Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit

Ephesians 4.1-6

Every spiritual blessing we have in Christ relates to our walk with the LORD. God has given us spiritual riches so that we can bring Him glory by reflecting Him and so that we may love each other with all the facets of His love.

Salvation happens in a moment.
Growth in grace is a life long work.

There is nothing easier than getting saved, because it is solely God’s sovereign work— “Look to Me, and be saved . . .” (Isaiah 45:22). Our Lord never requires the same conditions for discipleship that he requires for salvation. -Oswald Chambers
That is why Jesus spoke about those who believe for a whie and then fall away because they have roots in the Parable of the sower/soils in Mark 4.
Mark 4:5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.

Here are several areas Paul calls our hearts and minds to, areas we all need to grow in.

It is tragic when a believer stops growing.
It is not right.
It is sad.

These verses explain:
Ephesians 2:8-10 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Philippians 2:12-13 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God Who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.

We put forth effort as a result if God's work in us in saving us.
He gives the power and energy and is at work in us to bring about change within.

What are graces we ought to be growing in? What are things we need to be working out?

1. Being Humble- a correct opinion of yourself.
Be a servant. Seek the lowest place.
a deep sense of one's (moral) littleness

Look at Jesus Philippians 2.5-8
Setting ourselves beside the life of Christ Jesus
Facing our weaknesses, failures and shortcomings.
The Masters, The Barclays, PGA Phil Mickelson's approach shots incredible! I realized how far I had to go in my game.

Face yourself
Look to Christ


2. Being Gentle
mildness, meekness
Listen to Jesus
Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Jesus was no pushover.
What does this mean?
Christ is approachable. Children, the destitute, the learned, the rich and the everyman were drawn to Him.
He had compassion on people.
He listened carefully.

He was always angry and the right time and never at the wrong time.
This word gentle also is used to describe an animal that has been trained, whose every passion and instinct are under perfect control. A great example of that would be the seeing eye dogs. Bernard's words to me about their strict training.

Times when He was angry
*Clearing the Temple
*When the disciples tried to prevent the children from coming to Him.
*When Philip asked Him to show them the Father
*When they came down from the mountain after He was transfigured.
Matthew 17.14 When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. “He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16 I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him.”
17 “O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” 18 Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.

It is possible to be tough minded and tender hearted.

3. Being Patient
endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance
forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging wrongs

Allow the LORD room to work out His purposes
Exodus 23. 28 I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites and Hittites out of your way. 29 But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. 30 Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.

Patience is cooperating with God's timing which is perfect and He makes all things beautiful in it. Bright and fair.

Patience is endurance.
It also describes the spirit of a man who has the power to take revenge but never does so, a refusal to retaliate. A puppy with a big dog.


4.Love's forbearance
to hold up, to hold one's self erect and firm, to sustain, to bear, to endure

We must bear with
*where each other is at on our own spiritual pilgrimage.
*the sins - offenses of others
*our backgrounds
*our cultural differences
*our oddities idiosyncrasies

Love:
Eros
Philia warm affection between friends
Storge family
Agape
Unstoppable seeking of the highest good in another person's life.


These we are to be!