FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT | REMAIN
GALATIANS 5:22 BUT THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, 23 GENTLENESS, SELF-CONTROL; AGAINST SUCH THINGS THERE IS NOT LAW.
KEY SCRIPTURES
Galatians 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 9 As it is written,
“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;
his righteousness endures forever.”
10 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.
John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
KEY POINTS
- Abide means to remain “MENO”.
- To attach, to believe, trust to enjoy to rest and receive.
- If you want to grow fruit you must be willing to remain.
- If you want to grow fruit you must be willing to be pruned.
- Pruning often happens under stress. Trials of life expose dead branches.
- Jesus desires to be one with us and empowers us to bear fruit. Fruit is not how many people you lead to Christ it’s how you love you Love God and One another.
From Wavering Simon to Peter on the Rock
- Insecure to Holy Boldness
- Anger to Endurance
- Presumptuous to Wise
- Spontaneous to Patient
- Man Pleaser to God Pleaser
- Compulsive to in Step with the Spirit
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Explain how Jesus empowers us to bear fruit
- Are you easily pruned or resistant to the shears?
- Are you a runner? Did you use to be?
- In what areas of life are you currently stressed?
- Where is your fruit seen by others?
Lots of discussion on the the topic of disciplining. Everyone saw that as a need in the church. Heard a few examples of several in our group who knew of new Christians who needed that help. They’re excited that the church is going to develop a discipline to reach out and minister to the newly saved.
The rest of the evening was spent reviewing and discussing the scriptures from the Sunday message. We were constantly reminded and amazed at the Goodness of God!