Embracing Other-Centered Love Through the Spirit
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by expressing gratitude for everyone's presence, both in person and online, and reflected on the powerful service we had the previous Sunday. I shared a personal anecdote about riding a stationary bike during last week's sermon and how, despite not having ridden a bike for over a year, I managed not to pass out and felt great afterward. The service was a success, with many coming to know Christ, and for that, I am thankful.
I then introduced our new series on the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing the importance of love and being other-centered as opposed to self-centered. I explained that we are naturally inclined to be self-centered, as evidenced by our tendency to prioritize our own interests and needs. I used the example of taking a selfie during the sermon to illustrate how we often look at ourselves first in a photo, which is indicative of our me-first mentality.
I recounted a personal story where I had the opportunity to be other-centered by doing household chores while my wife was out, but instead, I waited until she was almost home to start, so she would notice and appreciate my efforts. This, I admitted, was not true biblical servanthood.
I discussed the internal war that rages within us, as described in Galatians 5, between our sinful nature and our spiritual nature. This battle is not for our souls, which have been secured by Christ's sacrifice, but for our character. I highlighted the difference between religion, which tells us to do good to belong to God, and the gospel, which tells us we belong to God and therefore should do good.
I delved into Philippians 2:3, which instructs us to regard others as more important than ourselves. This verse challenges us to love others, even those we may disagree with politically or socially. I shared how the Holy Spirit convicts us to be other-centered, using the example of giving up a seat to an older person at a restaurant.
I emphasized that the fruit of the Spirit is not a pick-and-choose list but a singular fruit with multiple qualities that the Holy Spirit cultivates within us. I encouraged everyone to reflect on how well they are embodying the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
Finally, I concluded with a prayer, asking God to help us be other-minded and to love as He has loved us, empowering us with the Holy Spirit to be other-centered.
Key Takeaways:
1. True love is not about warm feelings or grand gestures; it's about consistently choosing to put others before ourselves. This is a daily battle against our natural self-centeredness, but it's a battle worth fighting because it transforms us into the image of Christ. ([58:38])
2. The Holy Spirit is committed to transforming our natural instincts into supernatural responses. By yielding to the Spirit's guidance, we can overcome our self-centered tendencies and produce the character qualities of Jesus in our lives. ([01:05:50])
3. The fruit of the Spirit is not a collection of separate attributes to select from but a singular fruit with multiple qualities that must all be present in our lives. As we allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, we should see growth in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. ([01:07:43])
4. Our character is constantly being refined through the internal conflict between our sinful nature and our spiritual nature. This battle is not for our salvation, which is secure in Christ, but for our character, which reflects our identity in Him. ([56:09])
5. The gospel calls us to a higher standard of love, one that is not based on status or personal gain but on the humble recognition of others' value. This love is counter-cultural and requires a commitment to live out the teachings of Philippians 2:3 in every aspect of our lives. ([52:04])
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Philippians 2:3 (NASB): "Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves."
2. Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Philippians 2:3 instruct us to do in our relationships with others? How does this challenge our natural tendencies? ([50:21])
2. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the qualities that make up the fruit of the Spirit? Why is it referred to as a singular fruit rather than multiple fruits? ([01:07:43])
3. In the sermon, the pastor shared a personal story about doing household chores. What was the main lesson he learned from that experience? ([01:04:02])
4. How did the pastor illustrate our natural self-centeredness using the example of taking a selfie? ([01:02:19])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Philippians 2:3 create an internal battle for the pastor, and how does this reflect the broader struggle between our sinful and spiritual natures? ([50:21])
2. How does the Holy Spirit help us transform our natural instincts into supernatural responses, according to the sermon? ([01:05:50])
3. What does it mean that the fruit of the Spirit is a singular fruit with multiple qualities? How should this understanding affect our approach to spiritual growth? ([01:07:43])
4. The pastor mentioned that the battle described in Galatians 5 is not for our souls but for our character. How does this distinction impact our daily lives and spiritual practices? ([56:09])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on Philippians 2:3. Can you think of a recent situation where you prioritized your own interests over someone else's? How could you have approached it differently? ([50:21])
2. The pastor shared a story about waiting to do chores until his wife was almost home. Have you ever done something similar to seek recognition? How can you practice true biblical servanthood in your daily life? ([01:04:02])
3. The sermon emphasized that the fruit of the Spirit is not a pick-and-choose list. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit to focus on this month. What specific action could you take to cultivate it in your interactions with your family or coworkers? ([01:07:43])
4. The pastor used the example of giving up a seat to an older person at a restaurant. Can you recall a recent moment when you felt a nudge to be other-centered but resisted? How can you be more responsive to the Holy Spirit's guidance in such situations? ([01:10:24])
5. The sermon highlighted the difference between religion and the gospel. How does understanding that you belong to God first change your motivation for doing good? ([01:14:12])
6. Think about a person who tests your patience. What is a short prayer you can say before the next time you interact with that person to help you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit? ([01:07:43])
7. The pastor mentioned the importance of recording progress in our spiritual journey. How can you start journaling your experiences with the fruit of the Spirit? What benefits do you think this practice might bring? ([01:19:35])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Selfless Love
True love is an active choice to prioritize others above oneself. It is a daily commitment to selflessness that reflects the nature of Christ within us. This love is not defined by fleeting emotions or grandiose actions but by the consistent, humble practice of considering others' needs and interests as more significant than our own. It is a battle against our inherent self-centeredness, which can manifest in subtle ways, such as seeking recognition for our good deeds or prioritizing our comfort over others' needs. By choosing to love selflessly, we engage in a transformative process that molds us into the likeness of Jesus, who exemplified the ultimate form of selfless love.
