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Dr. David Jeremiah

Shadow Mountain 11/30/97

If you don't live your life by the categories of the fruit of the Spirit, you will live your live in categories of sin.

Fruit of the spirit is something you can observe; recognizable evidences in relation to other people. You don't bear fruit for only yourself.

1. The Fruit of the Spirit in your personal experience (Godward fruit).

A. Love (agape: affection or benevolence, charity, dear love)

1 Cor. 12:31 "I'll show you the most excellent gift...love"

1 Cor. 13:13 "The greatest of these is love"

Love is the priority commandment, the perfect gift, the permanent virtue, the proof of our faith

John 13:35 "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another."

God created us to have fellowship with God.

Love is the canvas, the rest is painted on the canvas after love. Love is the base.

B. Joy

542 references to joy in the Bible (however, there's several different names for joy). The Bible is a book of joy!

The spirit-controlled life is a life of joy. Joy isn't happiness. Happiness has to do with happenings, joy has to do with a relationship with Jesus Christ.

John 15:11 "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

God gives joy that the world can't take away and joy that the world can't give. Joy doesn't bow to circumstances.

John 16:22 "Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you."

Nehemiah 8:10 "...the joy of the Lord is your strength..."

C. Peace

Peace is knowing that the God you were separated from has now been joined to you through Jesus Christ.

John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Psalm 4:8 "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety."

John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

Spirit-filled believers have peace despite their circumstances. They have calm when others panic.

Philippians 4:7 "and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

If you know God it will be exhibited in the love, joy and peace you have.

2. The Fruit of the Spirit in your personal relationships (Manward fruit)

A. Longsuffering (long temper, forbearance, patience or fortitude)

Colossians 1:11 "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;"

B. Kindness (gentleness, usefulness, excellence, goodness)

If we don't walk be the Spirit, we will do the works of the flesh.

Ephesians 4:32 "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you."

John Wesley said, "Do all the good you can by all the means you can by all the people you can as long as you can."

C. Goodness (virtue or beneficence:--goodness.)

3. The Fruit of the Spirit in your personal development

A. Faithfulness (assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity)

Proverb 20:6 "Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, But who can find a faithful man?"

B. Meekness (power under control, gentleness)

A meek person doesn't get angry at a person he shouldn't and doesn't avoid being angry with someone he should. He errs on the side of forgiveness.

C. Self-Control (temperance, taking control of your life by the power of the Holy Spirit)

1 Corinthians 9:24 "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it."

Our best challenge and biggest enemy is our own self, our own flesh; not others.

Don't let the things of the world destroy your walk with God.

Galatians 5:24-25 "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

The Spirit of God will reproduce the fruits of the Spirit in your live, forever.