Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness & Goodness
06/09/13
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Galatians 5:22-23
The fruit of the Holy Spirit being developed in the life of a follower of Christ includes the qualities of kindness and goodness. One definition of goodness is “who you are on the inside.” Kindness is “the outward expression of that goodness.”
In the story of David and his friendship with Jonathan we find these qualities working in David. Both Saul and Jonathan have died. But David made a commitment to Jonathan to show kindness to his family. So David asks if there is anyone left in Jonathan's family. There is a crippled young man named Mephibosheth. David has him come live with him in the King's house and provides for his every need.
As the Spirit nurtures this fruit in your life, kindness and goodness will become apparent in you. We begin by showing kindness to our own family and close friends. It is easy to take them for granted and take advantage of them. Also choose to show kindness to those who cannot return the favor. David chose to show kindness to this young man who would never be able to do the same for him. Show kindness when it may not be deserved. Jesus says for us to return hostility and mistreatment with kindness and love. As the Holy Spirit works in us we begin to live and act more like Jesus. Kindness will result in how we relate to others.
Podcast
The fruit of the Holy Spirit being developed in the life of a follower of Christ includes the qualities of kindness and goodness. One definition of goodness is “who you are on the inside.” Kindness is “the outward expression of that goodness.”
In the story of David and his friendship with Jonathan we find these qualities working in David. Both Saul and Jonathan have died. But David made a commitment to Jonathan to show kindness to his family. So David asks if there is anyone left in Jonathan's family. There is a crippled young man named Mephibosheth. David has him come live with him in the King's house and provides for his every need.
As the Spirit nurtures this fruit in your life, kindness and goodness will become apparent in you. We begin by showing kindness to our own family and close friends. It is easy to take them for granted and take advantage of them. Also choose to show kindness to those who cannot return the favor. David chose to show kindness to this young man who would never be able to do the same for him. Show kindness when it may not be deserved. Jesus says for us to return hostility and mistreatment with kindness and love. As the Holy Spirit works in us we begin to live and act more like Jesus. Kindness will result in how we relate to others.
Podcast
Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
06/02/13
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Galatians 5:22-23
Everybody is in a hurry. Technology development has only increased the speed at which people are expected to work, to communicate and it has the unintended consequence of making us impatient. So how do you overcome this struggle? Being impatient may have serious impact on you. You snap at a boss explaining how to do something efficiently. You get short with your spouse or family. You are in a hurry and end up in a car accident.
How do we become more patient? It begins with a new heart. Our hearts are sinful and selfish. Sin has caused us to want what we want when we want it. Only a transformation of one's heart will begin the work of the Spirit in you producing good fruit which includes patience.
Once we know Christ we need to unplug from our wired world regularly to renew our heart and mind before the Lord. Taking time each day to read God's word and be in his presence. When you are still and quiet you can hear from the Lord. The Spirit will speak into your life. As you cooperate with the Spirit-Paul describes it as “keeping in step with the Spirit”, you become more like Jesus and that means becoming more patient.
Podcast
Everybody is in a hurry. Technology development has only increased the speed at which people are expected to work, to communicate and it has the unintended consequence of making us impatient. So how do you overcome this struggle? Being impatient may have serious impact on you. You snap at a boss explaining how to do something efficiently. You get short with your spouse or family. You are in a hurry and end up in a car accident.
How do we become more patient? It begins with a new heart. Our hearts are sinful and selfish. Sin has caused us to want what we want when we want it. Only a transformation of one's heart will begin the work of the Spirit in you producing good fruit which includes patience.
Once we know Christ we need to unplug from our wired world regularly to renew our heart and mind before the Lord. Taking time each day to read God's word and be in his presence. When you are still and quiet you can hear from the Lord. The Spirit will speak into your life. As you cooperate with the Spirit-Paul describes it as “keeping in step with the Spirit”, you become more like Jesus and that means becoming more patient.
Podcast
Fruit of the Spirit: Peace
05/26/13
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Galatians 5:22-23
The Holy Spirit lives inside a follower of Christ. Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit will produce what he calls fruit in our lives. One of the qualities of this fruit is peace. Some try to create this peace on their own. Some think more stuff, more money, a better job, a new home, new car or a spouse is what will finally give them true peace. But they end up empty.
When life is pressure packed remember the Holy Spirit lives in a Christian. Believers are invited to put all their cares on Jesus.
You can trust the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will teach you and remind you of all Jesus has said and done. Those who quickly adjust their life to the direction of the Holy Spirit will find God's peace. Always remember the Holy Spirit will never lead you to do something that contradicts scripture. So keep in step with the Spirit and God's peace will guard your heart.
