”

We looked at four parts on the virtue of faith last time.  We saw the definition of faith.  It is simple as the Bible can make it. Hebrews 11:1

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

      We also saw the direction of faith.  There is scripture faith.  It refers to everything that is written in the Word of God.  We don’t need more revelation but living according to the written Word of God.  But many have departed from the faith to run after the human reasoning and doctrine.  If you cannot prove it from the plainly written Word of God, then you have a doctrine of man.  I was reading this article in regards to a certain religious denomination that has as it leader a woman who has embraced new age philosophy, homosexuality and the goal of ending world wide disease like a charter from the United Nations.  As I was reading this, I wondered where in the Bible all this was located.

      Then there is saving faith.  This is where we cast away all confidence in the flesh, and fling ourselves upon the mercy and grace of God, in a spirit of repentance, and commit our souls into His hands.    Hebrews 10:39 

"But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul."

                                                Ephesians 2:8-9

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

      I am glad I can trust the Bible to show the way of salvation and not some church or family ideas.

      There is also serving faith.  We saw the word “fidelity” is same in the Greek as the word “faith” is in our text of Galatians chapter five. 

      We also saw four diversities of faith.  It is the demonic, dead faith, delivering and determined faith.  We are delivered through the faith of God and that should make us determined to serve God.

      There are three degrees of faith.  Faithless is the faith of the atheist and agnostics.  Little faith is the strength of our faith.  It is not the size of our faith.  Great faith is illustrated like the size of a mustard seed. It is not the size of faith but in the strength of our Saviour.  As I typed those words a section of Scripture came to mind.

                                                Ephesians 3:20-21

“Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.”

      I want to give three additional thoughts.  It will be thus: the distinctness of faith, the demonstration of faith and the disgrace from faith.   

V.  THE DISGRACE FROM FAITH

      The disgrace from faith is unbelief.  Unbelief is simply thus: not believing the Lord.  It is unbelief that drove man out of the Garden.  It was unbelief that fueled Judas’ resolve to betray the Lord.  It was unbelief that caused Peter to sink.  This line of thought is almost as unlimited as the Bible itself. 

      I found some thoughts in regards to unbelief from Thomas Watson.  I will not be able to it like he did because it is different than we talk.  I want to simplify it for us and use it for our education and edification.

      Of all sins beware of the rock of unbelief.

                              Hebrews 3:12

“Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief.”

      Men think, as long as they are not drunkards or one who cuss, it is no great matter to be unbelievers. This is the gospel sin, it colors your other sins in grain.

1.  Unbelief is a Christ-reproaching sin. It disparages Christ’s infinite merit as if it could not save; it makes the wound of sin to be broader than the plaster of Christ’s blood. This is a high contempt offered to Christ, and is a deeper spear than that which the Jews thrust into his side.

2. Unbelief is an ungrateful sin.  A life of ingratitude is a fearful evil.  It is a horror the earth itself would never bring forth.  Ingratitude is a genius of wickedness; and unbelief is being ungrateful for the richest mercy. God has sent his Son to shed his blood; he requires us only to believe in him, that he is able and willing to save us. No, says unbelief, his blood was not shed for me; I cannot persuade myself that Christ has any purpose of love to me. Is not this horrid ingratitude?  This enhances a sin, and makes it of a crimson colour.

3. Unbelief is a leading sin.  It is the breeder of sin.  The fruits of an evil life originally grow out of unbelief.  Unbelief is a root sin, and the devil labours to water this root, that the branches may be fruitful.  Unbelief breeds hardness of heart; therefore they are put together.    Mark 16:14

“Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.”

      Christ upbraids them with their unbelief and hardness of heart.  Unbelief reproduces the stone of the heart.  He who believes not in Christ, is not affected with his sufferings, he melts not in tears of love. Unbelief freezes the heart; first it defiles and then hardens.

 Unbelief breeds profaneness. An unbeliever will hesitate at no sin; neither at false weights, nor false oaths. He will swallow down treason. Judas was first an unbeliever, and then a traitor.  John 6:64

“But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.”

      Here is a simple truth: He or she, who has no faith in his heart, will have no fear of God before his eyes.  It is one of the defining sins in Romans chapter three.

