Bearing the Fruit of Holy Spirit – 4

Bearing the Fruit of Holy Spirit – 4 

Subject: Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit - Longsuffering

By Rick Welborne

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)
²²  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  

²⁶  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

--We have already looked at the fruit of the Spirit…love, joy, and peace. Tonight we will be looking at longsuffering which will not necessarily be one of our favorites. 

1. The Fruit of the Spirit – Longsuffering.

Longsuffering - having or showing patience in spite of troubles, especially those caused by other people. Patiently enduring lasting offense or hardship. Suffering for a long time without complaining. Very patient during difficult times.

Biblical Longsuffering - It has been said that longsuffering means “suffering long.” That is a good answer, but a better definition is needed. The word longsuffering in the Bible is made up of two Greek words meaning “long” and “temper”; literally, “long-tempered.” To be longsuffering, then, is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears. 

--In regard to God’s longsuffering, it is associated with mercy (1 Pet. 3:20) and hope (1 Thessalonians 1:3). God was longsuffering as he waited for Noah to build the ark. Eight people were saved by His patience.

--Thank God that He did not surrender to circumstances like we do or succumb to trials. Many translations of the Bible replace the word longsuffering with the word ‘patience’. One of our favorite words.

--God is the source of longsuffering or patience because it is part of His character. He is patient with sinners. 

Romans 2:4 (NLT2) ⁴ Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? 

--At the same time, God’s longsuffering can come to an end, as seen in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the sending of Israel into captivity.

--The believer in Jesus Christ receives the very life of God, His divine nature. We receive certain promises when we receive Jesus and we are filled with His Holy Spirit.

2 Peter 1:3-8 (NIV) ³ His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.                                                                                                   ⁴  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
⁵  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;
⁶  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;
⁷  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
⁸  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

--That life produces certain characteristics (fruit) that are displayed in the believer as he obeys Holy Spirit who lives within him. One of those godly characteristics from Galatians 5:22 is “longsuffering.” 

--The word is translated “patience” in the New American Standard Bible. Longsuffering is to be exhibited by all believers:

Ephesians 4:1-3 (NKJV)
¹  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called,
²  with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
³  endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 

Colossians 3:12-13 (NKJV) ¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
¹³  bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

--Think how our lives would be affected if longsuffering was exhibited in individual relationships, family relationships, church relationships, and workplace relationships. 

--By obeying Holy Spirit, the believer in Christ can say “no” to retaliation and exhibit a forgiving and longsuffering attitude. As God is longsuffering with us, we can and must be longsuffering with others.

2. God’s Longsuffering for the Lost.

--The ultimate example of God’s longsuffering is His waiting for individuals to respond in faith to Jesus Christ. God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 

2 Peter 3:9-11 (NKJV) ⁹ The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
¹⁰  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
¹¹  Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, 

--When I first became pastor here at Life Church we had a guest to come and speak to us by the name of Roger Heligas. He told us a story of a lady who knew what it meant to have longsuffering. 

--This lady was not a Christian when she got married but soon after someone shared Christ with her and she became a believer…a follower of Christ. She wanted so much for her husband to be saved.

--God spoke to her and told her that her husband was her mission field. She did not harass him or talk down to him as an unbeliever but she loved and honored him as her husband. 

--She thought surely he would give his heart to Christ quickly. He didn’t. He did not forbid her to go to church or to read the Bible at home but he did tell her that he did not want to be preached to. 

--How long did she wait? 10 years? 20? 30? 40? 50years? Nope still not saved! The devil would tell her he was never going to be saved…just give up! She refused! He is my mission field!

--Shortly after their 55^th Anniversary her husband gave his heart to the Lord! The lady was ecstatic and was so thankful to God for saving him. The next 6 months were like heaven on earth!

--They went to church together, they prayed together, they read God’s Word together…it was truly everything she dreamed. Six months after his salvation he had a heart attack and died. 

--Friends and family asked her what kind of God did she serve? He is a faithful God who saved my husband…He gave me a ministry 55 years ago and was faithful to see her accomplish his mission.

Philippians 1:6 (NLT2) ⁶  And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. 

--This is longsuffering…to persevere…to wait in patience for God to complete His work. Could she have given up? Of course! But her husband would probably have been lost forever.

--When I think of this kind of longsuffering…I always think about what Joseph went through…His story was similar to this lady…how so?

3. The Longsuffering of Joseph.

A. Joseph was given a dream and a promise.

Gen. 37:5-7 (NKJV) ⁵ Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.
⁶  So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed:
⁷  There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf."

