But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. - Galatians 5:22-23
Over the next 10 weeks, for the remainder of January through March, we are going to study “The Fruit of the Spirit”. In the original Greek manuscripts, the word used for “fruit” is singular, meaning there is only 1 fruit. This singular fruit consists of 9 attributes, or nutrients if you will. We will begin our series with an introductory message this morning, and then highlight each of these nine nutrients or characteristics in the weeks that follow. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Each message, other than this first one, will be presented in a similar format. We will define and describe a particular nutrient of the fruit, see how it is exemplified in Christ, and look at other scripture references that pertain to it. I will be using a booklet produced by Rose Publishing titled ”The Fruit of the Spirit: How the Spirit Works In and Through Believers” as a primary resource in the preparation of these messages.
The Fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit within the life of a Christian. Whenever a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, they are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit plays several different roles in the life of a believer, beyond the scope of this series. However, one of the Spirit’s main purposes is to conform them into the image of Christ by cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit within their lives.
I. BEARING FRUIT
The concept of fruitfulness is presented in the Bible in a few different ways. When God instructed mankind to be fruitful and multiply, He was referring to human reproduction and populating (or, in Noah’s case, repopulating) the earth. This meaning has led some to narrowly view fruitfulness in terms of numeric growth and to understand “bearing fruit” as a metaphor for making disciples and expanding the kingdom of God.
While this is certainly a valid use of the phrase, more broadly speaking it means to yield or produce positive or favorable results or change. In most cases in Scripture, it refers to activity that occurs within the individual believer’s life. Such fruit is not produced by human effort, but rather is the result of God’s supernatural handiwork. When we trust in the LORD, we bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8). When we delight in His Law, we bear fruit (Psalm 1:3). When we walk in His light, we bear fruit (Ephesians 5:8-11). When we remain in the Vine, we bear fruit (John 15:5). The bottom line is this… apart from Christ, we cannot bear fruit as He alone is responsible for its growth.
Therefore, as God works within the life of an individual Christian, and they begin to bear fruit likening them to the image of Jesus, they will correspondingly live righteously and do good works. Their speech and behavior will display a positive witness for Christ. This will make them much more effective at evangelism and outreach. In other words, internal fruitfulness is a prerequisite for and contributes to external fruitfulness. Stated another way, character effects conduct and conduct produces converts.
II. GOOD FRUIT
A tree is known by the fruit that it bears (Luke 6:43-45). People do not pick pears from apple trees, or oranges from fig trees. In the same way, people who are filled with the Spirit of God are recognizable by the good fruit that they produce while those who are filled with evil and sinfulness are recognizable by their bad fruit.The key determinant is the quality and condition of the tree, which is to say the nature of the individual person. If they have been made good through the blood of Christ, then they will bear good fruit (Matthew 7:16-20, 12:33).
There are many godly character traits listed in the Bible. In this series we will focus on and break down the 9 characteristics contained in the Fruit of the Spirit, but there are many others. Some examples include wisdom, righteousness, humility, courage, integrity, perseverance, generosity, and purity. When a person is characterized by such things, they correspondingly act in godly ways.
It is God’s desire for His Children to be fruitful (John 15:16). He wants us to bear good fruit in our lives that will have a lasting impact on the world. Such fruitfulness begins in the heart. As such, we must be careful to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from there (Proverbs 4:23).
III. BAD FRUIT
Just as a person can bear good fruit, so also they can bear bad fruit. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul contrasted the Fruit of the Spirit with “the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). These include “sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” Those who habitually practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In his correspondence to the Colossians, Paul gave a similar list. He warned Christians to rid themselves of sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and dishonesty (Colossians 3:5-9). Such traits and behaviors are indicative of the old self, and are exhibited by those upon whom the wrath of God is coming. They are “bad fruit”.
Due to his corrupt and fallen nature, sinful man will naturally produce bad fruit. The evidence of this fact is abundant in our world today. Our homes and communities are plagued with examples of bad fruit. Our media, government, and other institutions are rotten to the core. The only cure for this rampant sinfulness is Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, here are a few key points from today’s message:
As we progress through this sermon series during the coming weeks, may we be careful to focus squarely upon ourselves. May we ask… How can I submit myself more fully to the Holy Spirit, so that He might produce His fruit more bountifully within my life? It is my prayer that God will work supernaturally within each of us, so that in the weeks to come the Fruit of the Spirit will become even more evident in our lives.
