Fruit of the Spirit – 4
Subject: Learning to Walk in the Fruit of the Spirit
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.
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.
4. 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 is that it 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.
--God is the source of longsuffering or patience because it is part of His character. He is patient with sinners.
Romans 2:4-6 (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?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
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?
5 But because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.
6 He will judge everyone according to what they have done.
--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.
--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.
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.
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 the 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.
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 1:9-14 (NKJV)
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;
12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.
13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
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.
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 were exhibited in individual relationships, family relationships, church relationships, and workplace relationships.
--The old nature can be very short-fused at times, and we tend to strike back against offenses with unkind words and unforgiving spirits.
--By obeying the 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.
Ephesians 4:30-32 (NLT2)
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
--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,
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 was not your typical Pentecostal evangelist but he was a great teacher.
--He told us a story of a lady who knew what it meant to be have endurance, to have patience, and to definitely fit in the category of 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 but he wanted nothing to do with her Jesus or her church. 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 constantly preached to. He was okay with where he was in life.
--At times, when the church had something special, she would invite him but he always said “No, but you go ahead!” She would faithfully go still believing God would save him.
--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 55th 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 it would be!
--Six months after his salvation he had a heart attack and died. Many of her friends and family asked her what kind of God did she serve to do that to her.
--She told them He is a faithful God who saved my husband…He gave a ministry to me 55 years ago and was faithful to see her accomplish what He sent her to do. Thank God he got saved! I will see him again!
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.
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 was what it meant to go through 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?
A. Joseph was given a dream and a promise.
Genesis 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."
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 until those dreams are fulfilled like the lady we spoke of.
--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! By the way, the other choice was to kill him. The pit was his refuge.
--He was sold into slavery and taken to a foreign country where nothing good could come out of this. Unless God got involved and had His hands on the situation.
Genesis 37:36 (NKJV)
36 Now the Midianites had sold him in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
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, 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.
--Joseph is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of rape and now it is not a pit but a prison he finds himself in. 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 supernatural strength and longsuffering. How else could a man walk through all this with supernatural intervention. He is patiently waiting for God’s promise.
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 again with the king. 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. Patience 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 from starvation. 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.
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 of 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 22 years. Wow!
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