Fruit that describes our personal development as people. The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness, gentleness, self-control

Transcription

1 The Fruit of the Spirit Part III Galatians 5:16-22 Joint Heirs ABF, 4/26/15 By Pastor Ray Benton Introduction: We are studying the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:16-22, why is this study so important? 1. Identity with Christ I John 2:6, He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. 2. Impact our world Acts 1:8, and you shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and all Judea and in Samaria and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 3. How can we walk and witness effectively? (By being controlled by the Spirit of God.) 4. When we are controlled we will produce: a. Godward fruit Personal experience with God: love, joy, peace b. Manward fruit Personal relationship with others: long suffering, kindness and goodness c. Self-ward fruit Personal development Fruit that describes our personal development as people. The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness, gentleness, self-control A. The fruit that describes our personal development as people. (Self-ward fruit) The fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness 1. Define Faith / Faithfulness a. When you hear the word faith what do you think of? (A man or woman of faith, the ability to believe great 1

2 things from God. (Trust Him for great things) That is not the meaning of the word used in Galatians 5. b. When Paul says the fruit of the Spirit is faith he is speaking of faithfulness. Faith is a theological virtue, faithfulness is an ethical virtue. The word refers to faithfulness and fidelity as produced in the life of one yielded to the Holy Spirit. (The person who demonstrates this quality is one who is loyal to others and obedient to God. He will be true to his promises and faithful to the task. ) c. This is a term that is to mark believers. I Corinthians 4:2, Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. d. This term identifies the Character of God Psalm 36:5, Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Psalm 89: 1-2, I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; with my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 119: 89-90, Forever O Lord Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations e. The faithfulness of God should be the chorus of our Praise Lamentations 3:22-23, Through the Lord s mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. 2. Demonstration of Faithfulness (Illustrated by Christ) a. It is because of the faithfulness of Christ we have been redeemed Hebrews 2:17 that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 2

3 b. It is because of the faithfulness of Christ that we can overcome temptation I Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way to escape, that you may be able to bear it. c. It is because of the faithfulness of Christ that we have a refuge from evil II Thessalonians 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. d. It is because of the faithfulness of Christ that we have forgiveness for our sins I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 3. Example of Faithfulness a. 11 people in the Scriptures who God identified as faithful Daniel, Hananiah, Epaphras, Onesimus, Sylvanus, Antipas, Abraham, Moses, Lydia, Timothy and Paul. (Is there any observation you make about this list? Many we have not heard of, but the characteristic that marked their lives was faithfulness.) b. People who I know with this quality (1) Uncle Fred and Aunt Marietta (2) Eleanor Riker/Joyce Murray 4. Characteristics of Faithfulness How would you characterize a faithful person? 3

4 a. Consistency Uniformity of behavior Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before His God, as was his custom since early days. (Fulfilling responsibility when there are adverse circumstances.) b. Integrity Maintaining a commitment after the circumstances in which the commitment was made have been changed. (Paul in Philippi in Jail) c. Dependability (Count on them) Fulfilling what I consented to do even if it means unexpected sacrifice. II Timothy 4:11 Only Luke is with me 5. Challenge of faithfulness Proverbs 20:6 but who can find a faithful man? (Where do we need faithful men and women? In every avenue of life Home, Work, Neighborhood, Church) What do we communicate when we fail to demonstrate this quality? (We aren t spirit filled Christians, we re quitters) There is a second characteristic of this self-ward fruit, B. The fruit that describes our personal development The fruit of the Spirit is Meekness 1. Define it What do we mean when we say the fruit of the Spirit is meekness? a. What do we generally associate with meekness? (Weakness) 4

5 b. What is meekness? Strength or Power under control! (1) In Classical Greek it came to mean to soothe, to calm, to tranquilize. (2) Someone has described meekness as gentleness by those who have the power to be otherwise. (3) It is the grace that brings strength and gentleness together. (4) It is the opposite of self-assertiveness and selfinterest. (5) Does it come naturally? NO! Only comes to a life yielded to the Holy Spirit. 2. Example of Meekness Who is our great example? a. Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of Me; for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls b. Paul wrote in II Corinthians 10:1, Now, I Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ (Jesus Christ was the perfect example of meekness! His power was always under control.) c. Isaiah said in 42:3, A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. d. Pastor Jeremiah says, Jesus was meek. He had the greatest possible strength under the greatest possible control. While He was on the cross, He could have called ten legions of angels to come to His aid. But He stayed on that cross and held His vast power in check out of love for you and me. 3. Exhortations to Meekness a. James 1:21 Receive with meekness the implanted word. (It is the spirit of meekness that helps us know 5

6 we don t know it all.) When you come to study and consider the Word of God, how should you come? Come with a spirit of meekness. b. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (How should you go about confronting a brother or sister who is dealing with an issue? Haughty or Meek?) Someone has said, Meekness is the spirit which makes correction a stimulant, not a depressant. It brings hope, not despair. c. II Timothy 2:24-25 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth. (How do you respond to differences with someone, do you quarrel or do you demonstrate a spirit of meekness?) d. I Peter 3:15, But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 4. We need meekness when we confront others with the gospel. There is nothing more beautiful than to see a strong, powerful person demonstrating compassion and love towards the weak things in life. When Jesus invited us to Him, saying He was meek and lowly of heart, He did not appeal to us on the basis of His Kingship, Majesty, or Authority. The Lord reaches out His arms and says, Come to me and I ll give you rest, I am meek you can be comfortable coming to me. 6

7 C. The fruit that describes our personal development The fruit of the spirit is self-control We ll have to save this for another time! 7