Spiritual Intimacy: The Source of True Fruit
Summary
### Summary
Today, we began a new series focused on the results of spiritual intimacy, specifically through the lens of the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5. The essence of this series is to understand that true spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured; it is a natural byproduct of a deep, intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Just as a healthy relationship between a man and a woman naturally produces offspring, so does our intimacy with the Holy Spirit produce spiritual fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
We explored the idea that the Holy Spirit is not just a source of emotional highs or spiritual gifts like prophecy and speaking in tongues, but a constant companion who guides, strengthens, and sustains us through life's complexities. This relationship is akin to the natural, unspoken intimacy between a husband and wife, where actions like holding hands become second nature. Similarly, our walk with the Holy Spirit should be so intimate that we instinctively lean on Him for guidance and support.
We also discussed the importance of being led by the Holy Spirit, even when it leads us into challenging situations. Jesus Himself was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted, showing that spiritual guidance does not always lead to comfort but to growth and preparation for greater things. This is a reminder that our freedom in Christ comes with responsibilities and that true freedom is found in being led by the Spirit.
Moreover, we touched on the importance of compassion, especially towards those struggling with identity issues. The enemy seeks to confuse and destroy, but our response should be one of love and prayer, not condemnation. We are called to be vessels of God's love, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to manifest in our lives and impact those around us.
Finally, we emphasized that the fruit of the Spirit is not for our own display but to be shared, planting seeds in others that can grow and reproduce. This is the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey: to produce fruit that glorifies God and draws others into a relationship with Him.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Fruit as a Natural Byproduct: True spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured; it is the natural result of an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Just as a healthy relationship between a man and a woman produces offspring, so does our intimacy with the Holy Spirit produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits. This intimacy is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life. [01:53]
2. The Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion: The Holy Spirit is not just a source of emotional highs or spiritual gifts but a constant companion who guides, strengthens, and sustains us. This relationship should be as natural and unspoken as the intimacy between a husband and wife, where actions like holding hands become second nature. [05:21]
3. Being Led by the Spirit: Being led by the Holy Spirit can sometimes lead us into challenging situations, as it did with Jesus in the wilderness. This guidance is not always comfortable but is essential for our growth and preparation for greater things. True freedom in Christ comes with responsibilities and is found in being led by the Spirit. [12:21]
4. Compassion Over Condemnation: Our response to those struggling with identity issues should be one of love and prayer, not condemnation. The enemy seeks to confuse and destroy, but we are called to be vessels of God's love, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to manifest in our lives and impact those around us. [27:34]
5. Sharing the Fruit: The fruit of the Spirit is not for our own display but to be shared, planting seeds in others that can grow and reproduce. This is the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey: to produce fruit that glorifies God and draws others into a relationship with Him. [46:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:53] - Introduction to Spiritual Intimacy
[03:19] - The Offspring of Intimacy with the Holy Spirit
[05:21] - Natural Intimacy with the Holy Spirit
[06:11] - Everyday Walk with the Holy Spirit
[09:51] - The Holy Spirit as a Person
[11:00] - Leash Law: Being Led by the Spirit
[12:21] - Jesus Led by the Spirit
[14:31] - The Wilderness Experience
[19:02] - Constraints and Freedom
[20:39] - Responsibilities with Freedom
[27:34] - Compassion for Those Struggling with Identity
[35:16] - Love and the Fruit of the Spirit
[46:15] - Sharing the Fruit
[49:57] - Invitation to Relationship with God
[52:00] - Closing Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law."
2. Luke 4:1 (NIV): "Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness."
3. Romans 8:14 (NIV): "For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God."
### Observation Questions
1. What are the nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23?
2. According to the sermon, how is the relationship between a man and a woman used as an analogy for our relationship with the Holy Spirit? [01:53]
3. What was Jesus led to do by the Holy Spirit after His baptism, as mentioned in Luke 4:1? [12:21]
4. How does the pastor describe the Holy Spirit's role in our daily lives, similar to the natural intimacy between a husband and wife? [05:21]
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does the pastor emphasize that true spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured but is a natural byproduct of intimacy with the Holy Spirit? [01:53]
2. How does the example of Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit challenge our understanding of spiritual guidance and comfort? [12:21]
3. What responsibilities come with the freedom we have in Christ, according to the sermon? [19:26]
4. How should our response be towards those struggling with identity issues, based on the pastor's message? [27:34]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current relationship with the Holy Spirit. How can you cultivate a deeper intimacy with Him in your daily life? [05:21]
2. Think of a challenging situation you are currently facing. How can you seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength to navigate through it? [12:21]
3. Identify one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit that you feel is lacking in your life. What specific steps can you take this week to cultivate that fruit? [01:53]
4. How can you show compassion and love to someone struggling with identity issues, rather than responding with condemnation? [27:34]
5. In what ways can you share the fruit of the Spirit with others around you, planting seeds that can grow and reproduce? [46:15]
6. Consider a time when you felt led by the Holy Spirit into a difficult situation. How did that experience contribute to your spiritual growth and preparation for greater things? [12:21]
7. How can you balance the freedom you have in Christ with the responsibilities that come with it, especially in your interactions with others? [19:26]
Devotional
Day 1: Spiritual Fruit as a Natural Byproduct
True spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured; it is the natural result of an intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit. Just as a healthy relationship between a man and a woman produces offspring, so does our intimacy with the Holy Spirit produce love, joy, peace, and other fruits. This intimacy is essential for navigating the complexities of modern life. [01:53]
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV): "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."
