Lesson 8 Fruit of Spirit: Secret of the Vine

John 15-1-9
Joh 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
Joh 15:2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.
Joh 15:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.
Joh 15:4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
Joh 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.
Joh 15:6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.
Joh 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.
Joh 15:8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
Joh 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.


1. We are created for Abundance :
• Basket 1 : No fruits
• Basket2 : fruit
• Basket 3 :more fruits
• Basket 4 : Much fruit

2. Lives That Bear No Fruit : God disciplines those He loves
If God lives bear no fruit, God will intervene. His purpose for cleansing is to set us free of our sins so that can live a more abundant life for His glory.

Deu 8:5 Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the LORD your God disciplines you.
Deu 8:6 Observe the commands of the LORD your God, walking in his ways and revering him.

Heb 12:5 My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:
Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
Heb 12:6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Heb 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Heb 12:7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Heb 12:8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Heb 12:9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!
Heb 12:10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.

Heb 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Key Principles :
• God is the source of discipline
• He disciplines all believers, and
• He always act out of love
• Discipline need not continue its all up to us.

Discipline by Degrees:
• Rebuke
• Chastens (feeling of unfulfilled)
• Scourges (long term sins)

Effect of long term sins
1Co 11:29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
1Co 11:30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

3. Some fruits : Pruning for more fruits

V2 : Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

Vinedresser’s cares for the vine, rampant growth or fruits?. To have More is Less.

Rampant growth represents the preoccupations and priorities in our lives that while not wrong is keeping us from significant ministry for the Lord.

Discipline is about the sin, pruning is about self.In pruning God asks us to let go of things that keep us from His kingdom purposes and our ultimate goal. (clarify ???)

Issue Discipline Pruning
What needs to go? Sin Self
How should we feel? Guilty, sad Relief, trust
What is the right response? Repentence Release-Give God our permission
When does it stop? When we stop sinning When God finishes

4. More fruits : Intensive pruning:Testing of our Faith.

Jas 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
Jas 1:3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
Jas 1:4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

What are situations of testings ?

Our reaction:
Rom 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The test of faith doesn’t really test anything unless it pushes us past our last test.

Even though the duration and breadth of pruning season will vary, no seasons last indefinitely.

Mature pruning is God’s way of helping us put in practice the command to” seek first the Kingdom of God”

Example of Apostle Paul.
He began with his own description as

Php 3:5 If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more, circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; Php 3:6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.

At the end of his life. We see a man who had been pruned until there was nothing left of his self life. In his final letter in prison, paul wrote :

Php 3:7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
Php 3:8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ
(Php 3:9) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.
(Php 3:10) I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
(Php 3:11) and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
(Php 3:12) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.
(Php 3:13) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
(Php 3:14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
(Php 3:15) All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

Consider the many trails Paul endured. Consider the incredible size of paul’s harvest. Paul branches are still yielding fruits today

5. Much Fruit : Abiding in Christ

Food for thght :“When our competency increase , our relationship with Him decreases”

V9: abide in Christ love, find nourishment.
How do we abide : Devote Time and increase broadness of time.

Lesson 7 Fruit of Spirit: Gentleness & Self-Control

(Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

GENTLENESS

1. Introduction :

The root phraos is interpreted into 3 different English words:
Matt 5:5 Meek
Tit 3:2 Humility
Gal 5:23 Gentleness

Gentleness is not the lack of internal strength or weakness but its strength under control.
The greek use the word, phraos when describing a wild animal that had been tamed. Picture of a race horse that has been disciplined and does what the rider instructs it to do.

Gentleness is balanced and discipline.

Jesus the example:

Mat 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Mat 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

1Co 4:21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a whip, or in love and with a gentle spirit?
1Th 2:7 but we were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
1Pe 3:15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
Pro 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Contrast Matt 21: What is gentleness? Why did Jesus act the way he did?

Mat 21:12 Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
Mat 21:13 "It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"

Giving Views : Coaching

Gal 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
Gal 6:2 Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

God faithfulness eg Peter denied Christ 3 times, Upon resurrection, Jesus said to Peter “ Feed my sheep” God of 2nd chances.

