Fruit of the Spirit (1)Galatians 5:13-26

Introduction Two ways of livingHappy New YearTwo lists/ ways of Living in Galatians 5:13-26Flesh Destructive life (vs 19-21)Spirit the Good life (vs 22-23)Conflict between the two

1. The destructive LifeFlesh: Greek word SarxSarx - Paul is not referring to the physical body. Sarx is not the body but a power that stands over against Gods work for the flourishing of creation to which we mistakenly submit our bodies and other aspects of our humanity. Sarx is the anti-God, anti-human power that distorts our body image, seduces us with counterfeit pleasures, promises us life, and then crushes us with death. (Jonathan Wilson, Gods Good World, pg7) Sarx has to do with humanitys fallen, corrupt, or sinful nature, as distinguished from human nature as originally created by God. (WBC, 239). It is a Life outside of Christ (Fee, 431).

Acts of the Flesh Gal 5:19-2119The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.Not a good life ends in destruction.

2. The Good LifeGal 5:22-2322But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-controlOne Fruit Love,-joy-peace-forbearance-kindness-goodness-faithfulness-gentleness- self-control kind of fruit.

2. The Good Life

Gal 5:22-231 Cor 13:4-6But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love is patient, kind. does not envy, does not boast, it is not proud. does not dishonor others, not self-seeking, not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. always protects,always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8Love never fails.

How do we enter the Good Life?Fruit of the SpiritFruit produced by the Holy SpiritSarx cannot produce good fruit.Gal 5:25 Keep in step with the Spirit. What do we do with Sarx?Gal 5:24 Crucify

How do we enter the Good life?

SpiritSarx 5:19 List of FruitsLoveJoyPeacePatienceKindnessGoodnessFaithfulnessGoodnessSelf-control5:19 List of acts:Sexual immoralityImpurity and debaucheryidolatry and witchcrafthatreddiscordjealouslyfits of rageselfish ambitiondissensionsfactionenvydrunkennessorgiesand the like

How do we enter the good life?The whole offer which Christianity makes is this: that we can, if we let God have His way, come to share in the life of Christ. If we do, we shall then be sharing in life, which was begotten, not made, which always has existed and always will exist. Christ is the Son of God. If we share in this kind of life we also shall be sons of God. We shall love the Father as He does and the Holy Ghost will arise in us. ( C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, 77)

How do we enter the Good life?Receiving the Holy Spirit Fruit offspring, birth. The Holy Spirit produces in us New Life Fruit Love. God is Perfect Love. Love uncreated is God Himself, the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit. (Walter Hilton, 14th Century AD)

Gal 5:22, 23Fruit of the Holy Spirit = Christ-likeness.This is the good life the Goal of all humanity be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

ConclusionThe Good life - Produced by the Holy Spirit in those who have surrendered themselves to Christ and are made into new creations.A result of participating in the fellowship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit Perfect Love.Happiness and Blessedness

ConclusionBlessed Gr. MakariosMatthew 5 and Luke 6Experienced in the midst of trials and hardships.

Conclusion

Conclusion Blessed Life, Happy life Good Fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a person who is rooted in God and His truth.Good New for today Jesus Christ has dealt with Sarx on the CrossThe Holy Spirit desires you to have a new birth into the family of God.Which life will you choose?

Conclusion You are invited this morning into a life in Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit.May this New Year be the start of something New in your life New Life in Christ. Happy (Blessed) New Year!

PrayerLet us Pray:Dear God, We want to yield to the work of Your Spirit in our lives. May we be alive to You and dead to Sin. May our lives bear fruit the fruit of Your perfect Love so that we may love you, love our neighbors and work towards the welfare of your world. In Christs name. Amen.

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