Reclaiming Spiritual Fruit in Our Lives
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the fifth week of our summer sermon series, "Porch Swings and Garage Bands," focusing on the culture of our lives and how we can reclaim our spiritual fruit. We began by discussing the importance of defining the culture of our lives through our actions and what we allow to happen around us. The key question we must ask ourselves is, "What is the culture of my world?"
We explored the concept of spiritual fruit, as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These attributes should be evident in the life of every believer. Just as a healthy fruit tree naturally produces fruit, a healthy Christian life should naturally exhibit these spiritual fruits.
We emphasized that spiritual fruit is always on public display, whether positive or negative. This visibility impacts our evangelism and relationships. People around us, both believers and non-believers, can see the fruit we produce, and it affects how they perceive us and our faith.
We also discussed the importance of creating the right environment for spiritual fruit to grow. Just as certain fruits require specific climates and conditions to thrive, our spiritual fruit needs the right environment to flourish. This includes consuming the Word of God, engaging in Christian fellowship, and being mindful of the influences around us.
Finally, we touched on the principle of sowing and reaping. If we need more of a particular fruit in our lives, we should start by giving it to others. For example, if we need more joy, we should strive to bring joy to others. This principle applies to all aspects of spiritual fruit.
### Key Takeaways
1. Defining Our Culture: We define the culture of our lives by what we do and what we allow to be done. This means actively shaping our environment and actions to reflect the values we hold dear. Ask yourself daily, "What is the culture of my world?" and make conscious choices that align with the spiritual fruit you wish to cultivate. [50:33]
2. Spiritual Fruit on Display: Spiritual fruit is always visible to those around us. Whether it's love, joy, peace, or any other fruit of the Spirit, people can see it in our actions and attitudes. This visibility is crucial for our witness and relationships, as it shows the world that we are followers of Christ. [55:49]
3. Creating the Right Environment: Just as fruit trees need the right conditions to grow, our spiritual fruit requires a conducive environment. This includes regular consumption of the Word of God, engaging in Christian fellowship, and being mindful of the influences in our lives. A healthy spiritual environment leads to abundant fruit. [57:50]
4. Sowing and Reaping: The principle of sowing and reaping applies to spiritual fruit. If we need more of a particular fruit, we should start by giving it to others. For example, if we need more joy, we should strive to bring joy to others. This act of giving not only blesses others but also enriches our own lives. [01:11:35]
5. Self-Examination and Growth: Regularly examine the culture of your life and the fruit you are producing. Identify areas where you need growth and take purposeful actions to improve. Whether it's being more patient, gentle, or loving, making these changes will lead to a more fruitful and fulfilling Christian life. [01:09:23]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[48:32] - Community Nights and Upcoming Events
[49:48] - Introduction to the Sermon Series
[50:11] - Defining Culture
[51:54] - Reclaiming Our Fruit
[53:12] - The Fruit of the Spirit
[55:49] - Spiritual Fruit on Display
[57:50] - Creating the Right Environment
[01:03:47] - How to Reclaim Your Fruit
[01:08:59] - Is Your Life Favorable for Producing Fruit?
[01:11:35] - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
[01:17:02] - Prayer for Salvation
[01:20:08] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 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."
2. Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV): "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the attributes of the fruit of the Spirit?
2. In Matthew 7:15-20, how does Jesus say we can recognize false prophets?
3. What does the sermon suggest is the key question we must ask ourselves daily about our personal culture? ([50:33])
4. How does the sermon describe the visibility of spiritual fruit in our lives? ([55:49])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it important for spiritual fruit to be visible to others, according to the sermon? ([55:49])
2. How does the principle of sowing and reaping apply to spiritual fruit, as discussed in the sermon? ([01:11:35])
3. What does the sermon suggest about the environment needed for spiritual fruit to grow? ([57:50])
4. How does the sermon explain the impact of negative spiritual fruit on our relationships and evangelism? ([58:29])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the question, "What is the culture of my world?" What specific actions can you take this week to shape your environment to better reflect the fruit of the Spirit? ([50:33])
2. Think of a recent situation where your spiritual fruit was on public display. Was it positive or negative? How did it impact those around you? ([55:49])
3. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel is lacking in your life. What specific steps can you take to cultivate this fruit in your daily interactions? ([53:12])
4. Consider the principle of sowing and reaping. What is one way you can give joy, peace, or love to someone else this week, and how do you think it will affect your own life? ([01:11:35])
5. Evaluate the environment you are currently in. Are there any influences or habits that are hindering your spiritual growth? What changes can you make to create a more conducive environment for spiritual fruit to flourish? ([57:50])
6. Reflect on a relationship that may be suffering due to negative spiritual fruit. What specific actions can you take to improve this relationship by displaying positive spiritual fruit? ([58:29])
7. How can you incorporate regular consumption of the Word of God and Christian fellowship into your routine to ensure a healthy spiritual environment? ([57:50])
Devotional
Day 1: Shaping the Culture of Your Life
We define the culture of our lives by what we do and what we allow to be done. This means actively shaping our environment and actions to reflect the values we hold dear. Ask yourself daily, "What is the culture of my world?" and make conscious choices that align with the spiritual fruit you wish to cultivate. The culture of your life is not just a passive result of your surroundings but an active creation of your choices and actions. By being intentional about what you allow into your life and what you promote through your actions, you can create an environment that fosters spiritual growth and the production of spiritual fruit. [50:33]
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to shape the culture of your life to better reflect the spiritual fruit you wish to cultivate?
