The Spirit of freedom III
November 15, 2017
The Spirit of freedom III
3- You will mature as you cling to the vine
God’s ongoing work will “spill over” in situations God brings to you
John 15:4. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others
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| What is God like?
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How has God demonstrated Himself to you?
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How do you demonstrate God to others by His leading and power?
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Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us…”
1 John 3:16
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others
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| Love is sacrificial, unconditional, redemptive
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God loved you through Christ’s sacrifice
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Central aspect of the transformed life
• Where are you building? • To extend grace or demand rights? |
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| Joy
Is taking pleasure in others’ lives & blessing |
God
Takes joy in you!
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Like parents w/ children
Taking delight in others’ advances What a shift to take pleasure in others’ lives! Do you take joy in serving? |
“… for the joy set before Him, Christ endured the cross…” Hebrews 12:2
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.” John 15:11
“I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” 3 John 4\
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others
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| Peace
End of animosity, bridging alienation, unity |
Reconciliation with God through Christ
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Do you have some fences to mend?
Will you accept grace & impose law?
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“… God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them…” 2 Corinthians 5:18
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others |
| Patience long-suffering, slow to anger
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God sure does have a long fuse!
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Learned by suffering
How must we view others? Can we wait? |
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others |
| Kind & gentle
friendly, approach-able, warm
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God treats us as his children
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excitement for others
taking initiative to make warm relationships verbal |
“When the kindness of God our Savior and His love for humankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…” Titus 3:3
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others |
| Goodness
affection for good; no hypocrisy |
God’s work in our lives reflects his good will for us
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Integrity
Love involves working for true moral transformation |
God is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others |
| faithfulness reliable, consistent
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God delivers on His word
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Is it more important that you’re gifted or available?
Can you be counted on? Will you even be aware when you’re needed? |
Gal. 5:22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 22. Gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
| What it means
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Christ toward us
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Us to others |
| self-control
ability to say “no” when needed |
Christ modeled restraint to accomplish God’s will for you
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real freedom comes in setting aside your habits & compulsions for others |
“We do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:15, 16
Let’s Pray