The Holy Spirit: The Fruit Of The Spirit (Part 2)
The Holy Spirit: terms and definitions • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 26:51
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Review
Turn to Galatians 5:22-25.
Two weeks ago, we began studying Galatians chapter five and the fruit of the Spirit. We learned that the phrase “walk in the Spirit” emphasizes our responsibility to submit to the Spirit’s control so that He will fill us. We we continually submit or depend upon the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. Instead, the Spirit will produce His fruit in our lives and Christ will live through us.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:22–23
In an ultimate sense this “fruit” is simply the life of Christ lived out in a Christian.
Message
Message
Today we’re going to study what it looks like when Christ’s life is lived through our lives.
Read Galatians 5:22-25.
Take a moment to meditate on this statement:
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The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:22–23
the fruit here described is not produced by a believer, but by the Holy Spirit working through a Christian who is in vital union with Christ (cf. John 15:1–8).
Does that sound familiar? When did we recently hear a lot of preaching on the Christian’s vital union with Christ? Our Summer Revival Services.
This is God’s method “whereby Christ is formed in a believer.”
Donald K. Campbell, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 608.
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But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Christian, as you live moment by moment in dependence upon Christ, as you live moment by moment in submission to the Spirit of God, Christ will live His life through you and the Spirit of God will produce this fruit in your life.
Probably you have heard messages before that have defined these terms for you. My objective tonight is not so much to define the terms as to continually point you back to the example of Jesus. Our Savior lived this when He was on earth. Now He desires to live it through you.
What is the first one that is listed?
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Love: “a self-sacrificing love that sent Christ to die for sinners”
Jesus lived His entire earthly life loving others like this.
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
What was the greatest manifestation of God’s love towards sinners? Christ dying on the cross.
That’s an amazing love, isn’t it?
Here’s a thought that’s just as amazing to me: the Spirit of God can enable you to love others in the same way that Christ loved when He went to the cross.
This is a divine love; we can’t produce this in ourselves. My flesh is repulsed at the idea of sacrificing itself for the good of others. But when I choose to submit to the Spirit of God, He will lead me and enable me to do that. That’s true for you also. That is God’s grace in action in your life! Wow! I can’t love like that, but God can enable me to love like that!
Application: Christian, are you moment by moment submitting to the Spirit of God? Are you living in dependence upon Christ?
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Joy: “a deep and abiding inner rejoicing which was promised to those who abide in Christ”
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Some folks have a more bubbly or happy personality, but that’s not what this is. Personality has nothing to do with this. This joy is possible even in suffering.
Jesus lived a life of suffering and rejection, but He lived His entire earthly life joyfully.
This joy is not natural for us either. It is not natural; it is spiritual. Jesus lived a life of joy. Now He wants to live it through you.
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Peace: “an inner repose and quietness, even in the face of adverse circumstances”
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
You see how the fruit of the Spirit all points back to Christ? It is His love, His joy, and His peace being lived through us. It is a peace that, as one person said, “defies human understanding.”
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
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Longsuffering: patience, perseverance, “slowness in avenging wrongs”
It is the opposite of wrath or revenge.
Jesus lived His entire earthly life being longsuffering towards His enemies.
And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
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Gentleness: kindness towards others
It is choosing to be kind to others when it is unearned and undeserved.
Jesus lived His entire earthly life being kind towards others. Many times, instead of being severe, He was kind and gracious.
When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.
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Goodness: an uprightness that meets God’s standard
This word seems to have an emphasis on the inner man. You and I of our own selves have no goodness. But God, when He indwells us and lives through us, imparts His goodness.
Jesus was and is inherently good. Now that He dwells in you, He desires to live His goodness through your life.
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
In Acts 10:38, the word “good” comes from a different Greek word, but my point is that because Jesus had an inner goodness, it was apparent by what He did for others.
Continue here on Wednesday, 7/17/24
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Faith: “fidelity, the character of one who can be relied on”
Jesus lived His entire earthly life being faithful to accomplishing the will of His Father.
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.
What are some examples of Jesus Christ being faithful to His Father’s will?
And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?
And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,
Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.
I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
Application: The Holy Spirit desires to mold you into the faithful character of Christ. God the Father should look down at you and smile, knowing with confidence that you will be faithful and do His will.
Jesus Christ was faithful. He could be relied on in every way. Can you?
When God looks at you, does He see that you are faithful to your local church?
When God looks at you, does He see that you are faithful to spend time with Him each day in the Word of God and prayer?
When God looks at you, does He see that you are faithful in telling others about Jesus?
The Holy Spirit will transform you into all of these ways - if you’ll let Him. Transformation is a growing and sometimes painful process, but the Spirit will bear this fruit in your life if you will surrender and let Him do it.
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Meekness: mildness, humility, deference
Jesus, who is God in the flesh, lived meekly before others. He was powerful, but it was always under control. It was always used for the good of others, not for self-gain and not for self-gratification.
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, Yet he opened not his mouth: He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, So he openeth not his mouth.
Can you think of any examples in the Gospels where Jesus showed meekness?
He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.
Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?
Application: It doesn’t matter what your personality is - whether alpha male or quiet and introverted - the Spirit of God wishes to mold your personality to include the meekness of Christ.
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Temperance: self-control
Jesus lived an earthly life of self-control. Can you think of how He lived this before His disciples and before us?
He could have shut the mouths of the pompous pharisees.
He could have showed off His divine glory at the triumphal entry into Jerusalem and been crowned as king of Jerusalem. Instead, his glory was manifested in the quietness of the Mount of Olives before three of his disciples.
He could have worked miracles and proven His divinity when on trial before Pilate. Instead, He stood in silence, submitted to His Father’s will.
Temperance. Jesus lived it when He was upon earth. Now He desires to live it through you.
How is this possible? How can you allow the Spirit produce His fruit in your life?
You submit. The Spirit does the rest as He naturally produces His fruit in your life.
You depend upon Christ. He will live it through you. Both of those ideas mean the same thing.
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
You can’t produce this fruit in your life. You will fail and you will be tempted to give up on living the Christian life. Instead, submit to the Spirit bearing His fruit in you, and as He does, you can be confident that God will be pleased. There is not a law in Heaven that condemns or prohibits a life that looks so much like Jesus.