A New Year's Helper

Matt Doane

New Year's Sermon • Sermon • Submitted 6 years ago

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New Year's resolutions are near impossible to keep but God gives us a helper in the Holy Spirit to grow into a mature Christian and glorify Him.

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Intro:

It’s hard to imagine that this is the final Sunday of 2018! I know for me, this year has flown by.

For many the New Year is an exciting time because it’s an opportunity to start over and focus on a New Year with new opportunities.

Maybe you write out resolutions or maybe you don’t because you know you will not keep them.

I did some research on the top resolutions for 2019 that people have made and here are seven popular resolutions that people make:

Exercise more

Lose Weight

Get organized

Learn a new skill or hobby

Save more money/spend less money

Travel more

Now, maybe some of those are on your list, but what we know about resolutions is that statistics show that 25% of people abandon their resolutions by the second week of January.

If you are a member of a gym or work out organization, you will notice a huge influx of members in January and you will probably have to wait an hour before getting on the treadmill.

The good news is, by February the lines will die down and the gym will be back to normal.

I have made resolutions in the past and have broken many of the resolutions in the past.

Wouldn’t it be so helpful if you had a helper to walk alongside you to help keep your resolutions?

Imagine having someone with you 24 hours a day to hold you accountable to help you achieve your resolutions..

If your resolution is to eat healthier, imagine if you had someone to smack that cookie out of your hand or when you are about to order a coca cola at lunch the helper tells the waitress “he will have a water instead.”

Or your on your phone scrolling through Facebook and your helper says’ “Turn the phone off and do some pushups”

That would be very helpful right?

What about our relationship with God? Wouldn’t it be helpful to have a helper correct us when we aren’t acting in a Christ-like way or to call us out when we are wasting time on things that don’t matter?

For Christians, we have a helper and we have a way to grow in the Lord and live a life pleasing to Him.

This is good news for us today because iGod gives us a helper to assist us in our walk with Him. He doesn’t leave us on our own but gives us strength to grow.

Let’s read about this helper in

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.

Notice that the helper we have is the Spirit. If you are a new creation in Christ, you have the Spirit dwelling inside you to help you walk in a way that is worthy of your calling.

Listen to Jesus’ words to his disciples in

26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

John 14:6 ESV

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

The Holy Spirit is referred to as the Helper. There are several passages in the New Testament that indicate how the Holy Spirit guides followers of Christ as they grow in their relationship.

This morning, we are going to look at a few things that the Holy Spirit does in the life of a Christian.

1. The Holy Spirit defeats sin and our old nature. V. 16-21.

The main idea of this passage is walking in the flesh so that you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

It’s important to understand what each of these are:

The Flesh: The Fallen Human nature. This deals with our natural desire to sin and live for ourselves. Ultimately, the works of the flesh lead to destruction.

The Spirit: This is the helper that God gives to all disciples. The Spirit helps us defeat our sinful flesh and enables us to live a life that glorifies God and helps believers look more like Jesus. There are many roles of the Holy Spirit but specifically explains the Spirit as producing fruit in the life of a believer.

Before we get into the works of the flesh, notice V. 18 “But if you led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”

One of the main themes of Galatians is the truth that as a follower of Jesus, we are now free from following the Mosaic Law. Christians are not justified by outward works or ceremonial laws, but Christians are free in Jesus Christ.

If you study Galatians, you will read the Apostle Paul passionately sharing this message of freedom in Christ. He battled false teachers who were leading believer’s astray and convincing new believer’s that they had to follow laws to please God and Paul continuously preached freedom in Christ.

This really is the message of the Gospel, that we have gained freedom in Christ and we are saved by grace through faith, not works.

Listen to what

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit

The law was fulfilled through Jesus, and we have freedom knowing that salvation comes through Christ alone through faith alone.

Having new life in Christ means we are under God’s grace and not our own merit or works.

You want to know one of the worst illustrations of salvation: If anyone compares our relationship to God as climbing a ladder or a mountain.

The Gospel is that God sent his son Jesus for us and if we are at the bottom of the mountain, God comes to us and lifts us up through the power of His son Jesus. We stand forgiven and victorious in Christ.

So how does that play out in living a new life and defeating sin.

Look at V. 19-20 where Paul lists the works of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies.

