Galatians (Part 16)

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Series: In Christ + Nothing
Text: Galatians 5:22–23
Theme: The Fruit of the Spirit

Introduction

• Jesus never promised to eliminate difficulties; He promised to walk with us through them.

• Our lives and testimonies become fruit that others can “eat” from—hope, kindness, gentleness in hard times.

• Paul contrasts the works of the flesh (last week’s message) with the fruit of the Spirit (today’s message).

Two Keys About the Fruit of the Spirit

1. Fruit is meant to be encountered, not just studied.

   • It should be seen, felt, tasted, and experienced by others.

2. Fruit is never for the tree itself.

   • Apple trees don’t eat their own apples.

   • Fruit is meant to bless others.

Example of Living Fruit

• Erika Kirk forgave her husband’s murderer publicly, echoing Jesus on the cross: “Father forgive them.”

• Forgiveness is not natural but supernatural—empowered by the Holy Spirit.

• Forgiveness is a process, not a one-time event (Matthew 18:22, 70x7).

The Natural vs. the Supernatural

• Natural response to pain: anger, vengeance, bitterness.

• Supernatural response through the Spirit: love, peace, patience, forgiveness.

The Contrast: Flesh vs. Spirit

• Works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19–21): immorality, impurity, jealousy, anger, drunkenness, etc. → destructive.

• Fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22–23): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control → life-giving.

• Big Idea: The Spirit produces what the flesh cannot.

The Fruits Explained

1. Love – foundation of all the others; agape love that gives at personal cost.

2. Joy – rooted in God, not circumstances; a foretaste of the coming kingdom.

3. Peace – more than absence of conflict; wholeness and trust in God.

4. Patience – long-suffering; reflects God’s patience with us.

5. Kindness – tender concern seeking others’ good (Romans 2:4).

6. Goodness – moral integrity, pursuing righteousness.

7. Faithfulness – reliability and steadfastness, reflecting God’s nature.

8. Gentleness – strength under control, humility, teachability.

9. Self-Control – mastery over desires, reflecting freedom in Christ.

Note: The fruit is singular—one Spirit produces all of these in us.

How to Walk in the Fruit of the Spirit

1. Crucify the flesh daily – not just a one-time act, but a daily dying to self.

2. Keep in step with the Spirit (Gal. 5:25) – live aligned with the Spirit’s leading.

   • Surrender daily: “Holy Spirit, lead me today.”

   • Stay rooted in God’s Word.

   • Listen to the Spirit’s promptings.

   • Obey quickly.

   • Walk in community (church, life groups, discipleship).

Why the Fruit Matters

• For others. Our fruit feeds the world around us—family, friends, co-workers.

• Without fruit, we drift back into fleshly living: conceit, envy, comparison.

• Fruit is the visible evidence of Christ in us.

Questions for Reflection

1. What does your fruit taste like? Sweet or bitter? Fresh or rotten?

2. Who is eating your fruit? Your family, neighbors, coworkers?

Application & Communion

• Examine your heart: is your fruit reflecting Christ?

• Lay bitterness and sin at the cross.

• Communion reminds us of forgiveness and restores us to bear sweet fruit.

Closing Prayer

• Ask the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in us.

• May our lives be overflowing with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—so that others experience Christ through us.