Introduction

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ. We are gathered here today in the spirit of fellowship, unity, and love, to delve into the wisdom of God's Word and to seek His guidance in our lives.

Opening Scripture Reading – Our focus today will be on the powerful words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Galatians, specifically Galatians 5:13-25. Let's turn in our Bibles and read together: "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. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. 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. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."

In these verses, we find a rich tapestry of teaching, a guidepost for our lives as followers of Christ, and an exhortation to live not according to our flesh, but according to the Spirit.

As we consider these words today, I am reminded of a quote by the esteemed Christian author, J.I. Packer, who once wrote in his book 'Knowing God', "There's a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him."

This quote beautifully encapsulates the heart of our message today. We are not merely called to know about God, to simply understand His teachings or to intellectually grasp His commands. Rather, we are called to truly know God, to experience Him, to live in His presence, and to allow His Spirit to guide our every step.

Surrendering to the Spirit

As we delve into the heart of the Apostle Paul's message to the Galatians, we find a profound call to surrender. Not a surrender of defeat, but a surrender of victory. A surrender to the Spirit.

Paul tells us, "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." This is not a suggestion, but a command. A command that carries with it the promise of freedom, of victory over sin, and of a life lived in harmony with the will of God. But what does it mean to walk by the Spirit? How do we surrender to the Spirit in our daily lives? Let's unpack this together.

A. Firstly, walking by the Spirit means living in constant communion with God. It means starting each day with prayer, seeking God's guidance, and inviting the Holy Spirit to lead us in all our ways. It means turning to God in every situation, whether in joy or in sorrow, in triumph or in trial, and acknowledging Him as the source of our strength, our wisdom, and our peace.

B. Secondly, walking by the Spirit means yielding to God's will. It means setting aside our own desires, our own plans, and our own understanding, and submitting to God's perfect plan for our lives. It means trusting in God's wisdom, even when His ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts. It means saying, like Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane, "Not my will, but Yours be done."

C. Thirdly, walking by the Spirit means bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Paul tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not qualities that we can produce on our own, but they are the natural result of a life surrendered to the Spirit. As we yield to the Spirit, He produces these fruits in us, and through us, to the glory of God.

D. Lastly, walking by the Spirit means crucifying the flesh. Paul tells us that those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. This is not a one-time event, but a daily process. Each day, we must choose to deny ourselves, to take up our cross, and to follow Jesus. Each day, we must choose to say no to the desires of the flesh, and yes to the leading of the Spirit.

Walking by the Spirit is not a one-time event, but a daily process. It is not a journey we undertake on our own, but a journey we undertake with God. It is not a burden we bear, but a privilege we enjoy. And it is not a task we accomplish, but a gift we receive. As we surrender to the Spirit, we find freedom, we find victory, and we find life in all its fullness.

Resisting the Flesh's Folly

As we continue our reflection on the words of Paul in Galatians 5, we find ourselves confronted with a stark reality ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO