9/19/13

From Gary... Maybe I should get a ball?


He almost says: want to PLAY???? This week both my dogs have both chosen to sleep in the living room; Buddy (the white one) on the pillow on the sofa and Pal in his cage (yes, he actually prefers it- and goes there often).  So, when I went in there early this morning to greet them and give them a treat, I was amazed at their reaction.  They both started to run from one end of the house to the other and back again. Not once, twice or even three times- but about five or more!!!  Then they both kept nudging me and wanted to play.  So, when I saw Walter Vogt's picture of his dog (sorry, but I have forgotten the dog's name) I was reminded of the episode of intense happiness I was exposed to this AM!!!  This in turn, reminded me of the following verse from the book of Philippians...


Philippians, Chapter 4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”


The thing is: Are we like that?  I mean, do we love life because of what Jesus has done for us?  When was the last time you thought about how blessed you really are?  Does the very thought of being with God in heaven for eternity make you REJOICE????  Admittedly, some days I feel better than other (and I know it become obvious in my writing - I have been told so), but EVERY SINGLE DAY I think of heaven and what Christ has done for me.  Well, enough of writing- today, I am going to have some fun!!!

From Jim McGuiggan... THE HANGING TREE

THE HANGING TREE



In Euripides's Alkestis the Spartan king, Admetos, is to die unless he gets a substitute. His wife Alkestis becomes his substitute but the thought of losing her is driving Admetos crazy. Heracles (Hercules), son of the gods and a regular guest at Admetos's house comes to visit, learns of the situation and goes out and rescues her from Death.
The poet Robert Browning zeroes in on the reputation of Heracles as a helper of mankind against the forces that are too strong for it. He makes the point that this going to humanity's defense is one of the authenticating marks of genuine godhood. Here's how he puts it:
Gladness be with thee, Helper of our world!
I think this is the authentic sign and seal
Of Godship, that it ever waxes glad,
And more glad, until gladness blossoms, bursts
Into a rage to suffer for mankind,
And recommence at sorrow: drops like seed
After the blossom, ultimate of all.
Say, does the seed scorn the earth and seek the sun?
Surely it has no other end and aim
Than to drop, once more die into the ground,
Taste cold and darkness and oblivion there:
And thence rise, tree-like to grow through pain to joy,
More joy and most joy—do man good again.

Browning lays hold not only on the theme of suffering to help humanity, he stresses the gladness of heart in which the enterprise is undertaken. It isn't a grim, reluctant, foot-dragging approach to the matter (Heracles "strode" off to effect the rescue). And it was "for the joy set before him" our Savior despised the pain and loss barring his way.
As P.T. Forsyth insisted, the coming of God as the weak and wounded Jesus Christ is not only not surprising, it would be astonishing if he had not come in Jesus Christ in a rage to suffer on humanity's behalf. In this, Forsyth doesn't only have in mind the tender side of God, his gentle love and compassion though he does have that in mind; he's thinking of God's infinitely holy character. If God was moved in love, it was a holy love. Christ doesn't come simply blessing, being sweet, talking kindly and taking us in his loving arms—he comes sharing the suffering that exists in this pain-filled world, the suffering that under God is the out-working of our spellbinding slavery to sin.
This wasn’t salvation at a distance! God wasn’t shouting instructions to us on how to save ourselves; he didn’t send us religious tracts or writings nor did he send some exalted messenger—he came himself!
He came to rescue us from our self-destructive ways; he came to save us from the powers we corrupted, powers that then in their corrupted and corrupting state became our vicious and too-powerful enemies.
The forgiveness of sins, the reconciliation of the world is achieved through love's judgment on and exposure of evil—the word of the cross says that [John 12:31-32]!
It was God and it was God in and as Jesus Christ who came to our rescue. The motivation for this coming and sending is, “God so loved the world" (John 3:16-17).
Not to be able to see that in the cross blinds us to the possibility of seeing it anywhere else in the world.
And why would such a one bother with the likes of us? Yes, we’ve been told why but while that means we’re not left utterly in the dark, how much light does it really give us? He’s infinitely above and beyond us. It isn’t just his power and wisdom—it’s his character, his love and mercy and grace, they drive us to pile up words on words and phrases on phrases in a vain attempt to grasp and express something of the meaning of it all. It doesn’t surprise us to hear David ask in Psalm 8, "What are humans that you bother with them?"
But incredible as it seems and however often we look around to see if anyone else can believe it or if we’re the only ones who find it difficult to take in—incredible as it seems, it’s true! He cares about us.
Well, all right then, so it’s true, but can we gain access to him or must we always speak of him and deal with him at a great distance? If we do gain access to his presence, what is it that gives us this privilege? What hoops do we have to jump through? What great feats do we have to accomplish? What Herculean tasks do we have to undertake to be assured of entering into the company of the Great God? What assures us, even now, of his favor and of the claim that a day is coming when the communion we now enjoy by faith will have an added dimension—his very presence?  What gets us from the gutter, through the door and into the palace?
A wooden stake, a public gallows, on a little hill just outside ancient Jerusalem!
Why is that? Is there some magic in wood?
Is there a mysterious power in a hanging tree?
Does the cruel and brutal death of some young man make God cry and go all weak and tender? There have been millions of deaths like that down the centuries! How does that one, that particular one, enable us to enter God’s presence in peace (Ephesians 2:17-18)? What is it about that death that opens the gates to breathless wonder?
It isn’t God’s love of shed blood that opens his home to us! It’s God himself—his nature and character. His shed blood didn’t make him a loving or welcoming God—it proclaimed that he has eternally been like that! The hanging tree didn’t turn God into a gracious God—it revealed the truth that he already was this!
Nowhere else in time or limitless space can we find the proof that God wants us to be home with him. Nowhere else, only at the hanging tree! It’s only because of that that sinners like us dare to imagine we are welcomed home.
It is in and through this hanging tree that the power of God that opens our eyes and draws us to himself in Jesus. It is this love of Christ that creates the New Testament elect whose business is then to gospel to the world that God hasn’t abandoned it, that he will right all wrongs and on that day the glory of God will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Jim McGuiggan... FAITH-FILLED DEFIANCE

