Fruit of the Spirit
Duplo: Growing with Basics • Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 4 viewsWhat does it look like to have the Holy Spirit?
Notes
Transcript
Intro:
Intro:
Good morning! Welcome to Week 2 of Church Online here at TRC.
Hey, how’s everyone doing? Let us know! Comment below in the livestream. Each week, we’ll have someone from our TRC family moderating that! We’re even working on being more interactive; stay tuned for some exciting changes.
Speaking of which, I know all of these changes have not been easy. Just know:
We’ve been praying for you!
We’ve been praising God for you (strength and courage)!
We are here for you!
Reach out to us online, or anytime during the week. Btw, if you haven’t already (maybe this is your first time joining us online), be sure to “like” our page - or hit the “subscribe” button on our FB live posts - so we can stay connected!
Well, this morning we had initially scheduled Teen Challenge (a recovery program) to join us, but with COVID-19, they aren’t able to. So, this week I’m going to talk about the fruits of the Holy Spirit (I’ll clarify what I mean by that in a second).
As a church, we are in a series title Duplo: Growing with Basics. We’re growing in our faith by learning about God - specifically, the Trinity. And last week, we started on the Holy Spirit. We discussed how the Holy Spirit reveals God’s will and guides us into God’s plan. So today, I’d like to see what that looks like when the Holy Spirit is doing that. If you will, if we were a tree, filled with the Holy Spirit, what kind of fruit would we produce?
If you’re following along at home, turn in your Bibles/app to . And if you’re joining us online and church is something new to you, we’ll have the verses here on the screen for you to follow along!
Also, River Kids - Hopefully you’re listening right now. If you are, ask mom, dad, or your guardians to let you leave an emoji in comments. Say “hi” to me! Maybe I’ll shout you out!
In Galatians chapter 5, Paul is writing to a new church that was being taught they needed more than faith in Jesus. They need to follow the Jewish religious law too. And, if anyone could speak into this situation, it was the apostle Paul.
Before he became a Christian, he was an expert in the Jewish law. He was a Jewish prodigy! Paul even told the Galatians...
You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
Gal 1:13-14
But then, Jesus changed everything in His life! He goes on to say...
But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace,
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being.
Paul personally experienced God’s grace. God saved him from his sins when he encountered the risen Jesus (a story found in ). Not because Paul was a good man. Not because of his religious zeal. But by God’s “marvelous grace,” which is perfectly seen in Jesus Christ - the Son of God - who sacrificed His life on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins.
Again, this grace changed everything for Paul! And became his mission to preach this message. He told everyone about Jesus! It’s what he taught the Galatians. But later on, someone came in and taught them something different. That Jesus wasn’t enough. They had to add something else to their lives to be right with God. And so Paul, writing to correct this false teaching, says...
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Body:
Body:
Basically, God’s grace, found by faith in Jesus, has given you freedom. So, why believe a message that says you need to go back under the bondage of the law? That’s doesn’t make sense! Think about it this way:
It’s like closing down schools, programs, and work to “flatten the curve” but not practicing social distancing. That would simply undo the changes! That’s similar to what Paul is saying: You can’t believe Jesus freed you from your sins by grace through faith, and also believe you need to earn your way into heaven. That’s why Paul’s passionate says, “Just live in the freedom you have been given!”
And then he says something interesting, “[But]...Do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh...”
You see, the opposite of “legalism,” or the mentality that you need to earn your way into heaven by good works, is the attitude that nothing you do matters. Some believe that forgiveness in Jesus means you can just do whatever you want. Your actions don’t matter , even when they are wrong - because Jesus already paid for that sin! “I’m free to do anything!”
Can I just say, that’s not taught in the Bible. That’s dumb. And that’s why Paul says, “Don’t use your freedom to sin, instead use it to love one another through serving them.” Then he adds...
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
My goal this morning isn’t to fight against “legalism” in the church (as necessary as that is. However, I think the application from this passage is important to us in our current season of life. Because think what’s being said… As Christians, we shouldn’t use our freedom in Christ to do whatever we want. Rather, we need to ask God, “What do you want me to do?”
And God’s response likely involves, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” How do I know that? Because when Jesus was asked “What’s the more important thing I should do?”, He said...
Jesus replied, “ ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
Matt 22:37-39
Loving your neighbor is important to God. And I believe it is an important lesson for us during COVID-19. With everything shutting down. With all the things we like being put on pause. With being asked to sacrifice in order to slow the transmission of this virus, so we can save the lives of those who are vulnerable in our community… we need to take this seriously because Christians have a God-given duty to “love our neighbor as ourselves!”
