The Fruit of the Spirit
Part 1 – To Be Filled
Rev. Bruce A. Shields
First Baptist Church Tawas City Michigan
www.TawasBaptist.org
WELCOME
INTRODUCTION
The most important thing in the life of a Christian is to be filled with the Holy Spirit!
We hear all the time that we should be filled with the Spirit, or walk in the Spirit. We are told to be fruitful Christians.
The Lord Jesus said, “Without me, you can do nothing.”
Christ is in believers in the person of His Holy Spirit as they receive Salvation.
But there is more to it than just being Saved.
The Holy Spirit is referred to as Living Water.
If I asked you to hold out your hand, and I was to pour water into it, how much of that water could you retain?
This power from on High, this aspect of God’s Holy Spirit, is always available and obtainable to those who have Salvation, but like water, we need God to continually feed the flow to us.
Therefore, when we are being filled with His Spirit, He works fruitfully through us.
If we are not being filled with the Holy Spirit, we are unproductive.
I’ve said it before, everything I am, or ever will be, everything I do and accomplish is ONLY because of the Holy Spirit.
We are dependant upon the Holy Spirit of God.
SCRIPTURE READING
Galatians 5:16 – 26 Live by the Spirit
“16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17 For 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery (wickedness, corruption, dishonesty); 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord (conflicts, disputes, disagreements, arguments), jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions Discord, rebellion), faction (splinter groups, division) 21 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. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”
PRAYER FOR THE HOLY SPIRIT & UNDERSTANDING
I. LIVE BY THE SPIRIT NOT THE DESIRES OF OUR SINFUL NATURE
Verse 16 of our text today shares with us what we already know, and that is that we all have a sinful nature.
This is a result of the fall, and continues to be handed down from generation to generation.
The sinful nature is not something you have to work for to obtain, because it is something you already have.
But the Lord came and died so that we could be shown a better way.
And through our Lord Jesus Christ, He makes this way possible because He can do what no one else can.
He can take our sinful nature, and mold it into something new.
We truly are the clay, and He the potter.
The scriptures promise us to be new creatures when we accept the Lord. A NEW creation!
This transformation of our nature comes by means of Salvation, and can only be accomplished through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
It would be impossible for me to exaggerate how dependant we are on the Holy Spirit.
We are dependant on Him even before we belonged to God.
You may ask, ‘How can that be?’
It was the Holy Spirit of God that convicted us of sin which led us who are saved, to Salvation.
The scriptures tell us in Psalms that the Law of the Lord is perfect for converting the soul.
When we hear God’s law, it is the Holy Spirit’s conviction that draws us to Salvation.
After Salvation, the Holy Spirit continues to convict us of sin in our lives, and this is how we are ‘led’ by the spirit when we accept His correction and are moved by it.
To receive correction without being moved by it is simply complacency.
We are not called by God to be complacent, but to be “not just hearers of the word, but doers!”
Nothing thrills Satan more than a building full of complacent so called Christians.
Simply hearing the Word of God is not enough, God tells us to be doers.
We are dependant on the Holy Spirit after Salvation, not just for conviction of sin in our lives, but for the understanding of the Gospel Message and the Holy Scriptures, empowering us to be witnesses, guidance in our prayer lives, in fact everything we are or will be in Christ is solely dependant on the Holy Spirit.
It is no wonder that Satan has tried to counterfeit the work of the Holy Spirit over the centuries and confuse God’s people and the Holy Spirit’s work.
Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not being saved, and being saved is not being filled with the Holy Spirit.
In our study over the past few weeks, we talked about the 40 days that the risen Jesus spent with the disciples.
No one could have Salvation and be with the Father in Heaven until AFTER Christ had paid the price, as the perfect atoning sacrifice.
This is why Abraham’s bosom or Paradise in Sheol was necessary. A place for the righteous that died before Christ’s atoning sacrifice.
Once His perfect and holy sacrifice had occurred, it was then possible for mankind to receive Salvation.
And once we receive Salvation, we become a NEW creation, a NEW creature, receiving God’s Soul which was lost in the fall.
We read in the Book of John about one of the last meetings Jesus had with the disciples after His sacrifice and resurrection.