FAITH-FILLED DEFIANCE



Genesis 23 tells us that Abraham bought a grave. That was the only piece of the
Promised Land that he got and he had to pay for it. More than 1,500 years later Jeremiah
bought a piece of land in the face of foreign invasion. What these two men did were
acts of holy and faith-filled defiance. They looked steadily at the physical and political
situations, recognizing them for what they were (harsh realities) and they still
claimed that what God had promised he would fulfill. Abraham’s tomb said he
would inherit the land and Jeremiah’s purchase prior to exile said he would be
restored to it. Holy, trusting defiance—that’s what it was!
I suppose there are two ways to defy the world. One is to run from it, to refuse to be
part of it except to the degree that we can’t avoid it. We see that anti-culture approach
in a number of religious communities. It is possible, I suppose, to eat without rejoicing,
associate without nurturing friendship, cooperate but avoid love, and so on. If you don’t
love you won’t feel the loss, if you keep free of commitments you won’t suffer
disappointment and if you keep life at arm’s length then the grave won’t seem so bad.
Aside from the fact that this is anti-life, it’s a denial of the faith based on the Hebrew-Christian
scriptures. To deny the harsh realities of existence is a fool’s game but to deny the joys and
pleasures of life is crass nonsense.
When the Christian embraces all of lifein particular its joys and pleasuresit
doesn’t mean she doesn’t recognize their limits. A sandcastle is a sandcastle and
isn’t meant to stand for centuries—but it’s to be enjoyed just the same. In fact, it is a
sand
castle precisely because we are able to rejoice in sandcastles for the moment. If
it’s wrecked, the children often laugh and build another one. No serious loss has
been sustained and we can experience the pleasure of rebuilding all over again. A
castle of stone and iron wouldn’t work on the beach when a family has a few hours
together away from work and pressures and tough agendas. Much of life’s like that
and is supposed to be like that. To ask too much from what is designed to offer less
is to create disappointment for yourself and, maybe worse, the foolishness might
generate cynicism and sourness with life in general. We can’t expect health to last
forever—not in the present phase of human living anyway.


©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com

From Jim McGuiggan... ROMANCE AND HUMAN LOVES

ROMANCE AND HUMAN LOVES

Jesus didn’t come into the world to deprive us of life. He didn’t come into the world to make us miserable and draw us away from the creation and the joys of it. No, he came to redeem us. I mean by that that he came to save us from our sins, of course! Of course! But the redemption Jesus brings is not only from guilt and the God-appointed judgment that sinful rebellion inevitably leads the impenitent to. He came to redeem us from self-destruction, from ignorance and blindness, from frittering away our lives in empty pursuits and he came to redeem us to truth and light and joy lived out in the world in the glorious presence of God.
Without God we’re lost not only in some specialized religious sense—we’re lost to dreams we should dream, relationships we should enjoy and lost to purposes that dignify us as humans. He came to enable us to see life and the world in a new way and to live in response to that vision in a new way. Of course this new and redeemed way is the fulfilment of his old, eternal purpose.
Old things become new, worn out things are refreshed—the entire creation becomes a different place because we see it in and through him and gladly confess that that is how it should be seen if we are to enjoy life to the full in God’s creation.
Everything changes for the person who sees with Christ’s eyes. Oh I don’t mean they become as clear-sighted as Jesus but I do mean that they confess that Jesus’ vision is the true vision and to that degree they “re-envision” the world. It’s never the same after Him. The deeper their relationship with him the better they see things because they see them Jesus’ way. If any person is in Jesus he/she is part of a “new creation”; they don’t judge life and the people around them in the same way and the joys of life become more joyful. A poet said it like this:
Heaven above is softer blue
Earth beneath is sweeter green
Something lives in every hue
That Christless eyes have never seen
Birds with gladder songs overflow
Stars with deeper beauty shine
Since I know as now I know
I am his and he is mine.