                              Romans 3:18

“There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

4.  Unbelief is a wrath-procuring sin. It is the enemy of salvation.

     John 3:18

“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

                              John 3:36

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

      One day he who believes not in the blood of the Lamb must feel the wrath of the Lamb. The Gentiles that believe not in Christ will be damned as well as the Jews who blaspheme him. And if unbelief were so fearful and damnable a sin, shall we not be afraid to live in it?

      When we walk in unbelief, we are not walking in the Spirit but in the flesh.  We know that flesh walking is not pleasing to the Lord.

                              Romans 8:8

“So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.”

      So this is the disgrace from the fruit of the Spirit.  That is almost depressing as well as convicting.  

VII. THE DISTINCTNESS OF FAITH

      Faithfulness is a very distinctive quality of the Lord.  It is part of His character.  The Lord demands it to be a part of our lives also.

                              1^st Corinthians 4:2

“Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

      Faithfulness implies trustworthiness.  If the Lord cannot trust you because you are not faithful, then don’t expect Him to use you for His honor and glory. 

      Herbert Lockyer said this about the faithfulness of God.  "The faithfulness of God runs like a golden thread through the Bible.  Take your concordance and trace out the passages dealing with this aspect of His divine character and you will be encouraged to discover there has never been the least flicker in the lamp of divine fidelity.  God is ever the same."  No wonder the songwriter wrote that song "Great is thy Faithfulness".  Let me give you the first verse and chorus as a part of my praise for His faithfulness.

GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father.

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;

As Thou has been Thou forever wilt be. 

CHORUS:

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

      I could speak much about the faithfulness of God.  But I would be running away from my subject.  But I would be amiss if I did not say these found thoughts about the faithfulness of God. 

      God is faithful in meeting our needs.

                              Philippians 4:19

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."

      Sometimes we charge God foolishly.  We try to say that He did not supply every need.  Let me say this first.  The Lord is not a sugar daddy.  If He has given you the means to take care of the need, then He has met your need. 

      Brother John Winstead called me and asked me if I was interested in pastoring a church.  It had only been a few days since God had settled that in my heart.  I went to the church.  After a few services, the church voted 100% to asked me to be their pastor.  I was thrilled but there were a few hurdles to be cross.  I was going to have work to support my family.  I had to find a home for my family and a state that was friendly to home schooling.  The next day I applied at the local hospital.  I looked around for a house.  When we got back to South Boston, we contacted Christian Law Association about North Carolina and home schooling.  They informed me that the laws had just been changed that made them a very friendly state for home schooling.  The next day, the hospital called me and sat up an appointment for me to talk to them on the following Monday.  At that interview, I was hired immediately.  Before I went back to Virginia, I was able to find a trailer for us to live.  Then the Lord supplied a large truck to move us.  God is faithful to meet our needs.

      He does not have to meet our wants though.  That is why some people get mad with Him.  There is a vast difference between needs and wants.  He has supplied many of my wants and others He made me work to have.

      God is always faithful because He is always available. 

                              Hebrews 13:5-6

"Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."

      A songwriter said this: "He treats like I am His only child."  He is always available to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think.

      God is always faithful in that He never sleeps.

                              Psalm 121:3-4

"He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.  Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep"    

      There are times when people call me and I am asleep.  Or I call folks and they are asleep.  But our God is never, and I repeat, never asleep.  This shows His faithfulness to us.

      God is always faithful in that He never turns His back on me.  I may turn my back on Him but He never does me that way.  As long I am in tune with Him, I can call upon Him.

                              Jeremiah 33:3

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not."

      The desire that every one of us should and can have is that I will be faithful. 

                              1^st Corinthians 4:2

"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

      Faithfulness is a byproduct of that faith it took to be saved.  Only God can give that faith to you.  This is a virtue that folks admire in others.  If you are faithful, you inspire others to do the same.

      Faithfulness is the cornerstone to one of the parables that Jesus preached no long before He died on Calvary.  Let me give you these four instances from that passage.

                              Matthew 25:21, 23

"His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." "His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."

