Breakout Part 2

Welcome to MJNAZ

I am Pastor Jim Patten - Associate Pastor

Pastor Russ is out but will be back next week!

1. Recap: The Battle - The Good Fight!

What did we cover last week?

Are you in the Battle? Tension is normal…

Are You Bearing Fruit?

Are you Sowing Seed?

I don’t want to go through the process of being a farmer!

Can someone please just tell me what to do?

Or a 5 step process?

Ga 5:19-26

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 5

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,

21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

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.

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

Ga 6:7-8

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 6

7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.

8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Prayer:

2. War - The Good Fight!

War, Fruit Seed Slide

War of the Crucifixion - slow or fast?

Can our sin be crucified? Ga 5:24-25 says…

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

The constant battle between the Spirit and the flesh.

immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these Ga 5:19-20

I have met many Christians who feel they cannot escape from their sin. That it is impossible. But that is a lie that satan wants them to believe and it it sad because it’s a very hopeless way to live. Let me get real with you. If you are stuck in pornography and feel there is no use in struggling because everyone does it and it’s pointless to resist - that is a lie.

The idea is that…

You can’t live in sin and be a Christian. Now you may fall into sin, but you will get out of it. The Prodigal Son can get in the pig pen, but he won’t settle down there—the pig pen won’t be his forwarding address. He will leave it.

J. Vernon McGee

IF you say we can’t crucify the flesh with it’s passions and desires

THEN - you do not believe the Gospel

New American Standard Bible (1995) Chapter 5

24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

It’s a struggle but you can!

The great need in the Christian life is for self-discipline. This is not something that happens to you in a meeting; you have got to do it! Banner of Truth, Issue 275

David Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Welsh Preacher and Writer)

Fruit Slide

3. The Fruit - Got Any?

What Does it look like to live by the spirit?

Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

Comparisons:

Spirit/Fruit = character of Jesus

Flesh = works

Spirit = fruit - not man made

Law = cannot produce fruit

Fruit = from the vine/tree

Plastic flowers = cant produce

Spirit/Fruit = How? Not from the Law.

Law:

changes in behavior

keep you from doing bad stuff

cant produce the good fruit

Title: Taping Apples Scenario: My in-laws have pear trees...A lot of them. And it looks like they will produce a massive amount this year. Meanwhile, they also have an apple tree. I was told last weekend that it doesn’t look good for the apple tree.

So what they will do is simply go to the the store (Michaels), use a set of rules with instructions to tape some plastic apples on the branches. That way the dying apple tree will look good around the pear trees and they can enjoy those apples instead!

I’ve done the same with plastic flowers with our home in North Carolina.

Problem: Tell Me What to Do! Give Me a 5 Step Approach!

I don’t want to have to go through the process of planting.

I don’t want to go through the process of growing.

I don’t want to pay attention to my transformation.

In fact, I don’t care if I transform at all.

All I want is to stick my plastic flowers in my pot, look the part, and call it a day.

Isn’t that good enough?

I want to tape my apples to a dead tree and get a pass into the garden.

Question: Are you taping apples with a rule book?

Comparisons:

Bad Tree - Fake Fruit/Flowers

Good Tree - Real Apples/Flowers

Sewing Seed Tractor Slide

4. The Seed - What Kind?

What’s the difference?

Real Fruit comes from real trees and real seeds.

Ingredients:

Sun - Word (read)

Rain - Fellowship

Soil - Prayer

time - Time

(Galatians 6:7–8) “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

Law:

Can’t Justify You

Can’t Sanctify You

Never be holy by taping apples with a rule book.

Spirit:

Justified - By the death of Christ for you

Sanctified - By the life of Christ in you

That should give you peace :)

5. Overview

Overview Slide (3 pics)

a.) The Battle - The Good Fight!

Battle with flesh every day of your Christian life

Won’t be done till you see Jesus

Can’t get rid of it

Like the laundry - It will always be there for you (may change over time)

It’s the weeds:

Gossip - Drunk

Jealousy - Porn

Hatred - Crass Joke

Yes to the weeds means strengthening their position in the garden of your life

fruit pic

b.) The Fruit - Got Any?

Galatians 5:22–6:8 KJV 1900

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

5:22–23 In contrast to the works of the flesh is the fruit of the Spirit. Works are something that you do, motivated by your flesh.

But fruit is something produced through you by the Spirit as you respond to his urging (see John 7:38–39).

The sources are different, and their outcomes are different. But just as the works of the flesh are visible to all, so also is the fruit of the Spirit. You can’t miss it.

And make no mistake: fruit always bears the character of the tree that produces it.

Apple trees don’t produce oranges. You don’t display love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (5:22–23) in your life without the Holy Spirit.

The fruit of the Spirit is the life and character of Christ produced in us as we walk in fellowship with him.

Every yes to spirit is a victory - give thanks

Every no to temptation - weakens the power of sin in your life

tractor pic

c.) The Seed - What Kind?

IF you say yes to flesh over a long period of time (years)

THEN you’ll reap to find it has gained a grip all over the garden of your life with great destruction

Hear the alarm bells!

Quick prayer and carry on with the rest of the week is not enough!

You have to crucify the flesh, but now it will be more difficult. But possible.

Remember the Weeds

gossip, drunk, jealousy, porn, hatred, bad jokes

show the sins pic

Instead, sow the spirit!

Ingredients:

Sun - Word (read)

Rain - Fellowship

Soil - Prayer

Time - Time

You need the full package! The Deluxe Model, if you will…

Hebrews 3:15 “While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.”

Remember Groundhog Day?

Movie Title: Groundhog Day (1993) Relevant Characters: - Phil Connors: A cynical weatherman trapped in a time loop - Rita: Phil's producer and love interest Scene Setting: Various locations in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, shown in a montage sequence Scene Description: The montage begins with Phil waking up to "I Got You Babe" on the radio, realizing he's still stuck reliving February 2nd.

We see a series of quick cuts showing Phil's transformation: he learns to play piano, sculpts ice, and performs random acts of kindness. The camera follows Phil as he catches a boy falling from a tree, changes a flat tire for elderly women, and performs the Heimlich maneuver on a choking man.

The music swells as we see Phil reading to Rita, his expression softening. The montage culminates with Phil and Rita building a snowman together, laughing genuinely.

The scene ends with a close-up of Phil's face, his eyes reflecting a newfound sense of purpose and joy. Thematic Relevance: This montage demonstrates Phil's gradual transformation from a selfish, cynical person to someone who uses his unique situation to better himself and help others. It shows how consistent effort and positive choices can lead to personal growth and the shedding of negative habits.

1. This week, identify one area where you've been "sowing to the flesh." What specific steps can you take to begin "sowing to the Spirit" in this area instead? 2. Choose one fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 to focus on cultivating this week. What practical actions can you take to nurture this fruit in your life?

Holiness is a harvest that happens over time

Depends on what you sew

Reap life!

Conclusion

5. How would knowing who you are in Christ change your life?

1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV 1900

But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

Wisdom - wise (live with confidence

Righteous - peace (God has removed your sin)

Sanctification - holy (you have purpose, God has work for you to do)

Redemption - Free (strength to prevail against temptation)