Juicy Fruit: Taste & See the Goodness of a Spirit-Filled Life
Sometimes we are looking to reap a harvest that we didn’t plant or labor for.
Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Proof of Pursuit
The truth of the matter is… in life what we truly want most is what we get… because it’s what we pursuit.
“The proof of desire is found in our pursuits!”
Galatians 5:17 AMPC “For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.”
Fruit = Evidence
“Our character is the expression of what resides in our hearts and what we believe in our spirits. If our characters are rooted in Christ, the out-workings are fruit (or evidence) of His residency.” Christian Bevere
Patience: The Pathway To Peace
“The problem with patience is its takes too long.” – Pastor Steve Munds
Patience: LONG SUFFERING [forbearance & fortitude] cheerful, hope-filled endurance.
Patience is all about:
- Mastering the Art of Waiting
- Harnessing the Power of Endurance
It’s understanding the power & benefits of waiting for something (we want right now).
There is a concept that the Bible refers to as:
Seed – Time – Harvest
Genesis 8:22 “As long as the earth remains there will be seed, time and harvest.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.”
Here we see that planting seed, and reaping a harvest are different seasons.
Often we expect too quickly to reap a harvest from the seeds we’ve planted, but the key to a proper harvest is the space between sowing & reaping and it’s called time.
The Dangers of Impatience | Disobedience
1 Samuel 13:8-14 AMPC “Saul waited seven days, according to the set time Samuel had appointed. But Samuel had not come to Gilgal, and the people were scattering from Saul. So Saul said, Bring me the burnt offering and the peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering [which he was forbidden to do]. And just as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came! Saul went out to meet and greet him. Samuel said, What have you done? Saul said, Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines were assembled at Michmash, I thought, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord. So I forced myself to offer a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, You have done foolishly! You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God which He commanded you; for the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever; But now your kingdom shall not continue.”
You see lack of patience (which is ultimately a lack of trust in God) ultimately leads us to disobedience.
• The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing.
He gave up the long-term results that were more important in order to relieve the temporary pressure and obtain short-term results.
The Advantages of Patience
Luke 21:19 AMP “By your [patient] endurance [empowered by the Holy Spirit] you will gain your souls.”
Luke 21:19 NLT By standing firm, you will win your souls. When you’ve done all to stand, stand, therefore
James 1:4 “Let patience have its perfect work in you that you’ll be perfect and complete lacking nothing.”
Sometimes our faith is incomplete because our patience didn’t compete its path.
Lacking patience can leave a bad taste in our mouth when it comes to life and producing results and the fruits of the spirit.
A lack of patience, results in a lack of peace.
Patience is our guard against anxiety and angst and even misguided or misplaced ambition.
When we have to act of what’s driving us[flesh], it’s driving us away from the fruit of patience
Part 2: P E A C E
Peace: quietness & rest
WEBSTERS
1: A state of tranquility or quiet. Freedom from disturbance.
2 : Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.
Colossians 3:15 “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…”
Psalms 46:10 “Be still & know that I am God”
Rule: “to umpire or referee” and “to govern”
What is the fruit of P E A C E ?
• Calm // in our chaos
• Clarity // in our confusion
• Contentment // in our circumstance
• Comfort // in our calamity
Mark 4:35-41 AMPC “On that same day [when] evening had come, He said to them, Let us go over to the other side [of the lake]. And a furious storm of wind [of hurricane proportions] arose, and the waves kept beating into the boat, so that it was already becoming filled. But He [Himself] was in the stern [of the boat], asleep on the [leather] cushion; and they awoke Him and said to Him, Master, do You not care that we are perishing? And He arose and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Hush now! Be still (muzzled)! And the wind ceased (sank to rest as if exhausted by its beating) and there was [immediately] a great calm (a perfect peacefulness). He said to them, Why are you so timid and fearful? How is it that you have no faith (no firmly relying trust)? And they were filled with great awe and feared exceedingly and said one to another, Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey Him?”
Peace is obtained through surrender. Letting go of our own control, our own ability … and letting the Prince of Peace take charge. Peace is that simple. Understanding that things are best when I place them in the hands of Jesus instead of my own.
Prince of Peace | King Jesus
When Jesus came he did very little to bringing peace to the political climate of the time. Thats what people wanted, they wanted a world peace, an external peace. But peace is not an external thing it is an internal thing.
John 16:33 “I have told you these things that you may have peace. He has overcome the world.”
John 16:32-33 AMPC “But take notice, the hour is coming, and it has arrived, when you will all be dispersed and scattered, every man to his own home, leaving Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”
How To Obtain Peace
1. Peace Is Obtained By Prayer
Philippians 4:6 AMPC “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.”
2. Peace Is A Protector
Philippians 4:7 AMPC “And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
3. Peace Is Obtained By Perspective
Peace is created by our perspective and our perspective is determined by the thoughts we choose to embrace.
Philippians 4:8 AMPC “For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”
Whatever choose to meditate on can either keep our peace or steal our peace.
Turn the news off.
4. Peace Is Obtained Through Contentment
Philippians 4:11-13 AMP Not that I speak from [any personal] need, for I have learned to be content [and self-sufficient through Christ, satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or uneasy] regardless of my circumstances. 12 I know how to get along and live humbly [in difficult times], and I also know how to enjoy abundance and live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret [of facing life], whether well-fed or going hungry, whether having an abundance or being in need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens and empowers me; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]
HOLD
The way to follow and sense peace is to not be driven by our mind’s anxiety and stress… because those tings drive us to act quickly and brashly and without time to pause & process & be patient. Sometimes it’s in the waiting that causes us to recognize peace again… and as we sense it, we can follow it …but it starts with waiting/patience.
- Patience helps settle you… slow you down.
- Once you are settled… you have peace.
- Peace is rest.
- Some of us maybe have not rested in a very long time.
- Rest in your marriage
- Rest in your mind
Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Patience: The Path To Peace