From Mark Copeland... "THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD" The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

                        "THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD"

                      The Fruit Of The Holy Spirit

INTRODUCTION

1. During His ministry, Jesus promised the Spirit to those who believe
   on Him - Jn 7:37-39
   a. For the believer, "out of his heart will flow rivers of living
      water"
   b. Fulfilling Scripture, perhaps the one in Isa 58:11
   -- In what way does receiving the Spirit produce "rivers of living
      water"?

2. I believe the answer lies in the "fruit" of the Spirit, that which is
   born by one...
   a. Who has received the "gift" of the Spirit
   b. Who benefits from the "indwelling" of the Spirit
   c. Who is "led" by the Spirit
   -- Which when produced, blesses himself and those around him

[What is the "fruit" of the Spirit?  What should we expect to see in one
who has received the Spirit as promised by Jesus?  In Ga 5:22-23 the
apostle Paul provides the answer...]

I. DEFINING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

   A. A MANIFOLD EXPRESSION OF GRACES...
      1. Love - active good will, expressed toward God and man
      2. Joy - gladness, delight, especially in response to God's grace
      3. Peace - tranquility, harmony, both with God and our fellow man
      4. Longsuffering - patience, forbearance, self-restraint in the
         face of provocation (Vine)
      5. Kindness - sweetness of temper that puts others at ease
         (Plummer)
      6. Goodness - generosity that reaches beyond just giving what is
         one's due
      7. Faithfulness - the virtue of reliability (Barclay)
      8. Gentleness - a humble and kind demeanor that helps to calm
         another's anger
      9. Self-control - the virtue of one who masters his desires and
         appetites (Thayer)

   B. REGARDING THE EXPRESSION OF THESE GRACES...
      1. Paul defines this as the "fruit" (singular) of the Spirit
         a. These graces produce one "fruit"
         b. The human spirit may develop some of these graces
         c. The Holy Spirit produces them all!
      2. Paul's list of graces is likely not exclusive
         a. Other graces produced by the Spirit include righteousness,
            hope - Ro 14:17; 15:13
         b. Other graces likely include faith, virtue, knowledge,
            perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness - cf. 2Pe 1:5-8

[Where the Spirit indwells, strengthening the Christian (cf. Ep 3:16),
the "fruit" of the Spirit will be evident.  The graces that make up this
"fruit" are spiritually refreshing, like "rivers of water" that nourish
both one's soul and those around him.

How can we ensure that the Spirit produces this "fruit" in our lives?
Again, Paul provides the answer...]

II. DEVELOPING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

   A. WE MUST WALK IN THE SPIRIT...
      1. Otherwise we will fulfill the lust of the flesh - Ga 5:16-17,
         25-26
         a. Unable to do the things we want, such as produce the fruit
            of the Spirit
         b. Producing instead the works of the flesh, which prevent true
            love, joy, peace, etc.
      2. This we do by minding the things of the Spirit - cf. Ro 8:4-6
         a. Those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on
            the things of the Spirit, such as the Word which the Spirit
            reveals
         b. Spiritually minded, they experience true life and peace
      -- With minds focused on the Word of God, living in harmony with
         what the Spirit teaches through the Word, we will walk in the
         Spirit

   B. WE MUST BE LED BY THE SPIRIT...
      1. Only then are we truly the sons of God - cf. Ro 8:14
         a. No longer enslaved to the flesh - Ro 8:12
         b. But able to put to death the deeds of the flesh - Ro 8:13
      2. Led by the Spirit as described in our previous study
         a. Externally through the Word, as He instructs and convicts 
            - Jn 16:7-8; Ep 6:17
         b. Internally through the indwelling, as He empowers and
            blesses - Ep 3:16; Ro 15:13
      3. Lest we overlook the obvious, two tools are essential to being
         led by the Spirit:
         a. The Word of God - the Spirit instructs and teaches in no
            other way
         b. Prayer - through which we can ask for strength from the
            Spirit - Ep 3:16,20
      -- Through obedience to the Word of God and faithful prayer, we
         will be led by the Spirit to produce His fruit in our lives

CONCLUSION

1. To the Samaritan woman, Jesus offered what He called "living water" 
   - cf. Jn 4:10-14
   a. What He referred to also as "the gift of God"
   b. Producing in those who drink, "a fountain of water springing up
      into everlasting life"

2. Could Jesus be referring to the gift of the Spirit?  Perhaps, for...
   a. The Spirit is given to those who obey God - Ac 2:38; 5:32
   b. Those who receive the Spirit, "out of his heart will flow rivers
      of living water" - Jn 7:37-39

3. Certainly the figure of "living water" is a fitting depiction of the
   fruit produced by the Spirit in the life of the Christian...
   a. Producing graces that spiritually refresh the Christian and those
      around him
   b. Producing graces that certainly prepare the Christian for life
      everlasting

May we be diligent to so walk in the Spirit, and be led by the Spirit,
that the fruit of the Spirit is produced in our lives...!

