Peace – no more confusion
Posted: Sep 1, 2010 at 9:21 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
“Peace”
Pastor Grant Williams September 1, 2010
Week #7 Fruit of the Spirit
Who is Paul writing to in Galatians ? _____________________
Galatians 5:7-26 (Amplified Bible)
7 You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?
8 This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ].
9 A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].
10 [For my part] I have confidence [toward you] in the Lord that you will take no contrary view of the matter but will come to think with me. But he who is unsettling you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty.
11 But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block and is made meaningless (done away).
12 I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
15 But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Define Peace:
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“Peace is the brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.”
Author Unknown
I. Peace of God
This Greek word for peace is Eirene, this word is really a translation of the well known Hebrew word Shalom which literally means “safe” with other off shoots being “well” and “prosperous”. In other words this peace refers to doing well and being safe and provided for.
John 14:27 (Amplified Bible)
27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.
(in other words it’s not a false sense of security) Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]
This peace is:
A. A characteristic of God and his Kingdom
Romans 14:17 (Amplified Bible)
17[After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
B. This peace is the opposite of Confusion
Often our worry or stress comes from confusion, not being sure why something is happening, what to do or think. Well again this is something that God never experiences, and through the Holy Spirit this peace is available to eliminate our confusion as well.
1 Corinthians 14:33 (King James Version)
33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace,
What situations in your life are you currently confused about ?
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James 3:13-18 (Amplified Bible)
13 Who is there among you who is wise and intelligent? Then let him by his noble living show forth his [good] works with the [unobtrusive] humility [which is the proper attribute] of true wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth.
15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal).
16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
18 And the harvest of righteousness (of conformity to God’s will in thought and deed) is [the fruit of the seed] sown in peace by those who work for and make peace [in themselves and in others, that peace which means concord, agreement, and harmony between individuals, with undisturbedness, in a peaceful mind free from fears and agitating passions and moral conflicts].
God’s wisdom and peace result in perfect harmony inside our hearts and among us people.
C. His Peace will Prevail at the Final Conflict
Because peace is God’s nature, He cannot co-exist with the opposite of peace and neither can we, at least not effectively.
In Romans 16:20 we read, “The God of Peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” He says under your feet, meaning the undivided church, not his feet, remembering that the church is now Jesus body in the world.
Remember we are not here talking about him giving peace in the physical way. This is the well-being type of peace that requires the destruction of evil.
Matthew 10:34 (Amplified Bible)
34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
II. Peace with God
Jesus brought us his peace to hold in our hearts, and he also brought us literal peace with God and with other people.
This peace is received by:
A. Faith in the Sacrifice of Christ on our Behalf
Ephesians 2:11-22 (Amplified Bible)
11 Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands.
12 [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God's agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God.
13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near.
14 For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us,
15 By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace.
16 And [He designed] to reconcile to God both [Jew and Gentile, united] in a single body by means of His cross, thereby killing the mutual enmity and bringing the feud to an end.
17 And He came and preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off and [peace] to those who were near.(A)
18 For it is through Him that we both [whether far off or near] now have an introduction (access) by one [Holy] Spirit to the Father [so that we are able to approach Him].
19 Therefore you are no longer outsiders (exiles, migrants, and aliens, excluded from the rights of citizens), but you now share citizenship with the saints (God’s own people, consecrated and set apart for Himself); and you belong to God’s [own] household.
20 You are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus Himself the chief Cornerstone.
21 In Him the whole structure is joined (bound, welded) together harmoniously, and it continues to rise (grow, increase) into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, consecrated, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].
22 In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you yourselves also are being built up [into this structure] with the rest, to form a fixed abode (dwelling place) of God in (by, through) the Spirit.
Colossians 1:19-20 (Amplified Bible)
19 For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently. – next page
20 And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.
Jesus is our peace, and there is no peace without him.
B. Peace also removes the Fear of God’s Judgment Upon Sin
Listen to what Paul says about believers in Romans 5:1…
Romans 5:1 (King James Version)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 5:1 (Amplified Bible)
1 THEREFORE, SINCE we are justified (acquitted, declared righteous, and given a right standing with God) through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).
If we have faith, which means believing in and obeying, trusting Jesus Christ, we do not have to fall under the sword of judgment that is coming to the world. Again faith removes worry from our hearts and gives us peace. We are now safe from God’s righteous and holy wrath because we have the opportunity to have faith in Jesus.
III. Peace from God
A. That is to be Apparent in our Relationships with Others
Colossians 3:12-15 (Amplified Bible)
12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper].
13 Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive].