Day 2: The Visibility of Spiritual Fruit
Spiritual fruit is always visible to those around us. Whether it's love, joy, peace, or any other fruit of the Spirit, people can see it in our actions and attitudes. This visibility is crucial for our witness and relationships, as it shows the world that we are followers of Christ. The way we live our lives serves as a testimony to our faith. When we exhibit the fruits of the Spirit, we not only strengthen our own spiritual walk but also provide a living example of Christ's love and grace to others. [55:49]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: How can you make your spiritual fruit more visible in your daily interactions with others today?
Day 3: Cultivating the Right Environment
Just as fruit trees need the right conditions to grow, our spiritual fruit requires a conducive environment. This includes regular consumption of the Word of God, engaging in Christian fellowship, and being mindful of the influences in our lives. A healthy spiritual environment leads to abundant fruit. By immersing ourselves in God's Word, surrounding ourselves with fellow believers, and being cautious of negative influences, we create an environment where spiritual growth can thrive. [57:50]
Psalm 1:2-3 (ESV): "But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers."
Reflection: What changes can you make in your environment today to better support the growth of spiritual fruit in your life?
Day 4: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
The principle of sowing and reaping applies to spiritual fruit. If we need more of a particular fruit, we should start by giving it to others. For example, if we need more joy, we should strive to bring joy to others. This act of giving not only blesses others but also enriches our own lives. By focusing on sowing seeds of love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit in the lives of those around us, we create a cycle of blessing that returns to us in abundance. [01:11:35]
2 Corinthians 9:6 (ESV): "The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
Reflection: Identify one spiritual fruit you feel lacking in your life. How can you intentionally sow this fruit into the lives of others today?
Day 5: Self-Examination and Growth
Regularly examine the culture of your life and the fruit you are producing. Identify areas where you need growth and take purposeful actions to improve. Whether it's being more patient, gentle, or loving, making these changes will lead to a more fruitful and fulfilling Christian life. Self-examination is a crucial part of spiritual growth. By honestly assessing our actions and attitudes, we can identify areas that need improvement and take steps to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit more fully in our lives. [01:09:23]
Lamentations 3:40 (ESV): "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!"
Reflection: Take a moment to reflect on the spiritual fruit you are currently producing. What is one specific area where you need to grow, and what steps can you take today to foster that growth?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We define the culture of our lives by what we do and what we allow to be done. And we have to ask ourselves every day, what is the culture of my world?" [51:34] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Spiritual fruit is always on public display. You can't hide fruit. I mean, if you look at the Bible, if you look at most trees, and I'm sure because I know there's one or two of you because there's one or two in every congregation that is thinking, well, pastor, you know, this isn't always true because there is this one fruit that looks just like, okay, listen. On the averages, for the most part, the fruit look different from the leaves, don't they?" [55:49] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "The production of spiritual fruit and the display of that fruit in our lives are signs to the world that we are Christians. Okay? That's how the world around us can see that we are Christians. It should be the attracting thing about Jesus." [55:25] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Fruit only grows in the right environments. Certain fruit you know oranges tend to come from sunny humid climates. Why is that? I don't know. God designed them. He made them. Right? good coal spill in Florida will kill the orange juice market for a year because that's where they're growing." [01:04:28] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "If you need joy, start giving joy to other people. Think to yourself, what can I do today to make that person happy, to help them feel joy? What can I do today to brighten that person's day and just watch how not only will it help them but it's going to help you in the process. Why? Because you're sowing joy." [01:11:52] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "We started by looking at reclaiming our calendar, reclaiming our homes, reclaiming our circles. Last week and today, we continue by looking at reclaiming our fruit, reclaiming our fruit. And some of you, just like, what in the world are you talking about, Pastor Ronnie? I don't have any fruit trees. And if I did, nobody's stealing them, okay? That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about spiritual fruit." [52:16] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The reality is that every one of those attributes should be on display in the lives of every believer. Amen? That should be who we are. When people see us, they should see those things. And the thing about this, the fruit, I love the fruit example that Paul was using there because they should be naturally in production if we are healthy believers." [54:11] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If things aren't going good at your house, check your fruit. If things aren't going good in your friend circle, check your fruit. What are you showing to people? It can hinder romantic relationships. It can hinder relationships in your family. Well, me and my kids just don't get along. Okay. That may be their fault but before we go try to fix the deal let's look in a mirror what your fruit look like." [01:02:17] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "We have to make sure that we're doing everything we can to have an environment in our lives that's conducive for spiritual fruit to grow. Amen? Why? Because fruit only grows in the right environments." [01:08:37] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Give what you need and just watch how God does it. I have heard testimony after testimony after testimony of somebody who had a physical need in their body and they were needed healing and so but God laid on their heart to pray for somebody else who needed healing and while they was praying for that other person they were healed in the process." [01:12:53] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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