God's Gifts

16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

1. Fruit of the Spirit is a direct result of intimacy with God

To live by the Spirit refers to being under the Spirit’s direction and empowerment

It means to walk with Him

We are called to live by the Spirit

We are called to be intimate with the Spirit

The flesh revers to the part of human nature that causes people to become selfish

We can’t bear fruit without intimacy

You can’t bear fruit when you are not mature

You have to mature in Christ to be in position to bear fruit

When you become parents you have fruit

As parents we can’t be selfish

As parents we place our children before us for a season; but we are always available to help our children

Having the Fruit of the Spirit demands that you not be selfish

Intimacy produces self-denial

2. The fruits of attitude

Attitude: a mental position with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state

Love

Matthew 22:37 “37 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”

1 Jn 4:8 “8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

God is love

His DNA should be evident in us

1 Jn 4:16 “16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.”

This love must be from God

Mt 5:44 “44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Love for your enemies

1 Jn 3:17 “17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

Love for the needy

Jn 13:35 “35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

Love the brethren

Joy

Romans 14:17 “17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,”

Joy is different from fun!

Joy is different from happiness

Happiness has to do with what happens to you

Joy has to do with your position in God’s Presence

Ps 16:11 “11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”

Joy comes when you are in His Presence

Joy in the Holy Spirit

Peace

Isaiah 26:3 “3 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.”

Peace is the byproduct of Trust in God

Jn 14:27 “27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

The peace that Christ gives

Phil 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The peace the guards hearts and minds

These three fruits will come only as we spend time before God in prayer

These are not developed by self, but by God, in daily prayer

3. The fruits of behavior

Behavior: the way in which someone conducts oneself or behaves; anything that an organism does involving action and response to stimulation; the response of an individual, group, or species to its environment

Patience: the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset

Mt 18:22 “22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”

Eph 4:32 “32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

These speaks of patience with others

Prov 15:18 “18 A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.”

Patience brings peace

You don’t have to get involved with every argument

Rom 12:18 “18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Live at peace with everyone

Kindness: the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate

Eph 4:31-32 “31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice are all examples of not being kind

You must learn to be kind

Gal 6:10 “10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

We must be good to all BUT especially to the family of believers

We take it a step further—especially to your leaders and co-laborers

The Authentic Christian harbors no ill feelings toward anyone

We must be gentle and kind at all times

Goodness: the quality of being morally good or virtuous; the quality or state of being good

Moral: of or relating to principles of right and wrong in behavior

Virtuous: conformity to a standard of right

Prov 25:21 “21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”

Be good even to your enemies

1 Thess 5:15 “15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.”

Return good for evil

It is never right to do wrong and it is never wrong to do right

You don’t pray for these fruits—you practice these three

Prayer is not enough, you must practice these

4. The fruits of character

Character: the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual; the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves : someone's personality

Rom 5:3-5 “3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Faithfulness: lasting loyalty and trustworthiness in relationships, especially marriage and friendship; the fact or quality of being true to one’s word or commitments, as to what one has pledged to do, professes to believe; the fact or quality of being dedicated and steadfast in performing one’s duty, working for a cause

1 Cor 4:2 “2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”

You must do the work you have been entrusted with

1 Cor 10:13 “13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”

God is faithful and will see you through your trials

Heb 10:23-25 “23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Be faithful to God

Be faithful in church attendance

Gentleness: the quality of being gentle, tender, mild-mannered, or disposition

Mt 11:29 “29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Jesus is the personification of being gentle

It is not a burden to be with Jesus

1 Pet 3:15-16 “15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

People will attack your character; do not prove them right

Live such good lives that when they slander you they will be ashamed

Self-control: is the quality that allows you to stop yourself from doing things you want to do but that might not be in your best interest

1 Cor 9:27 “27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Control yourself

Prov 23:7 “7 for as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”

Control your thoughts

James 1:26 “26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.”

Control your tongue

1 Tim 4:12 “12 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.”

Control your actions

These fruits must be developed by the Christian

No one can have faith for you

No one can have self-control for you

Your character is what God knows about you

Your reputation is what others think of you

No law against God’s gifts

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