Abiding in the Spirit: Abiding in Love

I.          Greetings to the congregation

II.        Opening Prayer

III.       Scripture: Galatians 5:22

IV.       Title of Message: “Abiding in Love”

V.         Opening Quote/Statement/Story: “”

VI.       Introduction:

At the start of this year, we established what it means to abide—remaining connected to Christ as our source. But now the question becomes: what should be growing out of that connection?

The answer is fruit. Not activity. Not titles. Not appearances. But fruit.

And the first fruit listed by the Apostle Paulis not random; it is intentional: love.

Because if love is absent, everything else becomes hollow. You can serve without love. You can give without love. You can even worship without love. But when love is missing, the life of Christ is not being fully reflected.

So today, we are not just talking about love—we are talking about abiding in love, the kind that only comes from God.

The Epistle to the Galatians was written by Paul the Apostle to believers who were being pulled in two directions—grace and legalism.

They had started in the Spirit, but were now trying to perfect themselves through works of the law. In response, Paul contrasts two lifestyles:

· The works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19–21)

· The fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23)

This contrast is critical:

Fruit is not something you produce through effort—it is something the Spirit produces through relationship.

And the first evidence of a Spirit-led life is love—not rule-keeping, not ritual, but love.

VII.      (Read: )

A.        Teaching Points

VIII.    A.        Teaching Points

IX.       (Read: )

A.        Teaching Points

X.        Application:

XI.       Conclusion:

XII.      Closing Story:

XIII.     Closing Prayer

XIV.     Call to Salvation

XV.      Offering

XVI.    Announcements

XVII.   Welcome Visitors

XVIII. Benediction