“Do not ask God to guide your footsteps if you're not willing to move your feet.” (Sean Patrick Flanery)
Galatians
5:22-23, Easy-to-Read Version
But the fruit that the [Holy] Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
and self-control. There is no law against these kinds of things.
Jesus Followers mature (and spiritually grow) with the help of the
fruit of the Holy Spirit. They express…
Love intentionally-For God expressed His love for
the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him
will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life. (John 3:16, The Voice) Give up something important to you to demonstrate true
love.
Joy constantly- Consider it all joy, my
brethren, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the
testing of your faith produces endurance. (James 1:2-3,
Tree of Life Version) The difference between happiness and joy is
that happiness is a feeling and joy is an attitude (or grace recognized).
Peace tangibly- Great blessings belong to those
who work to bring peace. God will call them his sons and daughters. (Matthew 5:9, Easy-to-Read Version) Your relationship with God won’t be right (until it correct
with others).
Patience internally- Do not be shaped by this world. Instead be
changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what
God wants for you. And you will be able to know what is good and pleasing to
God and what is perfect. (Romans 12:2, International
Children’s Bible)Having patience helps us to put everything it
its proper perspective.
Kindness forgivingly-Be kind and loving to each other.
Forgive each other the same as God forgave you through Christ. (Ephesians 4:32, Easy-to-Read
Version) Jesus’ brand of kindness made Him appealing to
those in need.
Goodness generously-I truly believe I will live to
see the Lord’s goodness. (Psalm 27:13, International Children’s Bible) Is going above beyond what you have to do a characteristic
you possess?
Faithfulness corporately-Some people have gotten out of
the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on
encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord’s
coming is getting closer. (Hebrews 10:25, Contemporary English
Version) Corporate worship in church is a way we can
bond together as a member of the body of Christ.
Gentleness respectfully-They must not speak [badly] of anyone, and they must
not argue. They should be gentle and kind to all people. (Titus 3:2, New Life Version)Gentleness is strength under control.
Self-control daily- If you live without restraint and are unable
to control your temper, you’re as helpless as a city with broken-down defenses,
open to attack. (Proverbs 25:28, The Passion
Translation) Self-control is the restraints of one’s
emotions, impulses, and desires.
Spiritual
routines (like Bible reading, prayer, and church attendance) can sometimes get
monotonous (if done with regularity). As a Jesus follower, it is not our
biblical knowledge that is important, but our cooperation with the work of the
Holy Spirit in our life. Jesus is the power source that empowers us (in
everything we do in our lives).[i]
[i] Inspired
by the sermon “The Development of a Jesus Follower: Back to Basics”
(installment three) Sunday February 14, 2021, Pastor Jon Fulton (CPW).
In-person services are available at all four CenterPoint
campuses. CenterPoint also has an online Sunday morning service (10am) that
can be viewed at facebook.com/centerpointchurches or centerpointchurches.com.
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