The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

ORDINATION SERVICE

1) Ordination: Acts 13:2–3 “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.”

2) Anointing Oil: Exodus 30:30 “You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may serve me as priests.”

3) Encouragement

Sarah: Isaiah 21:5 “They prepare the table, they spread the rugs, they eat, they drink. Arise, O princes; oil the shield!” *use time to prepare and prevent cracking

Aaron: 1 Timothy 5:17 “Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” *your labor is noticed by God, be open to how he will direct you to teach his people

4) AP - 4 Cs

Thank You’s:

Occassion: Ordination for Aaron & Sarah Brant

Thank: Pastors Aaron and Sarah (Janet Espeseth, David Smith)

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION:

Central North Regional Pastor for Foursquare Churches

Pastor the church my grandparents started in Mahomet, IL

Married 6 years to Andrea

Kids: Kayla is 5 and Luke is 3

SERMON INTRO:

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)

Matthew 3:8 “8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”

Ephesians 5:9 “9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),”

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.”

Why is fruit important?

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

Romans 6:22 “22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.”

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.”

HOW DO WE GROW?

God, as the vinedresser, works in our lives to prune, guide, and nurture us so we can bear fruit that glorifies Him.

Just as GARDENs TAKE TIME, spiritual growth requires time.

Spiritual Growth/Disciplines/Habits…Our part for cultivating The Fruit of the Spirit

SONG: Read your Bibles and Pray every day and you will grow, grow, grow.

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.”

8 Dimensions of Love:

Joy: Love Celebrates the Found

Joy is about what is lost being found

The joy of a shepherd finding a lost sheep, a woman finding a lost coin, and a father welcoming home his lost son.(Luke 15)

Application: True joy comes when we see love triumph—when the lost are found and relationships are restored.

Peace: Love’s Assurance in the Storm

Peace is the result of love’s confidence in God’s work through the cross (Rm. 5:1). It’s not the absence of trouble but the assurance of reconciliation with God.

Illustration: Imagine walking through a storm with the confidence that you’re held in the arms of someone who will never let you go.

Patience: Love’s Commitment to Endure

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

Patience is love’s willingness to endure for the sake of others, even when they test our limits.

Application: Just as God is patient with us, we are called to extend that patience to others, showing the same grace we’ve received.

Kindness: Love in Action

Kindness is love in action—demonstrated in the way we treat others as God has treated us (Rm. 2:4).

Illustration: Kindness is like a bridge, making it easier for people to cross over into understanding God’s love.

Goodness: Love’s Overflowing Generosity

Goodness goes beyond what is required; it’s the generosity of love in action (Rm. 5:7). It’s choosing to do more out of the overflow of God’s goodness in us.

Think about the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25–37. When others passed by the wounded man on the road, the Samaritan not only stopped to help but went far beyond what was expected. He bandaged the man’s wounds, put him on his own animal, and took him to an inn. Then, he paid for the man’s care and promised to cover any additional expenses.

Faithfulness: Love’s Unshakable Loyalty

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.”

Faithfulness is the steadfastness of love, enduring even under pressure. It’s love that doesn’t waver, no matter the cost.

Application: Love compels us to remain faithful to God and to those He places in our lives, even in the face of hardship.

Gentleness: Love’s Tender 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?”

Gentleness is love’s way of communicating truth without crushing the spirit.

Illustration: Gentleness is like the tone of a loving parent correcting their child—not to condemn, but to guide with care.

Self-control: Love’s Triumph Over the Flesh

Self-control is love’s victory over the impulses of the flesh (1 Cor. 9:25). It empowers us to choose what honors God over what gratifies momentary desires.

Application: Love enables us to overcome selfishness and live in alignment with God’s purpose.

Conclusion/Reflection:

Love is the foundation and fulfillment of the fruit of the Spirit. As the Holy Spirit works in our lives, may we reflect the character of Christ to the world—living out His love with joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

John 13:35 “35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

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).