Spiritual Transformation - The Secondary Years

The Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:23–24 NET 2nd ed.

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread, and after he had given thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

1 Corinthians 11:25–26 NET 2nd ed.

In the same way, he also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, every time you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For every time you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22–23 NIV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

But how? Soul School, reaping the Fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:13–15 NET 2nd ed.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.” However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

Galatians 5:16–18 NET 2nd ed.

But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh. For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The Fruit of the Spirit - Evidence that Change is Taking Place

The difference between us, and the audience 2,000 years ago

Galatians 5:19 NET 2nd ed.

Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity,

Galatians 5:20 NET 2nd ed.

idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions,

Galatians 5:21 NET 2nd ed.

envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

Learning from our lawn - the weeds

Galatians 5:22–23 NET 2nd ed.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

That magnificent lawn!

Galatians 5:24–26 NET 2nd ed.

Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

The great weed-killer. Surrender begins the process (letting go of self), the Holy Spirit then works through our surrender (helping us to put to death our old self - the weeds).

But that is but the beginning of our Soul School Secondary years...

Galatians 6:1 NET 2nd ed.

Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.

Galatians 6:2 NET 2nd ed.

Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Galatians 6:3 NET 2nd ed.

For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

Galatians 6:4 NET 2nd ed.

Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else.

Galatians 6:5 NET 2nd ed.

For each one will carry his own load.

Galatians 6:6 NET 2nd ed.

Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.

Galatians 6:7 NET 2nd ed.

Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows,

Galatians 6:8 NET 2nd ed.

because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.

Galatians 6:9 NET 2nd ed.

So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:10 NET 2nd ed.

So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

A call to action...