Our vision, whatever its source and shape, shapes the world for us and if love of  the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ is the central impulse it shapes the world accordingly. Love in the form of “romance” or “friendship” or “family” illustrates this perfectly. It’s true that “romance” can be a cheap and shallow and irresponsible thing, but it need not be. Maybe in our Western society it’s mainly those things but, again, it need not be and it’s surely a mistake to take the weakest and worst forms of it and make them the norm.
The musician who butchers Beethoven or Bach doesn’t reflect badly on the composers—he humbles himself and those who know the richness of the music roll their eyes, maybe in pain. Those who speak of friendship and merely use those they call friends mustn’t be taken as illustrating friendship. Professing Christians who devour all round them and bring shame on the very name of Jesus shouldn’t be used as examples of Christ’s followers and abusive, sadistic parents can hardly be thought of as an example of the essence of parenthood.

Many young people—it’s everywhere lamented—are leaving religion behind or going to religions that give them a buzz. Who can know how many reasons there are for this? I’m certain that one of them is that we’ve separated religion from life and reduced living—real living—to religious behavior within religious structures and people who want life want more than religious activity in a religious setting.

I think there’s little point in our denying that we reduce full life to religious activities. It’s characteristic of us to divide work into sacred and secular. Preachers call their congregations to get involved in “the work of the Lord” and they mean by that some kind of evangelistic outreach or the cultivation of the congregation in terms of size and strength. We shouldn’t think outreach and mutual edification and benevolence is unrelated to “the work of the Lord”—far from it, but we shouldn’t dismiss a man or woman’s ten-hours a day job in a factory or an office or a home, providing for their families and paying honest debts—we shouldn’t dismiss this as if it wasn’t “the work of the Lord”.

Jesus believed in friendship and romance and marriage and work and pleasure—these he saw as gifts of God and called people in the name of his Holy Father to rejoice in them to God’s glory. Instead of sidelining friendship, romance, marital relationships, parent/child links, dreams and life purposes—instead of making people feel half-guilty for being involved in them, instead of suggesting that these are necessary but that they’re not truly what we’re to be about, we should be seeing them as avenues of joy and service to God. We’re to live, fully live, in all our human experiences as people attuned to God.

It’s true beyond debate that “romance” that isn’t shaped and expressed and rejoiced in as part of our living to God and his purposes mustn’t be the entire story. “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do,” Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:31, “do it all to the glory of God.” How tragic it would be, and in fact is, when we knowingly exclude romance or any other human experience from that call.

Love—love of people, love of creation, love of life and supremely, love of God—gives us vision that loveless eyes can’t have. It makes sense to say that “love is blind” and yet we never see so well as when we love someone. Many parents and friends have said of some fine young woman that she is wasting herself on such and such a young man. They say things like, “I don’t know what she sees in him!” Precisely! They don’t and can’t see what she sees in him because they don’t love him.
This vision doesn’t only come to lovers who love other humans. It’s experienced by someone who has come to see God and love him. John Masefield has that incredible poem The Everlasting Mercy that tells us of the conversion of Saul Kane, a hard-drinking, hard-living and hard-fighting sinner. Once smitten by the thought of Jesus he says this about the world around him:
       O glory of the lighted mind
       How dead I’d been, how dumb, how blind.
       The station brook, to my new eyes,
       Was babbling out of Paradise;
       The waters rushing from the rain
       Were singing Christ has risen again.
       I thought all earthly creatures knelt
       From rapture of the joy I felt.

