The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

Rev. Barry Gritters

Galatians 5:22-23 (Applicatory)                                    June 8, 2003 PM
     A. Our text fits both applicatory (a thankful response) and Pentecost (the results of the Spirit's presence)
     B. In Galatians, Paul has told the church: You are freed; but do not use your liberty to serve flesh...
"THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT"
I. The Fruitful Life
     A. First is love, joy, peace
          1. Love heads the list—the mother of all other Christian virtues
          2. Then, the accompanying graces of joy and peace
 
     B. Second is long-suffering, gentleness, goodness
          1. Long-suffering
 
          2. Accompanying long-suffering are gentleness and goodness
 
     C. Finally is faith, meekness, temperance (self-control)
          1. Faith refers here to "faithfulness"
 
          2. Accompanying are meekness and temperance


II. The Source in the Spirit
     A. The Spirit Who produces this fruit in us is the Spirit of Jesus Christ
          1. The text is not so much a call to love, etc, as it is a description of the Spirit's work in us
 
          2. Christ in us loves, rejoices in God, seeks peace, suffers long...
 
     B. One thing is sure, the origin and source of these graces is not ourselves
          1. The text emphasizes that in a couple of ways:
 
          2. The importance of understanding that cannot be over-estimated (for believer and unbeliever)


III. The Importance of Fruit
     A. This is emphasized in the text, too
 
     B. That answers a problem that sometimes appears
 
     C. But the importance of this fruit is for us, for others, and ultimately for God