First he validates his own authority and shows that the apostles in Jerusalem approved his gospel. (1-2)

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1 The Fruit of the Spirit Part I Galatians 5: Joint Heirs ABF, 4/12/2015 By Pastor Ray Benton Introduction: As I ve been thinking about this series of lessons I was asking God to give me insight on how to introduce it and I believe He did that a week ago while driving to work. We live in a development that overlooks the Sweetwater Reservoir called Lakeview at Highland Ranch. It is a gated community in which our HOA is under the delusion that we are a private gated community. I say delusion because when the front gate opens it allows several cars to go through and there are trails throughout the development that give access as well. (So the privacy thing is only in their imagination. You can tell I have a great attitude about this.) Well in light of this challenge with the gate access, about two years ago the association decided to create a new entry that would only let one car through at a time and work began on this project about nine months ago. (What you are looking at is the progress on the new gate but this construction has been like this for about six months.) So every day all the residents have to dodge the cones and barriers as we leave and enter the development. As I was making my way out of the development last week thinking about this series of lessons I thought to myself what if I just got a bull dozer and wiped out all this construction so we as residents don t have to put up with this frustration of an unfinished gate any more. (Have you ever had any thoughts like that about any frustrations in your life?) On that same morning as I drove through the unfinished gate I came to the stop light at Jamacha Blvd. and our development and the car in front of me wasn t moving to make a right turn and again I had a thought of why don t I just smack his bumper to get him going. And then I came to the next light at Sweetwater Springs Road and Jamacha Blvd. and the car in front of me had a green light but wasn t moving because you could tell she was texting. (Doesn t that irritate you? I was in a hurry so I wanted to bump her as well.) How do these kinds of life realities make you feel? Do you ever find yourself getting angry and upset like my thought of bull dozing the gate or bumping the car? Or has God provided the grace in your life to respond as the passage of scripture I want us to look at over the next three weeks together. Galatians 5: 16-22, I want to talk today and the next two Sunday s about God s transforming power through The Fruit of the Spirit. While you are finding your place in Galatians 5, Paul writes to the Church at Galatia for at least three reasons as Pastor Jeremiah identifies in his study Bible. First he validates his own authority and shows that the apostles in Jerusalem approved his gospel. (1-2) Second, because of the heresy was coming from Jewish influencers, Paul explains how in appealing to the experience of Abraham the OT teaches the doctrine of justification by faith apart from works of the law. (3-4) 1

2 Thirdly, Paul follows up by discussing the implications of sound doctrine for everyday life. (5-6) It s in this third section on how sound doctrine impacts everyday life that I want us to focus our attention today and the next two Sundays. Look at what Paul says, Galatians 5:16-22/Paul begins by identifying: I. A command vs. 16, I say then, Walk in the Spirit The word walk that he uses means, ordering ones manner of life or behavior. It is in the present tense meaning a way of life. How are we as believers to order our behavior? Walk in the Spirit. What does that mean? To walk in the Spirit means to live every day in dependence upon God. It is not our determination but our dependence. It isn t trying, it s trusting. II. A conflict vs , read Are you acquainted with the conflict? What is it? (It is the Flesh what we do naturally vs. Spirit what we do when God is in control of our lives.) --Have you come to the place in your experience where you have learned when the conflict is brewing? (In my experience it takes place every day from a. driving, to b. frustrating customer service, to c. family discussions.) Do you know the conflict? III. A choice and contrast vs , read Confronted with a Choice--Is your life going to be dominated (characterized) by the works of the flesh, or the fruit of the Spirit? --Listen to the Phillips translation of these verses, 19-21, The activities of the (flesh) are obvious. Here is a list: sexual immorality, impurity of mind, sensuality, worship of false gods, witchcraft, hatred, quarreling, jealousy, bad temper, rivalry, factions envy, drunkenness, orgies and things like that. Do you see in this verse where my bull dozing the gate fits, or wanting to ram a bumper, or mumbling frustrating words under your breath at someone texting? outbursts of wrath, bad temper. To our choice Paul adds a Contrast will we permit our lives to be controlled by our fleshly desires or will we choose to walk in the Spirit and live our lives yielded and controlled by the Holy Spirit? IV. The Fruit of the Spirit In vs. 22, he says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control Here we see, In contrast to the works of the flesh, Paul begins with the word But. This introduces the subject of the fruit of the spirit as a contrast and in antithesis to the works for the flesh. 2