14 And above all these [put on] love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness [which binds everything together completely in ideal harmony].
15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
B. Peace is available to us in all Life Circumstances
In John 14:27, “peace I leave with you.” Jesus left his peace to be with us always. When we are not experiencing it, it’s not because it isn’t there, it’s because we are not claiming it. Remember these are the chapters in John of abiding in Jesus. The fruit is available only if we abide in the vine.
C. Peace is Achieved as We Submit Every Situation to the Lord
Philippians 4:4-7 (Amplified Bible)
1 THEREFORE, MY brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown (wreath of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
2 I entreat and advise Euodia and I entreat and advise Syntyche to agree and to work in harmony in the Lord.
3 And I exhort you too, [my] genuine yokefellow, help these [two women to keep on cooperating], for they have toiled along with me in [the spreading of] the good news (the Gospel), as have Clement and the rest of my fellow workers whose names are in the Book of Life.
4 Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!
5 Let all men know and perceive and recognize your unselfishness (your considerateness, your forbearing spirit). The Lord is near [He is coming soon].
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.
7 And God’s peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
9 Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.
Isaiah 26:3 (Amplified Bible)
3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Only God can bring perfect peace through complete submission to him and allowing His Spirit to have his way with us, manifesting this fruit through us.
Romans 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
13 May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Self Control – Fruit of the Spirit
Posted: Aug 26, 2010 at 4:16 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
“Self Control”
Pastor Grant Williams August 25, 2010
Week #6 Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:7-26 (Amplified Bible)
7 You were running the race nobly. Who has interfered in (hindered and stopped you from) your heeding and following the Truth?
8 This [evil] persuasion is not from Him Who called you [Who invited you to freedom in Christ].
9 A little leaven (a slight inclination to error, or a few false teachers) leavens the whole lump [it perverts the whole conception of faith or misleads the whole church].
10 [For my part] I have confidence [toward you] in the Lord that you will take no contrary view of the matter but will come to think with me. But he who is unsettling you, whoever he is, will have to bear the penalty.
11 But, brethren, if I still preach circumcision [as some accuse me of doing, as necessary to salvation], why am I still suffering persecution? In that case the cross has ceased to be a stumbling block and is made meaningless (done away).
12 I wish those who unsettle and confuse you would [go all the way and] cut themselves off!
13 For you, brethren, were [indeed] called to freedom; only [do not let your] freedom be an incentive to your flesh and an opportunity or excuse [for selfishness], but through love you should serve one another.
14 For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.
15 But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Define: Self Control __________________________________________________________________________________________
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Self-control or temperance (KJV) has an interesting meaning in the Greek. The root of this Greek word means “strong in a thing” or “masterful”. Self-mastery or like a strength over oneself.
Romans 7:15 (Amplified Bible)
15 For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled, bewildered]. I do not practice or accomplish what I wish, but I do the very thing that I loathe [which my moral instinct condemns].
We put off making decisions because we have too high expectations and fear making the wrong choice. So instead of exercising self-control, we give into the fear, because often self-control involves taking risks.
“The role of the coach is to make people do things they don’t want to do to achieve the results they want to achieve.”
Tom Landry – Coach of the Dallas Cowboys
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (Amplified Bible)
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.
25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.
26 Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.
27 But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
Five qualities Paul mentions of a self-controlled life.
I. A Self-Controlled Life Has Positive Goals (v 24)
List your goals:
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II. Discipline (v 25)
The word disciple means learner or follower. Discipline means learning and following the instructions in order to accomplish something. This isn’t the word for discipline as in punishment.
III. Self-Controlled Life Demands Focus (v 25b-26)
Define: focus __________________________________________________________________________________________________
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What do you have to do, what needs to happen in order for you to be focused? _____________________________________________________
The important part of focus for the Christian life is not allowing distractions. We have goals to make it easier to say no to things that don’t help us reach that goal. But remaining focused on the goal in the midst of temptation and the desire for instant gratification is very difficult. It’s so easy to get sidetracked from our spiritual disciplines, or even to be thinking about other things while praying or reading the Word.
How easily do you get distracted? Do you find that you start a lot of things but finish few? Do you hear yourself saying often, “I had good intentions.” Do you allow unimportant things to interfere with the important ones? Success in anything demands focus and making the right things priorities.
IV. A Self-Controlled Life Includes the Whole Person (v 27)
Self-control like just about everything else, begins in the mind. Every decision, every action, every emotion comes from our mind. We must control our emotions, our bodies, and our minds. Until we have control the mind, these other two – emotions and body – are very difficult to control.
