THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

JULY 31ST, 2005

GALATIANS 5: 22-26

THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

 

 

 

Introduction: The fruit of the Spirit is singular; one fruit with many characteristics.

 

 

I.     What are these characteristics of the Spirit?   (22-23)

 

     A.     Love - Unconditional, and based on the love of God on demonstration in our lives.

 

     B.     Joy - A positive outlook on life that is based on God’s love and God’s purpose.

 

     C.      Peace - An “inner calmness of emotions and thoughts which rests on the assurance that God is too good to be unkind and too wise to make mistakes.” (Gromacki)

 

     D.     Longsuffering - to put wrath far away

 

     E.     Gentleness - “Grace in action.”

 

     F.     Goodness - Uprightness of character

 

     G.     Faith - Believing God, and relying on His promises.

 

     H.     Meekness - Power under control

 

     I.     Temperance - Self control against fleshly desires.

 

II.     “...against such there is no law.”

 

     A.     The Law never said: “Thou shalt NOT love, or Thou shalt NOT be happy.”

 

          1.     The Law could not supply the ability to do these things.

          2.     The Spirit is the great source for which the Law could not empower.

 

     B.     Only by yielding to the Holy Spirit can we know the reality of these characteristics in our lives.

 

III.     All believers belong to the Lord Jesus Christ (24).

 

     A.     We belong to the crucified Lord.

 

     B.     The fleshly lusts and affections are a part of he old man that has been crucified.

 

IV.      All believers are commanded to walk in the Spirit (25).

          -     The Spiritual life demonstrates itself in a spiritual walk.

 

V.     A Spirit-filled Christian will not do certain things (26):

 

     A.     A Spirit-filled Christian does not desire “vain-glory.”

 

          1.     “Vain-glory” is the praise of man

          2.     Flattery is not to be sought by the Spirit-filled believer.

          3.     See Philippians 2:3.

 

     B.     A Spirit-filled Christian does not provoke other Christians.

 

          1.     “provoking one another” means making oneself look good at another’s expense.

          2.     Vain-glory leads to provoking.

 

     C.     “Envying one another” is a form of coveting the praise, position, and power of another.

 

 

Conclusion:     If you do not allow the Spirit to control you, you will spend your life trying to control others for selfish vanity.