Church Family - This should mean something to us. It’s at the core of our faith. We should be the first to sacrifice! The first to serve one another through love! But let’s be honest… that’s not always easy to do! I admit it’s been a hard week, and the restrictions are going to only increase next week! It’s going to more difficult!
And with that, it wouldn’t surprise me if, even it’s in the privacy of our homes, or simply in our thoughts, instead of sacrificial love, we end up responding to our neighbors like this :
But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Let me recap… Paul’s like: Your freedom should look like people loving one another through sacrificial service, not biting each others heads off. Or consuming one another.
But I think if we’re honest, most of us will admit it’s easier to “bite and devour” instead of loving. For example, one way we can (even unintentionally) devour one another is by hoarding supplies!
Family, if you are rushing to the store to buy up all the toilet paper, I hope it’s so you can share it in an act of love. Because isn’t that the example the early church gave us?
The apostles testified powerfully to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great blessing was upon them all. There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them and bring the money to the apostles to give to those in need.
Acts 4:33-
If this is the example of Christian love, why don’t I do it? Why do I still complain or hoard against my neighbor? Well, this is where the Holy Spirit finally comes into the conversation. Paul writes...
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Gal 5:16-
For the Christian, there’s this internal war going on inside of us. On one side, we hear, “Live like Jesus! Love your neighbor! Sacrifice for them!”
And the other side says, “Do what you want to do! Who cares about Coronavirus - you’re young and healthy. You don’t need to stay inside!” Or, “Look out only for yourself! Go buy up all the hand sanitizer and chicken!”
And it’s a fight to decide which one to listen to! But with the Holy Spirit living inside us, we can choose the right one.
And in the name of Jesus, we MUST choose love, because if don’t, look what kind of “fruit” grows from our lives..
When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
Gal 5:19-
That’s not the way Christians should live. Those thing don’t come from the Holy Spirit and don’t belong in the Kingdom of God.
And while I believe this list is pretty comprehensive, especially if we study the words in this list, maybe you read this list and think, “Those words are extreme (or weird). I don’t feel like any of those words relate to my current struggles.”
And while I might struggle to believe you, let’s just go with it. So, let me give you another list, based on my personal - current - struggles, and see if you can at least relate to me!
The past two weeks have been exhausting. Like you, everything in my life has been turned upside down. We have a 6th grader, 4th grader, and a special needs 1st grader (who typically gets 4 teachers to help him through his school day), all at home (or the office) with us. And Janelle’s been the one handling the homeschooling. Her life has been radically different!
Janelle also works long hours for the church, every week - as a volunteer! Plus, two side-hustle jobs. She’s exhausted! And her exhaustion directly impacts me! When the wife’s exhausted, I’m exhausted!
And for me, you’d think that taking a church completely online would make things easier. Nope! I can honestly say I’ve worked day and night this week. Needless to say, with the extra hours and exhaustion, my attitude has been very poopy! Anyone had a bad attitude this week?
I’ve been:
Stressed out.
Harsh with my wife and kids.
On the verge of losing it.
Worried - it’s a different kind of worry than most of the world has, but it’s still worry.
Short-tempered
And here’s one I hate to admit: Extremely selfish!
So, maybe you can relate to my list a little easier than Paul’s? Believe me, everything I’m struggling with is ultimately found in Paul’s comprehensive list. And so, during the first week of living thru COVID-19, I’ve identified more with this list and that’s not right!
My kids could probably embarrass me right now and tell stories to confirm this. I’m not proud of this. But I’m being honest so you can know you’re not alone. Yes, the pastor of your church is still GROWING in Christ. I’m still learning how to biblically live in a pandemic. I’m still learning how to live like THIS in EVERY situation...
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Gal 5:
I’m still learning - and want to be - patient when my kids are stressing me out.
I’m still learning how to be kind and gentle instead of harsh.
I’m still learning to live with joy and peace instead of a worried and stressed.
And I’m still learning how to love my neighbor instead of being selfish. To “stay at home” instead of being selfish. Using my freedom to serve my neighbor with love, even when “I” want to go out!
Church, that’s the life we’re called to! Those should be our fruits when the Third Person of the Trinity is living inside of us! And let me show you how powerful that can be during at time like this:
There’s a lot of worry and anxiety going around. That’s contagious! It’s easy to get caught up in the same. But, I heard Brant Hanson ( a podcaster - great online resource - funny radio show - Brant and Sherri Oddcast) say, “Anxiety is living in the future instead of today.”
Did you know Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow? Why? Because God promises to meet our needs today - and that’s all that matters.
And when we believe that by faith, the Holy Spirit brings “love, joy, and peace” into our lives and we stop worrying. Every time I’ve surrendered to that process, God has been faithful to exchange my worry for love, joy, and peace.
