R E S O N A T E C H U R C H D I S C I P L E S H I P M A T E R I A L TREE [roots & fruit] E X P E R I E N C E R E S O N A T E. C O M / D I S C I P L E S H I P
#WEEK 4 - TREE [roots & fruit] LEARNING GOAL: For us to understand what the fruit of being connected to Christ is and how to become a fruit bearing disciple. PRIMARY TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such thing there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit TERMS TO BE UNDERSTOOD: FRUITS Actions and behaviors that can be seen ROOTS Thoughts, feelings and beliefs that cannot be seen TRUTH TO BE LEARNED: One of the most fundamental questions we can ask is how do we change. In Resonate we believe that all real change happens from the inside out. The question is how do people practically become like Jesus and live lives that align with the truth of the bible. Understanding this truth will give us a framework for real transformation. Every action of our lives (fruit) is tied to something deeper (roots) Transformation starts deeper than just modifying our behavior. To change means changing what we believe. The fruit of the Gospel is a result of recognizing our identity and walking in the Spirit, not our efforts towards sanctification. We can t just try to be more loving, more patient, more self controlled etc.
PICTURE TO BE COMMUNICATED: THE TREE: What does it practically look like to follow Jesus. What should our lives look like? What should characterize our actions? One of those list can be found in Galatians 5:22-25. Here Paul is giving a picture of what it looks like to follow Jesus example by being empowered by the Holy Spirit. However the intent of this passage has long been twisted into something that creates a bondage filled false Gospel. The fruit of the Spirit are actions that are fueled by the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we further identify with Jesus. The problem comes when we begin to expect or want the fruit apart from abiding in the spirit (Roots). Paul uses a phrase that translates into bad English but turns out to be great theology. When Paul states the fruit of the Spirit is followed by a list, our natural tendency is to see this passage as individual traits of God that need to be manifested in our lives. However, Paul understands the fruit to be interconnected. Gentleness and Faithfulness are always connected by the work of the Spirit. Self-control and Joy are not separate ideas but simply a part of the by-product of the Holy-Spirit. Therefore we must see spiritual fruit as always being interconnected. If we exhibit love but no joy, we are in desperate need to be rooted in Christ. Tim Keller states, You are only as mature as your weakest fruit We must also understand the difference between Spiritual Fruit and Personality fruit. Personality fruit are those natural traits in our lives that we bear whether or not the Spirit is working within us. There are some people that are naturally gentle, or naturally peaceful. This isn t a reflection of a work of God but the natural disposition they may possess. The issue is when personality fruit becomes the measure of spiritual fruit. In those moments we fool ourselves in two ways. 1. We fool ourselves into thinking that we are walking in the spirit by the display of personality traits. 2. We fool ourselves into thinking that we can externally modify our behavior to develop spiritual traits not present in our lives.
So if that is the true measurement of fruit in our lives then how is it that we walk in the spirit in a way that produces spiritual fruit? Bearing spiritual fruit starts with belonging to Jesus. Colossians 2:6-7 uses the word rooted to describe how we are to translate this idea into an everyday reality. 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 ROOTED and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving This is an identity statement. Paul tells us that those who bear this kind of fruit do so through an understanding of belonging to Christ. This then becomes the core of who we are and everything must be seen through the lens of being in Christ. We have to be rooted in the soil of Christ. Our roots are always planted in some form of SOIL, and our flesh makes it easier to be rooted in things other than Christ. Regardless, we will always produce fruit, the question is whether it will be the fruit of the Spirit or the fruit of the flesh. For example: The soil of career may produce fruit of entitlement, self-sufficiency and misplaced identity. The soil of relationships may produce fruit of dependency and insecurities. The soil of sex may produce the fruit of selfishness, dehumanization, and a difficulty to love. The soil of working out may produce the fruit of control, pride and selfcenteredness. The soil of hobbies may produce boredom or laziness. The flesh uses something or someone other than Jesus to try to get acceptance from God, to find my identity, to make me happy, and to bring me joy. When we begin to believe that Christ is our sole identity and we are rooted in Him, connected to Christ through reading Scripture, prayer, community & service; it transforms the way we see ourselves and the way we interact with the world around us. This brings us freedom to put our primary effort into rooting our identity in Christ alone. Your roots must cling to, wrap around and be nourished by Christ. When this happens you won t need to merely try to modify your behavior to bear fruit but it will be through the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. Paul tells us that a follower of Jesus will be known by their fruit. The Fruit of the Spirit never lies to us, it reveals the truth of our connectedness to Christ. While we may be able to see
improvement in a couple areas on our own it is only the work of the Holy Spirit that allows us to see the entire list being transformed. KAIROS MOMENT: Take the list from Galatians 5:22. What is the easiest and what is the hardest fruit for you to bear on your own? Outside of Christ, what soil do you have a tendency to plant your roots into? Give your huddle a few minutes to reflect on these questions (maybe play a song). The answers to these questions will create kairos moments Read Jeremiah 17:5-10 and pray. ADDITIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES: Sermon from Pastor Keith on Fruits and Rootshttp://vimeo.com/channels/resonatechurch/70795627 Sermon from Darrin Patrick of Journey Church in St. Louis http://www.acts29network.org/sermon/redeeming-masculinity/