Say there are differences between loving God and loving another human—of course! But the psychological impact, the uplift of the heart, the strengthening of our purpose and the hopeful way we look at the world once loves enters feels the same. God is not ashamed of the truth that we experience joy with others humans as we do with him. Human loves are the gift and work of God!
I fully accept that romance is never romance as God would have it unless it has him in mind. I know too that as Ronnie Milsap put it in one of his songs, “love comes and goes just like the wind.” But again, to call a self-centered, self-serving mere feeling “romance” may be linguistically legitimate but we rage at its character and call it other things. Aristotle and Plato reminded us that we are not to take a stunted tree (or a stunted anything else) and treat it as though this was the measure of the rest. We shouldn’t do that with romance or friendship or family or any other relationship.
When we get tired or one of our loved ones has been mauled by what was called “love” or “romance” the world gets a little colder and gloomier and sourer. But at its best or at least when it moves in that direction, a friendship, a romance, a family, an employer, a teacher, a doctor— whatever—makes a believer out of you. One rugged, tender relationship of love stands as a challenge to all the fake stuff that a sinful human family comes up with.
The Christian will tell you that the supreme example of that is Jesus but God isn’t slow to acknowledge that there are people he looks at and feels proud of, people of whom we’re told he was not ashamed to be called their God. In a world of shallow promises and fickle people the glory of a man or woman, a couple or a family is a work of God and defies the sinister whisper that this entire creation enterprise is rotten and God-forsaken.
Charlie Chaplin said it well in a notable song to love’s deathless nature. This is my Song.  One of the lines in his eulogy to love is this: [CLICK to hear the song.]
The world cannot be wrong if in this world there’s you!
    Don’t give up on love—ignoring Paul’s immediate purpose there’s something lovely and strong in his claim that “Love never fails.”





©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.


PS.  Be sure to click on the link for the song!!!!

From Mark Copeland... The Fruit Of The Spirit - III (Galatians 5:22-23)



                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                The Fruit Of The Spirit - III (5:22-23)

INTRODUCTION

1. This is our third and final study on "The Fruit Of The Spirit"...
   a. Fruit born by those who walk in the Spirit, who are led by the
      Spirit
   b. As opposed to those who succumb to their carnal lusts, producing
      the works of the flesh

2. Our first study on the fruit of the Spirit focused on the first triad
   of graces...
   a. Love - active good will, toward God and man, that passes knowledge
   b. Joy - gladness, delight, which is inexpressible and full of glory
   c. Peace - harmony, concord, that surpasses understanding

3. Our second study examined the second triad of graces...
   a. Longsuffering - patience, self-restraint in the face of
      provocation
   b. Kindness - sweetness of temper that places others at ease, born of
      mercy
   c. Goodness - benevolence, kindness in action

[The third triad of graces include faithfulness, gentleness (meekness,
KJV), and self-control.  Thus we note that...]

VII. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS FAITHFULNESS

   A. THE FAITHFULNESS THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., pistis - often used in the NT of a conviction or belief
         in respect to God and Christ
      2. But it also is used to describe the quality of "fidelity,
         faithfulness"
         a. "the character of one who can be relied on..." - Thayer
         b. "faithful, to be trusted, reliable..." - Vine
         c. William Barclay calls it "the virtue of reliability"
      3. This virtue, unfortunately, is not too common...
         a. While many may claim it, the wise man declared it hard to
            find - Pr 20:6
         b. The Psalmist decried the lack of "faithfulness" in his day,
            describing a condition that sounds much like our situation
            today - Ps 12:1-2
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of
         FAITHFULNESS in their lives

   B. FAITHFULNESS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Faithfulness is essential for those who would receive the crown
         of life - Re 2:10
      2. Some areas in which we need faithfulness:
         a. The use of our 'talents' (i.e., abilities, opportunities)
            - Mt 25:21,24-26
         b. Our duties to the church (e.g., its assemblies) - He 10:
            24-25
         c. Our duties as parents, spouses, children - Ep 6:4; Tit 2:3-5;
            Ep 5:22-23; 6:1-3
      3. Those who are faithful will be blessed by the Lord - Ps 31:23;
         Pr 28:20
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         FAITHFULNESS?

[Next we observe that...]

VIII. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GENTLENESS

   A. THE GENTLENESS (MEEKNESS, KJV) THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., prautes - gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness
         - Strong
      2. "the ability to bear reproaches and slights with moderation,
         and not to embark on revenge quickly, and not to be easily
         provoked to anger, but to be free from bitterness and
         contentiousness, having tranquillity and stability in the
         spirit." - Aristotle, On Virtues And Vices
      3. Gentleness (or meekness), then, is that virtuous quality by
         which "we treat all men with perfect courtesy, that we can
         rebuke without rancor, that we can argue without intolerance,
         that we can face the truth without resentment, that we can be
         angry and sin not, that we can be gentle and yet not weak."
         - Barclay
      4. A virtue displayed by both Moses and Jesus - Num 12:3; Mt 11:
         28-30
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of GENTLENESS
         in their lives

   B. GENTLENESS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. We are to receive the Word of God with meekness (prautes) - Ja
         1:21
      2. We must approach brethren in error with a spirit of gentleness
         (prautes) - Ga 6:1
      3. We must correct those in opposition with humility (prautes)
         - 2Ti 2:24-25
      4. We are to answer inquiries concerning our hope with meekness
         (prautes) - 1Pe 3:15
      5. Meekness (prautes) is necessary for the Christian man who would
         be wise - cf. Jm 3:13-18
      6. Meekness (prautes) is necessary for the Christian woman who
         would be precious in the sight of God - 1Pe 3:1-6
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         GENTLENESS?