Reflection: Think about your current relationship with the Holy Spirit. What steps can you take today to deepen this intimacy and allow the natural fruit of the Spirit to manifest in your life?
Day 2: The Holy Spirit as a Constant Companion
The Holy Spirit is not just a source of emotional highs or spiritual gifts but a constant companion who guides, strengthens, and sustains us. This relationship should be as natural and unspoken as the intimacy between a husband and wife, where actions like holding hands become second nature. [05:21]
John 14:16-17 (ESV): "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you."
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and rely on the Holy Spirit as your constant companion throughout your day today?
Day 3: Being Led by the Spirit
Being led by the Holy Spirit can sometimes lead us into challenging situations, as it did with Jesus in the wilderness. This guidance is not always comfortable but is essential for our growth and preparation for greater things. True freedom in Christ comes with responsibilities and is found in being led by the Spirit. [12:21]
Matthew 4:1 (ESV): "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent challenging situation. How can you see the Holy Spirit's guidance in that experience, and what growth or preparation might it be leading you towards?
Day 4: Compassion Over Condemnation
Our response to those struggling with identity issues should be one of love and prayer, not condemnation. The enemy seeks to confuse and destroy, but we are called to be vessels of God's love, allowing the fruit of the Spirit to manifest in our lives and impact those around us. [27:34]
Ephesians 4:32 (ESV): "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."
Reflection: Think of someone you know who is struggling with identity issues. How can you show them compassion and love today, rather than judgment or condemnation?
Day 5: Sharing the Fruit
The fruit of the Spirit is not for our own display but to be shared, planting seeds in others that can grow and reproduce. This is the ultimate goal of our spiritual journey: to produce fruit that glorifies God and draws others into a relationship with Him. [46:15]
John 15:8 (ESV): "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could benefit from the fruit of the Spirit in you. How can you intentionally share love, joy, peace, or another fruit with them today?
Quotes
1. "I'm here to tell you today, the reason why it doesn't happen like it used to happen is because the Holy Spirit's wanting us to go deeper in our relationship with Him, because, how many know, we need a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit to get through life these days. Just getting my, getting my Holy Ghost doodads will not get me through my life anymore, because life is way more difficult than it used to be." [03:19] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "In everyday life, we're walking along with the Holy Spirit, arm in arm with Him, letting Him speak to our lives, letting Him guide us and directing us, letting Him be there for us to give us strength and to give us wisdom. When we falter, we've got our arm in His, and He holds us up. When we fail, He holds, picks us back up. When, because He's there, we have this intimacy." [06:11] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We are not under the law anymore. When you are with the Holy Spirit, there is freedom. There are times when my wife has said things to me, like she says, I feel so safe when I'm with you. See, that's what we need to feel when we have the Holy Spirit. When we are led by the Holy Spirit, we can feel safe in the middle of everything." [15:31] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "When you go where He takes you, it's going to be the best thing in your life. I've already told you the story about how I ended up, doing what I'm doing. But I'm here to tell you, I am having a blast. I'm having a blast, y'all. I love doing this. I love sharing. When I get insight into scripture, I just can't wait to share it with somebody." [20:01] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you enjoy something, when you, when you're living your life and you want to share it with people, this is the way the Holy Spirit is. Where he leads you, it may be painful getting there, but when you get to where he's taking you, you're going to say, man, it was worth it. But I'm here to tell you the journey can be good too." [23:15] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "If you find no sin to confess or unwise behavior to change, then ask God to strengthen you for your test. Finally, be careful to follow faithfully wherever the Holy Spirit leads. So whenever people say, there's a plaque, we've got this plaque in our office at the district office that, you know, it's a good saying. It's nice. It came from Hobby Lobby or whatever. I don't know. But it says, the safest place to be is in the presence or to be where God wants you to be." [23:45] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "When we live, according to the Holy Spirit, when we're attached to that leash that the Holy Spirit's guiding us, when we have that connection with him, what we do, what comes out of us is love, joy, peace, long suffering, patience. That is what comes out of us, not anger against the people. This is how you love people into the kingdom. You love them with the love of the Lord." [35:16] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "We are to produce fruit not so we can show and say look at all my fruits. Look at all my fruits. Look here I got fruits. No, no, no. It's so somebody else can partake of that fruit and that seed be planted in them and they reproduce it." [47:14] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "When you have fruit it is self reproducing. In other words the fruit will come with seeds to reproduce itself. So when we have the fruit of the spirit in our lives when it's manifest in our lives it actually creates the ability to reproduce itself in someone else." [45:43] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "When we let the Holy Spirit produce love in us there is a seed in that fruit that someone else can receive and they can then it will be planted in them. Those that are not of the kingdom of God that seed can be planted in them and it can grow and the love of God can be planted in them for them to develop and they'll create in them a desire to want to love somebody because they will see it happen in us." [46:15] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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