The Fruit of the The Fruit of the SpiritSpirit

LoveLove

Works vs FruitWorks vs Fruit

Plural vs singularPlural vs singular Works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21)Works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21)

Many varietiesMany varieties Not necessarily relatedNot necessarily related A person can be guilty by participating in A person can be guilty by participating in

any oneany one Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23)

Nine qualities, but only one fruitNine qualities, but only one fruit All nine are necessary and relatedAll nine are necessary and related A person lacking any of the qualities does A person lacking any of the qualities does

not have the fruit of the Spiritnot have the fruit of the Spirit

What is “Love”?What is “Love”?

The Greeks had five words for loveThe Greeks had five words for love Three are Three are notnot used in the New Testament used in the New Testament

Love of familyLove of family Love of countryLove of country Sexual loveSexual love

Two words are used in the New TestamentTwo words are used in the New Testament Emotional love (Emotional love (phileo)phileo) Decisional love (Decisional love (agapeagape))

AgapeAgape

““Agape has to do with the mind: it is not Agape has to do with the mind: it is not an emotion which rises unbidden in our an emotion which rises unbidden in our hearts; it is a principle by which we hearts; it is a principle by which we deliberately live. Agape has supremely deliberately live. Agape has supremely to do with the will.”to do with the will.” (William Barclay)(William Barclay)

What is “Agape”?What is “Agape”?

Not an uncontrolled reaction of the Not an uncontrolled reaction of the heartheart

It is a concentrated exercise of the willIt is a concentrated exercise of the will It is involved in the needs of othersIt is involved in the needs of others It does not depend upon being lovedIt does not depend upon being loved It does not have to be earnedIt does not have to be earned It is not an exclusive loveIt is not an exclusive love

““Agape” illustratedAgape” illustrated

Rom 5:8Rom 5:8 Love toward the undeservingLove toward the undeserving

Rom 8:35-39Rom 8:35-39 Love that does not changeLove that does not change Love that is inseparableLove that is inseparable

1 Jn 3:161 Jn 3:16 Love that sacrifices everythingLove that sacrifices everything

““Agape” and the Agape” and the ChristianChristian

Eph 5:1-2Eph 5:1-2 A walkA walk An offering and sacrificeAn offering and sacrifice A fragrant aroma (an atmosphere)A fragrant aroma (an atmosphere)

Col 3:12-14Col 3:12-14 ““the tie that binds”the tie that binds”

1 Cor 16:141 Cor 16:14 The reason for The reason for allall that we do that we do

Demonstrating “agape”Demonstrating “agape”

Loving GodLoving God Jn 14:15, 21, 23-24Jn 14:15, 21, 23-24 Jn 15:10, 14Jn 15:10, 14

Loving our brethrenLoving our brethren Jn 15:12-13Jn 15:12-13 1 Jn 4:20-211 Jn 4:20-21

““Agape” in practiceAgape” in practice

1 Jn 5:21 Jn 5:2 Gal 5:13 – Love produces serviceGal 5:13 – Love produces service Meeting physical needs – 1 Jn 3:16-18Meeting physical needs – 1 Jn 3:16-18 Meeting spiritual needs – 1 Pet 4:8Meeting spiritual needs – 1 Pet 4:8

Not hiding sins, but exposing them Not hiding sins, but exposing them Jms 5:19-20Jms 5:19-20 Heb 12:5-15Heb 12:5-15

Matt 7:12Matt 7:12

ConclusionConclusion

We must have “agape” if we are to have We must have “agape” if we are to have the fruit of the Spiritthe fruit of the Spirit

But there is always room for But there is always room for improvementimprovement 1 Thes 4:9-121 Thes 4:9-12 1 Thes 3:12-131 Thes 3:12-13