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

 

When Were the Sun, Moon, and Stars Created? by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/AllegedDiscrepancies.aspx?article=1990&b=Genesis

When Were the Sun, Moon, and Stars Created?

by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

At first glance, this seems like an easy question. Just as children have been singing for generations, it was on day four when God made “the Sun, Moon, and stars galore.” Some, however, have alleged that the “sun, moon and stars were created ‘in the beginning’ (Gen. 1:1)” (Thurman, 2006, p. 3), rather than on day four of Creation. Presumably,

on the fourth day, God “set” the sun, moon and stars in the heavens to govern the days, months, seasons and years (verse 17). When God “set” the lights in the heavens, it was much like when we “set” a clock. And that really is what God did—He “set” His clock on the 4th day. But these (the sun, moon, stars) were all created “in the beginning” (Gen. 1:1) (Thurman, 2006, p. 3, emp. added).

The problem with this line of argumentation is that it contradicts what the Bible says.

Certainly, “[i]n the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). But, it was not until later that God created the Sun, Moon, and stars. Genesis 1:14-19 reads:

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the fourth day (Genesis 1:14-19, emp. added).

God not only “set” (Hebrew nathan) the Sun, Moon, and stars in their precise locations in the heavens on the fourth day of Creation, but it was on this day when God literally “made” (Hebrew asah) these heavenly bodies. Similar to how God initially made the land and seas void of animal life (which later was created on days five and six of Creation), the “heavens” were made “in the beginning,” but the hosts of heaven (which now inhabit them) were created “in the firmament of the heavens” on day four (Genesis 1:14).

Consider also how God spoke light into existence on day one of Creation, saying, “Let there be light” (1:3, emp. added). On the fourth day God declared, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens...and it was so” (1:14-15, emp. added). Gary Workman commented on this similarity, saying:

“Let there be lights” (v. 14) is identical in grammatical construction with other statements of “let there be...” in the chapter. Therefore the command can only mean that God spoke the luminaries into existence on the fourth day just as he had created the initial light on day one and the firmament on day two (1989, p. 3).

On day one God made intrinsic light; on day four He made the generators of light. Keep in mind that “the Father of lights” (James 1:17), Who is “light” (1 John 1:5), could create light easily without first having to create the Sun, Moon, and stars. Just as God could produce a fruit-bearing tree on day three without a seed, He could produce light supernaturally on day one without the “usual” light bearers (which subsequently were created on day four). Again, there is no indication in Scripture that the generators of light already were made before day four.

Suppose, however, that the creation of the heavens “in the beginning” had included the creation of the Sun, Moon, and stars (which Genesis 1:14-19 says were made on day four). One still would not be justified in trying to appease the evolutionary timeline by claiming that the “beginning” took place billions of years before the six days of Creation. Why? Because God said, “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day” (Exodus 20:11, emp. added). Both the heavens and all that is in the heavens were created during the six-day creation.

In truth, on day one God created “the heavens,” and on day four He made the Sun, Moon, and stars. And all things were made within the six days of Creation. No “rightly divided” (2 Timothy 2:15) Bible passage will lead a person to any other conclusion.

REFERENCES

Thurman, Clem (2006), “How Was Light Before the Sun?” Gospel Minutes, September 8.

Workman, Gary (1989), “Questions from Genesis One,” The Restorer, 9[5/6]:3-5, May/June.

The Cost of Anger by Kyle Butt, M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=13&article=853

The Cost of Anger

by	Kyle Butt, M.A.

Not only does the Bible contain many infallible proofs that testify to its divine inspiration, but it also offers many practical commands that are of benefit to the general health and well-being of every human being. One of those practical commands is found in James 1:19-20: “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Beginning with the vicious murderer Cain, throughout the Bible we see the negative effects of human anger. The book of Proverbs is filled to overflowing with precautionary remarks about controlling anger, and avoiding habitually angry men. Interestingly, the modern medical profession has thrown its two cents into the anger discussions. In their thought-provoking book titled None of These Diseases, medical doctors S.I. McMillen and David E. Stern brought to light the fact—well known in the medical community—that habitual anger not only is destructive, but also has the potential to kill. On page 205 of the book, they quoted doctors Redford Williams and Virginia Williams: “Getting [habitually] angry is like taking a small dose of some slow-acting poison-arsenic, for example, every day of your life.” Later in the chapter titled “Danger—Anger,” McMillen and Stern cited a study carried out in 1981 on the hostility level of 255 medical students. Of those who tested in the high-hostility level, 13 percent died by middle age. Of those in the low-hostility level, only 2 percent died.