When Paul references this list of the works of the flesh, we know the works of the flesh are not limited to these things but he is describing what a life without Jesus looks like.

We must realize that before Christ, we are walking in the flesh and we can do NOTHING to please or glorify a Holy God.

It’s only through walking in the Spirit in our new life that we can defeat sin and live a life that brings God glory and honor.

Listen to

55 “O death, where is your victory?

O death, where is your sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

For believers, we have victory of the works of the flesh and over sin through Jesus Christ.

In relation to our daily walk with Jesus, we have the power over sin when we walk in the Spirit. Just as V. 16 says’ “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”

That is not a walk by the spirit and you MIGHT NOT gratify the desires of the flesh, it’s walk by the Spirit and you WILL NOT gratify the desires of the flesh.

Don’t ever feel defeated by sin because God has given you victory over sin and temptation.

It’s a daily struggle for sure, but we have a Helper to defeat sin and our old nature.

Not only does walking in the Spirit help us defeat sin, but in contrast; walking in the Spirit is beneficial because...

2. The Holy Spirit produces a fruitful life. V. 22-24.

We read the works of the flesh and the result of walking in our flesh and the fact the Holy Spirit helps us defeat sin.

Now, lets look at what the Holy Spirit produces in contrast to sin and our old life.

Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.

Looking over the fruit of the Spirit, I think that we should exempify these things in our life as we walk in Christ. In fact, wouldn’t you say this list describes the very essence of who Jesus is?

says’ “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved Children and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

We are called to be imitators of God, and the fruit of the Spirit points us to what God desires for his followers to model and exemplify in their daily lives’

The good news this morning is that we can bear these fruits when we walk in the Spirit.

Let’s break down the fruits one by one and look at how each fruit points to Jesus.

Love: Love doesn’t just describe God but God is love, for believer’s, we must live a life of love even when it’s extremely difficult.

“Anyone who does not love does not know God because God is love.”

As we walk in a way that brings honor and glory to God, we must love as God has loved us.

Joy: This also refers to rejoicing in the Lord. Christian joy is celebrating God’s ultimate victory over the power of sin and darkness.

Living a life of joy means rejoicing in the Lord no matter what our circumstances and the only way we can find strength to do that is by walking in the Spirit.

Peace: This fruit of the Spirit refers to having confidence in a relationship with God and upholding peace with others.

We are called as followers of Christ to live at peace with others and to seek reconcilation with those that might be considered enemies.

Listen to what the Baptist Faith and Message says’ about “Peace and War”

It is the duty of Christians to seek peace with all men on principles of righteousness. In accordance with the spirit and teachings of Christ they should do all in their power to put an end to war.

The true remedy for the war spirit is the gospel of our Lord. The supreme need of the world is the acceptance of His teachings in all the affairs of men and nations, and the practical application of His law of love. Christian people throughout the world should pray for the reign of the Prince of Peace.

Peace is an internal attribute but also something we practice externally as we walk with Christ and become more like Jesus.

Patience: Some of you may be struggling with patience right now as you are ready to get to O’Charleys to beat the crowd.

Patience refers to the ability to put up with other people even when it is not an easy thing to do.

Although, patience may be one of the most difficult of these, God gives us strength to grow in patience on a daily basis. We can look no further than the way God deals with us.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Kindness: As believers, Kindness should flow from our life to others on a regular basis.

As it refers to Kindness here, kindness is an attribute of God that believers should show as we relate to others. Kindness is showing goodness and generosity to others.

Kindness is especially important in the local church, Paul was writing this letter to a church that was once thriving and was now being destroyed by false teaching. Now, Christians in the church were bickering and being mean spirited to one another.

Paul says’ “Enough is enough” if you are a believer and are walking in the Spirit, you will be kind to one another.

Think about the fallen world we live in. When you watch the news at night do you say to yourself “We live in such a kind world.”

Absolutely not, we live in a world that is broken and is fallen and kindness is not something you see reflected to often. However, believer’s are kind not only to non-believer’s but especially to other believer’s.

That’s one of the things that sets the church apart, we are new in Christ, but we live out our new life as we are kind to one another and love one another in a Christlike way.

That only happens when we are walking in the Spirit.

Goodness: This fruit looks out for the well being of others and not just ourselves.

