Sermon Info
Summary
You know a tree by its fruit. An apple tree produces apples. An orange tree produces oranges. Therefore, a Christian should produce Christ. So, what comes out of your life? Most of the time, we work hard to develop godly characteristics like love, joy, peace and the list goes on. However, our call is not to produce this fruit out of our own self-effort, but to grow deeper in Jesus. As we grow deeper in Jesus, fruit happens. The Fruit of the Spirit comes out in your life. Are you growing deeper in Jesus? This week, focus on Jesus in prayer, reading His Word and surrounding yourself with godly people. You (and others) will see the fruit as you live for Jesus.
Content
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
1. God invites you into a covenant relationship.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6
- The word “Testament” means “Covenant.”
- The Old Testament (Covenant) is about the Law.
- Evidence of the first covenant was circumcision.
- The New Testament (Covenant) is about Jesus.
- Evidence of the new covenant is baptism.
2. Are you living for Jesus or for the world?
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13
- Jesus came to set us free from sin, death, the law, and the world.
- Do not use your freedom through Jesus to rationalize sin.
- Are you growing more like the world or more like Jesus?
3. What is the fruit of your life?
So I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. Galatians 5:16-17a
- Look at the evidence of your life.
- Just like you can tell a tree by its fruit, so you can tell a person by their fruit.
- Fruit is a major external evidence that reveals the spiritual maturity of a Christ-follower.
4. As Christians, our call is to grow deeper in Jesus.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23
- It is called the Fruit of the Spirit, not the fruit of self-effort.
- Concentrate on the soil and the right environment in order to produce good fruit.
- Our job is to grow deeper in Christ, and fruit will happen in our lives.
5. You are set free to live free.
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5:25-26
- Live in the Spirit.
- Are you becoming more legalistic or more loving?
- Are you becoming more conceited or more compassionate?
- Remain in Jesus.
