SON-RIPENED FRUIT --LOVE
Galatians 5:22-23 Philippians 2:1-4
I am doing something this morning that I never thought I’d do.
Speak to a GARDENING CLASS
I want to speak to the Gardening class of 2002
A gardening class that is interested in
Cultivating, watering and harvesting the fruit of the Spirit.
The fruit of the spirit is not something we get
from Ken’s grocery or Wheat growers.
We don’t get it from a seed packet, or a street vendor.
We do not borrow, buy, inherit, or get it from our mothers.
It is something that must be home grown.
It is something that comes from the inside out.
“Stuart Briscoe tell the story of a friend who often used an old fruit tree to escape from his second story bedroom window, especially when his father was about to punish him. One day the father announced that he was going to cut down the old tree because it had not borne fruit in many years. That night the boy and his friends purchased a bushel of apples and in the cover of darkness tied fruit to the unproductive branches. The next morning the father shouted to his wife.
“Mary, I can’t believe my eyes. The old fruit tree that was barren for years is covered with apples. It’s a miracle because it’s a pear tree.
The fruit of the Spirit – is LOVE
It is the FRUIT of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Non Christians can’t grow this fruit anymore then a pear tree can grow apples.
Now its appropriate that this is the first Fruit
--because it encompasses all the rest.
Can you truly be patient without Love.
Can you truly know peace or joy, without love.
Can you be gentle, good and faithful without love.
Love is very powerful.
Yet love in our world is so misunderstood:
Just Ask Children: How do you get someone to fall in love with you?”
1. Camile age 9 replied: “Shake your hips and hope for the best.”
Dads gonna have to watch her.
2. Tammy 10 was ask about love. She said: It’s NEVER ok to kiss a boy, they slobber all over you and that’s why I stop doing it.
3. Bob age 9 must live in Nashville certainly must love country and western music. When asked if he knew any original love songs. Said’
“I’m in love with you most of the time but don’t bother me when I’m with my friends.”
Not only is love misunderstood,
but it is the greatest battle ground a Christian faces.
Philippians 2: 1-2 “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
I. WE ARE TO BE CHRIST LIKE HAVING THE SAME LOVE.
Being united with Christ.
Like-minded having the same love,
Being one in spirit and purpose.
Love- is one of the most difficult areas of my life.
It is a daily battle for me.
To treat others with the same love Jesus had for them.
And in this, I end up frustrated.
Most times its with you.
You the very people I’m called to love.
The very people I’m called to shepherd.
The Trustees, and finance committee, Pastor Parish, the Women’s groups
My staff.
My wife and children.
How about you?
How are you doing when it comes to loving others?
Especially those closest to you?
Guy who was getting married, had the ring in his hand and said:
Sweetheart, I love you so much,
I want you to marry me.
I don’t have a car like Jonny green,
I don’t have a Yacht like him
I don’t have a house his size,
I don’t have the money of Jonny green
But I love you with all my heart.
She looked into his eyes and said I love you too, sweetheart,
But could you tell me a little more about Johnny Green.
Paul next verse in Philippians is probably the most clarifying
on Love as a fruit of the spirit in the very next verse:
“Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better then yourselves. “
Another translation:
“Regard one another as more important then yourself.”
Just eight little words,
but they start the battle within.
Regard One another.”
Consider others Better
I don’t have a problem with important people.
Celebrities, or VIP, even Chruch LEADERS.
IF BILLY GRAHAM came over I would open all doors for BG.
I be at the car,
I’d be at the front door.
I be in the kitchen making sure the meal was going ok.
I help Donna set the table.
I visit with Billy ,
I’d hang on every word
I’d laugh at his jokes
because he’s bonified celebertity, one of my Heros.
There is no war going on when we meet someone we admire.
But the battle begins when I’m asked to treat you more important then myself.
Now my wife come home,
She open her own car door,
Her own house door
She bring in the groceries by herself.
She cooks the meal for me.
She set the table for me.
She cleans up after me.
While I relax and take a nap in my “LAZYBOY” recliner.
You see its easy to put my interest and my needs
above her interests and her needs.
Because I think I’m more important than my wife
And the battle begins in side of me.
Gal. 5: 16 Live by the spirit and you will not gratify the sinful nature.
For the sinful nature gratifies what is contrary to the spirit.
We are a GARDEN in progress.
But if you know anything about Gardens.
You know weeds.
And if you know weeds
You know the battle.
