Walking in the Spirit: Unity and Service

This week marks a special time in our church as we prepare for Vacation Bible School, a ministry that brings together nearly everyone in our community—whether teaching, leading, cooking, praying, or simply supporting from home. As we step into this week of service, it’s vital to remember that our effectiveness and unity depend not on our own strength, but on walking by the Spirit. Galatians 5 reminds us that there is a constant battle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Spirit. The deeds of the flesh—immorality, strife, jealousy, anger, and more—are not just personal failings; they threaten our fellowship with God and with one another, and can undermine the very work we hope to accomplish.

We are called to be vigilant, recognizing that the flesh is not something we can reform or improve by willpower. Instead, we must bring our weaknesses and failures to the Lord, asking Him to crucify them and fill us anew with His Spirit. This is not just for those on the front lines of ministry, but for every member of the body. Even those who feel uninvolved have a crucial role, as the health of the whole church depends on each person’s walk with God.

The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—is not a checklist to achieve, but the natural outflow of a life surrendered to Christ. These qualities are not for our own benefit, but for the blessing and building up of others. As we serve, we must remember that true spiritual fruit cannot be manufactured by effort; it is produced as we abide in Christ, daily seeking His cleansing, guidance, and strength.

This week, let us submit ourselves wholly to God, asking Him to fill us with His Spirit so that our service is marked by His love and power. Whether we are teaching, praying, or supporting from home, may our actions be characterized by the fruit of the Spirit, resisting the pull of the flesh, and bringing glory to God in all we do. In doing so, we not only bless those we serve, but we ourselves are transformed, and the enemy’s schemes are defeated by the power of God at work in us.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The battle between flesh and Spirit is ongoing, even for believers. The flesh cannot be improved or managed by willpower; it must be crucified by surrendering to Christ. When we see the deeds of the flesh in our lives—whether in obvious sins or subtle attitudes—we are called to bring them to God for cleansing, not to hide or justify them. [55:33]
• 2. Spiritual fruit is not a product of human effort, but of abiding in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is singular and comprehensive; all aspects—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—grow together as we walk with the Lord. Attempting to force these qualities by willpower only produces counterfeit results; true fruit comes from daily fellowship and dependence on the Spirit. [74:10]
• 3. Our service, whether public or unseen, affects the whole body of Christ. Even those who feel uninvolved play a vital role; a single member walking in the flesh can hinder the work of the entire church. Unity and effectiveness in ministry require each of us to walk in the Spirit, supporting one another in humility and love, and being vigilant against attitudes or actions that divide. [49:09]
• 4. The fruit of the Spirit is for the benefit of others, not ourselves. Just as a tree’s fruit nourishes others, the Spirit’s work in us is meant to bless, encourage, and build up those around us. Serving with love, patience, and kindness—especially in challenging moments—reflects Christ to others and brings lasting, eternal impact. [86:13]
• 5. Spiritual warfare is real, especially when advancing God’s kingdom. Weeks like Vacation Bible School often bring heightened challenges and opposition, but victory comes not by striving in our own strength, but by submitting to God and being filled with His Spirit. As we resist the enemy by walking in the Spirit, God’s work is accomplished and His glory revealed. [47:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:45] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
• [14:35] - Discipleship and Fall Plans
• [38:55] - Introduction to Galatians 5
• [41:30] - Prayer for the Church and VBS
• [45:26] - The Importance of Serving Together
• [47:53] - Spiritual Warfare in Ministry
• [49:09] - Everyone’s Role in Church Life
• [50:32] - Be Alert for the Deeds of the Flesh
• [52:36] - The Origin and Nature of the Flesh
• [55:33] - Crucifying the Flesh by the Spirit
• [56:45] - The Four Categories of Fleshly Deeds
• [59:45] - Sexual, Religious, Relational, and Indulgent Sins
• [73:08] - Walking by the Spirit: The Fruit of the Spirit
• [74:10] - The Nature of Spiritual Fruit
• [81:16] - Love, Joy, and Peace Explained
• [83:47] - Patience, Kindness, and Goodness
• [87:42] - Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control
• [92:54] - How to Cultivate Spiritual Fruit
• [96:17] - Surrender and Prayer for the Week
• [102:04] - Communion: Unity in Christ
• [106:03] - Remembering Christ’s Sacrifice
• [111:51] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Bible Reading

Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV) —
> 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 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. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Observation Questions

1. According to Galatians 5, what are some of the specific “deeds of the flesh” that Paul lists, and how are they grouped in the sermon? [[59:45]]
2. What does Paul say is the result of “walking by the Spirit” instead of the flesh? [[01:13:08]]
3. In the sermon, what is emphasized about the word “fruit” being singular rather than plural in Galatians 5:22? [[01:14:10]]
4. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our personal walk with God and the health of the whole church body? [[49:09]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul warn that those who practice the deeds of the flesh “will not inherit the kingdom of God”? What does the sermon say this means for believers and for those who are not yet in Christ? [[56:45]]
2. The sermon says the flesh cannot be improved or managed by willpower, but must be crucified by surrendering to Christ. What does this look like practically in a believer’s daily life? [[55:33]]
3. The fruit of the Spirit is described as a natural outflow of a life surrendered to Christ, not a checklist to achieve. How does this challenge the way we often try to “be better Christians”? [[01:14:10]]
4. The sermon mentions that even those who feel uninvolved in church activities play a vital role in the spiritual health of the church. Why is this, and what are the possible consequences if one member is “walking in the flesh”? [[49:09]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that when we see the deeds of the flesh in our lives—whether obvious sins or subtle attitudes—we are called to bring them to God for cleansing, not to hide or justify them. Is there a specific “deed of the flesh” you’ve noticed in your own life recently? What would it look like to bring this to God honestly this week? [[55:33]]
2. Think about a time when you tried to “force” yourself to be loving, joyful, or patient by willpower alone. How did that go? How might it look different to seek these qualities by abiding in Christ instead? [[01:14:10]]
3. The sermon highlights that the fruit of the Spirit is for the benefit of others, not ourselves. Who in your life right now could be blessed by you showing them love, patience, or kindness? What is one practical way you could do this in the coming days? [[01:26:13]]
4. The message warns that even those not “on the front lines” of ministry can either support or hinder the work of the church by their walk with God. If you’re not directly involved in a ministry this week, what is one way you can support the body—through prayer, encouragement, or another action? [[49:09]]
5. The sermon says that spiritual warfare is real, especially when advancing God’s kingdom. Have you ever experienced unusual challenges or opposition when serving God? How did you respond, and what might you do differently now in light of this message? [[47:53]]
6. Choose one aspect of the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) that you find most challenging. What is one specific step you can take this week to surrender this area to God and ask for His Spirit to work in you? [[01:14:10]]
7. The sermon encourages daily surrender and prayer for God’s Spirit to fill us. What would it look like for you to start each day this week with a simple prayer of surrender? Would you be willing to try this and share with the group how it goes? [[01:36:17]]