Spirit Filled Life

Introduction: I don’t want one without the other

The fruits of the Spirit and the gifts of the spirit are not two separate conversations. They are different parts of the same conversation and they are both rooted and grounded in the LOVE of Christ. If we LOVE Jesus what we will see is the fruit of the Holy Spirit growing in our lives as an expression of love. If we LOVE Jesus what we will see is the gifts of the Spirit developing in our lives.

Paul summarizes the Gospel of Jesus CH.1-2

He elaborates on the truth that JESUS makes us a new family (Jew/Gentile) 3-4

CH.5-6 he shares the impact of the Gospel by the PRESENCE and POWER of the Spirit not by law or works of effort (Fruit)

What is so important about Fruit:

They reveal that there is more to faith that just ‘being saved’

My purpose will only be accomplished by HIS power, not mine

The Fruit (like the Gifts) depends solely on the HOLY SPIRIT

Big Idea: Two Crucial Keys to growing in the Fruits of the Holy Spirit: Passion and Proximity

Scripture: John 14—I will send you the Holy Spirit

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,[f] to be with you forever, 17 even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be[g] in you.

18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

PASSION determines pursuit (HOW MUCH?)

Explain

If you love me…You’ll do what I say

Obedience is usually spoken of in the context of LOVE

Obedience to the FATHER is a natural response to the LOVE of the FATHER to his SON.

Sonship: Who I am…not an orphan

Obedience: What I do because of Who HE is

Abiding: Actively (verb) participate in intimacy with Jesus

Jesus exampled this by OBEYING the Father to the degree that he laid down his own LIFE for us…we are called to do the same.

Story: Tarah’s was everywhere…

When we were dating I was everywhere (flowers on her car…burritos)

Scripture: John 14:6-7

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

Galatians: 5:24-25

“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (NIV)

PROXIMITY determines perspective (HOW CLOSE?)

Explain:

We must keep in mind that at the center of the universe is a relationship

Jesus is coming from the perspective of eternal intimacy…he didn't need to fight for a safe place

VS.6-7—Jesus is saying, I am so close to my father in intimacy, that to look at ME is to look at HIM…if you know me, you know HIM

VS10-11—again affirming his ‘nearness’ with the Father

When people trust Jesus, what’s true of HIM becomes true of US…we are agents of HIS CHANGE in the world

Scripture: Acts 1: 4-8—Stay close till the gift comes

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5 John baptized with[b] water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit….But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:4-8—Stay in Jerusalem

He says stay close until I send the promise

Affirms the purpose of the release of the Holy Spirit for His Mission…

less we morph into a social club instead of a church on assignment

Story: Moving in for a better look:

The closer I was to Tarah, the more my perspective of her was clarified. I could no longer observe at a distance, I had to move in for a closer look and what I saw captured my heart

Getting out in the waves at China Walls

Apply:

Grow in LOVE and

MOVE in Close

We won’t see more of the gifts or fruit of the Spirit unless He is actively dwelling in us. (A tree is known by its fruit)

The fruits and the gifts of the Spirit are definitive proof that God intends to do MORE than just save us OUT of this world but to MANIFEST Jesus IN it through us!

Prioritize time w/ Jesus…Live in Community…Confront areas of vulnerability BE IN STEP….Gal.5:25

Conclusion: Now What? Worship and Inviting Holy Spirit to do His work

Questions:

Is there anything in my life right now competing for my passion, love or attention?

Is there a block in my heart/life/thinking keeping me from stepping closer to God?