3 But the fruit of the Spirit... Notice that Paul uses the word fruit to describe what God s Spirit produces in the life of a believer instead of the word, works that he used to describe the flesh. Why does he make this distinction? Wuest says, It is due probably to the condition of the Christian experience as the product of a new and divine life implanted in the saint. In Galatians 5:25, Paul speaks of the fact that the Christian lives in the Spirit, that is, derives his spiritual life from the indwelling Spirit, which spiritual life is the motivating force producing the fruit of the Spirit. (You see friends, the works of the flesh, of verse are what we do naturally, or what is produced by our own effort, or what is produced in a life lived apart from God; Fruit of the Spirit, on the other hand is that which God produces in us. It is the outward expression of Christ s dwelling within us. Dunnam) It is the Fruit of the Spirit. Do you remember what Christ said to his disciples in John 15:16, You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain He went on to say in verse 8, By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be my disciples. Lehman Strauss goes on to say concerning this verse, The fruit of the Spirit cannot be borne in anyone who refuses to be controlled and led by the Holy Spirit. Union and communion with Christ make fruitfulness. And that brings us to the real focus of our study today and the next two Sundays as we review this fruit that God wants to produce in our lives, the fruit of the Spirit. I like what Pastor Jeremiah says concerning this fruit in his book, God In You when he writes, The Word of God paints a strikingly beautiful portrait of what a Christ like person looks like, acts like, and feels like when they walk around in the world. We began our teaching a few minutes ago with the command of verse, 16, Walk in the Spirit If a person is walking in the Spirit there will be visible, recognizable evidence in his or her life. What is that evidence? It is the 9 graces that make up this beautiful cluster of fruit that is developed by the HS as we allow Him to control us. How will it be displayed? Pastor Jeremiah says, the fruit of the spirit is always displayed in the context of relationships with others. You don t bear fruit simply for yourself. You bear fruit in your life that you might have the opportunity to touch the lives of others. (What is interesting in this study is to see how this fruit touches on all our relationships as he: a. first identifies the characteristics that describe our personal experience with God, and then the characteristics that describe our personal relationship with others, and finally the characteristics that describe our personal development as people.) Let s begin our study of this fruit by looking at the fruit: That describes our personal experience with God. A. The fruit of the spirit is love... 3

4 The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace When we are filled with God s Spirit it will impact our personal experience and the first quality that you will demonstrate is LOVE. As we think about this characteristic: 1. Define it The word is agape. Agape love is God s special kind of self-giving. It is a love that comes from and is rooted in God. It is a totally selfless love. It delights in giving even though the loved one maybe unkind, unloving, and unworthy. Agape love continues to give. (Can you identify with this kind of love?) It willingly sacrifices for another s good. It gives when it gets nothing in return. It always has an object. (John 3:16) 2. Description of love. a. The love that God is: I John 4:16, God is love b. The priority command Matthew 22: 37-40, What is the greatest commandment in the law? You shall love the Lord your God c. The perfect gift I Cor. 12:31, But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. I Cor. 13. d. The permanent virtue I Cor. 13:13, And now abide faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. e. The proof of your faith John 13:34, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 3. Demonstration of love. a. Marks our walk John 14:15, If you love Me, keep my commandments. b. Exemplified by Christ John 3:16 c. Example of love I John 3:16 (Jesus Christ) d. Examination of love I John 3:17 (People in need/our response) e. Exhortation to love I John 3:18 (The how to of love, not word but action) 4. Depiction of love. Where and how should we demonstrate this quality? (Exercise of love.) a. Church John 13:34, love one another Who is Christ speaking too? Is this hard to do? Only happens if filled and walking in the Spirit. b. Spouse (Husband and Wife) Ephesians 5:25/28, Husbands love your wives just Christ also loved the Church and gave himself for her. Titus 2:4, admonish the young women to love their husbands (Love is not a feeling but giving) I Cor. 13:4-7 c. Families Titus 2:4, to love their children d. Neighbor Matthew 22:39, You shall love your neighbor as yourself e. Work Matthew 5:43-44, 5. Application: a. Would people describe you as a loving person? Spouse/Those at Work b. How well are you doing in cultivating this grace? c. That describes our personal experience with God. (Godward Fruit) 4