Of course, anger in and of itself, in certain proportions, is not necessarily destructive. Even Jesus, on occasion, was angry (Mark 3:5). However, the unchecked attitude of “venting one’s feelings of anger” does not produce the righteousness of God. Instead, it leads only to destructive, sinful behavior that negatively affects the body and soul. Truly, the Proverbs writer expressed it eloquently when he wrote: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city” (16:32).

REFERENCES

McMillen, S.I. and David Stern (2000), None of These Diseases (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell), third edition.

Non-Religion on the Rise in America by Eric Lyons, M.Min.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=12&article=3742

Non-Religion on the Rise in America

by	Eric Lyons, M.Min.

Three extensive surveys over the past 20 years have revealed that a growing number of Americans are becoming less and less religious. In 1990, 8.2% of Americans claimed to be non-religious, most notably agnostics and atheists (Kosmin, 1991). In 2001, that number had jumped to 14.1% (Kosmin, et al., 2001), and by 2008 it had reached 15% (Kosmin and Keysar, 2009). Based upon a combined total of 217,742 residential households surveyed (an average of 72,580 per effort) in the contiguous United States, the percentage of non-religious Americans has almost doubled in two decades. Whereas in 1990, one out of every 12 Americans claimed to be non-religious, today nearly one out of every six Americans claims no religious affiliation. [NOTE: The percentage of non-religious individuals would be even higher were it not for the many millions of Catholic Hispanics who have migrated to the United States over the past two decades.]

Sadly, the America that we inhabit today is a very different country (religiously speaking) than it was when I grew up in the 1980s, and drastically dissimilar to the country in which my father was reared in the 1940s. In 1947, for example, 89% of Americans identified themselves as Christian Protestants or Catholics, in addition to the millions of other “religious” Americans (e.g., Jews, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, etc.; Gallup and Lindsay, 1999, p. 7), which would have left comparatively very few skeptics, agnostics, and atheists.

The odds of you crossing paths with an atheist, agnostic, or skeptic at some point in the next few months are pretty high. The likelihood of your children, grandchildren, nephews, or nieces running into atheistic professors or skeptical students in high school or college is very high (considering many public schools and universities are breeding grounds for non-religious Americans). More than ever, Christians need to equip themselves with the tools and weapons to help them “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5).

Being the time of the year when many are purchasing items for others, we hope that you will consider equipping your friends and family members with soul-saving, life-enriching materials. Why not order your younger children or grandchildren a subscription to Discovery, A.P.’s monthly children’s magazine on Scripture and science? Why not consider arming your teens with Truth Be Told: Exposing the Myth of Evolution? Why not purchase multiple copies of our newest book A Christian’s Guide to Refuting Modern Atheism and give them away to college students who may very well be struggling for the first time in their lives with knowing how to defend their belief in the one true God of the Bible? At the very least, why not send your friends or family members a link to this site, where they can join the millions of others who have obtained thousands of pages of free electronic Christian evidence material?

The Lord has blessed Apologetics Press with a 30+ year history. During that time, supporters of this work have enabled us to produce a plethora of material on Christian evidences. We believe that making available solid materials on the existence of God, the inspiration of the Bible, the deity of Christ, etc. is more important today than ever before in America’s history. Are you armed and ready for the fight? Have you helped to prepare your family and friends for this eternally important spiritual warfare? Why not take action today and make a difference? Please feel free to call upon us if we can be of any assistance (1-800-234-8558).

REFERENCES

Gall, George Jr. and Michael Lindsay (1999), Surveying the Religious Landscape: Trends in U.S.Beliefs (Harrisburg, PA: Morehouse Publishing).

Kosmin, Barry (1991), The National Survey of Religious Identification, http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=4&ved=0CCwQFjAD&url= http%3A%2F%2Fwww.jewishdatabank.org%2FArchive%2FNSRI1990- Research_Report_with_Selected_Tabulations.pdf&ei= nH_1TIvqG8WBlAfd5Jz4BQ&usg=AFQjCNHASEXKYZTsxzKlRe24U8-4foBJQA.