And heres’ what’s powerful: Love, joy, and peace is more contagious that worry. Love can break any social distance barrier! And if it’s in your life, it’ll spread to your neighbors too. God will use you to bring hope to your community!
And, at a time when everything is changing so fast, it’s natural for us to respond that way too. We get impatient! Can I just tell you, I’ve make a lot of mistakes when I rush. And... I also hurt others in my impatience - like when I rush to the store because they got a shipment of TP (even though I got plenty). If I hoard it, in my worry-filled reaction, I take needed supplies from my neighbor who I’m commanded to love.
But, with the Holy Spirit, I can be patient, not rushed. I can wait on God. Good things happen when I do that. And, instead of hurting myself and others, I can be a light and a blessing, especially when God supernaturally provides an abundance to those who wait on Him, so that I can share with others!
River Church, let’s be hope dealers in Glastonbury. Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill your life. Seek for His fruit in your life. Because what our community really needs is a church that brings a powerful move of the Holy Spirit!
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Response:
Response:
As we close, maybe you sense your need to change some things in your life. You need more Holy Spirit fruit! And so you’re wondering, “How can I grow in Christ and see more Holy Spirit’s fruit in my life?”
Well, look at the last two 3 verses...
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Look here... “those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh.”
Two things:
For the Christian, we have to realize Jesus freed us from sin’s control. He crucified it! There’s a war inside of us, but the victory is already won. We can choose to love by the Spirit’s power (something I’ll talk about more next week). We simply need to surrender to our new identity in Christ. And when that angry person (our old self) rises up inside us, we remind ourselves, “I am a new creation in Christ. Old things have passed away (it’s been crucified). New things have come (Holy Spirit things)!”
We don’t try and fight in our own strength. That’ll just make things worse.
By faith, we surrender to the Spirit’s control. If we do that, we’ll see good fruit bloom!
But maybe you’re not a Christian. Maybe you’ve only joined us online because the world is crazy right now and you’re looking for just an ounce of hope! We believe you came to the right place!
We don’t believe in coincidences. We believe the Holy Spirit guided you to this livestream because He hears your cry for help!
He knows the worry.
He knows you’re scared.
He knows you’re tired.
He knows you’re stressed out and looking for hope!
And so He’s begun to speak to you during this time. And as you’ve listened, you realize, “I need the Holy Spirit. I need those fruits in my life - love, joy, peace, patience… I need them to get thru COVID-19!”
If that’s you, the first step is to put your faith in Jesus. Again, Paul said “crucify the flesh”. I know that sounds weird but it simply means refers to the process putting your faith in Jesus, who became the sacrificial substitute for our sins.
When Jesus died on the cross, He was fixing our relationship with God. We’re all sinners and separated from the holy God. And we can’t fix this sin-problem on our own. So, Jesus showed His love for by serving as the substitute for the punishment we deserved!
And the good news is, if you trust in what Jesus did on the cross (if you become crucified with Him by faith), and believe He rose again three days later - proving that the sin-debt was paid - God promises you will be forgiven. You will be raised to new life. You will be right with God. And then… You will receive the Holy Spirit!
If you need to do that today, cry out to God and let Him know you’re ready. It doesn’t matter that you’re in your living room instead of a church! He hears you!
And then, let us know too! Send us a message on FB. Or go to riverchurchct.com and fill out a connect card. We want to be there as a support for you!
And during COVID-19, where we’d usually meet you, shake your hand, and give you a gift, we’ve put in place online resources to do that in a safe and acceptable way. But we gotta hear from you! So, let us know!
There’s a lot of worry and anxiety. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, and joy. I heard Brant Hanson ( a podcaster - great online resource - funny show - Brant and Sherri Oddcast) says, “Anxiety is living in the future instead of today.” But God encourages us to not worry, because He promises to meet our needs today. And when I’ve trusted that, He’s proven Himself faithful every time!
With everything changing so fast, we want to react fast too. Can I just tell you I’ve made a lot of mistakes when I rush. And I hurt others in my mess- like if I were to rush to the store that just got a shipment of TP. If I hoard it, in my worry-filled reaction, I take needed supplies from my neighbor who I’m commanded to love.
But if I am filled with the Holy Spirit, I’m promised us peace. I know God will take care of me, and I can be patient, not overwhelmed. Instead of hurting myself and others, God gives me an opportunity to be a light and a blessing.
When we wait on God, good things happen.
Wait patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.
Ask for the Holy Spirit to fill your life. Seek for His fruits in your life. Because that’s what our world really needs. It needs a church that brings forth a powerful move of the Holy Spirit!
Let’s pray!