November 15, 2007

The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:16-23

1. to have the fruit of the Spirit, a person must be saved - Galatians 3:5-7

-the Holy Spirit in the believer produces the fruit in them - Philippians 1:6-11

2. it takes work to bear fruit - Phil 2:12-13

-the gifts of the Holy Spirit are easy to obtain - 1 Cor 12:8-11

-Growing fruit:

a. is a choice

b. is one's personal responsibility

c.produces Christian character - John 15:4-5,8 - it is becoming more like Jesus Christ

Great character reveals a growing and connected Christian

Fruit of the Spirit

1.) Faith - is faithfulness - means to be reliable;dependable;consistent;trustworthy

a.) we are to be like Jesus Christ - Romans 8:29

-Jesus is Faithful - Rev 19:11

-Prov 25:13 - faithful people are refreshing

b.) faithfulness and fellowship are interconnected - Psalm 101:6 and Proverbs 28:20

c.) be faithful to what the Lord has asked you to do

-no matter what it is

-the Lord is more interested in faithfulness than accomplishment

Patience

Patience Definitions:

patience is not just waiting.  It is how we act while we are waiting

patience is to be constant or the same all the time no matter what is going on

patience is the capacity to remain firm under suffering without yielding to anger, resentment, despair or self pity

Why be patient?  because we are all going to spend the rest of our lives waiting for something

Why become impatient?  because we all try to make something happen that only God could make happen

How to develop patience.......

1. realize you will have to endure waiting situations - pray and praise

2. submit to God's appointed time - hab 2:2-3

3. surrender, die and enjoy

4. put on patience - Col 3:12-13

-prepare mentally

-declare