Galatians 5:22-23 10/26/2016

Galatians 5:22  "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control..."

When we accept Christ,  we receive the Holy Spirit of God and become His children. This is what rescues us from the "body of death" Paul refers to in Romans, and it is what changes us
.... in this verse God defines what that change should look like.

This is your spiritual thermometer.  It doesn't matter how much you give to the church, how often you attend, or how hard you work...these attributes are what is expected and what gives your life power.

So let's take our temperature.  Let's assume we are all eager to attain  love, joy and peace, but what about the last seven?

Patience?  We are a society of instant gratification with little to no attention span.

Kindness?  Mention the political candidate your voting for and see how that goes.

Goodness? We can't even define it, as there is no accepted moral code.

Faithfulness?  that has been "missing in action"  from the boardroom to the bedroom for years.

And if you want to see the opposite of gentleness and self-control - try merging onto the freeway.

That's the bad news ... The good news is  - a price was paid to make this fruit available to you. You can live differently than the world .. You have been GIVEN the ability to live out the fruit of the Spirit in your life.

I dare you to access that ability for one week.

Start today with Patience.  Set your phone to remind you  throughout the day to deliberately work on being patient with your family, friends, and co-workers. Tomorrow is Kindness, won't that surprise a few people?  Next is goodness...and continue through the week.

If you will  intentionally pursue the fruit of the Spirit each day for just one week.  I assure you, you will never be satisfied with a small, powerless, self centered life again.

"The fruit of the Spirit is not push, drive, climb, grasp and trample. Life is more than a climb to the top of the heap."
- Richard Foster

2 Samuel 23: 16 1 John 4:8 John 13:35 10/18/2016

2 Samuel 23: 15-16 "... ¹⁵ David longed for water and said, “Oh, that someone would get me a drink of water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem!” ¹⁶ So the three mighty warriors broke through the Philistine lines, drew water from the well near the gate of Bethlehem and carried it back to David.."

That is what love looks like.

The Philistines had captured Bethlehem and pushed David and his army to a cave outside of town. Three of David's men heard their King, probably under his breath, wish for a drink from the well of  his youth.

They  didn't call a meeting, they didn't form a committee, they sought no reward for good intentions. Their love for David demanded action, so they saddled up, broke through enemy lines, and risked their lives to get that water.

Love is something you do, not something you talk about.

Maybe we use the word "love" too much.  We say we love ice cream, and sunsets..... Perhaps we water down the only word we have for the most powerful force in the universe.  Love is epic. It is sacrificial.  It never fails.   It is the pinnacle of all emotion ... There are no degrees of Love. If it is not glorious, then it is not love.

It's important we understand the word.  It defines us. "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."(1 John 4:8).

Does your love spur you to action?  Would people say it defines you?  When you say you love someone one, it should change everything.  Don't accept, or practice some passive, discounted, version of the greatest power ever known.

Let me challenge you  this week to "get some water" for someone you love.  It shouldn't be reasonable, necessary, or expected.  Do something outlandish.  Decide to be a "mighty warrior" and recklessly live out extravagant love ....The world cannot argue against this, and it will brand you a Christian.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
- Jesus
John 13:35

Galatians 6:1 10/11/2016

Galatians 6:1  "Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted."

Two clear instructions here. Help your brother when he falls.  Watch yourself. 

The first one seems simple enough. If we live by the Spirit we should be in the restoration business.  Instead often we find ourselves in the condemning, and avoiding business.

If a brother or sister is caught in a sin...and let's assume that sin is outside your "acceptable sin circle".  What is your response?  Do you avoid them?  Do you gossip?   Do you use the "who am I to judge" phrase as an excuse to do nothing?

This verse would say we should address the problem.  That with hearts full of mercy, we should pick up the phone and call.  Stop by their house in an attempt to help.  

This is the messy, uncomfortable, and inconvenient part of Christianity.  This is not scheduled Sunday Morning worship, it is being a soldier of Christ on the battlefield helping the wounded, and it is what we are called to do.  

The second point is important as well...be careful.  In this fallen world there is constant conflict between the Spirit and the Flesh. The same enemy that has tripped up your brother is looking to destroy you.  It may be the same sin your comrade has succumbed to, or it may be self righteousness ..but rest assured the attack will come. Keep your eyes open.  

Your life is not meant to be a sterile, safe existence....If you "live by the Spirit" you are one of God's "first responders".  You run toward the gun fire, and look to restore those who have been overcome...it's dangerous business and you should stay alert.

If God has placed someone on your heart this week...call them, go to them...put your earthly schedule on hold, and live by the Spirit.  Boldly and prayerfully help restore a fellow soldier back into the battle, it is why we are here.

"The ones who disappoint you need you the most"
Jack Hyles

Romans 8: 7- 8 Ephesians 1:13 Romans 10:13 10/4/2016

Romans 8: 7 " because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s Law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God"

We spend a lot of time discussing how the Christian life should look.  But it can only look that way through the power of the Spirit of God.   If you're applying these studies,  but have not accepted Christ, you are in essence, taking sky diving lessons without a parachute.

You can learn techniques to make you look like you are in a controlled fall...but you are still falling. 

This verse makes it clear that if you haven't "come to the end of yourself" and had that moment when you have given your life to Christ, it is impossible for you to change your course.  You are a slave to sin and there is only one key that will release you from it's power. 

If this was not the case, and there was a way to "work hard enough", the Cross would have not been necessary.

If you are constantly discouraged and unable to change your life, make sure you have received the one gift that makes change and renewal possible.  

"... you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit" (Ephesians 1:13)

Be sure you have believed in Him and are sealed with the spirit of God ... That is what frees you. That is what makes you new...without it, everything else is useless details.

If you're not sure, don't waste another minute not knowing.  Call me, talk to your pastor, find someone who can help you through the process.

God made it simple  "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
(Romans 10:13).  The change is instant, and eternal,  and it can happen now.  Then, and only then, are you free to begin a lifetime of growth.

No lesson in this series is more important.

"The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation."
- Charles Spurgeon