Holy Spirit #4 The Proof of the Holy Spirit Galatians 5:22-23
January 22, 2023 ABC
The Holy Spirit #4
THE PROOF OF THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-23
INTRODUCTION:
This is where this sermon series has been leading. The presence, power and path of the Holy Spirit bring us toward a natural result. When we are truly filled with the Spirit of God, the PROOF of the Holy Spirit will be seen in our actions. Paul makes a very clear contrast between the WORKS of the FLESH and the FRUIT of the Spirit. You WILL be displaying one or the other. The Scripture is clear that at the moment of Salvation, a change took place. 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 2 Corinthians 3:18…we are CHANGED BY the power of the Holy Spirit. He has become the ROOT of all things spiritual in your life which will in turn produce spiritual FRUIT.
Sometimes we confuse personality traits for spiritual fruit. For example, some Christians are more stoic by nature, so we look at them and say, “Now, that person has patience.” But they are not joyful or kind. Or a Christian who is really gentle and kind to others may never tell people about Jesus. Or maybe someone is bold in telling others about Jesus, but he does it with no kindness. When you find one “virtue” far out of balance from the others, it’s likely you’re looking not at gospel fruit but personality traits.
Where Jesus is, all the fruits grow as one—you are bold and kind, gentle and compassionate, patient and joyful. Therefore, you are only as mature as your most immature fruit.
When you read Galatians 5, you might wonder about Paul’s grammar in verse 22. Paul says, “Fruit is …” (singular) and then gives a plural list. Shouldn’t he have said, “The fruits of the Spirit are …”?
Paul wasn’t being a sloppy grammarian. He was pointing out that these are not separate virtues you staple onto your life but the collective evidence of Christ in you. If he’s in you, they will all start to appear.
The Fruit of the Spirit is the natural result of being converted by Jesus Christ and the 9 characteristics are unified and should be displayed simultaneously as they are the proof of being born again and of a godly character.
This morning, as with most lists to be preached on, we cannot bog down and go into great details, or else we would be here all day. The good news is that the characteristics of FRUIT of the SPIRIT are not very difficult to understand. What I want to do is simply to give you a simple meaning and a measure for each aspect of the Spirit’s PROOF in our lives.
BIG IDEA:
The Fruit of the Spirit is a great blessing from God and should be evident in the life of all Christians.
BODY:
I. THE MEANING OF THE FRUI TOF THE SPIRIT
THE UPWARD/GODWARD FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
A. LOVE
Meaning: Love is a crucial aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit because God is love (1 John 4:8). It is God’s unconditional love that flows to us, in us, and through us. This is AGAPE love! Which is a sacrificial and very stable type of love.
B. JOY
Meaning: Gladness based on the unchanging greatness and goodness of God and his work in the world.
C. PEACE
Meaning: A sense of contentment and wholeness as a result of being in a right relationship with God, with oneself, and with others.
THE OUTWARD FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
D. LONGSUFFERING
Meaning: The ability to face trouble without blowing up or lashing out.
E. GENTLENESS
Meaning: Means showing kindness, sympathy, empathy, hospitality, and generosity towards others. It is being considerate of others and thinking of their needs before yourself.
F. GOODNESS
Meaning: The deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good.
THE INWARD FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
G. FAITH
Meaning: This is not daily faith, or doctrinal faith. It is DUTIFUL faith, or trustworthiness. It means we consistently do what we say we will do.
H. MEEKNESS
Meaning: Literally, strength under control. It is the ability to focus less on yourself and more on strengthening and encouraging others.
I. TEMPERANCE
Meaning: Self-control, discipline, The ability to control one’s emotions and desires in order to do God’s will and not your own.
II. THE MESSAGE OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Note: The Fruit of the Spirit stand in direct contrast of the Fruit of the Spirit. You will be displaying one or the other.
A. Deep Roots
B. Displayed Fruits
In one of his meetings, D.L. Moody was explaining to his audience the truth that we cannot bring about spiritual changes in our lives by our own strength. He demonstrated the principal like this: “Tell me,” he said to his audience, “how can I get the air out of the tumbler I have in my hand?” One man said, “Suck it out with a pump.” But Moody replied, “That would create a vacuum and shatter it.” Finally, after many suggestions, he picked up a pitcher and quietly filled the glass with water. “There,” he said, “all the air is now removed.” He then explained that victory for the child of God does not come by working hard to eliminate sinful habits, but rather by allowing Christ to take full possession.
CONCLUSION:
Examine your life. Are you producing the Fruit of the Spirit?
If not, come to Christ in repentance and faith. Become a Christian and receive the Spirit of God within you. Be reconciled to God through Christ.
If you are, keep cultivating this fruit in your life. Keep displaying it to the world. Let others see your good fruit and glorify God!