The Fruit Of The Spirit
January 11, 2016
Good Morning Ladies!
"The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
Last week we started our new year with a discussion about Peace. Jesus is our peace and He alone can make us an instrument of His Peace through our submission to His will and authority in our lives. This week we will look at the another element of the Fruit of the Spirit:
PATIENCE
All those that could use a little patience, raise your hands.
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, no wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." 2 Peter 3:9
Thank God for patience. The fact that God is patient with us for ALL things is beyond words. As Paul describes in 1 Timothy 1:15-17, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of who I am the worse. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive external life."
That's why He is God and we are His children. Or to use a different analogy, that's why He is the potter and we are the clay. Because God loves us, His mercies are neverending and He is patient with us. Take a moment and reflect on God's unlimited patience with you. As we become more like Christ, our goal is to reflect the Fruit of the Spirit to others.
So how can we reflect God's patience?
There are two Greek words that translate into the English word "patience":
1. Hupomone- endurance or perseverance with respect to situations or circumstances (inspired by Hope); and
2. Makrothumia- a quality of the Fruit of the Spirit. Patience with respect to persons, long-suffering, forbearance...self-restraint before proceeding to action (inspired by Mercy).
Hupomone was displayed in Job. Take a look:
Job 23:8-10- hope in the fact that God was at work and trust that God would transform him.Job 19:25-27- hope in the fact that one day he would see God's glory and that the his (our) Redeemer Lives!
No matter what you are going through as Christians we know that "all things work together for the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose". Romans 8:28
To cheer us on and encourage us as we run our life race, Hebrews 12:1-2 provides illustrations of faith, by describing witnesses of the Old Testament. "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith."
Let's take a look at Makrothumia- mercy. As Paul states in Colossians 3:12-13- "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."
Encompassed in Patience is both hope and mercy. We must be patient in our situations because (our hope is in Christ). He is at work, Christ in us is our hope in glory and one day we will reach our promised land. (2 Timothy 2:12 and Colossians 1:27)
We must be patient with respect to people (showing mercy) as we are saved because mercy prompted God's patience and God's patience means salvation (2 Peter 3:15).
Does this mountain seem too steep? Well, on our own, it can be, but with God's help, all things are possible.
Know that through the Holy Spirit we can exhibit Patience because through the Holy Spirit you can:
• do things you couldn't;
• feel things you didn't; and
• know things you wouldn't.
Great is your faithfulness O Lord. Thank you Lord for your Love,
Joy, Peace and unlimited Patience with us.
As we strive to be more like you and reflect the Fruit of the
Spirit, help us to display patience daily through both hope and
mercy.
For your praise and worship:
Jesus At The Center - (I. Houghton and New Breed)
All Things Are Working - (F. Hammond and RFC)
My Reedemer Lives (N. Mullen)
Housekeeping :
• Remember to keep practicing our memory verse in sign language. Galatians 5:22-23- Fruit of the Spirit (verse with sign language) (est 6:22)
• Week 6 Homework- we will be discussing Patience.
• Our next meeting will be Tuesday, January 11, 2016- Stark County Library, Innovation Center (Main Campus).
• Spread the word and invite someone to Session 2 as we continue our conversation and study about life in the Holy Spirit in Fruit of the Spirit- Living Beyond Yourself.
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve, GO!
Krista
Each day we have an opportunity to be the light and salt God has called us to be to others. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)