Romans 12:1-2 (Amplified Bible)
1 I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
V. A Self-Controlled Life Means Total Submission to the Coach and His Training Plan (Gal 5:22)
The Holy Spirit has to have control of our lives for self-control to fully manifest. Just like having a coach, they observe, teach, train, correct, and encourage us just like the Holy Spirit. When we listen and yield to the coach we can live a life of self-control by His power, not our own.
Proverbs 25:28, “A person without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.”
A person lacking self-control gets into endless trouble because they are impulsive, and very vulnerable to temptation. The Bible talks about it in terms of sexuality, addiction, and verbal reactivity. People with bad tempers, who speak without thinking, who seek to gratify the flesh at all costs.
John 6:63 (Amplified Bible)
63 It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.
Self-control comes down to surrender, surrendering our self to Christ, and allowing the Holy Spirit to completely control us.
Steps to putting self control into practice:
1. Reading, studying and meditating on God’s Word
2. Prayer – lots of it! Spending time with God
3. Just do it! – Do what the Word says, dot what He tells you during prayer – take action!
1 Chronicles 28:20 (King James Version)
20 And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it:
“Love” Part 2 – Fruit of the Spirit
Posted: Aug 5, 2010 at 11:11 AM in Wednesday Bible Study
“Love” Part 2 Handout
Pastor Grant Williams August 4, 2010
Week #3 Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-26 (Amplified Version)
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
III. Love is also Sacrificial (Eph 5:25, Ro 5:8, Jn 15:13)
What the difference between selfless and sacrificial? _________
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Ephesians 5:25 (Amplified Bible)
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Romans 5:8 (Amplified Bible)
8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
John 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.
Love is an action – no a thought, Love always requires sacrifice, whether it be giving up our time, interests, or to the far extreme, our lives. If you say you love someone, but have never given up something for them, chances are it’s not real love. More likely they are probably really loving you.
IV. Love is Supportive (2Co 8:1-8, Jas 2:15-16)
Covered last week
V. Love is Soothing (1Co 4:21, 13:4)
1 Corinthians 4:21 (Amplified Bible)
21 Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified Bible)
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind;
Love makes us feel safe and soothed rather than pressured to perform, or live up to some standard. Love comforts us when we are struggling. Jesus said he will give us rest and peace. We all need to ask ourselves, do the people I say I love feel soothed by me? Can my loved ones completely let down their guard around me? Are they emotionally safe?
VI. Love is Sincere (Ro 12:9, 1Pe 1:22)
Romans 12:9 (Amplified Bible)
9 [Let your] love be sincere (a real thing); hate what is evil [loathe all ungodliness, turn in horror from wickedness], but hold fast to that which is good.
Look at how pure love is: Hate evil (or as we learned, worthless or hurtful things), and hold fast to what is good. Purify your soul through obedience, and love from a pure heart. Purify your soul through obedience.
VII. Love is Stubborn (1Co 13:7, Ps 118)
1 Corinthians 13:7 (Amplified Bible)
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
Psalm 118:1-4 (New Living Translation)
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
2 Let all Israel repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
3 Let Aaron’s descendants, the priests, repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
4 Let all who fear the Lord repeat:
“His faithful love endures forever.”
Psalm 118:29 (New Living Translation)
29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
This love is not dependent on other’s behavior, it is unconditional for the person, but may not be accepting of sinful behavior. Unconditional love means you love the person, but still confront the behavior. That is why God’s love sometimes looks harsh, but the motive is always our good.
VIII. Love is Supreme (1Co 13:1-3, Mt 22:37-38)
1Cor 13:1-3
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1 IF I [can] speak in the tongues of men and [even] of angels, but have not love (that reasoning, intentional, spiritual devotion such as is inspired by God’s love for and in us), I am only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 And if I have prophetic powers (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), and understand all the secret truths and mysteries and possess all knowledge, and if I have [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but have not love (God’s love in me) I am nothing (a useless nobody).
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned or in order that I may glory, but have not love (God’s love in me), I gain nothing.
Matthew 22:37-38 (Amplified Bible)
37 And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).
38 This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.
Vernon McGee calls Love the “energy of the Spiritual gifts”, because Paul makes it very clear that any gifts without love are useless.
This is said in this way to represent the whole of our being. We are to love God with our feelings, our will, and our rational mind, and if even one of these is missing, the others are probably lacking as well. This is especially true of the soul or will. It is only by surrendering our will to the Lord that we experience Him fully.
We can love him with our mind by reading all the great things he has done for us, we can have warm loving feelings toward him because of these things, but this is where many Christians are stuck. The part that is lacking is an experience of Him that makes the thoughts and feelings about Him real to us. By letting him use us, do we really experience who he is, and the extent of His love.
