FOUNDATIONS, THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: LESSON #7 Intro. Tonight we re going to conclude our series on the fruit of the Spirit. 1. We have talked about love, joy, peace longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. I. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS A. GENTLENESS IS ALSO TRANSLATED AS IN OTHER VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE 1. Meekness is not Matthew 11:29 (NKJV) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. a. Jesus was meek without being weak b. At times He could be extremely aggressive B. THE WORD MEEKNESS IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT IS DEFINED AS Psalm 147:6 (KJV) The LORD lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground. Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Both uses of the word meek here are defined as humility It is the opposite of self-assertiveness Matthew 12:18-21 (NKJV) 18 "Behold, My Servant whom I have chosen, my Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 1
19 He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. 20 A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; 21 And in His name Gentiles will trust." Jesus was strong spirited but humble This is a delicate balance 1. Meekness or humility is one of the most fruit for us a. We re a generation that flaunts self-assertiveness, selfpromotion 1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." quote Many would be scantily clad if clothed in their humility. b. We re going to need God to help us Meekness and humility are expressed in two directions; C. HUMILITY IS EXPRESSED IN HOW WE RELATE TO 1. Humility towards those a. Most of us are pretty good about being humble when we re by ourselves b. It s when we begin to rub shoulders with others that things begin to get sticky c. Meekness and humility are tested when we re with others 2. Humility has to do with how we Romans 12:3 (NKJV) For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. a. We re not to think too highly of ourselves b. Paul wrote, not to think more highly than he ought to Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 2
c. It s interesting in his writings how his image of himself changed d. Early in his writings he called himself the least of apostles, awhile later, the least of saints, toward the end of his life, the greatest of sinners. e. This doesn t mean that Paul got worse over the years but how he saw himself changed as he became more humble How we are meant to see ourselves Philippians 2:5-7 (NKJV) 5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 3. Jesus saw Himself as a a. Let this mind be in you b. Some look to the church today to serve them c. The reason some people get easily offended is because others are not responding to them the way they want d. Humility is linked to a servants heart; its goal is, What can I do to help others? Humility has to do with how we relate to others D. HUMILITY ALSO HAS TO DO WITH HOW WE RELATE 1. This is really the most important part of meekness because God a. Our humility towards God is seen in how we approach Him 2. Humility means we believe He is the source for a. It s the opposite of pride which says, I can make it on my own b. Sometimes pride isn t as obvious as that c. Sometimes pride is seen not so much in resisting God as much as it is ignoring Him Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 3
E. HUMILITY IS THE KEY TO 1. It s the key to receiving His Psalms 51:17 (NKJV) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise. 2. It s the key to receiving 1 Peter 5:5 (NKJV) Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." a. One of the greatest on-going needs we have is for GRACE b. Grace isn t just for helping us get saved but it helps us continue to grow and be effective in our Christian lives 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NKJV) But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. c. Grace is there to help us Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV) Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. We need a lot of help; that s what grace is there for It comes through humility, God I need You and Your help. 3. Humility is the key to receiving Psalms 25:9 (NKJV) The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. James 1:21 (NKJV) Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. a. How we receive the word of God will determine how much more insight is given to us b. Sometimes I think God is waiting for us to catch up on the truth we already know Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 4
