Sermon Central
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Character: Cultivating The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit
Contributed by Christian Cheong on Aug 7, 2012 (message contributor)
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1. The Father's Purpose
Contributed on Aug 7, 2012
The PURPOSE of the Father is to transform us into the likeness of the CHARACTER of Christ, which is expressed by the FRUIT of the Spirit. We are to heed God's call by surrendering to Him, cooperating with Him, and remaining in Christ.
Matt 28:19-20 – we are not called to make converts, but to make DISCIPLES who would obey Christ in everything. That’s LIFE CHANGE. In today’s world, the emphasis on good character is being gradually eroded. • In the past, we look at leaders as people with good character ...read more
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2. Love: Live A Life Of Love
Contributed on Aug 12, 2012
We are called to love the way He loves with the loves He gives.
Eph 5:1-2 1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 1 John 4:7-12 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves ...read more
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3. Joy: Rejoice In The Lord
Contributed on Aug 15, 2012
We can choose to rejoice in the Lord, always, by (1) acknowledging His presence, and (2) adopting His perspective in life.
Habakkuk 3:17-19 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Saviour. 19 The ...read more
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4. Peace: The Gift Of Peace
Contributed on Aug 23, 2012
God's peace is relational, not circumstantial. It is active and not passive. The Lord actively dispenses peace to those who minds are stayed upon Him. So keep our focus on Him and keep on praying.
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” It is not the Lord’s will for us to be troubled and in fear. He wants to give us peace. Peace is what everyone ...read more
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5. Patience: The Patience Of God
Contributed on Aug 31, 2012
God is patience with us. The motivation for patience is the redemption of man. We bear the fruit of patience when we (1) trust God's timing, (2) see the big picture, and (3) use our wait wisely.
2 Peter 3:8-9 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come ...read more
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6. Kindness: Show Kindness
Contributed on Sep 5, 2012
Show kindness and you’d have served Christ! Heed the call to reflect God’ kindness. Make effrots to cultivate it. Take initiative to show kindness.
Read Matthew 25:31-46 – show kindness and you’d have served Christ! How did Jesus distinguish the sheep from the goats? From the way they treat others. The tree shall be known by its fruits. • He is not making them into sheep and goats. He is dividing them as He sees them. • Believers of ...read more
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7. My Goodness
Contributed on Sep 13, 2012
Being good is a work of God, therefore focus on Christ. Being good is more than doing good, watch your motives. Being good is not being nice, speak the truth in love.
Luke 6:43-45 43 "No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil ...read more
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8. Called To Be Faithful
Contributed on Sep 20, 2012
Rest in God's faithfulness. We can only be faithful to the One who is truly faithful. Value faithfulness, not results. God looks for faithfulness. Therefore discover what God wants you to do and be faithful in little things.
Deut 7:9 “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands.” Faithfulness is a continuous, unrelenting devotion to a faithful God. • Our faithfulness is ...read more
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9. Be Gentle
Contributed on Oct 4, 2012
Gentleness is not a weakness but a strength. It seeks to fulfil the will of God and it shows concern for the needs of others.
Matt 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Gentleness is a Fruit of the Spirit. ...read more
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10. Keep In Step With The Spirit
Contributed on Oct 8, 2012
Self-control is a Fruit of the Spirit. It is self in control by the Spirit of God. We need to acknowledge our need of God's grace. We need to watch and pray.
In the book, The Three Edwards, Thomas Costain described the life of Raynald III, a 14-century duke in what is now Belgium. Grossly overweight, Raynald was commonly called by his Latin nickname, Crassus, which means "fat." After a violent quarrel, Raynald's younger brother Edward led a ...read more