Today’s message is an introductory message that will lay the context for the whole Fruit Loops sermon series by helping you understand three things: 1) What is the fruit of the Spirit? 2) Why is the fruit of the Spirit important in your life? And 3) How do you develop the fruit of the Spirit in your life?
What is the Fruit of the Spirit?
(22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Galatians 5:22 – NASB
- It is one fruit, not many.
- We shouldn’t think of these various characteristics as different kinds of fruit.
- The Fruit of the Spirit is like one apple cut into many sections. Each one of those sections is part of the same apple. Each one of those sections is as delicious as the next section and all part of one fruit. Therefore, we should consume the whole fruit to feel satisfied. One section alone will not be enough.
- We shouldn’t think of these various characteristics as different kinds of fruit.
- It is an act of God, not man.
- God’s Spirit produces God’s Fruit.
- (16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (17) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Galatians 5:16-18 – NASB
- (16) But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (17) For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (18) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
- There is a difference in the fruit of the spirit and the acts of the flesh.
- (19) Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 – NASB
- (19) Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, (21) envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
- God’s Spirit produces God’s Fruit.
- It is the character of Christ growing in you.
- (18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 3:18 – NASB - (9) Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, (10) and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him—
Colossians 3:9-10 – NASB
- (18) But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
Why is the Fruit of the Spirit Important?
- God wants you to grow in Godly character
- (22) that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, (23) and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Ephesians 4:22-24 – NASB - (11) having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:11 – NASB
- (22) that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, (23) and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, (24) and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
- It forms your Christian witness.
- (8) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
John 15:8 – NASB - (12) Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.
1 Peter 2:12 – NASB
- (8) My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
- It produces a life of abundance.
- (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 – NASB
- (22) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (23) gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
How do we Develop the Fruit of the Spirit?
- Weed the Garden.
- (5) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (6) For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
Colossians 3:5-6 – NASB - (13) for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:13 – NASB
- (5) Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. (6) For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience,
- Water the Garden.
- (1) How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (3) He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:1-3 – NASB - (16) Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Colossians 3:16 – NASB - (18) And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,
Ephesians 5:18 – NASB
- (1) How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! (2) But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. (3) He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
- Remain in the Vine.
- (4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
John 15:4-5 – NASB - (6) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (7) having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.
Colossians 2:6-7 – NASB - (36) For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Romans 11:36 – NASB
- (4) Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. (5) I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.