Monday, March 10, 2025

Sermon March 9, 2025

 

CERRO GORDO CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN

March 9, 2025

 

The Fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-25      

 

Last week we looked at the fact that the Holy Spirit that was promised by Jesus Christ gave gifts to believers. These gifts have multiple purposes from equipping the church to be able to resist the lies of Satan to gifts that help believers carry out all the things we should be doing for Gods kingdom. These gifts also make life more enjoyable to, not only us, but also can be a blessing to others in a number of ways.

 

Today we are going to begin a look at what Paul calls in Galatians the fruit of the spirit. There are 9 different “fruits of the spirit” that are mentioned in the 22nd and 23rd verses of the 5th chapter of Galatians. Just prior to those verses in Galatians are 15 different attitudes or actions or sins that should not be part of a spirit filled Christian’s life. Over the next several weeks, and it will take much longer than that, we are going to look at the 9 positive characteristics of a spirit filled Christian.

 

We will be taking the “fruit” mentioned one at a time to really get an understanding of just how important each one is for the church as well as each individual believer. I mentioned it could take quite a while to cover these because we will officially begin next Sunday with the fruit Love, continue on with Joy then take a break for a few weeks as we approach Easter.

 

When we think about fruit what is the first thing that comes to mind? It is probably your personal favorite fruit that you enjoy eating. During the winter months finding your favorite fruit might be difficult depending on what it is. I personally like a lot of different fruits. In winter, however I simply will not buy certain fresh fruits. Peaches for example simply don’t seem to have as good of a flavor when you buy them now as they do in summer, at least that’s my opinion and I could go on and on about a number of other fresh fruits I simply won’t buy in winter.

 

During Jesus sermon on the mount, he used an easy-to-understand example to help the people understand the importance of Gods people being Faithful and productive during our time on this earth. In Matthew 7 the 17th and 18th verses he describes Gods people this way: Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.

 

So when we see Paul talking about the fruit of the spirit it is clearly a continuation of what Jesus was talking about in Matthew. In my Bible, the section beginning with the 16th verse and going thru the 26th verse of Galatians the 5th chapter is called “Life by the Spirit. Theses verses cover both the “bad fruit” mentioned by Jesus and the “good fruit” he mentioned. I encourage you to read these verses this week as we begin our time together looking at the “good fruit” highlighted beginning once again with the 22nd verse.

 

What a gracious and Loving God we have. He wants us to have everything we need to live a successful and abundant life. When the promised Holy Spirit was sent to the believers, he provided us with every tool we need to live a victorious life. As we go thru these fruits of the spirit it will give each one of us a chance to see just how much each one of these “fruits’ are flowing thru us the way the Holy Spirit intended.

 

The Lord is constantly reminding me that I have been given everything I need to live a joyful abundant life while I am here on this earth as I prepare to spend eternity with my Lord and Savior. So, let’s get encouraged together as the Lord reminds us of each one of the fruits of the spirit we have been provided with. Unlike the spiritual gifts that we have been given that may be different for each one of us, all of these fruits of the spirit are for each and every believer. So, one more reminder next Sunday we will begin with the first one listed which is Love. Is this one the most important or are all of the different fruits listed equally important for us? That will be for you and me to consider and decide.

 

May the Holy Spirit help each one of us to live the best life we can no matter what phase of life we may be in. We have all we need to do just that through Jesus Christ our Lord and the fruit of the spirit which has been given to each of us by the Holy Spirit so we can be successful in all we do.

Pastor Larry

 

       Announcements


March 16 One Great Hour of Sharing special offering

March 18 12:00 Women's fellowship lunch- meal provided- soups, etc.

March 29 District Potluck at the Peoria church                                                                                                                                                                                  

No comments:

Post a Comment