Kosmin, Barry A., Egon Mayer, and Ariela Keysar (2001), American Religious Identification Survey, www.gc.cuny.edu/faculty/research_briefs/aris.pdf.

Kosmin, Barry A. and Ariela Keysar (2009), American Religious Identification Survey, www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/reports/ARIS_Report_2008.pdf.

Dinosaur Art and Imaginary Creatures by Kyle Butt, M.A.

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=9&article=605

Dinosaur Art and Imaginary Creatures

by	Kyle Butt, M.A.

Numerous artifacts from ancient civilizations depict creatures that perfectly match our modern-day descriptions of dinosaurs (see Butt and Lyons, 2008). Those who insist that dinosaurs and humans did not live together, however, claim that the animals illustrated in ancient art that look like dinosaurs are imaginary creatures that have no basis in reality. These people suggest that since we know carvings of imaginary gods, minotaurs, mermaids, and aliens have no basis in reality, neither should we think that dinosaur-like creatures do—regardless of how much they look like dinosaurs. John Clayton wrote:

Finding an ancient picture of a dragon, minotaur, or alien-looking creature and assuming it is in reality what people saw is an incredibly ignorant thing to do. This applies to creationists who try to maintain people of 4,000 years cavorted with dinosaurs, but also to atheists who attempt to explain the origin of life by claiming aliens seeded the planet withDNA packets. There is no evidence for either of these proposals, and neither of them has any historical support” (2007, 34[4]:4. emp. added).

A major problem arises, however, when those such as Clayton attempt to lump “dragons” in with other creatures such as minotaurs or aliens. No physical evidence is available to verify the existence of minotaurs. Furthermore, the laws of biology preclude even the possibility of such. We do not believe the ancients saw minotaurs because we do not believe there ever were minotaurs.

The situation with creatures that look like dinosaurs is much different. Everyone involved in the discussion believes that huge reptiles once roamed the Earth. The question is not, “Did huge reptilian creatures, that match the ancient carvings, exist?” The question is, “Did they exist with humans?” Dinosaurs are not imaginary creatures dismissed by reputable sources. Their bones have been found, fossilized nests uncovered, and their skin impressions studied. Millions of dollars every year pour into dinosaur research. If thousands of minotaur fossils had been found, some of them very close to the carvings that depict creatures that looked just like minotaurs, then minotaurs could not be dismissed as imaginary creatures, and the carvings and drawings could not be dismissed as depictions of imaginary creatures. The difference between art depicting minotaurs and art showing dinosaur-like creatures is that everyone knows dinosaurs existed—that is not up for debate.

REFERENCES

Butt, Kyle and Eric Lyons (2008), “Physical Evidence for the Coexistence of Dinosaurs and Humans [Part 1],” Reason & Revelation, 28[3]:17-23, [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/3626.

Clayton, John (2007), “What is Reliable History and What is Not,” Does God Exist?, 34[4]:3-7, July/August.

Judge Declares Partial Birth Abortion Ban Unconstitutional by A.P. Staff

http://apologeticspress.org/APContent.aspx?category=7&article=484

Judge Declares Partial Birth Abortion Ban Unconstitutional

by	A.P. Staff

On November 5, 2003, President George W. Bush took a moral stand by signing into law the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, which outlawed what amounts to the clinical execution of a partially delivered human fetus (see Harrub, 2003). On that day, the president stated: “For years, a terrible form of violence has been directed against children who are inches from birth, while the law looked the other way. Today, at last, the American people and our government have confronted the violence and come to the defense of the innocent child” (“President Bush Signs...,” 2003). On June 1, 2004, a United States judge failed in that “defense of the innocent child.”

The honorable judge Phyllis Hamilton, of U.S. District Court, Northern California District, ruled that the Partial Birth Abortion Ban was unconstitutional:

For all of the reasons discussed above, this court concludes that the Act is unconstitutional because it (1) poses an undue burden on a woman’s ability to choose a second trimester abortion; (2) is unconstitutionally vague; and (3) requires a health exception as set forth by the Supreme Court in Stenberg (Planned Parenthood v. Ashcroft, 2004, p. 117).

In the findings on the case, judge Hamilton referred not only to the undue burden it placed on the woman seeking an abortion, but to the doctor performing the abortion as well. Her Honor stated (after hearing the testimony):

A majority of the physicians who testified noted that because they “fear prosecution, conviction, and imprisonment,” the wide net cast by the Act could have and has already had the effect of impacting all previability second trimester abortion services that they provide to their patients (Planned Parenthood v. Ashcroft, p. 24).

