Fruit of the Spirit: Summary Pt 3

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Gal 5:22  the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, beneficence, goodness, faith-fullness, 23 meekness, self-control 24 those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also march by the Spirit. 26 not...

 1. Dynamic of Dependence/Abiding: Spirit of God (Truth) uses the Word of God (Truth) to produce in us the Mind of Christ (Jn 14:6)

    We glorify God by submitting to His plan for us to be fruit bearing disciples  alternative is fruit of flesh resulting in shame/loss -1Cor 3

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 2. Fruit is always the result of seed  (word of God), soil (fertile heart), and cultivation (Spirit -light, water, weeding, time/maturity).

 3. HS at work in us to will & do God's pleasure (glorifying fruit) Phil 2:13; Filled w/ HS = Word of HS dwelling richly in us Eph 5:18; Col 3:16

I. Faith/Trust that what God has Revealed is the Reality/Truth Heb 11:1-6 Belief/Action that brings to fruition God's promises

A. It's a loyalty to God’s command and responsibilities for us, sourced in the fear of God and expressing itself in unwavering obedience; 

Heb 11:1 faith is the groundspring of things hoped for, the reproof/bringing to light of things not seen 2 by it the elders obtained a good testimony

6 w/o faith it is impossible to please Him..who comes to God must believe that He is, and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

B. Loyalty/Fidelity Faith-fullness springs ek abiding/deepening/conscious faith in God's revealed character, commands, & promises

We grow in faith thru stretching and enduring trials to our belief, in the forge of affliction, w/ expectant dependent prayer  TOYL end

APP  Root all your decisions and actions in the Revealed promises and commands of God  Rm 14:23 for whatever is not of faith is sin Mt 25:21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things..make you ruler...Enter into the joy of your lord.

II. Meekness is a faith-based decision to humble/lower oneself to endure affliction/abuse for the benefit of others and glory of God

A. Meekness is a humility that expresses itself in submissiveness to an offense without malice or desire for revenge; 

Js 1:21 lay aside all defilement and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word,  is able to save your souls.

TDNT actively embracing rather than passively accepting difficulties (requires insight). Willingly lowering self to accept abuse for goal.

Ps 45:3 Gird your sword, mighty one, with your glory and majesty. 4 ride victoriously because of truth, meekness, and righteousness; let your right hand achieve awesome deeds. 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies; the peoples fall under You.

B. Meekness is not just +/-action, but what we are, that influences our thots, attitudes, decisions, esp toward others

1Pt 3:4..hidden person of the heart, w/ the incorruptible beauty of a meek/gentle & quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God

5  the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive..6..if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.

Put off before you can put on  Col 3:1 seek 2 set mind above 5 mortify members 8 Put off  9 old man with his deeds 10 renewed by K 12 Put on...holy and beloved, mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forebearing..forgiving 14 love 15 peace rule 

C. Meekness requires prayerful prep and purposeful interaction for the benefit of others risking rejection, abuse, and satan

1Tim 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness 12 Fight...

III. Fruit of the HS Self-Control requires tapping into God's power while Secular Self-Control requires simply thinking differently

Self-control is the virtue of power under control, gained from mastery of one’s passions and resulting in being able to exhibit a godly impulse (the sensual ones having been subdued). This trait is gained only as a result of a transformed value system (Rom 12). 

A. Ability/skill to manage/restrain emotions, thots, actions for inner/outer long term goals, ie, exhibit vs inhibit an impulse (cx natural instincts)

*Feed your brain noble goal achieving images and words; TED M Peer 1) brain always does what it thinks is in your best interest; 2) brain hardwired to move away from pain toward pleasure; 3) pictures and words=feelings; 4) brain loves familiar ? make familiar=unfamiliar; and vs.

B. Repression vs Renewal (Transforming Values from secular {carnal} to spiritual). Rm 12:1-2 by the renewing of your mind

2Pt 1:4 divine nature..escape...5 diligently supply/add to faith, virtue, 6 knowledge, self-control, perseverence, godliness, philos, agape

Phil 2:13 God works in you to will and to do His good pleasure       2Thess 1:11 with this in mind pray...God may deem you worthy of His calling, and that by his power/duna he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.

C. Tap into HS power (en)kratos by trustful abiding (Jn 15) to resist the devil and bear fruit  Kratos 3x of men; derivative of God's power 

Eph 1:19 exceeding greatness of his power/dunamos-inherent to us-ward who believe, acc to the working of his mighty-force/kratos power

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Why is seeking God difficult? Do we need warm fuzzies or immediate gratification to achieve other worthwhile/noble goals?

2. How do we be faithful stewards of our time, treasure, talents, truth, experience, opportunities, rlshps, etc? See Semper Fi in TOYL

3. How do you demonstrate a supernatural (above nature) bold, confident faith-fullness/loyalty toward your God, objectives, and others?

4. What obstacles do folks face in manifesting each fruit?  What can be done to overcome each? How does the HS help you be fruitful?

5. How serious are you about glorifying God thru fruitbearing? Have you taken time to meditate on how each trait benefits others and God?