GALATIANS 5:22 | FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT : PART 3

Like an orange that is peeled to reveal the slices within, these slices of the Spirit are to be equally present in the life of the follower of Christ.

But have you ever peeled an orange to find that some slices are larger than others?

The same can so often be true in the life of the follower of Christ.

These slices of the fruit of the Spirit are often broken down into 3 different groups

One commentator described those first 3 as fruit that must first be directed toward God.

I love this!

We know that before we can love our spouse, or our kids, or family, or fellow man the way we should, we must first love God!

Matthew 22:37–38 KJV 1900

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.

That second slice, JOY, can only come from God!

It is a rejoicing that we have not in the situations and circumstances of life!

It is fastened to the unmoveable and unshakeable God of our life.

I was reading over in Romans and a read these verses about a week ago and I had to share them with you!

Romans 5:6–11 KJV 1900

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.

Wow! Our joy is anchored in the reality of the sweet relationship with Christ!

ILLUSTRATION: You can get letters from different people that make you feel different ways.

If you get a letter from the IRS, there is a cold, distant, relationship that begins.

Whether you like it or not, there are rules that you have to be committed to and follow.

But if I get a letter from my wife… that’s a whole different response.

Listen, that’s a relationship I want to foster and grow!

APPLICATION: Religion is like a letter from the IRS!

It’s a bunch of rules you have to follow.

But a real relationship with Christ is totally different.

You’ll want to grow that relationship, and it naturally produces so much joy!

Friend, there are some of you here that have an IRS type religion with a bunch of rules you have to follow.

And you are missing out and the joy you can have in a real relationship with Jesus.

But can I be honest this morning… there are some of you here and you are a follower of Christ this morning…

But you don’t have a relationship with Him either.

Yes, you’ve gotten your sin taken care of because you received Him as your Savior.

But you aren’t enjoying a relationship with Him.

And it’s evident… because you don’t have joy.

Church, do you want to know what is going to draw more people to Christ than anything else?

It’s these first three slices of the fruit of the Spirit.

Because they are directed toward God first, and then they are evident in your life.

Love, Joy, PEACE… You have to have peace with God before you will have peace in your life.

EXPLANATION: There are a lot of places that the Bible talks about peace and the peace of God.

But there is only one place that the Bible talks about having “peace with God” and that is in Romans 5:1

Romans 5:1 KJV 1900

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

This peace is incredible because it’s understanding that anything and everything you had to do to gain salvation was finished… so you can breathe!

ILLUSTRATION: It’s like when the house is a total wreck and you’re so stressed out.

But somehow, you reach the end of the day and the toys are picked up, and the house is clean, and the sink is empty from all the dishes, and you sit down on the couch because you are done with all the things you had to do… and you just take a deep breath!

And when you let out that sigh… peace.

And then you start to think about the next day…

APPLICATION: That sigh of peace is what you have in Christ when you truly realize, it’s done!

There is nothing more that I have to do to obtain eternal life.

And when you are so incredibly in love with God, and you have joy that transcends what’s going on in the world, and you are at complete peace with God, so you have peace in your life… Friend, that is attractive to the world!

Because that’s something you can’t find in a bank account

You can’t find in a job

You can’t find in a nice house

It is something that is only found in Christ!

And I just wonder this morning, do you have that?

I know it’s election week!

I know the job market is crazy!

I know life is hectic!

The fruit of the Spirit isn’t dependent on what is going to happen on Wednesday or Thursday or whenever we find out who won the election…

It is based in and flows out of a perfect, unchanging God.

EXPLANATION: Now, I know want to just quickly point to the next 3 slices in the fruit of the Spirit this morning.

I want to share with you quickly what they are, and we will make a quick application and then wrap up.

We’ve got the next three pieces of the fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering, Gentleness, and Goodness

V.22, LONGSUFFERING

Galatians 5:22 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

EXPLANATION: The word has the idea of patience

And I know what you’re thinking, I’m going to need this one just to get through the rest of the service!

But this word means NOT EASILY OFFENDED.

ILLUSTRATION: During a famous debate, Abraham Lincoln was attacked for his appearance and background.

Instead of feeling insulted and responding with indignation, he humorously remarked, 'If I had a better face, I wouldn't have to get into politics!'

That moment transformed the negativity into a moment of connection with his audience.

APPLICATION: You know, Christians should be the most longsuffering people to be around.

Think of how longsuffering God is with you!

Could you imagine if He responded to you the way you respond to your kids or your spouse, or that guy at work you can’t stand to be around?

ILLUSTRATION: Paul said it this way over in 1 Timothy 1:15-16

1 Timothy 1:15–16 KJV 1900

This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

He says, God was so longsuffering with me!

And Paul says, “God’s patience in my life, is an example of the patience that He will show in anyone’s life.”

APPLICATION: Friend, is the patience that God has shown in your life, exemplified for others to see?

If God has been so longsuffering, patient with me, how could I not show that same patience with others in my life.

Not because they deserve my longsuffering… but because I didn’t deserve the longsuffering that God showed to me.

V.22, GENTLENESS

Galatians 5:22 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

EXPLANATION: Gentleness is kindness in dealing with others

This isn’t weakness.

Our world has been led to believe that you are either the shoe or the step… and better to be the one doing the stepping than to be stepped on.

Christians have swallowed this lie and down through the centuries they’ve imposed this image on Christ.

ILLUSTRATION: When I was a kid, we went to a little country church, and on one of the walls in one of the classrooms there was a picture that was supposed to depict Christ.