--We all have dreams and we receive certain promises from God. Our job is to be faithful. Joseph started a journey that would test whether he had longsuffering in him or not.

B. Joseph faced adversity that would test his patience and perseverance. 

--He found himself in a pit! The other choice…kill him. The pit was his refuge. He was sold into slavery and taken to a foreign country. Unless God got involved nothing good would happen.

Genesis 37:36 (NKJV)
³⁶  Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.

C. Joseph was falsely accused…another test.

Longsuffering - is to have self-restraint when one is stirred to anger. A longsuffering person does not immediately retaliate or punish; rather, he has a “long fuse” and patiently forbears.

--Joseph is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife and now is in prison. Just like the pit was a refuge…the prison was another refuge. He could have lost his life for being accused of rape. 

--Because of his praying, I believe Joseph is receiving Holy Spirit strength and longsuffering. How else could a man walk through all this? He is patiently waiting for God’s promise. Longsuffering.

D. Joseph is forgotten in prison. Longsuffering.

--The years are starting to add up and the dreams seem like a distant memory. A baker and a butler have dreams and Joseph interprets them. The baker restored but the butler is executed. 

--Joseph encourages the butler to remember him when he is restored. For two years he forgets until the king has dreams that cannot be interpreted. Joseph is suffering long with supernatural patience. Tough!

E. Joseph’s dreams finally come true. Longsuffering pays off big-time!

--Joseph is put in charge of everything in Egypt only answering to Pharaoh. God uses him to save the then known world. His brothers come and bow before him not knowing who he was. His dream!

--The only way longsuffering, patience, and perseverance pays off is when God’s supernatural fruit leads to salvation and restoration. 

Genesis 45:7-8 (NLT2)
⁷  God has sent me ahead of you to keep you and your families alive and to preserve many survivors.
⁸  So it was God who sent me here, not you! And he is the one who made me an adviser to Pharaoh—the manager of his entire palace and the governor of all Egypt.

--The fruit Holy Spirit – longsuffering helps us see the whole picture and helps us to save others and to restore families. From the promise to the prize was about 14 years. Wow!

Bearing the Fruit of Holy Spirit - 3

Bearing the Fruit of Holy Spirit - 3

Subject: Walking in the Fruit of the Spirit - Peace

By Rick Welborne

Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)
²²  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
²⁴  And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
²⁵  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  

²⁶  Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

--Last week we looked at the fruit of the Spirit – Joy. Tonight we will look at the fruit of Holy Spirit – Peace.

1. The Fruit of Holy Spirit (Peace) and What It Means.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Peace – Old Testament - Is a condition of freedom from disturbance, whether outwardly, as of a nation from war or enemies, or inwardly, within the soul. The Hebrew word is shalom, meaning, primarily, "soundness," "health," but coming also to signify "prosperity," well-being in general, all good in relation to both man and God. In early times, to a people harassed by foes, peace was the primary blessing. 

--Please hear what this is saying: Peace in our spirit and our mind, peace and health in our bodies, and peace and health in our finances. Who wouldn't want that. Secular Definition:

Peace - freedom from disturbance; tranquility. A state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

--The biblical concept of peace is larger than that and rests heavily on the Hebrew root shalom, which means "to be complete" or "to be sound." 

--The verb (peace) conveys both a dynamic and a static meaning" to be complete or whole" or "to live well. 

--The noun (peace) had many nuances, but can be grouped into four categories: 

A. Shalom – Peace - as wholeness of life or body (i.e., health); 

B.  Shalom – Peace - as right relationship or harmony between two parties or people, often established by a covenant and, when related to Yahweh, the covenant was renewed or maintained with a "peace offering". 

C. Shalom – Peace - as prosperity, success, or fulfillment (Lev 26:3-9).

D. Shalom – Peace - as victory over one's enemies or absence of war. 

--It is so amazing to me how our world and even those in the church have evolved into such a state of desperation and even depression.

--The opioid addiction has swept through our country and other countries and has become a killer, even surpassing auto-mobile accidents here in the United States. The Northeast is terrible. Funeral Director. 

--People are looking for relief from pain…emotional, physical, relational, and even spiritual pain. Sadly, they are looking for an easy way of escape. Looking for peace.

--Addiction to pills or anything else that is addictive is never an escape from all that pain, it is just another form of bondage and is there to take you out. 

--God is in our lives, not to take us out but to bring us in. I love what God told the children of Israel when He was taking them out of Egypt:

Exodus 3:6-8 (NLT2)
⁶  I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” When Moses heard this, he covered his face because he was afraid to look at God.
⁷  Then the LORD told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering.
⁸  So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—

2.The Fruit of Holy Spirit (Peace) and How to Get There.

