Walk This Way
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
Illustration: Yesterday we went apple picking in Harvard, MA.
My fascination with how beautiful the apples looked and tasted led me to research how to produce healthy apples
Many gardeners dream of growing their own juicy apples. However, growing fruit takes long-term commitment.
Expert advice concerning 7 important issues to address when planting, growing, and harvesting healthy apples:
Climate considerations are very important for growing apples. Each variety has a number of chill hours needed to set fruit (i.e., the amount of time temperatures are between 32 and 45 degrees F).
Apples Need Pest Control- Also, it’s important to recognize that there are many diseases and fruit pests that attack apples so it’s rare for this fruit to be grown without any type of pesticides. Growing apples organically is much more difficult in the East coast than the West due to incidence of fungal diseases and types of pests that aren’t even present in the West.
Apple Trees Need Friends. Most apples need pollen from another apple tree to produce fruit. This is called cross-pollination. This second tree must be a different cultivar but also one that will flower at the same time. The presence of bees will be very important; poor pollination can reduce the number of fruit and cause misshapen fruit; some orchards rent or maintain bee hives for good pollination
Selecting a Site As with most fruit, apples produce best when grown in full sun, which means six or more hours of direct summer Sun daily. Apple trees need well-drained soil, but should be able to retain some moisture.
CARE Water young trees regularly to ensure that the root system becomes well established. Apple trees require initial training to nurture a strong frame of branches so the trees can carry heavy apple crops.
Pruning slows a young tree’s overall growth and can delay fruiting, so don’t be in a hurry to prune, other than removing misplaced, broken, or dead branches.
Rub off misplaced buds before they grow into misplaced branches.
Prune yearly to maintain size and form once your apple tree has filled in and is bearing fruit. Pruning reduces disease by letting in more light and air.
Large trees may need more pruning (and a ladder!). Prune your mature tree when it is dormant.
Harvesting Apples. Harvest patiently. After all this pruning and caring, be sure to harvest your apples at their peak of perfection.
Pluck your apples when their background color is no longer green.
Transition To Body-
Transition To Body-
The Spirit
pneuma
God’s being as controlling influence, with focus on association with humans
air in movement, blowing, breathing
How we walk matters!
Last week we talked about using our Freedom in Christ wisely
Today we will talk about walking in our freedom with Jesus Christ.
How does the walk look? How do we walk with our LORD Jesus Christ
Body- In Galatians 5:16-26 Paul Presents The Process
Body- In Galatians 5:16-26 Paul Presents The Process
of Producing Spiritual Fruit for those who belong to Christ Jesus who are Walking Faithfully in a committed relationship with the LORD
Strengthened (Walk) By The Holy Spirit
Strengthened (Walk) By The Holy Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Illustration: Annual exam to doctor said I need to watch my diet as well as exercise more if I want to loose weight
walk
walk
to conduct one’s life, comport oneself, behave, live
gratify
gratify
to carry out an obligation or demand, carry out, accomplish, perform, fulfill, keep
desires
desires
a desire for someth. forbidden or simply inordinate, craving, lust
What does walking with the Spirit look like? A constant battle
What does walking with the Spirit look like? A constant battle
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.
Enlightened (or Encouraged {Led}) By The Holy Spirit (vv18-24)
Enlightened (or Encouraged {Led}) By The Holy Spirit (vv18-24)
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
I don’t just follow rules and regulations
Or weary myself with working hard to be holy
I am led by the Holy Spirit
Which means I yield to the Holy Spirit leading authority in my life
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
enlightened
enlightened
: having or showing a good understanding of how people should be treated : not ignorant or narrow in thinking
led
led
to lead/guide morally or spiritually, lead, encourage (in the direction of)
How to tell if you are enlightened by the Holy Spirit?
How to tell if you are enlightened by the Holy Spirit?
How to perform a self-examination of your spiritual health?
Evidence (proof) of the Works of the Flesh
Evidence (proof) of the Works of the Flesh
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.
Work
Work
that which one does as regular activity, work, occupation, task
that which displays itself in activity of any kind, deed, action
that which is brought into being by work, product, undertaking, work
manifestation, practical proof
accomplishment- in other words what do people know you for doing or being
Byproduct of being led by the Spirit
Byproduct of being led by the Spirit
something produced in a usually industrial or biological process in addition to the principal product
a secondary and sometimes unexpected or unintended result
derivation, outgrowth
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.
fruit
fruit
product or outcome of someth., fruit
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
against such things there is no law
How to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit?
How to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit?
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Those who are in Jesus Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires
Die daily to our flesh
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.
(So I can…)
Transformed (Live) By The Holy Spirit (v25a)
Transformed (Live) By The Holy Spirit (v25a)
Now I keep up with the Holy Spirit
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
live
or a life not of mere human achievement, but of Christ who lives in Christians
Transcend myself and the culture by the Spirit
March (Keep in step) By The Holy Spirit (v25b)
March (Keep in step) By The Holy Spirit (v25b)
Illustration: Navy ROTC Monday drill at 0600 hours in the morning.
Illustration: Getting in shape by walking more with my wife and daughters- keeping up with me/us as we walk together during this Coronavirus Pandemic
Our need as children of God and followers of Jesus Christ to get in shape spiritually by walking and keeping up with the Holy Spirit
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
keep in step
keep in step
to be in line with a pers. or thing considered as standard for one’s conduct, hold to, agree with, follow, conform
Galatians (4) The Fruit of the Spirit (5:22–26)
The verb translated “keep in step with” is a military term meaning to “be drawn up in line,” to “stand in a row
Galatians (4) The Fruit of the Spirit (5:22–26)
It suggests, therefore, the basic idea of discipleship: conformity to Christ under the leadership of the Spirit. Therefore, just as we put to death the old existence of the flesh in mortification, so too we move forward in the life of faith by keeping in step with the Spirit in our attitudes, conduct, and lifestyle.
Transition To Close
Transition To Close
Illustration: Seeds of the Holy Spirit, p. 259 from Perfect Illustrations
In the book The Ascent of a Leader, Bruce McNicol & Bill Thrall tell of a woman who has a dream where she wanders into a shop at the mall and finds Jesus behind a counter.
Jesus says, “You can have anything your heart desires.”
Astounded but pleased, she asks for peace, joy , happiness, wisdom, and freedom from fear. Then she ads, “Not just for me, but for the whole earth.”
Jesus smiles and says, “I think you misunderstand me. We don’t sell fruits, only seeds.”
Have you ever misunderstood Jesus
Jesus look beyond your faults and saw your needs
You heard who people said Jesus is
13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Fred Hammond said it this way:
The greatest gift o man from the Father
Would change us all in ways we've never seen
Yet His first moments were in a manger
And soon every living thing would call Him King, yes they would
Though we didn't know it then
We soon would understand
That His life would reveal God's perfect plan
He's not just a man
He is God
And He is not just a baby
He is King
No He is not just a lamb
But the Lion of Judah
Savior and Ruler of all
That seed of faith needs to be cultivated
9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
14 The sower sows the word.
11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
24 He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
26 And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. 27 He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. 28 The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. 29 But when the grain is ripe, at once he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.”
32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”
13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Close- When Jesus Christ was led by the the Spirit
Close- When Jesus Christ was led by the the Spirit
16 And when Jesus was baptized, immediately he went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on him; 17 and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”
1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness
14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country.
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
30 When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”