It was this long haired, pale skinned, kind of frail looking guy staring up into the sky.

And I’m pretty sure that is where most churches have gotten their view of Christ was from that picture in that country church.

EXPLANATION: Jesus wasn’t some weak, limp-wristed guy staring up in the sky.

Jesus was a man’s man!

In Luke 5, Jesus walked down the shoreline and spoke out to some manly men who were cleaning their nets.

Jesus gets in one of their ships and asks them to push off the shore a little bit and then Jesus sat down and taught the people that were following Him.

When He finished he looked over at one of those fishermen named Simon and told him to launch out and go fishing again.

These guys had fished all night and caught absolutely nothing… they were tired and frustrated.

If Jesus was some weak, frail man, they would have told Him to take a hike.

But instead Simon said, “at thy word we will let down the net.”

You see, Jesus was gentle, not because he walked around with slouched shoulders and hair that blew in the wind.

Jesus was gentle because he was kind and caring in the way he spoke and dealt with people.

He cared about their needs.

The same Jesus that could tell a bunch of fishermen to go back out and fish some more, also looked out on a crowd of people with compassion and wanted to make sure they had food to eat.

When everyone passed by a blind man calling out, Jesus cared for Him and healed his blindness.

It was Jesus Who said those wonderful words in Matthew 11:28-30

Matthew 11:28–30 KJV 1900

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus has given us the perfect example of what it looks like, not to avoid speaking and standing for truth, but to do it with grace.

John 1:14 KJV 1900

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

APPLICATION: You see friend, the danger we can fall into is we can be right… the wrong way.

Have you ever been there?

ILLUSTRATION: You’re in a discussion with your spouse

And you know you are right!

You’ve got the evidence to prove it.

And you give it to them… and it’s like a mic drop victory!

But for some reason, afterwards, you don’t feel like you “won”

Maybe sticking your tongue out and doing a happy dance was a little much.

You see friend, you were right… but you were right the wrong way.

APPLICATION: That is what gentleness is.

It’s knowing how to be right… to stand for what’s right… to be firm in your positions in Christ.

But to do it the right way.

To lead and correct your children, the right way

To respond to your spouse, the right way.

To be gentle in your responses

Longsuffering, Gentleness

V.22, GOODNESS

EXPLANATION: Goodness is a second mile generosity toward someone else.

Jesus expounded on this idea of goodness in his sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:41-42

Matthew 5:41–42 KJV 1900

And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

Jesus was teaching the principle that when you have the opportunity to be a blessing to someone, go above and beyond to do it!

APPLICATION: We like that thought.

We see someone that we can help or be a blessing to, and they deserve it, so we do it.

And man we feel good about it don’t we?

“It’s more blessed to give than to receive.”

And that’s a good thing to do… as a church we should be looking for opportunities to meet the needs of others.

And when we feel good about our generosity, clearly that is what goodness is.

EXPLANATION: But here is the problem, when Jesus was preaching that sermon on the mount in Matthew 5, he didn’t stop after v.42.

Matthew 5:43–45 KJV 1900

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Jesus says, “the greatest goodness is shown, not when you do good things for those that deserve it… but when you do good for those that don’t”

When you do that, then you are acting like your Father in heaven.

ILLUSTRATION: 7th grade was kind of a troubling time in my life.

I was trying to figure my way through things and friends were changes and life was just complicated.

I remember one day I was just having a bad day, and it was at lunch time and I was walking out to outdoor basketball court during lunch, when all of the sudden someone ran up behind me and tried to give me a wedgie.

That’s what the bullies used to do back in the day.

Now, I don’t know what came over me, I’d never done anything like it before or since, but I spun around with a clenched fist and I clocked the guy on the jaw and he staggered back.

In that moment there was shock on both mine and the assailants face.

The guy that had come up behind me was Gary Tischner.

Gary was like 16 years old in the 7th grade

He had a full beard, and while everyone else was riding the bus to school and being dropped off by their mom, Gary drove himself to school.

And he was a wild guy.

Everyone knew, you didn’t mess with Gary.

And as I stood there in shock of what had just happened, Gary composed himself and said, “You’re dead,” and walked away.

And I believed him.

That night I ate my last dinner before my coming execution and nothing had any taste.

I slept awful that night.

If I could have I would have missed the bus, but I couldn’t because my mom was the bus driver.

I remember that next day at school, I was watching out of the corner of my eye for the deathly blow that was sure to come.

I remember as I was walking by the lockers all the sudden feeling an arm rest on my shoulder… it was Gary.

This was the moment!

And then he looked at me and said, “We’re cool,” and then walked away.

Gary, my enemy, on that day taught me… you can forgive your enemy.

Gary showed me goodness.

APPLICATION: Friend, can I share a verse with you:

Colossians 1:21–22 KJV 1900

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:

Jesus demonstrated the ultimate goodness to you and to me… when He gave His life for you… even when you were His enemy.

If anyone ever deserved to hold a grudge, it was Jesus.

But instead He showed you goodness.

Friend, who do you need to show goodness to in your life.

They don’t deserve it… in fact they may be your enemy!

But you can choose to be like Christ and show them goodness.

CONCLUSION

This morning, how are you doing on the fruit of the Spirit?

Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness

You don’t get to pick and choose… it’s all a part of the same fruit.

And friend, can I tell you what you are going to need this week?

You are going to need to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit.

When you’re at work

When you’re at home

When you’re at school

You need to be filled with the fruit of the Spirit.

Maybe this morning you need to give some attention to some of these slices that aren’t what they ought to be.