The fruit of the Spirit is gentleness; which means meekness and humility II. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS A. THE GOSPEL IS ABOUT 1. This begins when we accept Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. a. Repentance means to change your mind b. If we re repentant, we lay all excuses aside and say, I m to blame for the sin in my life and I m sorry c. The moment that s done the power to change is released 1 John 1:9 (NKJV) If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. John 1:12 (NKJV) But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: d. When we receive Christ we receive the power to regain control B. THE TERM SELF-CONTROL IS A LITTLE MISLEADING; IT DOESN T BEGIN WITH SELF BUT 1. When it comes to helping ourselves, we That s where Jesus comes in Luke 4:18-19 (NKJV) 18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; he has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; 19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord." a. All of us needed deliverance in some area Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 5
b. Areas out of control; addictions, habits, emotions The beginning of self-control is with God 2. Lasting solutions to our problems are only possible through a. Jesus came to give liberty to the captives C. SELF-CONTROL REQUIRES 1. The beginning is with God but ongoing self-control means we have a. Basically, we know the difference between right and wrong b. We re not stupid; we know what s right c. Self-control means we yield to the Spirit of God working in us, helping us to make the right decisions and choices 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NKJV) 24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. d. Paul is writing about self-control, but I discipline my body, and bring it into subjection Colossians 3:5 (NKJV) Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. e. The words put to death are brutal; they mean to annihilate or make dead f. He s saying we can t pamper our flesh Romans 13:14 (NKJV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 6
D. TO MAINTAIN SELF-CONTROL WE NEED 1. Self-control is not all about a. It s a fruit of the Spirit b. This means we can depend on a Holy Spirit initiative to help us maintain self-control We used the following verse in our last class but it s important for us to hear it again Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit. c. filled is the Greek word, pleroo and it means, to be controlled by d. It s used to describe the wind that fills the sails of a ship; the wind that controls, pushes, and moves it forward 2. We can have a life by the Spirit a. This is what it means to be lead by the Spirit b. Being lead by the Spirit isn t some mystical thing c. Sometimes it s as simple as the Holy Ghost speaking in your heart; If you do that you re really going to regret it d. The Holy Spirit gives us the ability to do what we couldn t do before ex. Like controlling our temper, defeating depression control over self Prayer and confession: Jesus, thank You for the Holy Spirit, Who gives me the ability to do what I couldn t do before; to be a person of true humility, to not think of myself more highly than I ought, to recognize my complete need of You, Who gives me the ability to maintain self-control. Thank you for the fruit of the Spirit growing and developing in my life. I believe, that day by day, more and more of His fruit will be seen in my life. In Jesus name. FILL IN THE BLANKS FROM LESSON #7 I. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS (GENTLENESS) Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 7
A. GENTLENESS IS ALSO TRANSLATED AS (MEEKNESS) IN OTHER VERSIONS OF THE BIBLE 1. Meekness is not (weakness) B. THE WORD MEEKNESS IN THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT IS DEFINED AS (HUMILITY) 1. Meekness or humility is one of the most (challenging) fruit for us C. HUMILITY IS EXPRESSED IN HOW WE RELATE TO (OTHER PEOPLE) 1. Humility towards those (around us) 2. Humility has to do with how we (see ourselves) 3. Jesus saw Himself as a (servant) D. HUMILITY ALSO HAS TO DO WITH HOW WE RELATE (TO GOD) 1. This is really the most important part of meekness because God (helps the humble) a. Our humility towards God is seen in how we approach Him 2. Humility means we believe He is the source for (everything we need) E. HUMILITY IS THE KEY TO (RECEIVING FROM GOD) 1. It s the key to receiving His (forgiveness) 2. It s the key to receiving (grace) 3. Humility is the key to receiving (revelation) II. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS (SELF-CONTROL) Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 8
A. THE GOSPEL IS ABOUT (REGAINING CONTROL) 1. This begins when we accept (responsibility for our lives) B. THE TERM SELF-CONTROL IS A LITTLE MISLEADING; IT DOESN T BEGIN WITH SELF BUT (WITH GOD) 1. When it comes to helping ourselves, we (fall short) 2. Lasting solutions to our problems only possible through (the power of God) C. SELF-CONTROL REQUIRES (OUR PARTICIPATION) 1. The beginning is with God but ongoing self-control means we have (a part to play) D. TO MAINTAIN SELF-CONTROL WE NEED (SPIRITUAL ASSISTANCE) 1. Self-control is not all about (will power) 2. We can have a life (influenced) by the Spirit Praise Chapel 419 Harrison St. Kingman, AZ 86401 (928) 753-1909 Alex Wilson, Pastor 9