Love And Joy Series

Series: Peeled – The Fruit of the Holy Spirit!

Illustration: Peel an orange! Talk about the fruit inside have 9 oranges in a bowl write on them fruits of the Spirit! Note that we over the next few weeks will be peeling back the fruits of the Holy Spirit so we better understand them and how they are to be functioning in our lives. Also have a bag of 9 gifts labeled the gifts of the Holy Spirit and note how these are given to us for certain situations where as the fruit is to be a part of our Christian character.

Thesis: What is on the inside of you determines your fruit! How much you allow the Holy Spirit to guide you, empower you, comfort you, teach you determines your fruit.

Question: If you were “Peeled” like a fruit today and someone bit into you would you be sweet or sour? Have you allowed the Holy Spirit to grow His fruit within your life?

Why do you need to do this? So you can be a witness for the Kingdom of Heaven!

Scripture Text: Galatians 6:16-26

Life by the Spirit

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.

18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;

20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions

21and 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.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23gentleness and self–control. Against such things there is no law.

24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

26Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Introduction:

Peeled the 30 Day Challenge is designed to unleash the fruits of the Holy Spirit from within you: The following idea is borrowed from Crosspoint Church but I have readapted it for CHC.

Day 1

Fruit: Love

Truth: 1 Cor. 13:1-14:1 - Let love be your highest goal today!

Action: Send someone a handwritten note telling them how much you love them. Find someone who needs a little love and love on them!

Day 2

Fruit: Love

Truth: Romans 12:10 – “Love each other with genuine affection, take delight in honoring each other.”

Action: Contact a friend. Have no agenda other than asking how they are doing and if there is anything you can do for them.

Day 3

Fruit: Love

Truth: John 13:34 – “Love one another, just as I have loved you!

Action: Love listens! Share a meal or coffee TODAY with someone. Ask what dreams they have and then listen. Then encourage them! Or show someone you don’t know a random act of kindness rooted in the love of Jesus for them!

Day 4

Fruit: Love

Truth: Matthew 22:37-40 – You must love the Lord your God with all your heart so you can love others!

Action: Love Does! Spend 15 minutes worshipping God in song and prayer!

Day 5

Fruit: Joy

Truth: Psalm 4:7 You have given me greater joy!

Action: Give something away today in honor of God – let it be done with joy! (Be Creative) We derive joy from God not things but joy comes from a giving and grateful heart!

Day 6

Fruit: Joy

Truth: Phil. 4:4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Action: Before you go to bed tonight, sing a worship song–out loud! Tell God how grateful you are for some the things he has blessed you with. Write The Lord a Thank You card!

Day 7

Fruit: Joy

Truth: Phil. 2:18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Action: Share joy today! Post a happy photo or memory on a social media site. Or share a photo or memory with someone in person.

The 9 Gifts Compared to the 9 Fruits from http://www.theholyspirit.com/HolySpiritGiftsFruits.asp

So many today seek the Gifts without first acquiring the Fruit in their life. We must have the Fruit of the Spirit at work, if we want God to entrust us with the Gifts of the Spirit. The fruit is part of our character and the gifts are given to us by the Holy Spirit for certain situations in life – to promote the Kingdom of Heaven not ourselves. To point people to Jesus not ourselves.