The Fruit of the Spirit (Lesson 1)
Notes
Transcript
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
I. The first thing that we need to understand is that Paul says that we are to “Walk in the Spirit”.
I. The first thing that we need to understand is that Paul says that we are to “Walk in the Spirit”.
A. Paul tells us that if we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Verse 16)
A. Paul tells us that if we walk in the Spirit we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Verse 16)
1. We need to walk in the Spirit so that we can continue to please God.
1. We need to walk in the Spirit so that we can continue to please God.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
II. Paul goes on to tell us that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. (Verse 17)
II. Paul goes on to tell us that the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. (Verse 17)
17 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.
A. This is why we find the Psalmist praying what he prayed in the Psalm 51.
A. This is why we find the Psalmist praying what he prayed in the Psalm 51.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.
1. He understood first that he was born in sin.
1. He understood first that he was born in sin.
2. Secondly, he understood that if we are going to have joy and dwell in God’s presence we are going to have to remove that sin from us.
2. Secondly, he understood that if we are going to have joy and dwell in God’s presence we are going to have to remove that sin from us.
3. You say how do you remove the sin? Let’s see what the Bible tells us.
3. You say how do you remove the sin? Let’s see what the Bible tells us.
3 Iniquities prevail against me: As for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away.
4. If we are all born sinners then how do we keep from sinning? The Bible also tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
4. If we are all born sinners then how do we keep from sinning? The Bible also tells us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
i. If this is true then how do we keep ourselves from sin? Temptation always comes.
i. If this is true then how do we keep ourselves from sin? Temptation always comes.
ii. Jesus tells us how to stay out of temptation.
ii. Jesus tells us how to stay out of temptation.
41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
B. In Galatians 5:17 Paul goes on to tell us that the flesh and the spirit are contrary to each other.
B. In Galatians 5:17 Paul goes on to tell us that the flesh and the spirit are contrary to each other.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
17 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.
C. Paul says here that this thing called flesh and spirit are totally separate. He’s not the only one who made this statement. Jesus said this too.
C. Paul says here that this thing called flesh and spirit are totally separate. He’s not the only one who made this statement. Jesus said this too.
6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
1. To be able to overcome the flesh you have to be born of the Spirit!
1. To be able to overcome the flesh you have to be born of the Spirit!
2. So, because these two things are so opposite of each other it makes it hard for us to do right. No matter how hard we try we just can’t seem to make everything right, and then we mess something up.
2. So, because these two things are so opposite of each other it makes it hard for us to do right. No matter how hard we try we just can’t seem to make everything right, and then we mess something up.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
i. This is why Jesus made this statement.
i. This is why Jesus made this statement.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
ii. If you hunger for righteousness and get yourself filled with righteousness there will be no room for anything else to make its way in.
ii. If you hunger for righteousness and get yourself filled with righteousness there will be no room for anything else to make its way in.
iii. Paul tells us in another place that he struggled to always do what was right.
iii. Paul tells us in another place that he struggled to always do what was right.
14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.
17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.
21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
iv. For these very reasons I believe that Paul stressed this as much as he possibly could. Look at what he told the Philippians.
iv. For these very reasons I believe that Paul stressed this as much as he possibly could. Look at what he told the Philippians.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
v. If we are constantly seeking after God and the things of the Kingdom of God. We will make it all the way.
v. If we are constantly seeking after God and the things of the Kingdom of God. We will make it all the way.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
D. There is hope and freedom from sin.
D. There is hope and freedom from sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1. The whole reason that Jesus came to this world was to save us from our sin.
1. The whole reason that Jesus came to this world was to save us from our sin.
11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
2. There is beauty in the fact that he came to save us! But even more beauty in the fact that he sought for us!