“We are not saved by fruit; but real faith is not fruitless faith.”
Sermon Title: SPIRITUAL GROWTH & THE HOLY SPIRIT
Scripture Text: GALATIANS 5:16-25
Sermon Notes:
GALATIANS 5:16-25 NASB
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
JOHN 16:13a NASB
13 “But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth;
ROMANS 8:26 NASB
26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
GALATIANS 5:16 NASB
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
GALATIANS 5:25 NASB
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NASB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
“Fans admire fruit, but followers bear fruit.”
I. THE POWER BEHIND CHRISTIAN MATURITY: THE HOLY SPIRIT
… one of the most serious threats against the church today, … is this new kind of sanctification effort without the Holy Spirit. The church has brought into human pragmatism, ideas, techniques. …
“We have become the victim of humanistic ideas, therapies, human efforts, all kinds of human principles, human devices to try to accomplish spiritual goals.” — John MacArthur
GALATIANS 5:16 NASB
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
GALATIANS 5:18 NASB
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NASB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
“Walking by the Spirit is taking one step in front of another in the same direction over a long time.”
GALATIANS 5:16-17 NASB
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
GALATIANS 5:16-17 NASB
17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
GALATIANS 5:19-21 NASB
19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these…
“Apart from the Spirit of God, we cannot overcome sin.”
GALATIANS 5:18 NASB
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NASB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
II. THE EVIDENCE OF CHRISTIAN GROWTH: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NASB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
a. CHRISTIAN GROWTH IS GRADUAL
b. CHRISTIAN GROWTH IS CERTAIN
“We are not saved by fruit; but real faith is not fruitless faith.”
“You cannot know you’re a Christian if you’re not growing.”
c. CHRISTIAN GROWTH IS TOTAL
GALATIANS 5:22-23 NASB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
III. THE PROCESS OF THE CHRISTIAN MATURITY: CRUCIFIXION
GALATIANS 5:24-25 NASB
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
LUKE 9:23 NASB
23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. NASU
GALATIANS 5:25 NIV
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
I. The power behind Christian growth: The Holy Spirit.
II. The evidence of Christian growth: The fruit of the Spirit.
III. The process of Christian growth: Crucifixion.