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3)
Reflection: How can you demonstrate selfless love in a practical way to someone in your life today, without seeking any form of recognition or reward? [58:38]
Day 2: Yielding to the Spirit's Transformation
The Holy Spirit is dedicated to transforming our natural, self-centered instincts into responses that mirror the character of Jesus. This supernatural change occurs as we surrender to the Spirit's guidance, allowing our actions and reactions to be shaped by His influence rather than our selfish desires. The process of yielding to the Holy Spirit involves recognizing our tendency to put ourselves first and actively choosing to follow the Spirit's promptings to love, serve, and honor others. As we do so, the qualities of Christ become increasingly evident in our lives, reflecting the transformative power of the Spirit at work within us.
"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you can yield to the Holy Spirit today, allowing Him to replace a self-centered habit with a Christ-like response? [01:05:50]
Day 3: Cultivating the Singular Fruit
The fruit of the Spirit is not a buffet from which we can pick and choose; it is a singular fruit that encompasses multiple qualities, all of which must be present and growing in our lives. As we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate this fruit within us, we should see a holistic development of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. This growth is not selective but comprehensive, reflecting the fullness of the Spirit's work in transforming us into the image of Christ. The presence of this fruit is a testament to the Spirit's active role in our lives and our willingness to be shaped by His hand.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23)
Reflection: Which aspect of the fruit of the Spirit do you find most challenging to exhibit, and what steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate this quality in you more fully? [01:07:43]
Day 4: Refining Character Through Conflict
Our character is continually refined through the internal struggle between our sinful nature and our spiritual nature. This conflict is not about our salvation, which is secure through Christ's sacrifice, but about the development of our character, which reflects our identity as followers of Jesus. The battle within us is a call to live out the gospel in our daily lives, allowing our character to be shaped and molded by our spiritual nature rather than our sinful inclinations. As we engage in this struggle, we become more like Christ, displaying His character in our actions and attitudes.
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." (Galatians 5:17)
Reflection: Can you identify a recent situation where your character was tested? How did you respond, and how can you align your future responses more closely with your spiritual nature? [56:09]
Day 5: Living the Gospel's Higher Standard of Love
The gospel calls us to a higher standard of love that goes beyond personal gain or social status. This love is rooted in humility and the recognition of others' inherent value. It is a counter-cultural love that challenges us to live out the teachings of Jesus, treating others with the same regard and respect we desire for ourselves. This commitment to gospel-centered love requires us to look beyond our differences and to serve others with a genuine heart, reflecting the love of Christ in every interaction and relationship.
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
Reflection: How can you practice this higher standard of love in a situation where you disagree with someone, whether politically, socially, or personally? [52:04]
Quotes
"We're just born to be self-centered people. I know I can be a selfish, the most selfish-centered person around. And I'm constantly struggling with this with my family, with my coworkers, with other people in my life. I have a tendency, in fact we all have a tendency to think about me, myself, and I." [01:00:42]
"I had the opportunity to just do it out of the goodness of my heart, without any glory, without any recognition. But by design, I have a tendency to be self-centered. And this is where the Holy Spirit comes. See, the Holy Spirit of God, when he comes in your life, he's helping us be aware of these moments." [01:05:50]
"God is more interested in who you're becoming and not what you're doing. You can do all the things, but not become who God wants you to be. And that's just the fruit of the Spirit. And see, that's what God is committed in Galatians chapter five." [01:07:43]
"Philippians 2, 3, it calls us to regard them no matter who they are. Regard them more as important as yourself. We're called to be people of God, to live this out, because that's what God did to us by sending His Son to us." [01:18:37]
"Love is becoming other-centered and not self-centered. None of us have to be taught, right, to think about ourselves. See, we were born with a me-first mentality. Philippians 2.3 is the best definition of love you will find regarding one another as more important than yourself." [58:38]
"We don't pick and choose. We can't say, you know, I tend to be a peaceful person, but love, that's not me. That's not my fruit. Oh, patience? Nah, I'm the least patient person in the room. That's not for me. It's one fruit with nine qualities, all of them." [01:09:15]
"The Holy Spirit begins to nudge, begins to speak. He said, hey, there's an older person right there who could use your seat. I eyeballed that guy. I said, I don't know, he looks okay. I said, no, you should probably give him your seat." [01:11:43]
"Do good so that you will one day belong to God. But the gospel says you belong to God. Now go and do good. Do you see the difference? The key to winning is so that we can be the people we want to be. It's not trying harder to be good." [01:14:12]
"When we cooperate with the Holy Spirit of God to love people, stuff happens in your life and mine. Number one, a little more of the old self dies. Your old flesh. The old self. It begins to die. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with his passions and desires." [01:13:30]
"This battle that we see in Galatians Chapter 5, this is a battle between believers. This is a believers' battle that's going on. If you're a non-believer, then this battle that's in Galatians Chapter 5 is not happening in your life. There's a different battle for your soul." [55:42]
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