With Fungicides, herbacides, pesticides, and exercise.
When we grow in Christ we grow more like Christ.
We should be become more like him.
This is an ongoing process.
No wonder John uses the word REMAIN 10 times in the first 10 verse of 15 chapter. We are to remain in Christ so we can continue to produce more
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self control
“I John 4:16, 19
Whoever lives in love, live in God
“Lives” is a daily yearly, lifetime process.
Not just until the honeymoon over.
I always laugh when people say:
Eldon: Christianity is for those people who need a crutch.
For the lightweight of the world.
That is so naïve.
It doesn’t take any character or any commitment
to be self centered, self righteous person.
That’s a no brainer.
Anyone can makes himself look good, feel good, and serve himself or
Get a laugh at someone else expense.
One man was talking to another man:
He said: Yesterday my wife spent four hours at the beauty shop.
And that was just for the estimate.
It takes a real man or woman:
to regard one another more important then yourself.
That why Vs. 3 is the best definition of love you will find.
“Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better then yourselves. “
Whenever I work on a sermon it works on me.
This has been working on me for the past 3 weeks.
I have been thinking how I can go out of my way to show love for people.
One night after Donna and I had both worked at the church all day long.
We came home exhausted.
She Got supper.
I helped her clean off the table, clear up the dishes.
Then we both went into the family room.
And we were sitting before the fireplace.
We both had our lazy boys popped up.
Just exhausted and relaxed.
And she was reading a magazine.
I was reading a book.
The doorbell rang…….
Ding dong.
(I didn’t move.)
I didn’t shift my eyes in her direction.
I just sat still.
(She didn’t move either.)
I thought good grief, here I am deaf and I heard the door bell,
Didn’t she hear it?
Ding Dong.
Finally I just coughed.
She just she kicked down her chair and got up to answer the door.
I thought there’s a good wife.
I tried to go back to reading.
But my concentration was shot.
The Holy Spirit said: “Eldon you blew it again.”
Yep I knew it too.
And I really felt guilty when she can back with a can of nuts from the Girl Scouts.
I just love those salted cashews.
.
I’m in a battle.
How are you doing with the Fruit of the Spirit: Called Love?
How many perfect opportunity have you messed up.
How many times have you missed putting your families interest ahead of your own?
We’re in a battle.
Without the help of the Holy Spirit we would all be hopelessly self-centered.
And miss the blessing in those mundane moments of life.
But the Holy Spirit is faithful.
God is committed to take you and me to the very edge.
From being self centered to others centered.
To take your natural instincts and turn then into supernatural instincts
And to produce in our lives what we revere in his character
Philippians 2:1-4
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.
WE ARE TO BE CHRIST LIKE.
WE ARE TO ACT CHRIST LIKE.
“Philippians 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better then yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.”
The battle for Christian character is a daily one.
Friends there is a crisis in the church and in the Christian homes called Character.
Believers are saying one thing, and living entirely different.
Don’t tell me you don’t have any control over your love life!
That it just happens.
Get all goey and emotional
And weak kneed.
Living bible says:
Philippians 2: 13 “For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants.”
God can’t hold us responsible for what were not in control off.
Like the song I grew up with in the 60’s
“Who put the ram in the ram a lamb a ding dong.
Who was that man I’d like to shake his hand
for making her fall in love with me.
Songs back then had some content didn’t’ they.
Wow.
But the song is wrong: Love is not “being out of control.”
Its absolutely the opposite.
Don’t bet on puppy love to last through the dog days of life.
I want a love that last longer then a two hour movie
Or a 600 page novel.
Now I know that Love is known to Produce broken hearts and goose bumps
Loss of appetite and starry eyes.
Inspired some to die and others to kill
Makes the world go around, but cause confusion in the process.
But if were going to ACT Christ like.
Then Love must be more than something uncontrollable, emotional
A tipsy knot in the stomach.
Love is found in giving, and in living an unselfish life
“Philippians 2:3 In humility consider others better then yourselves
How are you doing at meeting other needs before your own?
I visited my daughter in Rochester.
We were going to eat at a nice restaurant.
And I hate waiting in line at a restaurant.
We walked in the place was packed.
There was about a 40 minute wait.
Oh great. So We signed in .
We stood off at the side of the waiting room
I began to look at the chairs that were filled with waiting people.
I thought when I see them get up to get their table.
I’m going to do the Christian thing and get a seat for me and my family.
