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?