March 1, 2020

Fruit of the Spirit

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:1-6
Service Type:

Bible Text: Galatians 5:16-26; Ephesians 4:1-6 | Preacher: Andrew Love | Series: Galatians | Introduction

Life is filled with contrast

The Fruits of the Spirit vs The works of the flesh
Something beautiful next to a rubbish tip

The Fruits of the Spirit

Still a war within us
Walking in the Spirit

The call of the Christian is to sanctification

To be made more like Jesus Christ
The Spirit of God is working in us to make us more like Christ
We are being transformed

9 virtues listed

Singular fruit
All are to be part of the Christian’s life
They come as a whole
They are not works we can achieve
It is fruit that God works in us
Our role is to remain in the Vine (cf. John 15)

We must pray
We must read the word of God
We must wait on God
We must abide in Him

Is there an ascendancy in order?

Love mentioned first

Love encompasses kindness and patience
God is looking for us to be more Christlike
cf 1 Corinthians 13

Love

God is love

If God was only Holy – we would fear judgment
He has demonstrated His love in Jesus Christ – explanation

Our love for Him can go cold

Losing our first love, worldliness, self
“Do you love Me?”

Our love for God

Is seen in our attitude to our neighbour
Is seen in how we treat those who hate and curse us

Joy

More than just happiness

Not based on external circumstances

cf. Paul and Silas in prison

Supernatural and God given

Our joy can be full
Our joy can be inexpressible

It is the “joy of the Lord”

A work of the Holy Spirit
The kingdom of God is in the Holy Spirit

We ought not to have a sour and bitter spirit

Peace

Directly produced by the Lord (as with the above)

God given – Jesus gave us His peace
Not superficial or shallow
Not based on false premises

Knowing that sins are forgiven

Knowing that all is well with our soul

Live peaceably with our fellow man

Do not quarrel
Do not be divisive
Be peace makers

Long Suffering

Patience, long suffering

God is slow to anger

He desires that none should perish
He shows common grace

God is long suffering with His people

So we are called to be long suffering

Does our demeanour give us away?
Are we impulsive?

Not a character trait but a work of the Holy Spirit in us

Example

Kindness

God is kind to the just and the unjust – common grace

Example of Jesus

The world is full of unkindness and nastiness

Christians are to be different
Christians are to be kind and gracious

Goodness

Being morally upright and pure

About motives
Only God is truly good

We have God’s goodness when we are saved
We have the light of Christ in us

Romans 15:14 – can this be said of us?

Faithfulness

God is faithful to all His promises and His word

Jesus Christ is utterly faithful to His Father

What about us?

A weak church lacks faithfulness
Faithfulness is an important quality
We lack faithfulness through a failure to guard our heart

The Spirit produces faithfulness

When we see this in other Christians – we are encouraged

Gentleness

Is this important?

God is almighty and all powerful
Yet God is tender

Philippians 4:5
2 Timothy 2:25

The Holy Spirit is described as a dove

We are not to grieve Him

What is our part?

God’s gifts …
 … yet we must pursue it:

Righteousness
Godliness
Faith
Love
Patience
Gentleness

Work it out with fear and trembling

Self-control

How are you in eating, speech, reaction, driving?

It is about ruling your spirit
Similar to the last three fruit

A work of God, but we must cooperate

Are we self-controlled – examples
There are things that can be taught – Titus 2:2

Closing Remarks

Not about law keeping but the life of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit is the work of the law
Gal 6:7-8