Living a Fruitful Life Through Love and the Spirit
Summary
In my sermon today, I began by greeting everyone warmly, acknowledging both the in-person congregation and those joining us online. I extended a special welcome to guests and encouraged them to connect with us for future support and engagement. I then introduced the concept of life hacks, those shortcuts we often seek to simplify our complex lives. I admitted that while these hacks are appealing, they often fall short of delivering lasting solutions.
I transitioned to discussing the true hack to a fruitful life, which is love. I reminded us that love, according to Scripture, is not primarily a feeling but an action. I emphasized that love is about acting in the best interest of others, even when it's challenging. I referenced Galatians 5:13-14, where Paul distills the entire law into one command: to love your neighbor as yourself. This, I declared, is the shortcut to a life that bears the fruit of the Spirit.
I then delved into the story of Wayne Gordon, who exemplified living a life led by the Spirit. His story of moving into an African American community in Chicago and starting a transformative ministry showed the power of being open to God's calling. I highlighted that the same Spirit that worked through Wayne Gordon is available to each of us, and that partnering with the Spirit is the key to bearing fruit in our lives.
I continued by explaining that bearing fruit like love and joy is not something we can do on our own—it requires a miracle, a divine intervention. I stressed that the Holy Spirit is the source of power that enables us to live as we were designed, not as we were before knowing Christ. I cited 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, which speaks of being transformed into Christ's image through the Spirit.
I then provided practical advice on how to walk in step with the Spirit, drawing from Galatians 5:16-25. I outlined three aspects: orienting our lives toward the Spirit, being attentive to the Spirit's leading, and making an ongoing effort to keep in step with the Spirit. I suggested creating routines and habits that foster this partnership, such as pausing to seek God's guidance at the start of each day or before entering into challenging situations.
As I concluded the sermon, I led us in prayer, asking God to help us live out the fruitful life He calls us to. I thanked everyone for their presence and participation, and I offered opportunities for further engagement and support within our church community.
Key Takeaways:
1. Love as an action is the foundational hack to a fruitful life. It's not about fleeting emotions but about consistently choosing to act in the best interest of others. This kind of love is a divine enablement, not a human achievement, and it requires us to lean into the Spirit's power to love even when it's difficult. [41:10]
2. The story of Wayne Gordon illustrates that when we posture our lives to hear from God and respond to His call, we can bear extraordinary fruit. His life's work in the inner city is a testament to what can happen when one person partners with the Spirit to enact change. [01:05:30]
3. Bearing fruit is not a matter of discipline but a miraculous work of the Spirit. It's about divine intervention in our lives, enabling us to love in ways that go beyond our natural capacities. This is the miracle of the Christian life. [53:06]
4. Walking by the Spirit involves orienting our lives toward God's guidance, being attentive to His leading, and making an ongoing effort to keep in step with Him. This may require changing our routines and habits to create space for the Spirit to work in us. [57:28]
5. Regular self-examination of our "produce bin" is crucial. We must assess whether our lives exhibit the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh. This introspection is necessary to ensure we are living out our true design and destiny in Christ. [49:22]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:13-14 (NIV): "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
2. Galatians 5:22-25 (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. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
3. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV): "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:13-14, what is the one command that fulfills the entire law?
2. What are the nine qualities listed as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?
3. In 2 Corinthians 3:17-18, what transformation is described, and who is responsible for this transformation?
4. How did the pastor describe love in the sermon? ([38:51])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize love as the fulfillment of the law in Galatians 5:13-14? How does this relate to the concept of freedom in Christ?
2. How can the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 be seen as evidence of a life led by the Spirit?
3. What does it mean to be transformed into Christ's image with "ever-increasing glory" as mentioned in 2 Corinthians 3:18? How does this transformation occur?
4. The pastor mentioned that bearing fruit like love and joy requires a miracle, a divine intervention. How does this perspective change the way we approach living a fruitful life? ([53:06])
#### Application Questions
1. The pastor emphasized that love is an action, not just a feeling. Think of a challenging relationship in your life. What specific actions can you take this week to show love in that relationship? ([38:51])
2. Reflect on the story of Wayne Gordon. How can you posture your life to be more open to God's calling, even if it leads you out of your comfort zone? ([01:05:30])
3. The pastor suggested creating routines and habits that foster partnership with the Spirit. What new routine or habit can you start this week to help you walk in step with the Spirit? ([57:28])
4. Regular self-examination of our "produce bin" is crucial. Take a moment to assess your life. Are there areas where you see the works of the flesh rather than the fruit of the Spirit? What steps can you take to address this? ([49:22])
5. The pastor mentioned the importance of being attentive to the Spirit's leading. How can you practice attentiveness to the Spirit in your daily life? Consider setting specific times during the day to pause and seek God's guidance. ([58:50])
6. The pastor talked about the need for ongoing effort to keep in step with the Spirit. What specific effort can you make this week to listen to the Spirit's guidance in a challenging situation you are facing? ([01:02:03])
7. Think about a time when you experienced joy despite difficult circumstances. How can you cultivate a pervasive, constant, and unending sense of well-being in your current situation? ([45:06])
Devotional
Day 1: Love in Action Transforms Lives
Love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice to act in the best interest of others, reflecting the heart of God. This kind of love goes beyond human capacity and requires divine enablement. It is a love that chooses to serve, to give, and to put others before oneself, even when it is difficult or inconvenient. It is a love that is patient, kind, and does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. This love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. It is this love that is the hallmark of a life lived in the Spirit, a life that is fruitful and fulfilling. By leaning into the Spirit's power, one can love in ways that are not naturally possible, demonstrating the miraculous nature of God's transformative love in our lives [41:10].
