Fruit of The Spirit: Intro

Intro: Para-Olympics are happening right now...

*What makes the para-Olympians special?

-They accomplish incredible things in-spite of their imperfections or limitations...

Does God want us to be spiritually complete or incomplete?

Randy Garris says there are 3 things necessary to be a whole and complete person...

You must know your identity in Christ!

You must possess emotional maturity!

You must be a moral person (you do the right thing, doing what honors God)

Galatians 5:16–18 CSB

16 I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Point #1: There is a War Between Our Spirit and Our Flesh!

Man is a trinity...

Body - this is our physical body (finite, temporary)

We as human beings are composed of a range of Chemical Elements by mass. (Body)

– The human body is approximately 70% water (H2O).

– Around 99% of our bodies are made up of six elements: Oxygen, Carbon, Hydrogen, Nitrogen, Calcium, and Phosphorus.

– Of the remaining mass, about 0.75% is composed of five elements: Sodium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sulfur, and Chlorine.

– The remaining elements of the body exist in trace amounts (very tiny amounts).

All of these Elements can be found in the Earth’s Crust.

Genesis 2:7 CSB

7 Then the Lord God formed the man out of the dust from the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Soul - your mind (thoughts, feelings, decisions, personality)

Romans 12:1–2 CSB

1 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Spirit - The part of you communicates with God (prayer,impressions)

Ezekiel 36:26 CSB

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

We have three enemies as Children of God

The Devil

Our flesh

The World System

“In the spirit, God as the Spirit dwells; in the soul, our self dwells; and in the body, the physical senses dwell. God sanctifies us, first, by taking possession of our spirit through regeneration (John 3:5-6); second, by spreading Himself as the life-giving Spirit from our spirit into our soul to saturate and transform our soul (Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18); and last, by enlivening our mortal body through our soul (Rom. 8:11, 13) and transfiguring our body by His life power (Phil. 3:21).”

God’s intention concerning us is that we would contain and express Him. But to express God, we need to be filled with Him. When we believed in Jesus Christ, we received Him and were regenerated, or born again, in our spirit. But He doesn’t want to only fill our spirit. That’s just the beginning.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 tells us, “The God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly.” He sanctifies us by spreading into and saturating our whole being, starting from our spirit, continuing into our soul, and eventually including our body. By being wholly filled with God in every part of our being, God can be expressed through us.

2 Peter 1:3–4 CSB

3 His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 By these he has given us very great and precious promises, so that through them you may share in the divine nature, escaping the corruption that is in the world because of evil desire.

Continuing in Galatians 5:19

Galatians 5:19–21 CSB

19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, 21 envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I am warning you about these things—as I warned you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Point #2: The Works of the Flesh are Obvious!!!

Sexual Immorality

Moral impurity

Promiscuity

Idolatry

Sorcery

Hatred

Strife

Jealousy

Outbursts of anger

Selfish ambition

Dissensions and factions

Envy

Drunkenness

Carousing

Anything Similar

Those who live this way will not inherit the Kingdom of God - (Go to Heaven)

Galatians 5:22–26 CSB

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things. 24 Now 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.

Point #3: When You Love Jesus, When You Live Like Jesus You Will Have Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control!

We develop this character when we live by the Spirit!

We are called to be in step with the Holy Spirit!

Colossians 1:28 CSB

28 We proclaim him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Point #4: This is the Goal of Our Youth Group!

1 . Presenting everyone mature in Christ means we are complete people!