April 7, 2008

  • THE FRUITFUL LIFE [#1]



    The Fruitful Life
    [Fruit of the Spirit Series #1]
    Gal 5:16-25

    INTRO:
      • When we talk about the fruit of the spirit, this is not something alien to the believer, its not something you need to "smuggle" in to your life... Its something already inside you in "seed form", if the spirit is in you then love, joy, peace, patience, etc. is already inside you... The issue becomes that you need to GROW UP!  (1 Peter 2:2;  Eph 4:15)

    1.  The Believers “TWO NATURES”
      • vs 16-18
      • Fight the good fight!  (1 Tim 6:11-12)
      • "Works" VS. "Fruit"

    2.  How Can a Christian Operate in "FLESH MODE"?
      • vs 19-21
      • The issue is motive?... am I seeking the glory of God and alignment to His Word because I love Jesus… OR… am I seeking to satisfy myself, my self interest. Am I choosing to go my own way and continue in a patter of rebellion against God?
      • every human being is bent toward living under a "works based" righteousness.

    3.  How Can a Christian Operate in "SPIRIT MODE"?
      • vs 22-25
      • The issue is motive?... do I operate out of a love for Christ and a desire to obey His Word and spread His fame?
      • “fruit of the spirit” = the communicable attributes of God
      • The only good deeds we do are the ones He enables and motivate us to do anyway.

    CONCLUSION
      • compare Eph 5:18 & Col 3:16… being spirit filled is being word filled
      • embarrass yourself... Admit the motivations  of your heart it out loud...
      • preach the Gospel to yourself everyday
      • lets get serious about giving God some focused quality time each day... Start with the fruit of the spirit... Pick some where you are already growing... Pick one or two that are weaknesses, pray for it, cultivate it.  Live by the spirit... Fight the good fight!...