--What you must understand to get to a place of peace in your life:

--If you are in any kind of bondage, you must know that God sees. He cares!

--I do not want to over simplify finding peace but your beginning place has to be with the Lord. You must know that God cares. 

1 Peter 5:6-8 (NKJV)
⁶  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
⁷  casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
⁸  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

--He has seen your oppression and He has heard your cries when no one else is listening. He is touched by the feelings of your infirmities and your brokenness. 

--Always remember God brings you out so He can take you in.

Exodus 3:8 (NLT2) ⁸ So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey…

--God was not finished with Israel when He brought them out of Egypt…He wanted to take them into a place flowing with milk and honey…the Promised Land. 

--If God is going to get you to a place of peace…it has to be more than just taking you out of the world. Something has to be placed in your life to fill that void. 

--I remember a story that was told to me when I was just a young Christian and I am sure there was purpose and intention for why the person told me.

--He said there was a man who had climbed over a fence where he was not supposed to be and he kept hanging out close to the edge of this sewage pond. It was deep and filled with nasty stuff.

--Just like anyone who stays close to the edge, the man eventually fell into the pond. He was yelling and fighting for his life but he could not get out. 

--The man always thought, even if I fall in, I can get out because I am a good swimmer…I can handle this. Please don’t tell me the dangers…I know the risk and everything will be okay!

--What the man did not anticipate was that the bank of the pond was very steep and was obviously very slippery because of the mess in the pond.

--You may think you can handle just a little alcohol, using just a little drugs, or handle an inappropriate relationship. Watching things, you should never see. The slope is very slipper.

--The man kept yelling and begging for someone to come and rescue him. Fortunately, there was a good Samaritan going by and heard the man’s cry for help.

--By the time the good Samaritan got over the fence and made it to the man, he was already tired and was going under for the last time. He had swallowed so much water and filth.

--A crowd had gathered outside the fence and watched as the man was rescued…they cheered and clapped. They probably should have been helping but just watched.

--The rescuer said to the crowd very powerful words…Thank God we got him out of the sewage but now we have to get the sewage out of him. 

--When we are saved out of this world…to find true peace, we have to ask Holy Spirit to help get the nastiness of the world out of us. Again look at the list of things that can rob our peace. 

Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT2) ¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures,
²⁰  idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division,
²¹  envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

--The world is the sewage pond, Jesus is the One Who rescues us, and Holy Spirit wants to cleanse us and give us peace. He fills us with God’s power and fruit.

Philippians 4:6-9 (NIV) ⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
⁷  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸  Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
⁹  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

3. The Fruit of Holy Spirit (Peace) and Looking for Others Who Have no Peace. 

Exodus 3:9-10 (NLT2)
⁹  Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them.
¹⁰  Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” 

Shalom – Peace - as wholeness of life or body (i.e., health); 

--People finding peace means they find wholeness…Jesus wants more for people than just freedom from their infirmity or sin…He wants them whole and at peace with Him. Example man at the gate:

Acts 4:9-12 (NKJV)
⁹  If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,
¹⁰  let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.
¹¹  This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'
¹²  Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

--Yes he was healed but more important…He was saved and made whole…He was at peace. 

Humility – 2

Humility – 2

Subject – The Secret of Redemption

By Rick Welborne

Philippians 2:5-11 (NIV)
⁵  Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
⁸  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross!
⁹  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹  and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

--No tree can grow except on the root from which it sprang. It can only exist because of the seed that gave its being. To study the first and Second Adam shows us our need of redemption.

--That old serpent who was cast out of heaven because of his pride, spoke temptation into Eve’s ear and his words were filled with the poison of hell.

--Sadly, she listened and yielded her desire because of the prospect of being like God, knowing good and evil. Poison entered her soul which destroyed her humility and dependence on God.

--Her life and the life of all those who would come from her were corrupted to their root by the sin and the curse of curses…Satan’s pride.

--Make no mistake, the wars, the bloodshed among the nations, the selfishness, the suffering, the corruption, the broken hearts, the embittered lives, unhappiness…all a result of pride. 

--So what is our escape, our redemption, our deliverance from the ravages of pride? Our redemption and our hope is only found in the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.

1 Corinthians 15:45 (NLT2)
⁴⁵  The Scriptures tell us, “The first man, Adam, became a living person.” But the last Adam—that is, Christ—is a life-giving Spirit.

--The first Adam introduced us to a life of misery and suffering, a curse, if you will. But Jesus Christ, came as a life giving Spirit to redeem us from the curse.