Love – Fruit of the Spirit
Posted: Jul 29, 2010 at 6:18 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
“Love”
Pastor Grant Williams July 28, 2010
Week #2 Fruit of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-26 (Amplified Version)
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
Define Love: _________________________________________________________________________________
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From the creation of the world (6,000 years ago), through love, for the protection (war) of the Israelites because of love, to the sending of a Saviour out of love, for Jesus sacrifice in love, the Bible is sending us a simple but powerful message. Love God and love each other as He loves us. The greatest commandment.
Love as a element of the fruit of the Spirit is a verb. It’s not a feeling, and much like faith, if only expressed in words it’s essentially meaningless. Though we like to hear the words “I love you” they mean nothing if not accompanied by loving action.
I. Love is Sacred (1 Jn 4:7-8, 16)
1 John 4:7,8 and 16 (Amplified Version)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
16 And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him.
We have read in the word about Walking in the spirit… you want to know if you are walking and living in the spirit? are you loving people like God loves? are you progressively knowing him more and having a clearer understanding of who He is and not stopping there but being more like him?
Colossians 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).
6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),
7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
So really this message is to let Christians know that if they are not loving, they are not in God, they do not know God, they are not allowing His nature to abide in them, even if they profess belief in Jesus Christ.
II. Love is Selfless (Php 2:1-3, Eph 3:18-19)
Define selfless: ______________________________________________________________________________________
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Philippians 2:1-3 (Amplified Bible)
1 SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive [a]incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy,
2 Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention.
3 Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].
Ephesians 3:18-19 (Amplified Bible)
18 That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];
19 [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]!
Besides the sacrifice on the cross, how did Christ love us?
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Until we know that survival is not our primary purpose in life, our behavior will be motivated primarily by self-preservation. We need to seek to build others up so they are better than us
III. Love is also Sacrificial (Eph 5:25, Ro 5:8, Jn 15:13)
What the difference between selfless and sacrificial? ________________________________________________________
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Ephesians 5:25 (Amplified Bible)
25 Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
Romans 5:8 (Amplified Bible)
8 But God shows and clearly proves His [own] love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) died for us.
John 15:13 (Amplified Bible)
13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.
Love is an action – no a thought, Love always requires sacrifice, whether it be giving up our time, interests, or to the far extreme, our lives. If you say you love someone, but have never given up something for them, chances are it’s not real love. More likely they are probably really loving you.
IV. Love is Supportive (2Co 8:1-8, Jas 2:15-16)
Define Supportive: ________________________________________________________________________________________
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2 Corinthians 8:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 WE WANT to tell you further, brethren, about the grace (the favor and spiritual blessing) of God which has been evident in the churches of Macedonia [arousing in them the desire to give alms];
2 For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty [together] have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.
3 For, as I can bear witness, [they gave] according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and [they did it] voluntarily,
4 Begging us most insistently for the favor and the fellowship of contributing in this ministration for [the relief and support of] the saints [in Jerusalem].
5 Nor [was this gift of theirs merely the contribution] that we expected, but first they gave themselves to the Lord and to us [as His agents] by the will of God [[a]entirely disregarding their personal interests, they gave as much as they possibly could, having put themselves at our disposal to be directed by the will of God]–
6 So much so that we have urged Titus that as he began it, he should also complete this beneficent and gracious contribution among you [the church at Corinth].
7 Now as you abound and excel and are at the front in everything–in faith, in expressing yourselves, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us–[see to it that you come to the front now and] abound and excel in this gracious work [of almsgiving] also.
8 I give this not as an order [to dictate to you], but to prove, by [pointing out] the zeal of others, the sincerity of your [own] love also.
James 2:15-16 (Amplified Bible)
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,
16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?
V. Love is Soothing (1Co 4:21, 13:4)
1 Corinthians 4:21 (Amplified Bible)
21 Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 13:4 (Amplified Bible)
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind;
Love makes us feel safe and soothed rather than pressured to perform, or live up to some standard. Love comforts us when we are struggling. Jesus said he will give us rest and peace. We all need to ask ourselves, do the people I say I love feel soothed by me? Can my loved ones completely let down their guard around me? Are they emotionally safe?
Fruit of the Spirit
Posted: Jul 21, 2010 at 10:22 PM in Wednesday Bible Study
The Fruit of the Spirit
Pastor Grant Williams July 21, 2010 Handout
Colossians 3:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.
3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in [the splendor of His] glory.
5 So kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members [those animal impulses and all that is earthly in you that is employed in sin]: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).
6 It is on account of these [very sins] that the [holy] anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),
7 Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to [such practices].
