The Fruit of the SpiritThe Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-25Galatians 5:22-25

The Fruit of the SpiritThe Fruit of the Spirit

Motivation: Motivation: the Holy Spirit the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:25)(Gal. 5:25)– The “Walk of Grace”: walking “by the Spirit”The “Walk of Grace”: walking “by the Spirit”– Completely differentCompletely different than growth “by LAW” than growth “by LAW”

In fact, Grace is the ONLY way to accomplish real Christian In fact, Grace is the ONLY way to accomplish real Christian Growth!Growth!

– The Issue: Are you “Alive by the Spirit” ?The Issue: Are you “Alive by the Spirit” ? Not “good” versus “bad”Not “good” versus “bad” Rather: “dead” versus “alive”Rather: “dead” versus “alive”

– You are a New Creature in Christ (Gal. 2:20)You are a New Creature in Christ (Gal. 2:20) ““Act your Age!” (Gal.5:13,25)Act your Age!” (Gal.5:13,25)

– Your Entire Your Entire CharacterCharacter Can & Should Change Can & Should Change (Gal.2:22-23)(Gal.2:22-23)

Love: Love: TheThe Fruit of the Spirit Fruit of the Spirit

The other nouns The other nouns definedefine Christian Love: Christian Love:– Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-ControlFaithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

Modern Love:• Based on Experience.

filew, eroß • Natural, Common (Mt.5:47)

• Very Changeable!

Christian Love: Based on Choice.

agape Affinity is not an issue.

Feelings May Follow(Usually do)

Love: Love: TheThe Fruit of the Spirit Fruit of the Spirit

The other nouns The other nouns definedefine Christian Love: Christian Love:– Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness,

Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-ControlFaithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control

Love is at the very Love is at the very HeartHeart of Christian Ethics of Christian Ethics(Gal. 5:13,14)(Gal. 5:13,14)– A Decision to Serve Someone Else A Decision to Serve Someone Else

(i.e., NOT Me!) – see v13a.(i.e., NOT Me!) – see v13a.

Joy - Joy - ÷áñÜ÷áñÜ The Problem: The Problem:

– Philip. 4:4 Rejoice Philip. 4:4 Rejoice Always??Always??– How Can They Rejoice When…How Can They Rejoice When…

Hebrews 12:2Hebrews 12:2 Acts 5:41Acts 5:41 Hebrews 10:34Hebrews 10:34

By Learning By Learning ThankfulnessThankfulness!!– The biggest barrier between man and GodThe biggest barrier between man and God

See Romans 1:21ffSee Romans 1:21ff– The biggest barrier to Christian Growth!The biggest barrier to Christian Growth!

See 1 Peter 1:5See 1 Peter 1:5

– Related to Related to ÷Üñéò÷Üñéò

Peace (Peace (EiphnhEiphnh))

A Powerful Peace (Romans16:20) A Sense of Order and Harmony

(1 Corinthians 14:33) Peace Starts Between God and You, as an

Individual:– Therefore, having been justified by faith, we

have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ - Romans 5:1

He Teaches Us Peace (James 3:17-18) It Becomes a Major Pursuit (Rom. 14:19)

PatiencePatience

There is a right place for anger (Eph.4:26)There is a right place for anger (Eph.4:26) But But ìáêñïèõìßáìáêñïèõìßá is the qualificationis the qualification

– MacroMacro (long) (long) ThumosThumos (anger) (anger)– Not Like “Outbursts of Anger” (Gal. 5:20)Not Like “Outbursts of Anger” (Gal. 5:20)

èõìüòèõìüò (thumos) is a “deed of the flesh”(thumos) is a “deed of the flesh”

Fruit of the Spirit:Fruit of the Spirit:RelationalRelational Growth Growth

If we live by the Spirit, If we live by the Spirit, let us also let us also walkwalk by the Spirit. by the Spirit. Galatians 5:25Galatians 5:25

AnnouncementsAnnouncements

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book!book! Next Sunday: East Harbor – no CT!Next Sunday: East Harbor – no CT! In 2 Weeks: Baptisms at the Howells!In 2 Weeks: Baptisms at the Howells! Thanks for the Help at the new Kent Thanks for the Help at the new Kent

Meeting Place!!Meeting Place!!

KindnessKindness

Doesn’tDoesn’t Mean: Mean: HardHard IndifferentIndifferent HarshHarsh Unconcerned, orUnconcerned, or

“too busy”“too busy” CruelCruel

See Gal 5:20b-21aSee Gal 5:20b-21a

It It DoesDoes Mean: Mean: Galatians 2:10Galatians 2:10 1 Corinthians 1 Corinthians

12:2312:23 Matthew 5:47Matthew 5:47 Hebrews 13:2Hebrews 13:2

öéëüîåíïò

KindnessKindness

÷ñçóôüôçò÷ñçóôüôçò means means excellenceexcellence– From From ÷ñçóôüò÷ñçóôüò “servicable, useful” ( “servicable, useful” (÷ñÜïìáé÷ñÜïìáé

“to use, DO”)“to use, DO”)– The idea is “excellent, useful deeds for others”The idea is “excellent, useful deeds for others”