Galatians 6:10 ESV

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

“So then, as we have

The fruit of goodness goes out the way to serve others and loving others even when it makes us feel uncomfortable or vulnerable.

Faithfulness: This fruit of the Spirit has several different meanings but as it appears here in the text it is referring to being true, trustworthy, and reliable in the way we relate to others.

I’m sure that all of us have been let down by someone in our life. I’m also sure we have let others down. Because of sin, we are not perfect, but when we grow in walking in the Spirit, we become more trustworthy and reliable.

Because walking in the Spirit is growing more like Jesus and Jesus is always there for us and is always dependable. He never fails us. We can grow in being the same way when we walk in the Spirit.

Gentleness: Looking at the original meaning of this word we see that Gentleness is also practicing meekness and humility. It is in direct opposition to pride.

Those that are in Jesus do not think highly of themselves because they understand that they are nothing but a sinner saved by grace.

God calls us to a life of gentleness and and to be gentle with others and to consider others more important that ourselves. We can only grow in gentleness through walking in the Spirit.

Self Control: This is the discipline that the Holy Spirit gives to us to resist the flesh and our sinful nature.

I think there are areas in our life where we struggle with self control, but walking in the Spirit will gives us self-control and help us to live a life of self control and glorify the Lord.

All of these fruits are things that will be produced in us with the Help of the Holy Spirit. We are not walking alone as we attempt to live for Christ. We have a helper dwelling inside of us to help us live the life God wants us to live.

You may think that you will never be a patient person or have self-control, but your doubting the power of the Holy Spirit and what God can do in and through you when you walk in the Holy Spirit.

Each of these fruits are things that over time a Christian will model in their life. God desires a life of growth for his children. He doesn’t want us to simply live a life and never change.

God is changing us to be more like his son daily as we walk in the Holy Spirit.

Which helps us conclude this passage. Look at V. 25-26 withe me.

3. The Holy Spirit guides disciples as live and walk in the new life. V 25-26

Galatians 5:25–26 ESV

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

We must allow the Holy Spirit to direct our life. If we are not keeping in step with the Spirit we will give in to the works of the flesh.

John Piper: “The Spirit is not a leader like a pace car in the Daytona 500. He is a leader like a locomotive on a train. We do not follow in our own strength. We are led by His power. So “walk by the spirit” means stay hooked up to the divine source of power and go wherever he leads.

Living the Christian life is not a life where we sit down and make up a bunch of rules and regulations for ourselves. Living the life God wants us to live involves walking or keeping in step with the Spirit.

The spirit is our helper and our source of life. We can grow and produce fruit when we submit ourselves to God and rely on the Spirit’s power to produce good works in our life.

Do you want 2019 to be a year of growth for your walk in Christ? Don’t make goals that you can’t accomplish or will fail within the first month or so. Make a commitment to be led by the Holy Spirit and walk in the Holy Spirit and the fruit we see listed will naturally be produced in your life.

This morning, you might feel terrible because of something you have done or the person that you are.

Remember that God forgives you through his son Jesus and you have victory and power over your sin and shame.

Don’t allow past mistakes or failures define who you are. You are a new creation in Christ and you have the ability to walk in newness of life.

2019 gives an opportunity to experience new and exciting things. I pray that our faith family will fall on our knees and recognize that we are in desperate need of God. Without God we are nothing.

When our dependance on God grows, and when we commit to walking in the Spirit, He will lead us to accomplish some great things for His glory.

I am confident that God is going to produce fruit in this Church body in 2019.

My prayer is that God will take FBA to new heights and allow us to disciple many people for His glory.

We can do that when we choose to walk in the Spirit and we are growing in our walk with the Lord.

We may not have a helper to walk alongside us to accomplish whatever goal or resolution we have for 2019, but we have a Helper in the Holy Spirit to produce fruit in our life every single day as we walk with the Lord.

Are you walking in the Spirit? God gives you a Helper and gives you strength as you grow in your relationship with him.

Let’s Pray.

We may not have a helper walking with us 24/7 to help accomplish our goals and resolutions for 2019, but as followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit guiding us and leading us to walk in our new life in Christ Jesus.

As followers of Christ, we are simply called to walk in this spirit and we will produce fruit, we will glorify the Lord, and we will experience joy like nothing else can bring us.

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