      It is noteworthy to note that the master called these two servants good and faithful.  You will be seen a good servant of God if you are faithful to God.  If there is one truth that I want to drive home, it would this one.  God never uses an unfaithful Christian.  Let me repeat that for effect.  God never uses an unfaithful Christian.

      What are some areas in which you must be faithful?  You must be faithful with your time.  God has made you a steward of it.  Are you using it for Him or yourself or even worse, the devil?

      You must be faithful with the talents and/or spiritual gifts God has made you a steward.  Are you using them for Him?

      You must be faithful in how you use your money?  You are accountable for that area also.  God has placed this to your care to be used in the proper ways.

      You must be faithful in giving the Gospel.  You will be accountable for this too.  Do you have any tracts with you?  They are a good start in witnessing. 

      I would be amiss if I neglected these next few areas.  Are you faithful to God's house?  One a week will not really help.  Dr. Lee Roberson said it takes three to thrive- Sunday morning, Sunday night and Wednesday night.  I realize that some people have to work on Sunday nights or Wednesday nights but they are not in church when they can be.  That is not being faithful.  In the early church, you don't find them complaining about church attendance.  I wonder what Peter or Paul would have said about the reasons why some folks are not faithful to church and the excuses they give.  I am sure that they would have questioned whether or not they really do love Jesus and His people or not.

      Another area is Bible reading and study.  Some people seem to have no real interest in the Bible.  They don't even bring it to church.  God has made you a steward to what that Bible says.  He has even allowed you to born in a country where you can read, study, preach and teach the Word of God without fear of arrest.

      Lastly what about a steward of prayer?  It may your prayers that help a saint of God who is struggling and could win the victory because you prayed.   

VII. THE DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH

                  1.   Faith believes even when I don't see it.  Noah built an ark without seeing rain.

2.  Faith is Obeying even when I don't understand it.  Abraham obeyed God when God said to sacrifice his only son Isaac.

         3.  Faith is giving even when I don't know where my next meal is going to come from.  This is seen in the account of the Widow of Zarephath and Elijah.

         4.   Faith is keeping on, keeping on even when I don't feel like it.   There were many times when Moses got tired of leading those "stiff-necked" Jews in the wilderness, especially after he found out he wasn't going into the promised land; but he kept leading.

                  5.   Faith is praising God even before I receive God's answer.

      When Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, the people asked for God's help in dealing with the invading armies of the Moabites and the Ammonites. God instructed them to form a choir and put the choir in front of the army as it marched into battle. As they marched, the choir sang, "Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever." When they arrived at the battlefield all they found was the dead bodies of the enemy's army (2^nd Chronicles 20:15-24).

         6.   Faith trusts God even if I don't get healed and/or delivered.  Hebrews 11:36-39 describes what happens to many of heroes of the faith: "…others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented… And these all, having obtained a good report through faith…” 

Conclusion: Let me end with a few thoughts in regards to setting our faith to work and why.  Above all graces set faith at work. It is a faith most acceptable to God upon many accounts.

1. Because faith is a God-exalting grace.  It glorifies God.  It was in Abraham’s life.

                                             Romans 4:20

“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God”

      To believe that there is more mercy in God and merit in Christ than sin in us, and that Christ has answered all the demands of the law, and that his blood has fully satisfied for us, is in a high degree to honour God. Faith in the Mediator brings more glory to God than martyrdom, or the most heroic act of obedience.

2. Faith in Christ is acceptable to God because it is a self-denying grace; it makes a man go out of himself, renounce all self-righteousness, and wholly rely on Christ for justification, It is very humble, it confesses its own indigence, and lives wholly upon Christ. As the bee sucks sweetness from the flower, so faith sucks all its strength and comfort from Christ.

3. Faith is a grace acceptable to God, because by faith we present righteousness to him which best pleases him; we bring the righteousness of Christ into court, which is called the righteousness of God.  2^nd Corinthians 5:21

         “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

            To bring Christ’s righteousness, is like the brothers of Joseph bringing Benjamin with them. A believer may say, Lord, it is not the righteousness of Adam, or of the angels, but of Christ who is God-man, which I bring before thee. The Lord cannot but smell a sweet savour in Christ’s righteousness.

      The question that we end this is thus: Is the virtue of faith being seen in us?  If not, then it is time to get right with God.