Galatians 3:13-14 (NLT2)
¹³  But Christ has rescued us from the curse pronounced by the law. When he was hung on the cross, he took upon himself the curse for our wrongdoing. For it is written in the Scriptures, “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.”
¹⁴  Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith.

1. Christ and His Humility.

--We see Christ’ heavenly humility in the Incarnation, His emptying Himself and becoming a man. What is His life on earth but humility, taking the form of a servant?

--What was His atonement for sins but humility? He humbled Himself and became obedient to death. What is His ascension but humility exalted to the throne and crowned with glory?

Philippians 2:8-9 (NLT2)
⁸  He humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
⁹ Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, 

--Therefore, whether it was in Heaven with His Father, or in His birth, His life, His death, His return to the right hand of the Father—it is all the humility of Christ. Can you see it?

--Christ is the expression of the humility of God embodied in human form; it is Eternal love humbling itself, clothing itself in meekness and gentleness, to win and to serve us. Amazing!

Colossians 1:19-22 (NKJV)
¹⁹  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,
²⁰  and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.
²¹  And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled
²²  in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—

--As we survey this beautiful humility of Jesus and we try to comprehend the relationship of God the Father with the Son…we are overwhelmed by such love.

--It pleased the Father that in His Son Jesus that all His power, might, and love would dwell, and through this Jesus to reconcile or settle everything in heaven and on earth. How?

--It was through the blood of the cross, through His dying a cruel death, and His humility to submit to such an incredible plan, for the very purpose of presenting us to God holy and blameless. 

Hebrews 9:11-15 (NLT2)
¹¹  So Christ has now become the High Priest over all the good things that have come. He has entered that greater, more perfect Tabernacle in heaven, which was not made by human hands and is not part of this created world.
¹²  With His own blood—not the blood of goats and calves—He entered the Most Holy Place once for all time and secured our redemption forever.
¹³  Under the old system, the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a young cow could cleanse people’s bodies from ceremonial impurity.
¹⁴  Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered Himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.
¹⁵  That is why He is the one who mediates a new covenant between God and people, 

--Can you see it? Can you comprehend it? Can you grasp that it was the humility of Jesus that bought our salvation and redeemed us from the curse? Humility was the root.

Philippians 2:7-8 (NKJV)
⁷  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
⁸  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

2. Humility Before Christ and Man Must Be Our Root.

Philippians 2:1-5 (NCV) ¹ Does your life in Christ give you strength? Does his love comfort you? Do we share together in the spirit? Do you have mercy and kindness?
²  If so, make me very happy by having the same thoughts, sharing the same love, and having one mind and purpose.
³  When you do things, do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.
⁴  Do not be interested only in your own life, but be interested in the lives of others.
⁵ In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. 

--Can you see that our root must be found in Christ alone. In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. The nature of this root must be seen in every branch, every leaf, and all its fruit.

John 15:5 (NLT2)
⁵  “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

--If we can see in Jesus that His humility was the reason for His grace and the secret of His atonement, should we not desire the same kind of humility in our lives.

--Shouldn’t humility be at the top of our list for making us into who He has called us to be? Humility should be what we admire in Him, the first thing we ask of Him, and the thing we sacrifice all else for?

--Maybe, just maybe the reason so many Christians are weak, joyless, and fruitless, is because the very root that made Jesus Who He was is missing in our own lives. Humility.

--Referring back to a message about death to self, maybe our lack of humility and the desire for affirmation from people instead of having God’s affirmation is the root of our lack. 

John 3:30 (NLT2) ³⁰ He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. 

3. The Enemy of Humility is Pride.

Proverbs 16:18 (NKJV) ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. 

Proverbs 29:23 (NLT2) ²³ Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. 

--It is actually surprising and even disturbing that there is so little teaching to those who are called by Christ’s Name about Jesus’ humility and our need of it.

--It is also very overwhelming when we see pride displayed on a regular basis week after week in our churches and on Christian programs instead of the humility of Christ.

--Is it any surprise that there is a lack of love, an indifference to the needs of others, and sharp attacks from one church toward another one. Pride destroys while humility builds up.

--Because pride loves creeping in wherever it can, we need to ask ourselves what would be the impact if we were all guided by the humility of Jesus?

--Could we possibly begin to cry out night and day with our whole hearts, “Oh, for the humility of Jesus in myself and in those all around me.” Our text:

 Philippians 2:5-8 (NIV) ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
⁶  Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
⁷  but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
⁸  And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! 

--Could we commit our hearts to dealing with our lack of humility—that which we see in Jesus Christ? As we study about and seek for Christ humility, we can find the secret to redemption.