Coaching : Story of appealing to God principles instead of views of what is wrong.

SELF-CONTROL

The Greek word of self –control is a combination of 2 words. “en” and “kratos”. En means “in”, and kratos means strength , power, might or dominion. Kratos is used in English words “democratic- people power, theocratic- God power, and autocratic – self power/rule.
A person En Kratos is a person who has strength within.

So Who rule our life?

Many people have control in many areas of our lives but are falling apart in other areas.

Self control is allowing the Holy Spirit to empower a person so that he is able to voluntarily abstain from anything that hinder the fulfilment his purpose.

Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Gal 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
Gal 5:20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
Gal 5:21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Impact of the Lack of Self Control:
Pro 25:28 Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Self Control And Self Discipline
1Co 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
1Co 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Php 3:13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,
Php 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Conclusion:
A Spirit led life is a self controlled life.

Gal 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Gal 5:17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
Gal 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.
Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
Eph 5:10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

Lesson 6 Fruit of Spirit: Goodness & Faithfulness

(Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

GOODNESS

1. Introduction :

Good is the absence of defect or flaw the presence of completeness wholesomeness. Jesus said that only God is good. When jesus was called “Good teacher” he responded by asking why do you call me good.

Mar 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.

"Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Mar 10:18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.

The greek word of goodness is Agathosune, is a rare word that combines being good and doing good. It is the actual manifestation of kindness, a bountiful propensity both to will and to do what is good, intrinsic goodness producing generosity, and a godlike state of being. Means “being like God.”

How do we be Good?

Eph 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

Eph 5:9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

2Th 1:11 With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.

(Ps: 51:5) David said “surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceive me”

(Rom 3:23) Paul informs us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

(Rom 5:8) Yet, “While we were yet sinners Christ dies for us”

(Rom 8:9, Col 1:27) People were created in the image of God, after salvation Christ dwells in us and the Holy Spirit becomes part of our lives. Because of that He will help us to do good.

Php 2:12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

Sanctification is immediate, yet it is progressive act as well.

Rom 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

Rom 6:17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.

Rom 6:18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Progressive acts of putting to death sinful activities, wrong feeling and thinking (Rom 8:1-17)

FAITHFULNESS

Introduction:

The fruit of faithness is trustworthiness and steadfastness of character in the life of a believer.

The greek word for Faithfulness is pitis, is translated to mean “faith”, “belief” and “trusted”. Those who are fithful are dependable and we can place our trust in them.

God nature is faithfulness

2Ti 2:13 If we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

chrestos: goodness in action, sweetness in disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those who are trying our patience.

Lesson 5 Fruit of Spirit: Patience and Kindness

(Gal 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Patience
1. Introduction :

The greek word of patience is macro-thumia, which means – macro=long, thumos=temper. The idea is similar to that of anger taking a long time to build up before it is being expressed. It is under control.

Fruits are linked.

What does God says about anger. Paul caution (Ephes 4:26) “In your anger do not sin”. Anger it an emotion given by our creator, in itself is not wrong, but its how we chose to display it.

Constructive anger vs destructive anger.

Impatience and destructive anger is a learned response, however it can be replaced under the control of the Holy Spirit

Thomas Kempis (Imitation of Christ)
Patience is necessary in this life because much of life is fraught with adversity. No matter how we try, our lives will never be without strife and grief. Peace is not found in escaping temptations but by being tried by them. We discover peace when we have been tried and come through the trail of temptations.

A patient person knows the shortness of time and the length of eternity.

KINDNESS

Introduction:
The greek word for kindness is chrestos. :goodness in action, sweetness in disposition, gentleness in dealing with others, benevolence. The word describes the ability to act for the welfare of those who are trying our patience.

Read Luke 6:32- 36
Luk 6:35 -36 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Jer 9:24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

David says : Psa 86:5 You are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in love to all who call to you.

His kindness to sinners should encourage to continue in his kindness:

Rom 11:22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.


Who is our neighbour ?
Luk 10:27 He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Story of good Samaritian Luke 10:30 -37.

We all have good reasons to walk pass. WE choose our feelings, to be compassionate or to turn away.


Summary :

Mat 9:36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Mat 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Mat 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."