John 20:22
“And with that He (Jesus) breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit”
What Jesus did here was the same thing that happened in Genesis 2:7.
Genesis 2:7
“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”
The breath of life which comes from God, pertains to the soul and spirit of man.
A man is a soul, and has a spirit, both of which reside in the body; the soul is who we are, our soul is everlasting, our spirit originally came from God when He created Adam so that we could connect and commune with God because He is Spirit, but God’s Spirit in us was lost because of the fall.
Now we are bodies, with an everlasting unredeemed soul, and an empty hole where God’s spirit belongs so that we can commune with Him.
Salvation through Christ changes us and our condition.
What the disciples had received that evening from Jesus was just the beginning, not the filling of the Holy Spirit where all of our fruits and gifts and power come from, but a return of the Spirit of God we receive at Salvation which redeems our Soul and restores us to the way God created us, with a Spirit to Commune and connect with God who is Spirit.
If they received everything from the resurrected Jesus that day when Christ breathed on them, Jesus wouldn’t have told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the Holy Spirit to come.
Luke 24:49 KJV
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but wait in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.”
Endued means to ‘dress’ or ‘cover’.
You see, Jesus breathed on the disciples and told them to receive the Spirit INSIDE of them that was lost in the fall.
Then He told them to receive the Spirit from heaven that would cover them in the power of God.
It’s not the Spirit we take in, but the living water that flows down from heaven and covers us with God’s power.
Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit into them because of their Salvation.
They were NEW creatures, a NEW creation.
Then the Holy Spirit like water flows from heaven down on them covering them in power.
This covering, is our Whole Armor of God, our Spiritual Gifts, our Spiritual Fruits.
It’s all from God’s Holy Spirit that we are to clothe ourselves in.
But we have not received this power from God within, for we still battle between God’s Spirit that covers us and our flesh beneath it.
But we are a new creation with a Spirit to communicate with God, and have a relationship with our Lord and Savior.
Live by the Spirit, not the desires of our sinful nature.
II. THE SINFUL NATURE
Remember, when we received Salvation, we received a Spirit from God so that we can communicate and commune with God who is a Spirit.
But our Spirit, and our flesh are in conflict.
This is because although our everlasting Soul has been redeemed through Salvation, our flesh is not redeemed.
Our flesh is still corrupt, sinful, mortal, and imperfect.
The scriptures tell us that when we have obtained Salvation, Christ begins a work in us that will not be finished until He comes.
Our flesh is a work in progress until the day we die, or Christ returns.
When we are called up to be with Him, THEN we will receive our resurrected, perfect and immortal bodies, our resurrected bodies.
But until that day, although our souls are redeemed, our flesh is not, and it continues to be in contradiction to our Spirit which is of God.
We must live each day, either for the flesh, or the spirit.
The scriptures tell us we cannot serve two masters.
They are contrary to each other; therefore you are following one or the other.
One path will lead you closer to God, and the other leads you away from Him.
Chose this day whom you will serve.
The scriptures tell us that we need to crucify our flesh DAILY.
It is a never ending battle until our last breath.
Are you going to be led by your flesh or your Spirit?
The sinful nature of our flesh is the passions and desires contrary to God’s passions and desires.
The sinful nature is self serving.
The sinful nature is under the Law.
So how do you know if you are led by your flesh?
How do you know if your choices, decisions and actions are dictated by your sinful nature?
The scriptures we read today tell us.
It’s in black and white, and it’s real easy to determine if you are living by God’s Spirit, or your own selfish sinful ungodly nature.
Read the scripture and ask if you fit into one of these categories;
Are you sexually immoral?
This would include, but is not limited to;
Homosexuality – Leviticus 18:22; Leviticus 20:13
Pre-marital relations,
Adultery,
Prostitution - Deuteronomy 23:17; Deuteronomy 23:18
Bestiality – Leviticus 18:23; Leviticus 19:19
Orgies.
That’s easy enough to understand.
How about debauchery?
This is immoral conduct or practices harmful or offensive to society, or a sinking to a state of low moral standards and behavior, wickedness, corruption, dishonesty.
Does this describe you?
Perhaps you’re an idolater?
