Fruition P7 : FAITHFULNESS
Sermon Notes

Fruition Part 7: Faithfulness
Main Text: 1 Samuel 20

Message Overview:
This message focuses on the Spirit-produced fruit of faithfulness, an often overlooked but essential mark of spiritual maturity. Faithfulness is more than showing up. It’s living with consistency, loyalty, and unwavering trust in God, even when it costs you. Through the story of Jonathan and David in 1 Samuel 20, we see a portrait of faithfulness under pressure. Jonathan stands with David at great personal risk, refusing to turn back even when it means losing status, family, and safety. His loyalty reflects the deeper faithfulness God calls us to: to stand for what’s right, to stay rooted in truth, and to follow Jesus no matter what.

What Is Faithfulness?
The Greek word for faithfulness is pistis, which speaks to trust, dependability, and covenant loyalty. It’s not just believing in something. It’s being committed to someone. In a culture of flakiness and self-interest, faithfulness stands out. It shows up when it's inconvenient. It keeps its word when no one’s watching. Most of all, it reflects the heart of God, who is always faithful even when we’re not.

Jonathan’s Story (1 Samuel 20)
Jonathan finds himself caught between loyalty to his father, King Saul, and his covenant friendship with David. Saul is determined to kill David, but Jonathan remains faithful. He risks his life to protect David, confronting his father’s anger, and sending David away to safety. Jonathan’s faithfulness isn't just friendship. It’s obedience to God. He’s not driven by fear, self-preservation, or ambition. He’s driven by trust in the Lord and surrender to God's plan, even if that means surrendering his own throne.

The Gospel Connection
Jonathan points us to Jesus, who was the ultimate faithful friend. While Jonathan stepped off his throne to honor David, Jesus stepped down from heaven to rescue us. He didn’t just risk His life. He gave it. Even when we were unfaithful, Christ remained faithful. He went to the cross for traitors, rebels, and wanderers like us. That’s the Gospel. We don’t become faithful by trying harder. We become faithful by staying close to the One who is always faithful.

Faithfulness in a Watching World
Faithfulness is one of the loudest witnesses you can have. The world is watching—your kids, coworkers, neighbors, and friends. What they need most isn’t a perfect Christian, but a faithful one. A believer who keeps showing up, keeps loving, keeps standing for truth. You may be misunderstood. You may be rejected. But when you stand firm in Christ, your life becomes a sermon people can’t ignore.

This Week’s Challenge:
Where is God asking you to be faithful right now?
Maybe it’s in a hard relationship, an overlooked role, a private battle, or a public stand. Ask the Holy Spirit to strengthen your resolve to follow Jesus no matter what. Live with the same heart as Jonathan and the same words as the martyr who inspired the hymn:
“I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.”