Know Yur Tools - Conclusion
Notes
Transcript
Know Your Tools - Conclusion
Know Your Tools - Conclusion
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Choosing to use a tool on a regular basis is not easy at first, but will yield positive results.
Have you ever chopped wood? We had a couple of wood burners on the farm and they required wood at a certain size. Many times, we would get wood in bigger chunks because it was at a better price and would need to be split.
It was hard work. But the results gave us an ability to have heat in the winter.
The effectiveness of our tools are the results of Godly choices made in our lives. Choices that are not natural, but choices reflecting a life that is taking a new path with new choices and even sweeter results.
We are going to retake a test. This is the same test we took in the beginning of this series. This is between you and God only. I will not be collecting the answers.
To be effective in the Army of God, we need to know how to use the tools we have been given. Some of the tools may not been utilized in our life as they should be. This is a time between you and the Lord. Let this be a moment of soul searching and growing closer to God. All of us will have some area in our life that a particular tool, fruit of the spirit, needs to be sharpened and utilized to a greater extent.
Spiritual Vision
1. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “love” in your life (vs. hatred, bitterness, prejudice, or expecting something in return), and are also mindful that “loving God” and “loving others” are the two greatest commandments? [Galatians 5:22-23]
2. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “joy” in your life (vs. sadness, gloom, or being a victim to life’s circumstances), and also understand that "joy" is rooted in your relationship with God and His free gift of grace? [Galatians 5:22-23]
3. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “peace” in your life (vs. conflict, restlessness, anxiety, or having the fear of men or circumstances), and also realize that "peace" is rooted in having peace with God and having His peace inside you? [Galatians 5:22-23]
4. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “patience” in your life (vs. impatience, disobedience, resistance, or eye-for-an-eye mentality), and also realize that perseverance as well as pain can make you better? [Galatians 5:22-23]
5. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “kindness” in your life (vs. rudeness, meanness, or unforgiveness)? [Galatians 5:22-23]
6. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “goodness” in your life (vs. wickedness, greediness, or selfishness), and also believe that God is good and generous? [Galatians 5:22-23]
7. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “faithfulness” in your life (vs. worriedness, untrustworthiness, doubting God’s Word, or walking by sight and not by faith), and also realize how this fruit relates to your trust and obedience to God? [Galatians 5:22-23]
8. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “gentleness” in your life (vs. being short-tempered, rude, arrogant, or prideful), and realize this fruit also pertains to meekness and humility? [Galatians 5:22-23]
9. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “self-control” in your life (vs. being a victim of your own passions, or not effectively “submitting to God and resisting the devil”)? [Galatians 5:22-23]
10. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “repentance” in your life (i.e., turning away from sin and wrong-doing as the Bible commands)? [Matthew 3:8]
11. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “righteousness” in your life (i.e., desiring God’s Word, living more and more in obedience, hating evil, etc.)? [Philippians 1:11]
12. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “thanksgiving” in your life (i.e., frequently giving praise and thanks to God)? [Hebrews 13:15]
13. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “good works” in your life? [Colossians 1:10]
14. Do you generally exhibit the fruit of “good words” in your life (i.e., speaking truth, wisdom, love, words of encouragement, etc.), and also realize that what is spoken from the mouth comes from the heart? [Luke 6:45]
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
It is God’s will for us to live an overcoming life. A life full of freedom from sin and fulfillment in the riches of God’s mercy and grace. We are meant to have a powerful mind and a servants heart just like Jesus. These things are not natural. You were not born with them. These come from utilizing the tools we have been given. Hopefully the results from the test today are better than the first test.
Maybe you have not made Jesus your Lord and Saviour so these have not been a part of your life. Great news.
Today is your day.
A - Acknowledge
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
B - Believe
Acts 16:31 (ESV)
And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
C - Confess
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.