[Finally, we consider that virtue which is most needed in dealing with
fleshly lusts...]

IX. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS SELF-CONTROL

   A. THE SELF-CONTROL THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Gr., egkrateia - it comes from the word "kratos" (strength),
         and means "one holding himself in" - Robertson
      2. Thayer defines it as:  "the virtue of one who masters his
         desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites"
      3. MacKnight adds the thought:  "Where this virtue subsists,
         temptation can have little influence."
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of
         SELF-CONTROL in their lives

   B. SELF-CONTROL IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. This virtue is necessary to overcoming the "works of the flesh"
         (such as fornication and outbursts of wrath) - cf. Ga 5:19-20
      2. The indwelling Spirit is given to the Christian to aid us in
         this regard - cf. Ro 8:11-14
      3. The Spirit's aid comes in response to asking for it in prayer
         - cf. Ep 3:16,20
      4. We must be willing to stand strong in the power of God's might
         - cf. Ep 6:12-18
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         SELF-CONTROL?

CONCLUSION

1. In brief, the third triad of graces produced by the Spirit in the
   life of the Christian are...
   a. Faithfulness - the virtue of reliability, the character of one who
      can be depended upon
   b. Gentleness - kind treatment of others, born of humility
   c. Self-control - the ability to hold oneself in, mastering desires
      and passions

2. Previously we noted the following contrasts between the Spirit and
   the flesh...
   a. Those who walk by the Spirit experience love, joy, and peace
   b. Those who indulge lusts of the flesh experience hatred,
      jealousies, and outbursts of wrath
   c. Those who walk by the Spirit experience longsuffering, kindness,
      and goodness
   d. Those who indulge fleshly lusts experience contentions, envy, and
      selfish ambitions

3. Once more we note the contrast between the Spirit and the flesh...
   a. Those who walk by the Spirit experience faithfulness, gentleness,
      and self-control
   b. Those who indulge fleshly lusts experience jealousies,
      contentions, and immorality

4. Previously we asked:  Which would you rather have...?
   a. A life infused with love, joy, and peace, by the Spirit of
      Almighty God?
   b. A life inflicted by hatred, jealousies, and outbursts of wrath,
      due to fleshly lusts?
   c. A life developing longsuffering, kindness, and goodness, with the
      help of the Holy Spirit?
   d. A life devastated by contentions, envy, and selfish ambitions, due
      to your own fleshly lusts?

5. So again we ask:  Which would you rather have...?
   a. A life exuding faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, with
      the aid of the Spirit?
   b. A life exhausted by jealousies, contentions, and immorality, due
      to your own fleshly lusts?

Jesus gives us a choice.  Through His blood He can cleanse us of sin;
through the Spirit He can empower us to live holy and righteous lives.
Are we willing to accept His gracious choice...?

   "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust
   of the flesh." - Ga 5:16

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... The Fruit Of The Spirit - II (Galatians 5:22-23)




                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                 The Fruit Of The Spirit - II (5:22-23)

1. In discussing "the fruit of the Spirit", the nine graces are often
   divided into three groups...:
   a. Those graces which turns one's thought toward God...
      1) Love (for love is of God)
      2) Joy (for we rejoice in the Lord)
      3) Peace (for from God comes the peace that surpasses
         understanding)
   b. Those that directs our attention to our fellowman...
      4) Longsuffering
      5) Kindness
      6) Goodness
   c. Those which refer more directly to oneself...
      7) Faithfulness
      8) Gentleness (meekness)
      9) Self-control

2. Our previous study focused on the first triad of graces...
   a. Love - active good will, toward God and man
   b. Joy - gladness, delight, which is inexpressible and full of glory
   c. Peace - harmony, concord, that surpasses understanding

[We now turn our attention to the second triplet of graces:
longsuffering, kindness, and goodness...]

IV. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LONGSUFFERING

   A. THE LONGSUFFERING THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., makrothumia ('patience' in the NASB)
         a. Literally, it means being "long-tempered" (the opposite of
            short-tempered)
         b. "patience, forbearance, longsuffering, slowness in avenging
            wrongs" - Thayer
      2. "Longsuffering is that quality of self-restraint in the face of
         provocation which does not hastily retaliate or promptly
         punish. It is the opposite of anger and is associated with
         mercy, and is used of God." - Vine
      3. The purpose of God's longsuffering - cf. 2Pe 3:7-9
         a. That we might have salvation! - 2Pe 3:15
         b. That we might be led to repentance! - Ro 2:4
         c. That those who fear Him and keep His commandments might
            delight in His lovingkindness, even though they have sinned
            - cf. Ps 103:8-18
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of
         LONGSUFFERING in their lives

   B. LONGSUFFERING IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Necessary if we desire God to be longsuffering toward us - cf.
         Mt 18:32-35
      2. Necessary to maintain the unity of the Spirit - Ep 4:1-3
      3. Necessary for preachers and teachers of the gospel - 2Ti 2:
         24-26; 3:10; 4:2
      4. Developed through love and prayer - cf. 1Co 13:4-8a; Col 1:9-11
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         LONGSUFFERING?