5 B. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace When we are filled with the Spirit it will impact our personal experience and the second quality that will characterize your life is JOY. 1. Define it What do we mean by joy? a. What is the first word that comes to your mind when you hear the word joy? Happiness (Joy isn t happiness/happiness depends on circumstances) Joy comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ and a life yielded to His Spirit. (Centered in a Person) b. What is joy? The word means calm delight, cheerfulness, gladness, to rejoice. Calvin said, It is that cheerful behavior toward our fellow man. Macarthur says, Joy is a sense of wellbeing experienced by one who knows all is well between himself and the Lord. 2. Description of Joy a. When the disciples faced persecution for preaching Christ the Bible says, Acts 13:50-52, they were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost. b. Jesus told them that when men would revile and persecute them that they should rejoice. Matthew 5:10-12 c. Paul in a prison writes the believers in Philippi, Christ is preached, and in this I rejoice, yes and will rejoice. Philippians 1:18 d. Christ spoke of the prospect of future reward. Luke 6:22-23, Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven 3. Demonstration of Joy Where do we see it? a. Where is it centered? In Jesus, John 15:11, These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. Listen to the words of Peter, I Peter 1:8, vs, 7 Jesus Christ whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing you rejoice with joy inexpressible, and full of glory, (If you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy, let Jesus come into your heart.) b. Where it is experienced? (1) In the midst of trials James 1:2, My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials. Joy is the ability to recognize God s purpose in His dealings. Joy is a deep-seated sense of well-being that s in you and sustains you no matter what s happening on the outside. What has been your greatest trial? What did that trial do for you? (Caused me to lean on Christ) (2) In the midst of sorrow Psalm 126:5-6, Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing precious seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him. 5

6 John 16:20, Most assuredly I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. (3) In the midst of suffering I Peter 4:13, but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ s sufferings, that when His glory in revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (calm peace that God is in control) (4) As we walk in fellowship I John 1:4, And these things we write to you that your joy may be full. c. When can you experience it? John 16:22, Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. (all the time) 4. Depiction of joy-- a. Paul and Silas at Philippi Acts 16:25, But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. (1) Joy is certain in spite of circumstances. (2) Joy is the deep seated sense of well-being that s in you that no matter what s going on the outside, you can sing with all your heart, it is well with my soul. b. What was the reason for Paul and Silas joy? Jail? No/Christ! (Would this be your attitude, is this our attitude?) Knowing that God s children are walking in truth. III John 4, I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. What is it that brings you joy? 5. Development of Joy How do we get it? a. Surrender your life to Christ Psalm 51:12, Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Psalm 35:9, And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation. b. Submit yourself to the control of the Holy Spirit Romans 14:17, for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. c. Study the Word Nehemiah 8:10-12, 542 references of joy in the Word of God, Book of Joy d. Spend in time in prayer John 16:24, Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. Psalm 16:11, in your presence is fullness of joy How well are you doing in cultivating this fruit? How do we respond to the circumstances of life? Throw you/get upset/lose Hope Deep sense that God is in control and in the midst of the challenge there is a quiet confidence that it will be okay. (With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm) Joy is a gift from God and as such believers are not to manufacture it but to delight in the blessing that they already poses. Philippians 4:4, Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice! 6