So I watched the hostess eyes as she looked over
for the next people in line for a place at a table.
Aha there they were,
…so I began to move over subtly through the other waiting guest.
When they got up.
I didn’t really run, Didn’t dive either.
But I got em. The empty seats.
I got Donna, Heidi and I settled
And then I Looked around at everyone else who wanted the same seats.
But ha ha
Early quick bird gets the worm.
So I was getting comfortable in my sovereign universe called ELDON.
But here what the Holy Spirit does to us :
First: He alerted me to an opportunity to show Gods love.
To someone else interest above my interest.
He said: See that woman over there?
You mean the old one.
The one whose standing there bow legged like.
Looking like Both of her knees might need to be replaced.
Leaning on a Cane.
The sirens began to off in my mind and I heard the Holy Spirit say:
Here’s an opportunity Eldon.
Come on Eldon,
Here your chance.
I’m reminding you Eldon
Here we go.
I said in my mind:
Nope I’m not moving.
I like being on the Throne of my life.
Beside it would be embarrassing now.
Her son should have been the loving one and gotten
The seat. What kind of low life is he anyway?
Ha.
But you know the Holy Spirit doesn’t give up on us.
That what his job is all about.
The Holy Spirit conviction will wear you out if you don’t act.
First the Holy spirit responsibility is to alert us to the situation.
Second: The Holy Spirit responsibility is to urge us to act out God’s love.
Like Christ would act.
We are to think like love thinks.
We are to give like love gives.
I John 3:18 Let us not love with word or tongue but with action.
Love is a matter of choice.
“And over all virtue put on Love which binds men together.
You can’t put on something you can’t control
The Holy spirit said to me,
Get up.
Do it.
Come on.
Did not Jesus give up his seat for you.
Oh good now he’s getting religious on me.
Did Jesus not leave his sovereign universe so that you low life could even
Enter into his glorious Kingdom?
Now I like the instant replay in football.
Last week I saw a play recalled because the ball bounced off the hand of the receiver into the hand of the defense and they intercepted.
But they had called it a incomplete pass.
Replay…. Showed differently.
Interception.
I like instant replay in football.
But not in the game of ELDON.
This happens very quickly.
Its amazing how much guilt I can have in 5 minutes.
Remember what Jesus did for you?
I get all of Easter replayed, the arrest, beatings, the spit, the nails, the cross.
What is the least you can do for the elderly Lady?
Then my Wife says: Why don’t you give your seat to that lady?
Then I thought Sure Now he using my wife.
Look guys :
You think the World Wrestling federation has tough GUYS.
Nothing compared to the Holy Spirit.
So I got up and offered my seat to her.
I said: Would you like to sit down.
She looked at me with a wonderful smile
And said: “That very nice of you.
But no, I’ve been sitting all day and I need to stand.
I thought
All that battle
All that turmoil
All that Guilt -- For nothing?
But was it for nothing?????
No every time we respond to the Holy Spirit
And cooperate with him.
We learn something about ourselves.
We get better in our faith.
We get better in our life.
I got to go back and sit down in the wonderful chair
Without any guilt.
Until the holy Spirit said:
See that old man over there.
Oh Come on.
Every time we cooperate with the spirit of God.
When we respond to Spirits alert, reminders, and nudges
We get closer to the cross,
We get closer to Jesus and a little more of my old self dies.
“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus .”
Galatians 5:16-17So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” For the sinful desires, what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature.
And oh does it please God.
He gets a real kick out of it.
Says “Yep … that’s my boy.
Oh yes. There goes my girl.”
God not only help us to be Christ like
But to act Christ like
And it helps other began to respond to Christ likeness.
When we love we profoundly affect their lives.
The world is impacted when you put their needs above your own.
When you love unconditionally
Without a score card.
Without a qualifying list.
We need to start today.
Is there someone you need to speak to,
Someone you need to help,
Someone you need to forgive?
Or seek forgivness?
The card industry so many time expresses for us what we can’t say ourselves.
It’s easier to give a card then to verbally tell them we love them.
I like this card I saw the other day:
If I had an ice cream cone I’d give you half
If I had six candy I’d give you three.
If I had two apples one would be yours.
If I won the lottery, I’d send you a post card from Tahiti.
Love as the Fruit of the Spirit.
Is willing to give it all for others.
Because Jesus gave it all for me.
Join me as we share the
FRUIT OF LOVE WITH ALL WE MEET THIS WEEK.