1 John 3:18 (ESV)
"Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: How can you demonstrate love through your actions towards someone you find challenging to love today?
Day 2: Heeding God's Call Leads to Fruitfulness
The story of Wayne Gordon serves as a powerful example of what can happen when an individual aligns their life with God's calling and relies on the Holy Spirit. By moving into a community and starting a ministry that transformed lives, Wayne Gordon showed that fruitfulness is not about where one is planted but how one responds to God's leading. This kind of fruitfulness is characterized by a willingness to step out in faith, to be open to change, and to embrace the opportunities God presents for making a difference in the world. It is a reminder that the same Spirit that empowered Wayne Gordon is available to all believers, inviting them to participate in God's redemptive work on earth. When one partners with the Spirit, the impact can be extraordinary, leading to a legacy of change and hope that resonates through generations [01:05:30].
Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
"Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."
Reflection: What is one way you can respond to God's call in your community this week?
Day 3: The Spirit's Miracle of Transformation
Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is not a result of human discipline or effort but a miraculous work of divine intervention. The Holy Spirit is the source of power that enables believers to exhibit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are not natural to the human condition but are evidence of the Spirit's transformative work within. This miracle is the essence of the Christian life, allowing believers to transcend their limitations and reflect the image of Christ to the world. It is through the Spirit that one can love in extraordinary ways, bringing light to dark places and hope to the hopeless [53:06].
2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV)
"His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to experience the Spirit's transformative power today?
Day 4: Aligning with the Spirit's Rhythm
Walking by the Spirit involves a conscious effort to align one's life with God's guidance and to be attentive to His leading. It requires changing routines and habits to create space for the Spirit to work within us. This alignment is a daily practice of seeking God's direction, listening for His voice, and being willing to adjust one's course accordingly. It is about cultivating a sensitivity to the Spirit's promptings and maintaining a posture of obedience and surrender. By doing so, believers can keep in step with the Spirit, experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for them [57:28].
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: What is one habit you can start today to become more attentive to the Spirit's leading in your life?
Day 5: Examining Our Spiritual Produce
Regular self-examination is crucial for believers to assess whether their lives exhibit the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh. This introspection helps ensure that one is living out their true design and destiny in Christ. It is an opportunity to reflect on the quality of one's "produce bin" and to make necessary adjustments to align with the Spirit's work. By examining the evidence of the Spirit in one's life, believers can identify areas that need growth and celebrate areas where they see maturity. This practice is essential for maintaining spiritual health and for continuing to grow in the likeness of Christ [49:22].
Galatians 6:4 (ESV)
"But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor."
Reflection: What fruit of the Spirit do you need to cultivate more intentionally, and what practical step can you take to do so?
Quotes
"Everybody loves a good hack, don't they? Like three ways to hack your productivity. Or, you know, one hack to get your inbox to zero. Five hacks to help your toddler when they throw a tantrum. We click on those, don't we? Because hacks are essentially shortcuts. A way to simplify the complexities of our life when we have so many things going on. And so we're a sucker for a good shortcut or a hack. Even though a lot of times, let's be honest, they don't work, right?" [34:16]
"Love, for the writers of Scripture, is not primarily a feeling. Now, that doesn't mean there aren't feelings of love, but that is generally not what they're talking about. Love is primarily for them, and if we're going to understand that, and if we're going to understand what they're saying, an action. Love is an action, not a feeling. That doesn't comport, it doesn't line up with the way we have lived our lives in this culture." [38:51]
"Paul, the apostle, was not the first one to talk about love is all you need. Jesus, when he was asked, what's the greatest commandment? What does he say? Love God and love your neighbor. Huh. And then Jesus would later go on to say, hey, this is how people will know that you're following me. That you're lined up with my agenda, with my mission. That you're part of my family, my community, by the love you have for one another." [42:00]
"Being able to love others is not the result of discipline. It is a miracle. Let me say that again, right? Being able to love the other person is not a matter of discipline. It's a miracle. What am I talking about? Miracles are divine. It's a divine intervention into the natural order of things, including my life and your life. And God's Spirit is the ever-present power that we can tap into in order to live that kind of miracle." [53:06]
"Joy is a pervasive, constant, and unending sense of well-being that flows from vision, peace, and hope. It is robust, being experienced even in the midst of suffering and loss. Which is why we say it's not an emotion, because in times of suffering and loss, we don't feel very, like, everything's bad, it's dark, it's gloomy, it's whatever. But there can still be this pervasive, constant, and unending sense of well-being." [45:06]
"If a fresh, fruitful life is your destiny, then it makes sense every now and then to just do a check and say, what is actually living in here? Is it love? Is it joy? You know, the best person to check your produce bin is you. I mean, you might have some, you know, unrequested help from family members. But honestly, we are the best ones at doing an evaluation and saying, is my life bearing the fruit of love, of acting in the best interest of others, of joy, of this pervasive, unending sense of well-being?" [49:22]
"Maybe it means before I roll out of bed in the morning and check whatever else is going on that I just pause and say, God, what do you have for me in this moment? Before I step into a classroom, as a student or as a teacher, as I'm walking across that threshold to just pause and ask, God, do you have something for me in this space? If the Spirit of God is truly working in our world and in our lives, then maybe we need a routine and a change of habit that encourages us to stop and pause." [01:03:52]
"Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what's contrary to the Spirit. The Spirit's what's contrary to the flesh. They're in conflict with each other. So that you are not to do whatever you want, but if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit and not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other." [57:28]
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