Thriving in Freedom: The Fruit of the Spirit
Summary
Zeal is a word we don’t use much anymore, but it’s something we desperately need as we live out our faith in a world that often feels overwhelming. The call is not just to survive, but to thrive with a Spirit-driven passion that overflows into every relationship and every corner of our lives. We are reminded that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few, and each of us is invited to step into the work of God’s kingdom—not out of obligation, but out of the freedom and joy that comes from Christ.
Freedom in Christ is a central theme. This freedom is not just liberation from the obvious acts of the flesh—those destructive patterns and desires that entangle us—but also from the trappings of empty religion. True freedom is found in living by the Spirit, not by checking boxes or performing rituals, but by allowing the Spirit of God to dwell in us and transform us from the inside out. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not individual virtues to pick and choose, but a unified whole that the Spirit cultivates in us as we surrender to God’s work.
This fruit is not for our own consumption alone; it is meant to be tasted and seen by others. Just as a delicious peach or apple leaves a lasting impression, so should the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We are called to hunger and thirst for righteousness, to let God’s Word shape us, prune us, and satisfy us. The world recognizes us by our fruit, and at the root of all the fruit is love—without love, none of the other qualities can truly flourish.
Yet, there is a sobering challenge: too often, Christians are known more for what we oppose than for the love we display. The invitation is to let the Spirit so fill us that even those who are hardest to love become recipients of Christ’s love through us. Jesus himself modeled this, loving even those who crucified him. The question is not just whether we know about Jesus, but whether we truly know him—enough to let his Spirit bear fruit in us, so that the world does not miss him because of us.
Key Takeaways
- Freedom in Christ Transcends Religion and the Flesh
True freedom is not simply the absence of sin or the avoidance of religious legalism. It is the Spirit’s presence that liberates us from both the destructive patterns of the flesh and the suffocating expectations of empty religion. This freedom empowers us to serve others humbly in love, rather than living for ourselves or for the approval of others. [40:13]
- The Fruit of the Spirit Is a Unified Whole, Not a Buffet
Paul’s use of “fruit” (singular) is intentional: we are not meant to pick and choose which qualities we want to display. The Spirit produces all these qualities together in a life surrendered to God. To cultivate only one or two is to miss the fullness of what God desires to grow in us; the Spirit’s work is holistic, shaping our entire character. [49:19]
- The Word of God Is the Soil for Spiritual Growth
The fruit of the Spirit cannot be manufactured by human effort or religious activity. It is cultivated as we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, allowing it to prune, shape, and satisfy us. A deep hunger for Scripture is essential, for it is through the Word that the Spirit nourishes and transforms us, rooting out the acts of the flesh and producing lasting fruit. [52:23]
- Love Is the Root and Measure of All Spiritual Fruit
At the core of every aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is love. Without love, joy becomes shallow, peace is fleeting, and patience is thin. Love is the foundation upon which all the other qualities rest, and it is the distinguishing mark by which the world will know we belong to Christ. Our love must extend even to those who are difficult to love, mirroring the radical love of Jesus. [55:27]
- Don’t Miss Jesus in the Pursuit of Spiritual Success
It is possible to be busy with religious activity and even to seek the fruit of the Spirit, yet miss the person of Jesus himself. The story of Charles Templeton is a sobering reminder that knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing him. The invitation is to come to Jesus, to let him be the center, and to allow his Spirit to bear fruit in us so that neither we nor the world miss him. [01:06:56]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[14:15] - The Need for Zeal and Connection
[31:39] - Prayers for Openness and Worship
[33:42] - Personal Reflections on “It Is Well”
[34:53] - Reading Galatians 5:13-26
[40:13] - Freedom in Christ: Beyond Religion
[42:06] - Serving Others and the Focus of the Spirit
[44:09] - The Illusion of Control and Spiritual Growth
[49:19] - Fruit of the Spirit: Consumed and Cultivated
[52:23] - Hungering for God’s Word
[54:13] - Known by Our Fruit
[55:27] - Love as the Root of Spiritual Fruit
[56:28] - The Challenge of Loving Like Christ
[58:45] - The Spirit’s Power Over the Flesh
[01:00:34] - Mistaking Worldly Fruit for Spiritual Fruit
[01:02:00] - Examining the Fruit in Our Lives
[01:04:07] - The Story of Charles Templeton
[01:06:56] - Don’t Miss Jesus
[01:29:21] - Community Recognition and Closing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Galatians 5:13-26
(The Fruit of the Spirit and Freedom in Christ)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Galatians 5:13-26, what does Paul say is the purpose of our freedom in Christ? How does he warn us not to use it? [34:53]
2. According to the passage, what are the “acts of the flesh” and how are they contrasted with the “fruit of the Spirit”? [34:53]
3. The sermon points out that Paul uses the word “fruit” (singular) instead of “fruits” (plural). Why is this distinction important? [49:19]
4. What does the passage say about how we are to treat one another, especially in the context of community and relationships? [54:13]
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The sermon says that true freedom in Christ is not just about avoiding sin or religious legalism, but about being led by the Spirit. What does it look like for someone to live by the Spirit rather than by rules or rituals? [40:13]
2. Why do you think Paul lists love first among the fruit of the Spirit? How does love serve as the foundation for the other qualities? [55:27]
3. The pastor mentioned that the fruit of the Spirit is not just for our own benefit, but for others to “taste and see.” What does it mean for others to experience the fruit of the Spirit through us? [49:19]