8 But now put away and rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foul-mouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!
1 John 4:20 (Amplified Bible)
20 If anyone says, I love God, and hates (detests, abominates) his brother [in Christ], he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, Whom he has not seen.
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Ephesians 4:31-32 (Amplified Bible)
31 Let all bitterness and indignation and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and quarrelling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or baseness of any kind).
32 And become useful and helpful and kind to one another, tender-hearted (compassionate, understanding, loving-hearted), forgiving one another [readily and freely], as God in Christ forgave you.
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Romans 6:6 (Amplified Bible)
6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body [which is the instrument] of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be the slaves of sin.
Galatians 5:16-26 (King James Version)
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
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Galatians 5:16-26 (Amplified Version)
16 But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
17 For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.
18 But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,
23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.
25 If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]
26 Let us not become vainglorious and self-conceited, competitive and challenging and provoking and irritating to one another, envying and being jealous of one another.
- THE ACTS OF THE SINFUL NATURE (WORKS OF THE FLESH)
These acts can be divided into four categories.
- SINS INVOLVING SEX (V.19)
- These are “sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery v.19
- These sins cover all sexual offenses whether public or private.
3.This list covers all sins whether between married or unmarried.
- SINS INVOLVING RELIGION (v. 20a)
1. These include “idolatry and witchcraft”
2. Idolatry is the worship of anything other than God
3. Idolatry includes worship of money, power, prestige, or self.
4. Witchcraft is using spiritual gifts for evil.
5. Witchcraft – Gk. Pharmakon – drug abuse (form of witchcraft)
- SINS INVOLVING ANIMOSITY(bitterness) (v. 20-21a)
1. These include “hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy”
2. These are all signs of the flesh at work in us.
3. There are eight different words dealing with animosity.
4. He lists 15 things, and 8 of them deal with relationships.
5. Discord refers to the strife that beset the Galatians.
6. Discord comes from petty bickering and pride.
7. Fits of rage – an outburst of anger
8. We often say things that we regret later.
- SINS INVOLVING SUBSTANCE ABUSE
1. These include “drunkenness and carousing”
2. NIV says, “orgies” but this word is used three times in the NT and each time it is used in reference to the abuse of alcohol.
3. It is used in Rom.13:13 and 1Pet.4:3
4. The Living Bible translates the word as “WILD PARTIES” which is more in line with it’s New Testament usage.
II. FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
A. THE FRUIT
1. “But the fruit” fruit is singular in number.
2. Paul is not discussing nine different fruits.
3. He says, “the fruit”
4. That is a reference to one fruit composed of nine elements.
- THE ELEMENTS OF THE FRUIT
1. The first three are in relation to God
2. The next three are in relation to man
3. The last three are in relation to one’s own inner life.
C. OF THE SPIRIT
1. This is the fruit of having the Holy Spirit in control of one’s life.
2. The Holy Spirit produces this fruit through the believer when he is in union with Christ.
3. John 15:1-8
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John 15:1-8 (Amplified Bible)
1 I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
2 Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
3 You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings I have discussed with you].
4 Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
6 If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.
8 When you bear (produce) much fruit, My Father is honored and glorified, and you show and prove yourselves to be true followers of Mine.
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D. THE NINE ELEMENTS OF THE FRUIT
1. Love
a) Self-denying love.
b) Self-sacrificing love.
c) Christlike love.
d) This is the foundation of all other graces.
e) This love is described in 1Corinthians 13.
2. Joy
a) Joy of the Holy Spirit
b) Deep abiding joy.
c) Inner rejoicing in the Lord
3. Peace
a) Tranquillity
b) The peace that Christ gives
c) Peace that is not based on the world.
d) Peace which the world can’t take away.
4. Patience
a) Endurance
b) Steadfastness in the face of antagonism
c) Forbearance under ill-will
d) Allowing your enemies to wonder indefinitely when you will try to get even.
5. Kindness
a) Gracious
b) Kindly disposition.
6. Goodness
a) Ready to do good
b) Love in action.
7. Faith
a) Trust in God
b) Faithful to his task.
8. Gentleness
a) Controlled strength
b) Submissive to God
9. Self Control
a) Rational and reasonable
b) Restraint of natural impulses
c) Not quick tempered
E. HOW FRUIT COMES
1. Fruit is the result of a long growing process.
2. Fruits are not made, they are grown.
3. Fruit doesn’t come from planning and working it comes from growing.
4. You can’t build a fruit.
5. You can’t fashion a fruit.
6. You can’t get fruit from a fruitless tree.
7. You just have to grow fruit.