According to judge Hamilton, the right of a doctor to perform abortions trumps the right of a child to life during its second trimester of gestation.

While this finding applies only to the approximately 900 Planned Parenthood clinics in the United States, and all abortion clinics in the city and county of San Francisco, it seems likely that similar cases in New York and Nebraska also will put injunctions on the Partial Birth Abortion Ban (“Judge Blocks...,” 2004; Planned Parenthood v. Ashcroft, p. 117). In her final footnote on the case, judge Hamilton stated that a “nationwide injunction may be appropriate...,” thus giving legal backing to future cases seeking a sweeping injunction against the ban.

Judge Hamilton, who was an appointee of President Clinton, has set a very sobering precedent. Not only is the right of the woman greater than that of the infant, but now the right of a doctor is greater than an infant’s. In his November 5 speech, President Bush stated:

In the debate about the rights of the unborn, we are asked to broaden the circle of our moral concern. We're asked to live out our calling as Americans. We're asked to honor our own standards, announced on the day of our founding in the Declaration of Independence. We're asked by our convictions and tradition and compassion to build a culture of life, and make this a more just and welcoming society. And today, we welcome vulnerable children into the care and protection of Americans (“President Bush Signs..., 2003, emp. added).

On June 1, 2004, an American judge ruled that “care and protection” and “moral concern” mean nothing when applied to an unborn child. However, the wonderful work of God in an unborn child deserves every protection that the law can afford. As David wrote, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:13-14, emp. added).

The Christians in this nation now wait to hear from the courts in Nebraska and New York. If those courts place injunctions on the Partial Birth Abortion Ban, then essentially there is no protection afforded the unborn child. The thing to do now is continue praying. Pray for the congress, the president, and the judges, that they will stand up for what is right, and uphold the morals upon which this country was founded.

REFERENCES

Harrub, Brad (2003), “One Small Step for Man—One Giant Leap for Mankind,” [On-line], URL:http://www.apologeticspress.org/articles/2362.

“Judge Blocks Partial-Birth Abortion Ban” (2004), [On-line], URL: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,121435,00.html.

Planned Parenthood v. Ashcroft (2004), U.S. Cir. Ct., Nor. CA Dist., [On-line], URL: http://www.cand.uscourts.gov/cand/judges.nsf/a3beeef5ac9129e688256d480060b718/
eeb4b0075349979688256ea60057d1d9/$FILE/6-1PPORDER.pdf.

“President Bush Signs Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 2003” (2003), [On-line], URL: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/11/20031105-1.html.

From Gary... Truth, judgement and eternal destiny

Question: If you were to die today, how do you know you would be in heaven? This is an important question to be sure and worth consideration. But, you may NOT die today- then what?  To deal with the first question is solved by consulting the Bible for the answer (Jn. 3:16; Lk. 13:1-3; Mt. 10:32f.; Acts 2:38; 1 Tim. 4:6-8 and Rev. 2:10c). That second question is the practical application of the first, for Christians must live a life of godliness. Paul says...  

Philippians, Chapter 1 (WEB)

 12  Now I desire to have you know, brothers, that the things which happened to me have turned out rather to the progress of the Good News;  13 so that it became evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my bonds are in Christ;  14 and that most of the brothers in the Lord, being confident through my bonds, are more abundantly bold to speak the word of God without fear.  15 Some indeed preach Christ even out of envy and strife, and some also out of good will.  16 The former insincerely preach Christ from selfish ambition, thinking that they add affliction to my chains;  17 but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the Good News. 

  18  What does it matter? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed. I rejoice in this, yes, and will rejoice.  19 For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,  20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will in no way be disappointed, but with all boldness, as always, now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life, or by death.  21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will bring fruit from my work; yet I don’t know what I will choose.  23 But I am in a dilemma between the two, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.  24 Yet, to remain in the flesh is more needful for your sake. 25 Having this confidence, I know that I will remain, yes, and remain with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith,  26 that your rejoicing may abound in Christ Jesus in me through my presence with you again. 

  27  Only let your way of life be worthy of the Good News of Christ, that, whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your state, that you stand firm in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the Good News;

Whether you live or die, (today, or any other day) if you have followed God's will for your life to the best of your ability, then God will reward you according to what you have done.  He makes the rules, HE paid for your sins, HE is the one who judges your fate- whether that fate ultimately will be heaven or hell is your judgement of whether or not to listen and do what HE wants.  So, do it already and live!!!