4. The story of Charles Templeton was shared as a warning about “missing Jesus” even while being busy with spiritual things. What does it mean to truly know Jesus, not just know about Him? [01:06:56]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon challenges us to examine whether we are known more for what we oppose than for the love we display. Think about your own life: are there ways you have been more focused on being “right” than being loving? How could you shift your focus this week? [56:28]
2. The fruit of the Spirit is described as a unified whole, not a buffet to pick and choose from. Is there an aspect of the fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you tend to neglect? What is one practical step you can take to let the Spirit grow that quality in you? [49:19]
3. The pastor said, “The fruit of the Spirit is not about me. The fruit of the Spirit is about the Spirit of God living in me, and the fruit of the Spirit is about other people.” Who in your life needs to “taste” the fruit of the Spirit through you this week? How can you intentionally show them Christ’s love? [49:19]
4. The sermon emphasized the importance of God’s Word as the “soil” for spiritual growth. What is your current habit of engaging with Scripture? Is there a way you can deepen your hunger for God’s Word this week? [52:23]
5. The pastor shared that sometimes Christians are known as unloving. Is there someone in your life who is hard for you to love? What would it look like to let the Spirit love that person through you, even in a small way? [57:39]
6. The story of Charles Templeton ended with him saying, “I miss him,” referring to Jesus. Have you ever felt distant from Jesus, even while doing “Christian” things? What is one thing you can do this week to draw closer to Him and not miss Him? [01:06:56]
7. The sermon asked, “Are we still allowing the world to make our fruit rotten?” Are there influences or habits in your life that are making it harder for the Spirit to bear fruit in you? What is one thing you could change or let go of this week? [01:02:00]
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Devotional
Day 1: Freedom in Christ Means Living by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
True freedom in Christ is not about indulging our desires or following religious checklists, but about being set free from both the power of the flesh and the constraints of empty religion so that we can live by the Spirit. When we embrace this freedom, we are no longer bound by the acts of the flesh or by the expectations others place on us, but are invited into a life where the Spirit of God leads, shapes, and empowers us to serve others in love. This freedom is not a license for self-centeredness, but a call to a deeper, Spirit-led way of living that transforms every aspect of our lives and relationships. [40:13]
Galatians 5:13-18 (ESV)
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been relying on religious routines or your own strength instead of truly allowing the Spirit to lead you into freedom and service?
Day 2: The Fruit of the Spirit Is for Others, Not Just Ourselves
The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is not meant to be a private collection of virtues for our own benefit, but a visible outpouring of God’s presence in us that blesses those around us. When we focus on cultivating these qualities for ourselves alone, we miss the point; the Spirit’s fruit is designed to overflow into our relationships, shaping how we treat others and making God’s love tangible in our community. True spiritual growth is measured not by what we keep for ourselves, but by the fruit that others can “taste and see” in our lives. [44:09]
Galatians 5:22-25 (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. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the fruit of the Spirit through you today, and how can you intentionally show them love, kindness, or patience?
Day 3: Hunger and Thirst for God’s Word Cultivates Spiritual Fruit
A deep longing for God’s Word is essential for cultivating the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, as it is through Scripture that we are nourished, pruned, and shaped by God. Just as physical fruit needs good soil and nourishment to grow, our spiritual lives flourish when we hunger and thirst for righteousness, seeking satisfaction in God’s truth rather than turning elsewhere for fulfillment. When we make meeting God in His Word a daily priority, we open ourselves to the Spirit’s work, allowing Him to fill us with good things and transform us from the inside out. [49:19]
Matthew 5:6 (ESV)
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to deepen your hunger for God’s Word and allow it to shape your heart?
Day 4: Love Is the Root of All Spiritual Fruit
At the core of every aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is love; without love, the other qualities cannot truly flourish or be sustained. Love is the foundation that enables joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control to take root and grow in our lives, and it is the defining mark by which followers of Christ are recognized. When we allow God’s love to fill us, we are empowered to love even those who are difficult to love, reflecting the sacrificial love of Jesus and fulfilling the greatest commandments to love God and our neighbor. [55:27]
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Reflection: Is there someone you find difficult to love? Ask God to help you see them through His eyes and take one step toward loving them today.
Day 5: Don’t Miss Jesus—Let Him Cultivate His Fruit in You
It is possible to be busy with spiritual activity and even admire Jesus, yet still miss a living relationship with Him that produces true spiritual fruit. The invitation is not just to know about Jesus, but to know Him personally, allowing His Spirit to transform us, purify us, and make His character evident in our lives. Don’t settle for a faith that is only external or intellectual—come to Jesus, receive His rest, and let Him cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in you so that the world may see and know Him through you. [01:09:09]
John 15:4-5 (ESV)
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Reflection: Are you truly abiding in Jesus, or have you been missing a real relationship with Him? What would it look like to invite Him to cultivate His fruit in you today?
Quotes
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