The Holy Spirit (Part 2)

*See NCC Questions 36-37

INTRODUCTION

“Could you tell that we are Christians?”

How can we tell that someone is a Christian? (Today’s passage and continued discussion of the Holy Spirit will help us answer the question.)

Galatians 5:16–26 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do 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 And 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 keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Intro Prayer: Lord, as we read and prayed from Psalm 104 together this morning we recognize that life comes from your Spirit. We ask for life to fill us today through your Spirit and by the means of the preaching of your word. Bless this time. Teach us. Shine your light on us. Let no one leave today unaware of the importance of belonging to you in Christ Jesus. Amen.

SPIRITUAL OBSERVATION

What does Paul say in this passage?

[Context]

The Galatian Christians are being tempted by false teachers to believe that a person must submit to the law and circumcision to be made right with God. (Outward activity and signs).

Paul’s correction: we are justified by faith not works. The ‘sign’ of our salvation is connected with the presence and power of God’s Spirit within us. (Life IN Christ).

The Obvious Opposition

Galatians 5:17–23 ESV

17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do 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.

Verse 17: Paul communicates the same thought in three different phrases. “these are opposed to each other.”

Verses 19-21: Paul describes the “evident/visible/obvious” works of the flesh with a pretty exhaustive list (15+). Verse 21 is explicit and uncomfortable: “those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Verse 22-23: Paul describes the opposing fruits of the Spirit. Can you have both lists simultaneously? NO

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

How do we know someone is a Christian? The presence of God’s Spirit in them.

The Order of Christian Behavior

The challenge of the passage—how do I NOT read this as a list of “what to not do” verses “what to do?”

Observe Paul’s word choice: “works” of the flesh (labors, efforts, actions) verses “fruits” of the Spirit (results, crops, produce).

Paul wants us to see that the source of the behavior/fruit is what is most important. We must pursue the Spirit of the fruits to get the fruits of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 NLT

22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Observe Paul’s emphasis on belonging before behaving.

Galatians 5:24 ESV

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

Belonging precedes performing in the Christian life. Belonging to Christ by faith leads to behaving like Christ by faith.

How dow we know someone is a Christian? Their lifestyle is rooted in the Spirit not in their own effort.

The Path of the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 ESV

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Galatians 5:25–26 ESV

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul’s command in the passage: “walk by the Spirit.”

What keys do Paul give us to help us comprehend walking by the Spirit?

Remember the source of the Spirit.

Galatians 3:2–5 ESV

2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? 5 Does he who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law, or by hearing with faith—

The Spirit is a gift from God “who supplies the Spirit” that comes “by hearing with faith.”

Remember your adoption in Christ.

Galatians 4:4–7 ESV

4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.

We belong to God by grace. We have been redeemed and adopted. The result: “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts.”

Remember the posture of love and humility.

Galatians 5:25–26 ESV

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul closely connects keeping in step with the Spirit with humility and love.

SPIRITUAL EVALUATION

Question 1: Is the presence of the Spirit a reality in my life?

Galatians 5:24 ESV

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

Romans 8:9 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

If not, the Bible says that you should hear the message of the gospel, respond in faith and repentance, and rest in your new position in Christ.

Question 2: Is the pursuit of the Spirit a reality in my life?

Galatians 6:7–8 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he 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.

The same grace the saves us protects us and provides for us. We sow to the Spirit when we set our minds on what the gospel means.

Romans 8:6 ESV

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Closing Prayer: Lord, “to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Oh, how we need life and peace in this world filled with chaos and death. Lord, give us the gift of your Spirit in great abundance. Show us yur handprint on our lives and increase in us a desire to pursue you more. Amen.