Sermon Tone Analysis

Passages to ponder

It’s good to know where we came from so to appreciate that much more where we are or where we are going.

This series has focused on where we are and where we are going, so here are a few reminders of our journey thus far.

Kingdom beatitudes (Mt5:3-12)

We are supremely blessed when we understand the character of the citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

Don’t have a defiled heart (Mk7:21-23)

It is not what comes from the outside, but what comes from the inside that defiles the heart and actions of man.

Possessing the qualities of love (1Cor13:1-13)

Love is given, love is needed, love is qualitative in the dwellers of the kingdom of heaven.

Love in using what God has given us for His purpose and glory.

Works of the flesh - watch out! (Gal5:19-21)

This is a dangerous one we looked at for the works of the flesh can take someone out of the kingdom or keep someone from entering the kingdom in the first place.

(Transition) So, today in countering the works of the flesh we will look at the fruit of the Spirit.

So, as we have with the other units in this series we will look at the context, the meaning and the application, so, let’s get started.

The Context

To get the context is to look at things in context.

So, to do so we need to back up a little.

The flesh and the Spirit are in opposition to each other (Gal5:16-17)

If we follow the flesh we are not walking in the Spirit.

We cannot do both, they are heading in different directions.

Christians are to serve the spirit (Gal 5:17; Rom8:1-2; Gal5:24; Rom6;3-6, 11-12; Gal5:25; Tit3:5)

Serve the spirit for there is no condemnation to those who do

Add to that

The spirit led christian already has put to death the flesh (Gal5:24 “24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

and walk in the newness of life (see Rom6:3-6) and maybe consider

You have been made alive, born again of water and Spirit (Jn3:5) when you were baptized (Rom6:3-6) it is only fitting that we walk in the Spirit

by the washing and regeneration of the Holy Spirit (see Tit3:5)

(Transition) - we need to have the spirit to walk in the Spirit and we need the Spirit to have the fruit of the Spirit.

So, may we look at the Spirit producing fruit?

The meaning

Oh you may know the verses, maybe even quote them.

We are going to look at them this morning to see if they are growing in us, if there is evidence of them in our walk as Christians.

Describing the fruit of the Spirit (Gal5:22-23)

(Insert Fruit of the Spirit picture here)

Love- defined as active goodwill towards others, best exemplified by God and Jesus (ibid) (1The4:9; 1Jn3:16, 4:10)

1the4:9 “9 Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;”

1jn3:16 “16 We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”

For God is the originator of love that makes is so that we can love

(Insert Fruit of the Spirit picture here)

Joy - gladness,delight, especially in response to God’s grace (TWCD) (Php4:4; Jn15:11)

Php4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” - - - oh can you so rejoice!

maybe consider

Whose joy?

The Lords joy that makes your joy full!

(Insert fruit of the Spirit picture here)

Peace - Harmony, concord with God, man and self, made possible by the prince of peace (Copeland) (Rom5:1-2; Eph2:14-17; Php4:6-7)

Rom5:1-2 “1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” - - - - you can also see in Eph2:14-17 That He is our peace!

And add to that

And that peace surpasses all comprehension or understanding!

These virtues are rooted, grounded, originate in God from God to the believers who have received the Spirit of God through grace by faith.

(Transition) the fruit incorporates:

(Insert Fruit of the Spirit picture here)

Longsuffering - patience, self-restraint in the face of provocation (bible knowledge) (Lk23:34; Act7:60)

lk23:34 “34 But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”

And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.”

Or what Steven cried out while being stoned to death.

Kindness - Sweetness of temper that places others at ease, born of mercy (Bible knowledge) (Eph4:31-32)

Goodness - benevolence, kindness in action (Bible knowledge) (Gal6:10)

These are characteristics, qualities of the fruit of the Spirit that reach out to others, that serve others.

The Spirit also integrates some other qualities too within the believer.

Faithfulness- the virtue of reliability, dependable, trustworthy (Lk16:10-12)

Look how many times faithful is used here.

(insert fruit of the spirit picture here)

Gentleness - Kind treatment of others, born of humility (Bible Knowledge) (Gal6:1; 2Tim2:24-25)

gal6:1 “1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

2tim2:24-25 “24 The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,”

Self-control - ability to hold oneself in; mastering desires and passions, assisted by the Spirit Himself (Bible Knowledge) (Rom8:11-14)

Bible Knowledge Commentary, which has been a great help in preparation for this lesson this morning states “These are virtues that guide our general conduct.”

(Transition) Now this brings us to the application section of the Spirits fruit in the heart and the life of the believer who has been saved by grace through faith that is obedient faith, surrendering faith.

The Application Section

One of the proofs of the Holy Spirit is the fruit of the Spirit.

That fruit is identifiable as noted a few minutes ago, now a few things regarding application that we should consider.

(insert fruit of the Spirit picture here again)

The fruit is “singular”

It is “fruit” not “fruits”

This fruit and its qualities constitute unity.

And it is identifiable in the believer who walks under the control of the Spirit.

Believers bible commentary says “The Holy Spirit produces one kind of fruit, that is CHRISTLIKENESS.

All the virtues now listed describe the life of the child of God.”

(Transition) - the one who truly walks in the spirit will produce all nine virtues, not a partial set.

The fruit is born of the spirit (Gal5:16, 18,25)

it comes from walking in the Spirit, in letting the Spirit direct your life.

And if the Spirit leads you, you are no longer under or subject to the Law.

A system of works that cannot save you.

(Transition) without the aid of the Spirit, we cannot bear fruit!

(Insert Fruit of the Spirit picture again)

The fruit is given, but must be received, and then applied (Jn3:5; Act2:38-39; Tit3:5; Rom8:5, 12-13; Eph3:16, 20-21)

Receiving the Spirit comes through rebirth

Jn3:5 “5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Rebirth happens when we are baptized

Act2:38-39 “38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.””

Baptism is the regeneration by the Holy Spirit

TIt3:5 “5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

(Transition) so being born again, being regenerated, being indwelt by the Holy Spirit that bears fruit comes with some things that help us to grow.

Walk in the Spirit by setting your mind on the things of the Spirit, live according to the Spirit Rom8:5 “5 For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”

Praying for the strength of the Spirit

It is by the Spirits power we can put to death the deeds of the body, check out

that power, that strength can be accessed through prayer; Eph3:16 “16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man,”

And the results: