CHAPTER ONE:
The Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:22 – 26
Introduction:
1. Many sermons concentrate on warning against the works of the flesh (Gal. 5: 19 – 21). Such is certainly righteous to do, yea, needful! (Acts 20:31; Romans 5:14) Yet, it is equally needful and valuable to recognize the productive FRUIT (singular) of the Spirit.
2. Note the SINGULAR aspect of this FRUIT.
a. While various ITEMS OF NEED are listed, think of this FRUIT as a “multi-vitamin” with each requirement for our daily needs (2 Cor. 4:16) supplied in the element of this one FRUIT.
b. John 15:1 – 8 (note again the singular FRUIT)
3. From this reading, we note the need to FIRST be IN CHRIST in order to bear this fruit.
a. Galatians 3:27
b. Romans 6: 1- 6
4. THEN we note the necessity of bearing FRUIT. We must appreciate the very elements of this fruit. Paul contrasts the “works (i.e. various fruits – plural) of the flesh and that singular FRUIT of the Spirit. (Eph. 4:4-6) We must acknowledge that the Spirit is no more divided than God the Father or Christ His Son (1 John 5:7). Since the SEED which produces this tree/vine is the perfect, singular Word of God (Luke 8:11), it is equally true it can bear but one righteous fruit (Gen. 1:12 – seed bears after its own kind.) Every element of this fruit is perfect and is from its source (James 1:17).
I. LOVE
A. This is not an unconditional love, that ignores the differences between right and wrong.
1. 1 John 2: 15 – 17
2. James 4:4 -- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
3. Galatians 1:10 -- For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
B. Rather it is LOVE which works by FAITH
1. Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
2. 1 Thessalonians 1: 2- 4 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
II. JOY
A. We are the redeemed! As such, a generous part of the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT is to prove our joy in being free from sin!
1. 1 Peter 1:6 – 9 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
2. 1 Peter 4: 12 - 13 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
B. The uniqueness of this JOY is that it exists even in the face of troubles
1. James 1: 2- 8
2. 1 John 1: 1- 4
C. The JOY is knowing we remain in Christ Jesus
1. 3 John 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
2. Jude 24 – 25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
III. PEACE
A. The calm soul rests in the protection of Christ. He is the means by which this peace passes understanding (Philippians 4:7)
B. This peace is sown by those who make (produce) peace.
1. James 3:13 – 18
2. Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
3. Hebrews 12:11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
IV. LONGSUFFERING (PATIENCE)
A. It is as much a part of LOVE as LOVE is of LONGSUFFERING
1. 1 Corinthians 13: 1- 8
2. 1 Timothy 1:15 – 17 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
B. We must possess this element of the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
1. Ephesians 4: 1-3
2. Colossians 3: 12 – 13 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
C. It is crucial to our eternal salvation!
1. Romans 2: 1- 4
2. 2 Peter 3: 14 – 16
V. GENTLENESS
A. It is the character of HUMILITY
1. James 3:13 – 18(again)
2. James 4:5 – 10
3. 1 Peter 5: 6 – 11
B. Compares to “compassion”
1. 1 Peter 3: 8 – 12
2. Jude 22 – 23 And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.
VI. GOODNESS
A. The very opposite of evil
1. 1 Thessalonians 5:22; Romans 12:9
2. Hebrews 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
B. Must be goodness in God’s sight … not merely man’s estimation of “good”
1. Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
2. 1 Timothy 2: 1- 4
VII. FAITH
A. In this context it means “fidelity; allegiance as in the word faithfulness”
B. 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit ye like men, be strong.
C. Faith in EVERY action is necessarily coupled with WORK
1. James 2:20 --- faith without works is dead being alone.
2. 2 Corinthians 8:1 – 7
3. 2 Timothy 1: 13 – 14 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.
VIII. MEEKNESS
A. Usually coupled with gentleness (see above); thus, the opposite of anger (Colossians 3:8 – 11, note anger is among the deeds of the flesh that must be “put off” i.e. removed from our lives as Christians) Titus 3: 1- 2
B. Use it to deal with those less understanding of truth
1. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
2. 2 Timothy 3:22 – 26
IX. TEMPERANCE
A. Carries more than the idea of “self control” as it includes “chastity”
1. 1 Corinthians 11:31 – 32 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
2. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
3. 2 Corinthians 11: 1 – 3 ould to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
B. Philippians 4: 1- 5
C. 2 Peter 1: 5 – 11
Conclusion:
Colossians 1: 9 - 29