Podcast
The Holy Spirit lives inside a follower of Christ. Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit will produce what he calls fruit in our lives. One of the qualities of this fruit is peace. Some try to create this peace on their own. Some think more stuff, more money, a better job, a new home, new car or a spouse is what will finally give them true peace. But they end up empty.
When life is pressure packed remember the Holy Spirit lives in a Christian. Believers are invited to put all their cares on Jesus.
You can trust the counsel of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit will teach you and remind you of all Jesus has said and done. Those who quickly adjust their life to the direction of the Holy Spirit will find God's peace. Always remember the Holy Spirit will never lead you to do something that contradicts scripture. So keep in step with the Spirit and God's peace will guard your heart.
Podcast
Fruit of the Spirit: Joy
05/19/13
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Galatians 5:22-23
The second quality of the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian is Joy. This joy is not determined by having good circumstances in your life. This Joy comes from God's Spirit. As a disciple of Jesus you can experience His joy even when things are hard or you find yourself in a crisis.
Reflect each day on how God has worked in your life. Start giving thanks for every good gift God has given you. Paul says in Philippians 4:8 to meditate on that which is true, right, pure, lovely and admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy Paul says think about these things. As you begin remembering God's help, his work in you, gift of salvation, you will begin to pull the weeds of negative thoughts and attitudes. Joy will begin to take root in your soul.
Jesus did not pray that you would merely be happy or even that you would escape grief. He prayed that you would have the same joy that the Father had given Him: a divine joy, a joy that comes from a deep and unwavering relationship with the Father. It is a joy that is grounded so firmly in a relationship with God that no change in circumstances could ever shake it. This is the kind of joy that Christ is praying will be in you.
Podcast
The second quality of the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a Christian is Joy. This joy is not determined by having good circumstances in your life. This Joy comes from God's Spirit. As a disciple of Jesus you can experience His joy even when things are hard or you find yourself in a crisis.
Reflect each day on how God has worked in your life. Start giving thanks for every good gift God has given you. Paul says in Philippians 4:8 to meditate on that which is true, right, pure, lovely and admirable. If anything is excellent or praiseworthy Paul says think about these things. As you begin remembering God's help, his work in you, gift of salvation, you will begin to pull the weeds of negative thoughts and attitudes. Joy will begin to take root in your soul.
Jesus did not pray that you would merely be happy or even that you would escape grief. He prayed that you would have the same joy that the Father had given Him: a divine joy, a joy that comes from a deep and unwavering relationship with the Father. It is a joy that is grounded so firmly in a relationship with God that no change in circumstances could ever shake it. This is the kind of joy that Christ is praying will be in you.
Podcast
Fruit of the Spirit: Love
05/12/13
Dr. Phil Wilkes, Galatians 5:22-23
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Having this fruit expressed in you happens through an ongoing relationship with Jesus. As you nourish your intimacy with Christ the Holy Spirit works in you to shape you into the image of Jesus.
You choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the development of this good fruit in you. As you invest in your relationship with Christ through ongoing bible study and application of God's word to your life, prayer, worship (both privately and corporately with a local church) and serving others this fruit will grow in you by the power of God's Holy Spirit.
There are nine qualities of this fruit that Paul highlights in Galatians 5:22. They are not nine fruits but 9 characteristics of the fruit (singular). The first quality is Love. As God works this fruit into you, you will begin to love those around you, including those that you could not love on your own.
How is fruit season in your life? How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit being produced in you? As the Holy Spirit produces this fruit you will love others as God loves you. Our world is desperate for authentic love that does not walk away from them when their lives become broken and messy. Pay attention to who God puts in your life for you to love.
Podcast
John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Having this fruit expressed in you happens through an ongoing relationship with Jesus. As you nourish your intimacy with Christ the Holy Spirit works in you to shape you into the image of Jesus.
You choose to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the development of this good fruit in you. As you invest in your relationship with Christ through ongoing bible study and application of God's word to your life, prayer, worship (both privately and corporately with a local church) and serving others this fruit will grow in you by the power of God's Holy Spirit.
There are nine qualities of this fruit that Paul highlights in Galatians 5:22. They are not nine fruits but 9 characteristics of the fruit (singular). The first quality is Love. As God works this fruit into you, you will begin to love those around you, including those that you could not love on your own.
How is fruit season in your life? How can you cooperate with the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit being produced in you? As the Holy Spirit produces this fruit you will love others as God loves you. Our world is desperate for authentic love that does not walk away from them when their lives become broken and messy. Pay attention to who God puts in your life for you to love.
Podcast