[When one possesses the quality of longsuffering, kindness naturally
follows...]

V. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS KINDNESS

   A. THE KINDNESS THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., chrestotes - this word describes "the sympathetic
         kindliness or sweetness of temper which puts others at their
         ease, and shrinks from giving pain" - Plummer
         a. It therefore describes a quality that makes other people
            feel at ease when with you
         b. They know you will be kind, or gentle
      2. In the Septuagint, it is used of God more than anyone else
         a. Where it is often translated as 'good' - cf. Ps 106:1;
            145:9
         b. Referring not to God's moral goodness, but rather to His
            kindness, expressed in His mercy
      3. In the New Testament, we read of the kindness of God
         a. In nature, even to ungrateful and evil men - Lk 6:35; cf. Mt  5:45
         b. In the giving of His Son, in whom we have salvation - Tit 3:
            4-7
         c. Even in the ages to come - Ep 2:7
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of KINDNESS in
         their lives

   B. KINDNESS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Is part of the Christian "garment" we are to put on - cf. Co
         3:12
      2. Should characterize our treatment of one another - Ep 4:31-32
      3. Do we act with kindness toward others?
         a. So that others are "at ease" in our presence?
         b. So that others feel they can draw close to us?
      4. Or do we with sharp words, cold shoulders, or arrogant
         condescension discourage others from feeling comfortable around
         us?
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         KINDNESS?

[Putting the spirit of kindness into action is the quality of
goodness...]

VI. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS GOODNESS

   A. THE GOODNESS THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., agathosune - active goodness, benevolent - Complete
         WordStudy Dictionary
         a. "It is more than chrestotes, gentleness, kindness, a
            mellowing of character." - ibid.
         b. "It is character energized, expressing itself in agathon,
            benevolence, active good." - ibid.
      2. Barnabas was a good man - Ac 11:24
         a. He was happy to see the progress of others; i.e., he was not
            envious - Ac 11:23
         b. He was an encourager of others - Ac 11:23
         c. He was liberal with his good words, which is how he got his
            name - cf. Ac 4:36
         d. He was generous with his possessions - cf. Ac 4:32-37
      3. Dorcas was a good woman - Ac 9:36
         a. She was "full of good works and charitable deeds"
         b. Even in her death, her goodness was being felt - cf. Ac 9:39
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of GOODNESS in
         their lives

   B. GOODNESS IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Those led by the Spirit of God will produce the quality of
         "goodness" - cf. Ep 5:8-9
      2. We have been created in Christ for this very purpose! - Ep 2:10
      3. We should do good unto all men, especially their brethren - Ga 6:10
      4. The Scriptures furnish us completely for this task - 2Ti 3:
         16-17
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to
         GOODNESS?

CONCLUSION

1. Again we note the contrast between the Spirit and the flesh...
   a. Those who walk by the Spirit experience longsuffering, kindness,
      and goodness
   b. Those who indulge fleshly lusts experience contentions, envy, and
      selfish ambitions

2. Which would you rather have...?
   a. A life developing longsuffering, kindness, and goodness, with the
      help of the Holy Spirit?
   b. A life devastated by contentions, envy, and selfish ambitions, due
      to your own fleshly lusts?

In the words of Paul (Ga 5:16):  "I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and
you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh."  Are you walking in the
Spirit, allowing Him to produce His fruit in your life...?

Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

From Mark Copeland... The Fruit Of The Spirit - I (Galatians 5:22-23)



                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                 The Fruit Of The Spirit - I (5:22-23)

INTRODUCTION

1. In Galatians, Paul warned regarding the works of the flesh...
   a. They can destroy the liberty we enjoy in Christ - Ga 5:13-15
   b. They prevent us from following the Spirit and doing the things we
      wish - Ga 5:16-17
   c. They keep us from inheriting the kingdom of God - Ga 5:21

2. He also wrote concerning those led by the Spirit...
   a. They are not under the law (in particular, the Law of Moses) - Ga  5:18
   b. They produce fruit against which there is no law (i.e., no
      condemnation) - Ga 5:22-23

[Having examined the works of the flesh in previous lessons, let's now
turn our attention the fruit of the Spirit (Ga 5:22-23).  When we walk
by the Spirit instead of indulging the flesh, what fruit does the Spirit
produce in our lives...?]

I. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE

   A. THE LOVE THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., agape - that love which seeks only the highest good of
         others
      2. Is the love of God poured into our hearts - Ro 5:5
      3. Which engenders a deeper love for God as our Father - Ro 8:
         14-15; Ga 4:6
      4. A love in Christ which "surpasses knowledge" - Ep 3:16-19
      5. And should produce love for one another - 1Jn 4:10-11,16,21
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of LOVE in
         their lives

   B. LOVE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. We are to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2
      2. We are to love one another fervently - 1Pe 1:22
      3. Love is to be the "tie that binds" the "garment" the Christian
         is to put on - Col 3:12-14
      4. It is to be the "universal motive" for all that we do - 1Co 16:14
      5. It is to prevent our Christian liberty from turning into
         destructive selfishness - Ga 5:13
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to our
         LOVE?

[When the love which the Spirit produces is a dominant presence in our
lives, it is only natural that it be accompanied by joy...]

II. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS JOY

   A. THE JOY THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., chara - joy, gladness (Thayer), delight (Vine)
      2. Is integral to the kingdom of God - Ro 14:17
      3. Is a gift from God, closely related to our faith and hope - Ro  15:13
      4. Is a blessing to sustain us in times of persecution - 1Th 1:6
      5. Can be described as 'inexpressible and full of glory" - 1Pe 1:
         6-8
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of JOY in
         their lives

   B. JOY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Should be a constant presence in our lives - Php 4:4
      2. Finding joy in our association together - Phm 1:7,20; 1Th 2:
         19-20
      3. Finding joy even in difficult circumstances - Jm 1:2-4
      4. Especially when suffering for Christ - 1Pe 4:13
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to our
         JOY?

[Walking in love, experiencing joy, it is understandable that those led
by the Spirit would also have peace...]

III. THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS PEACE

   A. THE PEACE THE SPIRIT PRODUCES...
      1. Grk., eireine- "peace between individuals, i.e., harmony,
         concord" - Thayer
      2. Is the result of those set their minds on the things of the
         Spirit - Ro 8:5-6
      3. Is also integral to the kingdom of God - Ro 14:17
      4. Is also a gift from God, closely related to our faith and hope
         - Ro 15:13
      -- Those "led by the Spirit" will produce the fruit of PEACE in
         their lives

   B. PEACE IN THE LIFE OF THE CHRISTIAN...
      1. Involves peace with God, when justified by faith - Ro 5:1
      2. Involves peace with man, made possible by Jesus' death - Ep 2:
         11-19
      3. Involves peace within self, received from God through prayer
         - Php 4:6-7
      -- Do we manifest that we "walk by the Spirit" in regards to our
         PEACE?

CONCLUSION

1. What a contrast between the Spirit and the flesh...!
   a. Those who walk by the Spirit experience love, joy, and peace
   b. Those who indulge lusts of the flesh experience hatred,
      jealousies, and outbursts of wrath

2. Which would you rather have...?
   a. A life infused with love, joy, and peace, by the Spirit of
      Almighty God?
   b. A life inflicted by hatred, jealousies, and outbursts of wrath,
      due to fleshly lusts?

By the grace of God, all who have been born again of water and the
Spirit, and are willing to walk in the Spirit can experience this
wonderful love, joy, and peace (with even more, as we'll see in our next
two lessons).  How about you...?
 
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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From Mark Copeland... Inheriting The Kingdom Of God (Galatians 5:21)



                     "THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

                  Inheriting The Kingdom Of God (5:21)

INTRODUCTION

1. In listing the works of the flesh, Paul concludes with an ominous
   warning...
   a. One that he had told them about in the past
   b. That those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom
      of God - Ga 5:21

2. The kingdom of God was an important theme in Paul's ministry...
   a. He preached the kingdom of God among the Ephesians - Ac 20:25
   b. He did so for two years while in Rome - Ac 28:23,30-31

3. In our text (Ga 5:21), Paul refers to 'inheriting' the kingdom of
   God...
   a. What is this kingdom of God?
   b. Is it something that exists now?  Is it in the future?
   c. How can one 'inherit' the kingdom of God?

[In answer to such questions, let's first talk about...]