Over the next 10 weeks, for the remainder of January through March, we are going to study “The Fruit of the Spirit”. In the original Greek manuscripts, the word used for “fruit” is singular, meaning there is only 1 fruit. This singular fruit consists of 9 attributes, or nutrients if you will. We will begin our series with an introductory message this morning, and then highlight each of these nine nutrients or characteristics in the weeks that follow. They are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Each message, other than this first one, will be presented in a similar format. We will define and describe a particular nutrient of the fruit, see how it is exemplified in Christ, and look at other scripture references that pertain to it. I will be using a booklet produced by Rose Publishing titled ”The Fruit of the Spirit: How the Spirit Works In and Through Believers” as a primary resource in the preparation of these messages.
The Fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of the presence of the Holy Spirit within the life of a Christian. Whenever a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, they are immediately filled with the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:13-14). The Holy Spirit plays several different roles in the life of a believer, beyond the scope of this series. However, one of the Spirit’s main purposes is to conform them into the image of Christ by cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit within their lives.
I. BEARING FRUIT
The concept of fruitfulness is presented in the Bible in a few different ways. When God instructed mankind to be fruitful and multiply, He was referring to human reproduction and populating (or, in Noah’s case, repopulating) the earth. This meaning has led some to narrowly view fruitfulness in terms of numeric growth and to understand “bearing fruit” as a metaphor for making disciples and expanding the kingdom of God.
While this is certainly a valid use of the phrase, more broadly speaking it means to yield or produce positive or favorable results or change. In most cases in Scripture, it refers to activity that occurs within the individual believer’s life. Such fruit is not produced by human effort, but rather is the result of God’s supernatural handiwork. When we trust in the LORD, we bear fruit (Jeremiah 17:7-8). When we delight in His Law, we bear fruit (Psalm 1:3). When we walk in His light, we bear fruit (Ephesians 5:8-11). When we remain in the Vine, we bear fruit (John 15:5). The bottom line is this… apart from Christ, we cannot bear fruit as He alone is responsible for its growth.
Therefore, as God works within the life of an individual Christian, and they begin to bear fruit likening them to the image of Jesus, they will correspondingly live righteously and do good works. Their speech and behavior will display a positive witness for Christ. This will make them much more effective at evangelism and outreach. In other words, internal fruitfulness is a prerequisite for and contributes to external fruitfulness. Stated another way, character effects conduct and conduct produces converts.
II. GOOD FRUIT
A tree is known by the fruit that it bears (Luke 6:43-45). People do not pick pears from apple trees, or oranges from fig trees. In the same way, people who are filled with the Spirit of God are recognizable by the good fruit that they produce while those who are filled with evil and sinfulness are recognizable by their bad fruit.The key determinant is the quality and condition of the tree, which is to say the nature of the individual person. If they have been made good through the blood of Christ, then they will bear good fruit (Matthew 7:16-20, 12:33).
There are many godly character traits listed in the Bible. In this series we will focus on and break down the 9 characteristics contained in the Fruit of the Spirit, but there are many others. Some examples include wisdom, righteousness, humility, courage, integrity, perseverance, generosity, and purity. When a person is characterized by such things, they correspondingly act in godly ways.
It is God’s desire for His Children to be fruitful (John 15:16). He wants us to bear good fruit in our lives that will have a lasting impact on the world. Such fruitfulness begins in the heart. As such, we must be careful to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from there (Proverbs 4:23).
III. BAD FRUIT
Just as a person can bear good fruit, so also they can bear bad fruit. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul contrasted the Fruit of the Spirit with “the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19-21). These include “sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these.” Those who habitually practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In his correspondence to the Colossians, Paul gave a similar list. He warned Christians to rid themselves of sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, idolatry, anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and dishonesty (Colossians 3:5-9). Such traits and behaviors are indicative of the old self, and are exhibited by those upon whom the wrath of God is coming. They are “bad fruit”.
Due to his corrupt and fallen nature, sinful man will naturally produce bad fruit. The evidence of this fact is abundant in our world today. Our homes and communities are plagued with examples of bad fruit. Our media, government, and other institutions are rotten to the core. The only cure for this rampant sinfulness is Jesus Christ.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, here are a few key points from today’s message:
- It is God’s desire for His Children to be fruitful.
- True fruitfulness begins in the heart.
- All people bear fruit - either good or bad.
- People are recognized by the type of fruit that they bear.
- Only God, through the Holy Spirit, can produce good fruit.
As we progress through this sermon series during the coming weeks, may we be careful to focus squarely upon ourselves. May we ask… How can I submit myself more fully to the Holy Spirit, so that He might produce His fruit more bountifully within my life? It is my prayer that God will work supernaturally within each of us, so that in the weeks to come the Fruit of the Spirit will become even more evident in our lives.