Sunday service from August 11, 2024 featuring part 2 of Pastor Jon’s series, “Fruit of the Spirit.”
This morning, as we gathered in worship, I felt a strong prompting from the Holy Spirit to address a common question many of us have: “What’s next?” This question often arises from a place of confusion and discontent, feelings that I personally experienced over the past few days. The Holy Spirit revealed that many of us are in a similar state, seeking clarity and direction for our future. We prayed together for clarity of vision and understanding, asking God to replace our confusion with His peace and purpose.
We then turned to 1 Corinthians 2:9-10, which reminds us that God has prepared unimaginable things for those who love Him and that these things are revealed to us through His Spirit. This underscores the importance of listening to the Holy Spirit amidst the noise and distractions of our daily lives. I shared a personal anecdote about how I was overwhelmed by multiple stimuli, which hindered my ability to hear God’s voice. This led me to a moment of repentance and a renewed commitment to focus on God.
We also explored Ephesians 4:29-32 and Ephesians 5:1-14, emphasizing the need to avoid corrupting talk and to walk in love, imitating God. This involves putting away bitterness, wrath, and malice, and instead, being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. We are called to expose the unfruitful works of darkness and to walk as children of light, making the best use of our time because the days are evil.
In Galatians 5:19-23, we contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, highlighting that living by the Spirit leads to love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes are the true markers of a mature Christian life. We are encouraged to grow beyond spiritual infancy and to live in a way that reflects God’s love and grace.
Finally, we discussed the importance of sowing in faith, even in times of famine, as illustrated in Genesis 26:12-13. Isaac sowed in a year of famine and reaped a hundredfold because he trusted God. This principle applies to our lives today; when we sow in faith, we will reap a harvest, regardless of external circumstances.
Key Takeaways
1. Seek Clarity and Peace from God: When feeling discontent and confused, turn to God for clarity and peace. He is not a God of confusion but of purpose and direction. Trust that He will reveal the next steps for your life as you seek Him earnestly.
2. Listen to the Holy Spirit: Amidst the distractions and noise of daily life, make a conscious effort to listen to the Holy Spirit. He reveals the deep things of God and guides us into all truth. Remove distractions that hinder your ability to hear His voice.
3. Walk in Love and Forgiveness: Emulate God’s love by being kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving. Avoid corrupting talk and bitterness. Instead, focus on building others up and walking in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us.
4. Live by the Spirit: The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—should be evident in our lives. These attributes reflect a mature Christian life and are essential for walking in God’s will.
5. Sow in Faith: Trust God and sow in faith, even in difficult times. Just as Isaac reaped a hundredfold in a year of famine, we too can experience God’s blessings when we act in faith, regardless of external circumstances.
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