Wk 21 - The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Youth at Camp; Next week focus on NextGen

Congregation Care Line: 217-583-1112 ext. 444

Council meeting this week

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Text keyword “ConnectCard” to 217-583-1112

Giving: box, web, app, mail

DECLARATION:

Ephesians 2:20–22 (ESV)

20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 22 In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.

Our church family is built by God, upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, and with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone.

We are joined together by union with Christ, we are growing, we are a dwelling place of God by his Spirit, and we are missionaries.

Prayer for...

INTRODUCTION:

Review:

Speaking in Tongues: 1 Corinthians 14:2 “2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.”

Tongues is a great way to get ready for our weekly gatherings: 1 Corinthians 14:4 “4 The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.”

Have you been speaking this week WITHOUT understanding…speaking mysteries to God…being built up?

WHY?…

I once burned up some rubber in the church oven…the evidence by sight (smoke) and smell (toxins) was overwhelmingly present)

What is the evidence that you have the Holy Spirit?

TODAY: The irrefutable evidence of the Holy Spirit is the fruit of the Spirit

FLCG: “it was in reference to the fruit of the Spirit rather than speaking in tongues that [Sister Aimee] used evidential language, calling it the irrefutable evidence of the Spirit-filled life.” (See Foursquare Statement of Faith Article 12)

Opening Scripture:

Why is fruit important?

Philippians 1:11 “11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.”

Galatians 5:22–23“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

The Fruit of the Spirit represent the sanctifying work of the Spirit in our lives.

Colossians 1:28 “28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

Fruit has within it life

Propagation of life (i.e. seeds

Genesis 1:22 “22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.””

Fruit is God’s Work

Ex: Fruit can be painted but we cannot create fruit

Fruit implies cultivation

John 15:1-11 Shows us how fruit grows on the vine

John 15:1 “1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.”

John 15:5 “5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love

Galatians 5:22–23 “22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Rev. George Campbell Morgan: “If you have love, you have all these things. If you lack love, you lack them all”

1 Corinthians 13:13 (ESV)

13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

God’s love (agape) is the greatest love…it refers to THE will instead of emotion. A self-giving love that describes God’s unconditional love for the world.

Galatians 5:14 “14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”” … Leviticus 19:18 “18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Joy is love’s consciousness

Joy is about what is lost being found (Luke 15)

Peace is love’s confidence

Peace is achieved by the cross of Christ (Rm. 5:1)

Patience is love’s habit

I.e. when someone is “trying our patience”…we put up with them (2 Pet. 3:9)

Kindness is love’s activity

Behave how God has behaved towards us (Rm 2:4)

Goodness is love’s quality

To do more than is what is required, it is to be generous (Rm. 5:7)

Faithfulness is love’s quantity

Revelation 2:10 “10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Gentleness is love’s tone

1 Corinthians 4:21 “21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?”

Self-control is love’s victory

Victory over fleshly desires (1 Cor. 9:25)

(source: George Campbell Morgan)

Conclusion/Reflection:

When you choose to arrange your life in a way for the fruit of the Spirit to be produced in your life you will reflect the love of Christ to those at home, church, and work…it will be evident that you have the Holy Spirit.

In your home, you may often find conflict with family members, leading to feelings of anger or frustration. To reflect the fruit of the Spirit, start practicing peace by initiating regular family discussions focused on resolving issues with grace. Set aside time each week for a family meeting, encouraging everyone to express their feelings respectfully. Utilize this time to pray together, asking the Holy Spirit to guide your conversations and strengthen your bonds. When you foster an environment of openness and love, it becomes easier to exhibit patience and kindness, nurturing the fruit of the Spirit within your home.

In our church community, it's possible that feelings of disconnection or apathy have crept in, hindering your ability to build meaningful relationships. To address this, initiate a community group focused on serving others (at church or in the greater community)…This practical application of love through service could reignite passion for community while fostering deeper connections with others and transforming us to become more like Jesus.

At work, you might encounter a challenging colleague whose behavior tests your patience. To embody the fruit of the Spirit here, actively choose to respond with self-control instead of irritation. Make it a point to approach them with kindness by offering a compliment or asking for their input in a meeting. Gradually, create a positive dialogue that encourages collaboration rather than competition.

Talk It Over

In what ways can we cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in our daily lives?

How can understanding 'agape' love influence your relationships with others?

What does the sermon suggest is the relationship between love and the other attributes of the Fruit of the Spirit?

Resources:

Keener, Craig S. The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. Second Edition. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014.

Warren W. Wiersbe, Classic Sermons on the Fruit of the Spirit, Kregel Classic Sermons Series (Kregel, 2002).