Getting Fruit From God’s Garden Series
Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control
May 25, 2008 FBC, Chester Mike Fogerson, Pastor
Introduction
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. Gal 5:22-23 (NASB)
VII Faithfulness
A Paul’s letter was written to a fickle congregation that couldn’t make up their minds.
1 ...but you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe , but you received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by telling you the truth? Gal 4:13-16 (NASB)
a First visit, sick, they made a fuss over him, ministered to him, he was the king.
b V. 15a: “Where then is that sense of blessing you had?”
aa Something happened to their level of faithfulness, gone.
bb Faithfulness is reliability, certainty, confidence, trusting, “I do”
2 Jesus’ faithfulness (...but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name...Phil 2:7-9 (NASB)) was proved because he stayed the course until He returned to heaven (didn’t give up in tough times, wilderness, Garden, Antipas, Pilate, Golgatha).
a He showed up just like He promised (baby in Bethlehem, crush the head).
b A Man of His word, promise keeper, faithful!
3 They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." Acts 1:11 (NASB)
Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thess 5:24 (NASB) He’s promised to come back, & I believe Him!
a And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. Rev 19:11 (NASB)He was faithful at the first coming, & will be faithful at His second coming.
b I’m trusting Jesus’ faithfulness, confidence in God’s Word, & I’m standing on the promises. Do you trust His faithfulness?
B The faithfulness that we see in Jesus is the faithfulness we have in us right now.
1 Faithfulness shows up when the Spirit does.
a Faithfulness in a healthy marriage is a good mental picture of what faithfulness looks like.
b A person of your word, reliable, worthy of trust, loyal.
2 Faithful to God with service & life (folks that just are “faithful” with their attendance & giving)-loyalty.
3 Faithful to one another...with reliability & confidence.
a I’m not advocating following them into error, sin, rebellion, grieving or quenching the Spirit.
b You can faithfully reach out, pray, minister as the need arises.
It’s the next fruit that enables us to minister in faithfulness, despite temptations, hurt feelings, and anger (transitional sentence).
VIII Gentleness (translated in the KJV as “meekness”)
A Meekness isn’t weakness (not spineless incompetence).
1 Jesus (Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matt 11:29 (KJV)) and Moses (Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earthNum 12:3 (KJV)) were both described as “meek”, yet not one us would describe either as “weak” or “spineless”.
a Gentleness/meekness is the opposite of an arrogant, self-assertive spirit, roughness.
b Jesus & Moses didn’t throw their authority, weight around.
2 They were considerate with their dealings with people.
a Wisdom is the right use of knowledge, gentleness is the right use of power & authority.
b It is a grace of the soul
B The New Testament uses gentleness to describe 3 attitudes:
1 Submission to the will of God So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience...Col 3:12 (NASB)
a It’s a gentleness in our spirit that allows us to be in agreement with the Spirit of God as He deals with us.
b God is so good, so we’re not going to dispute, resist
c I know when I don’t show it over when I do show it
2 Teachability Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. James 1:21 (KJV)
a Allows us to change our minds as we learn new things when God reveals His Word to us (the devil doesn’t want you growing).
b “I don’t need to go to Sunday School. They can’t teach me anything.” is the opposite of how gentleness is manifested in an attitude of teachability.
3 Consideration of others ...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love...Eph 4:2 (NASB)
a Gentleness allows us to be “nicer” & more empathetic to others.
b Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Gal 6:1 (NASB) Tells us that “gentleness” allows Christians to correct an erring brother without arrogance, impatience, or anger.
The last fruit is last, I believe, for a reason (transitional sentence).
IX Self-Control
A Paul contrasted the “deeds of the flesh” with the “fruit of the Spirit”. 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. 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. Gal 5:19-23 (NASB)
1 He said allow “less” deeds and “more” fruit.
a They could only be allowed release, deliverance, freedom to the point that they would personally allow it.
b From the absence of “deeds” to the manifestation of “fruits”
2 They had the strength/control to say “no” & “yes”
B Why do I believe self-control is the last fruit?
1 Because it’s the last fruit to get completely ripe.
a True self-control for the Christian is a funeral
b Self-control turns to Spirit control
c He’s in power/position of Lordship/control
2 To the extent I’ll surrender to His Lordship is the extent He has control (the areas I won’t surrender...I’m in control).
3 I was amazed at how much of the fruit “self-control” had to do with my mouth (food, drinking, smoking, gossiping, criticizing...mouth!)
a If it doesn’t bring You glory, praise, delight to Your heart...shut my mouth.
b Correct me, discipline me
Conclusion
A Fruit will only grow in the right climate
1 The reason we don’t have coconut, pineapple, mango orchards in Southern Illinois is that we don’t have the right climate.
a Love, joy, peace...will only grow in the right climate, & that is where there is an abundance of the Holy Spirit.
b In the lives of people who are walking in the Spirit (not lagging behind/ getting ahead).
2 Walking in the Spirit is not just an emotional experience/intellectual exercise
a Chasing experience, knowledge/understanding-wrong!
b Chasing God, Holy of Holies, Garden, secret place
3 I don’t have to understand to experience, I don’t have to experience to understand.
a If it’s God...I just want it, if God’s in it-I need it
b God is in the fruit of the Spirit
c Rules, laws, traditions cannot produce them!
B Would you allow your heart to have the right climate for fruit to grow?
1 Fertilize your heart
a Word, prayer, obedience, praise, worship
2 Pull weeds (deeds of the flesh)
a Sexual, personal, relationships: correct me/discipline
b Mouth: shut it up
3 Let the Holy Spirit send healing rain
a Heart is scorched, dry, thirsty, parched, desert
b Fill the ditches, lakes, flood the rivers, sloughs
C We’ll not experience what we won’t accept.
1 Fruit is not grown for our consumption, displayed...eaten
2 People all around you are starving (love, joy, etc.)-feed them!
a They’re fed, helped
b He’s glorified
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
