Sunday service from July 28, 2024 featuring Pastor Jon’s message, part 1 of his series, “Fruit of the Spirit.”
In today’s sermon, we delved into the profound depths of God’s Word, focusing on the contrast between the evident evil in the world and the transformative power of focusing on what is good, pure, and holy. We began by examining Galatians 5:19-21, which lists the works of the flesh, and acknowledged the pervasive darkness in our world. However, we were reminded that this darkness is not new; it has always existed, and our response to it should not be one of surprise or despair.
The key scripture that guided our reflection was Philippians 4:8, where Paul instructs us to think about whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This shift in focus is not about ignoring the evil around us but about filling our minds and hearts with God’s goodness, which in turn transforms us and those around us.
We discussed the futility of merely condemning evil and the importance of embodying the fruits of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By living out these virtues, we become beacons of light in a dark world, drawing others to Christ through our example rather than through condemnation.
A poignant story was shared about a knight who, despite his high status, would daily remember his humble beginnings as a shepherd to keep himself grounded and grateful. This serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey, reminding us to stay humble and remember the grace we’ve received.
In conclusion, we are called to be imitators of God, walking in love as Christ loved us. This love is not passive but active, seeking to build up rather than tear down, to forgive rather than condemn. As we go deeper into the fruits of the Spirit in the coming weeks, let us commit to being vessels of God’s love and light in a world that desperately needs it.
Key Takeaways
1. The Pervasiveness of Evil: The world is filled with evident evil, as described in Galatians 5:19-21. This should not surprise us, as it has always been this way. Our focus should not be on condemning the darkness but on being the light that exposes it.
2. Focus on the Good: Philippians 4:8 teaches us to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. This shift in focus transforms our hearts and minds, allowing us to be effective witnesses of God’s love.
3. Embodiment of the Fruits of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 lists the fruits of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By embodying these virtues, we become beacons of light in a dark world, drawing others to Christ through our example.
4. Humility and Gratitude: The story of the knight who remembered his humble beginnings serves as a metaphor for our spiritual journey. We must stay humble and grateful, remembering the grace we’ve received, which keeps us grounded and effective in our witness.
5. Active Love and Forgiveness: Ephesians 4:29-32 and 5:1-2 call us to be imitators of God, walking in love as Christ loved us. This love is active, seeking to build up rather than tear down, to forgive rather than condemn. By doing so, we reflect God’s love to a world in desperate need of it.
Comments are closed