I. THE PRESENT AND FUTURE KINGDOM

   A. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS PRESENT...
      1. Note what is said about those in the church
         a. They were being called into the kingdom - 1Th 2:12
         b. They had been translated (conveyed) into the kingdom - Co
            1:13
         c. They were receiving the kingdom - He 12:28
         d. They were companions in the kingdom - Re 1:9
      2. The church is that community of souls in whose hearts Christ is
         recognized as sovereign
         a. They have confessed Christ as Lord - cf. Ro 10:9-10; 1 Pe 3:15
         b. They freely submit to the Lord in the day of His power - cf.
            Ps 110:1-3
      3. Thus the terms 'church' and 'kingdom' are often used
         interchangeably
         a. As when Jesus spoke to Peter - Mt 16:18
         b. The comments made to Christians in the church - Col 1:13;
            1Th 2:12
         c. The description of those in the seven churches of Asia - Re 1:4,6,9
      4. The kingdom of God (i.e., the reign of Christ) reaches beyond
         those in the church (cf. Ps 110), but it benefits those in the
         church - cf. Ep 1:22-23
      -- In one sense, the kingdom of God is clearly present

   B. THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS FUTURE...
      1. As spoken of by Jesus
         a. In the parable of the tares - Mt 13:40-43
         b. In describing the judgment - Mt 25:34
      2. As referred to by Paul
         a. Exhorting Christians to be steadfast and holy - Ac 14:22;
            1Co 6:9-10; Ga 5:19-21
         b. Expounding on the hope of the resurrection - 1Co 15:22-26;
            15:50
         c. Expressing his own expectation for the future - 2Ti 4:18
      3. As promised by Peter
         a. With a call to diligence to make our calling and election
            sure - 2Pe 1:10
         b. To receive an abundant entrance into the everlasting kingdom
            - 2Pe 1:11
      -- In another sense, the kingdom of God is still in the future

   C. THE KINGDOM IS BOTH PRESENT AND FUTURE...
      1. In the present sense...
         a. It is found wherever the sovereignty of Jesus is accepted
            - Mt 28:18-20
         b. It is a spiritual kingdom, for Jesus rules in the hearts of
            men - Lk 17:20-21
         c. Its outward manifestation today is the Lord's church - Mt 16:18-19
         d. This rule or kingdom was inaugurated on at Pentecost - cf.
            Ac 2:36
      2. In the future sense...
         a. The rule or kingdom will be culminated with the coming of
            the Lord - 1Co 15:22-26
         b. It will be a heavenly and everlasting kingdom - 2Ti 4:18;
            2Pe 1:11
         c. Enjoyed only by those submitting to God's will today! - cf.
            Mt 7:21-23
         d. In which they shall reign with God and Christ forever! - Re 22:1-5
      -- The kingdom of God relates to the rule of God in the person of
         Jesus Christ, with manifestations and blessings of this rule
         both present and in the future

[In our text (Ga 5:21), Paul evidently has the future blessings of the
kingdom in mind.  He is concerned that the Galatians will indeed inherit
the kingdom.  Do you have a similar concern?  If so, consider...]

II. INHERITING THE FUTURE KINGDOM

   A. WE MUST BE BORN AGAIN...
      1. Otherwise we cannot see the kingdom of God - Jn 3:3
      2. We must be born of water and Spirit - Jn 3:5; cf. Tit 3:5
      -- A reference to baptism, in which one is born of both water and
         the Spirit - cf. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16; Ac 2:36-38

   B. WE MUST BE WASHED, SANCTIFIED, AND JUSTIFIED...
      1. The unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God - 1Co 6:
         9-10
      2. Yet the unrighteous can be washed, sanctified, and justified
         - 1Co 6:11
      -- Another reference to baptism, in which our sins are washed
         away, and we are thus set apart, and declared not guilty for
         our sins - cf. Ac 22:16; Col 2:12-13; 1Pe 3:21

   C. WE MUST PUT ASIDE THE WORKS OF THE FLESH...
      1. Such as fornication, uncleanness, covetousness - Ep 5:3-7; Ga 5:19-21
      2. We must put them to death, put them off, put on the new man
         - Col 3:5-8
      -- In their place we must put on Christ-like qualities - Col 3:
         9-17; Ga 5:22-23

   D. WE MUST DO THE FATHER'S WILL...
      1. It is not enough to simply confess the Lord - Mt 7:21
      2. It is not enough to do things in the name of the Lord - Mt 7:
         22-23
      -- We must have actually done the Father's will! - Mt 7:21

CONCLUSION

1. Remember that the kingdom of God is both present and future...
   a. The future manifestation and blessings will be experienced when
      Christ comes again
   b. To inherit that kingdom, we must submit to His rule in our lives
      in the present

2. Have you entered the kingdom of God in its present sense...?
   a. By being born again of water and the Spirit?
   b. By being washed, sanctified, and justified?

3. Will you inherit the kingdom of God in its future sense...?
   a. By putting aside the works of the flesh?
   b. By submitting to the Father's will in Christ?

Paul found it needful to warn his brethren time and again (Ga 5:21).
May our hearts be receptive to such warnings, and be determined to let
the will of God reign freely in our lives...
 
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011