Are there THINGS in your life that you care more for, or spend more time with than God?
Or to the extreme, do you worship idols or pray to statues, emblems or the like?
Idolatry is placing your attention and devotion, prayer on anything other than God.
What about witchcraft?
Come on, this is the 21st century!
Yes, and witchcraft is alive and well.
Of course they have changed the name, but serve the same evil spirit.
Of course there’s Witchcraft, Wicca, Pagan, Neo-pagan, Ceremonial Magick, Druid, The Craft, Earth Religion, Old Religion, Voodoo among others.
Some people practice and participate in witchcraft and may not even know it.
What does the Bible say about it?
Leviticus 19:26
“…do not practice divination or sorcery.”
Divination is predictions or fortunetelling, such as your horoscope, Miss Cleo’s hotline, palm reading.
Sorcery is spells and potions and such.
Leviticus 19:31
“’Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritualists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.”
Deuteronomy 18:10 - 14
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, 11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritualist or who consults the dead. 12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you. 13 You must be blameless before the LORD your God. 14 The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the LORD your God has not permitted you to do so.”
Malachi 3:5
“So I will come near to you for judgment. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers…”
Is a little witchcraft OK?
Is God OK with just talking to the dead a little?
But the Ouija board is just a game by Parker Brothers!
Tarot cards are just for fun…
I read the horoscope each week, but I just do it for fun.
Is sinning against God OK as long as it was just for fun?
What if it was something other than witchcraft?
Well, I know God doesn’t want me to commit adultery, but it was just for fun.
I know I shouldn’t steal, but it was just for fun.
Try that on judgment day when you’re standing before the Lord.
I know I’m not supposed to murder, but it was just for fun.
Witchcraft is also the act of trying to control other people and circumstances through persuasion, coercion, pacts, deals, manipulation, plotting, planning, scheming behind peoples backs.
Are you delving in witchcraft?
If so, you are being led by your sinful flesh.
The scripture also says hatred.
Uh-oh.
Do you harbor hate in your heart for someone?
We are told to love our neighbor as ourselves.
I hear time and time again, so many people in this congregation say “We are such a loving church”, then gossip and speak against someone else in this congregation behind their backs.
Gossip is not love.
Coming against what others are doing for God with your words, you are attacking the body of Christ.
How do you think Jesus feels about you attacking Him?
Your gossip, your slander, you cut down and attack others with your words.
Then you call yourself a Christian?
No, you’re led by your sinful flesh.
Are you causing discord (conflicts, disputes, disagreements, arguments)?
If you are attacking the body of Christ with your gossip, slander, complaints, conflicts, disputes, disagreements, arguments, you are equivalent to a cancer among the body of Christ and you have no place here.
That is not love.
A house divided cannot stand.
And your discord will make sure of that.
Jealousy fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, Discord, (rebellion), faction (splinter groups, division)
Have you heard yourself described today?
The scripture reading today concludes with the following;
“… I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”
CONCLUSION
Have you received Salvation, and the breath of God’s Spirit within you?
Have you become a NEW creation?
Have you received the Holy Spirit, the Living Water flowing down from heaven to cover you in the power of God?
Have you crucified your flesh, your sinful nature and put on the righteousness of God?
Are you being led right now by your flesh or by your Spirit.
You cannot serve two masters.
I tell you the truth; choose today which master you will serve.
Your flesh or your spirit.
CLOSING
There are those here today who have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ and the free gift of Salvation.
You need to do so.
Without Salvation, you do not have a Spirit, and you cannot commune with God.
The only prayer that will be heard from you is “Jesus, I have sinned against you, forgive me. I believe you died for my sins, and I want you to be my Lord and Savior.”
You will receive Salvation, and Jesus will breathe into you a NEW LIFE, for surely you will be a NEW CREATION.
Some of you here today have accepted Jesus Christ, but are still following your flesh.
You know who you are; the Holy Spirit is convicting your heart to repent.
It is as simple as choosing to follow the Spirit, and asking God for forgiveness.
Ask the Lord to rain His Holy Spirit, His Living Water down on you and cover you with His power from on high.
CLOSING PRAYER AND INVITATION
