DATE: -5THMARCH, 2023
TOPIC: – FRUIT BEARING (Part 8)
BIBLE PASSAGE: – Colossians 3: – 17
MEMORY VERSE: – “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
INTRODUCTION: – One of the conditions of faithfulness is to abide in Christ-the True vine. Then being found in Him we become relevant in fruit bearing when we are purged (jh.15:2, 4). The purging or pruning is done nowhere else but here on earth, no place after death called purgatory, those peddling the teaching of purgatory after death are false teachers. A fruitful branch in Christ is purged or pruned during which process the dead parts are removed. Through pruning God removes from our lives anything that takes away from our devotion to Christ or hinders our life-giving connection to Him so that we can become more fruitful (JH.15:2). The purging or pruning can often be an uncomfortable or painful process of discipline and challenge. But the end result is the sweet fruit of Christian character that brings honour and glory to Jesus through a godly life and witness (Mt.3:8; 7:20; Rom.6:22; Gal.5:22-23; Eph.5:9; Phil.1:11).
LESSON OUTLINE
1) SELF CRUCIFIXION: – For anyone to bear fruit of the spirit; there is need to crucify or mortify the flesh. No believer can have the fullness of the spirit of God if he or she does not crucify the flesh. The Bible passage that enumerate the works of the flesh followed by the fruits of the spirit provides a connection and solution to the problems of the flesh mentioned in verse 19-21, in verse 24 as the crucifixion of the flesh (Gal.5:19-24).
The provision for the crucifixion of our flesh has been made in the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is reckoned by faith that Christian has been crucified with Christ on the cross. Their old sinful, rebellious way of life was put to death with Jesus as He took their sin on Himself and paid its full penalty through His own death (2Corint.5:21).
Though the cross is a popular symbol in the world, most people are not truly willing to identify with the suffering or the sacrifice of the Saviour that it represents. The cross of Christ, representing the horrible death that Jesus suffered for our eternal salvation has actually set a dividing line between true Christians and the rest of the world. Identifying with Christ sets us apart from the world that is offended by and opposed to God, His purposes and His standard of truth.
Thus, the Lord Jesus emphatically said anyone who will walk with Him to enjoy the fullness of the spirit; he or she must carry his or her cross to get the old manner flesh crucified. He or she must put to death or mortify the flesh. Sensitivity to the spirit requires that one be dead to the works of the flesh (Lk.9:23-24).
For us to be “crucified with Christ” includes being crucified to the world (i.e. dying to its desires, being freed from its control, becoming unresponsive to its influences.
There is no sharing in the salvation and glory of Christ’s cross without turning our backs on all the earthly pleasures that draw our hearts away from Him, His presence and His purposes (Mark 8:34), this involves to habitually follow Him regardless of the price even to death not just when it is easy, convenient and popular (Lk.9:62; Heb10.10:38-39).
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The first step that must be taken in many Churches and in many believers, if they must attain to a fullacarbed spiritual life, is the crucifixion on the old man. This is what is called “entire sanctification”. Any believer or Church that must enjoy the fullness of the spirit and make it to heaven at last must embrace any biblical doctrine of sanctification including crucifixion of the flesh. Apostle Paul said “I die daily” (1Corint.15:31).
QUESTIONS
- How can a believer enjoy the fullness of the spirit?
- What is purging of a fruitful branch important?
DATE: – 12TH MARCH, 2022
TOPIC: – FRUIT BEARING (Part 9)
BIBLE PASSAGE: – John 15: 1 – 14
MEMORY VERSE: – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith” (Galatians 5:22)
INTRODUCTION: – The all essence of Christian life is all about fruit bearing. Thus, most teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ during His earthly ministry emphasize on fruit bearing (Matt.7:15-20; 12:33-35; Jh.15:1-6). Yes, soul winning is part of fruit bearing but it is not as important as your character. It is your character that defines who you truly are before man and God. Remember, character is like smoke, it cannot be hidden.
LESSON OUTLINE
The Fruit Of The Spirit
Every believer in Christ is expected to bear fruit. You cannot say you are in Christ and be fruitless. If the believer bears fruit, he is purged to produce more fruit. If he is fruitless, he is taken away or removed from being part of the true vine. TAKE NOTE THAT IT IS THE Father Himself that does this, not man. (No man is able to pluck one branch from God’s hands, but if we say God cannot pluck off any branch that is fruitless, then we limit God and make the dead, fruitless and useless branches to be powerful than He is.
To take this position would be like saying to the vine dresser that it would be unlawful to prune the vine and remove the dead branches.
Thus, every believer as a branch in the True vine – the Lord Christ must bear fruit. The manifestations of spiritual gifts: their development and operations are best in proper spiritual atmosphere which is the place where the fruit of the spirit is born conspicuously.
The atmosphere conducive to the functioning of both the ministry gifts and the manifestation of gifts of the spirit is that described in Galatians 5:22-23.
A healthy Church is one that has both the ministry gifts and the manifestation gifts operating in the atmosphere of the fruit of the spirit.
It is dangerous to emphasize spiritual fruit, neglecting the gifts of the spirit.
However, it is more dangerous for any church to emphasize the spiritual gifts and down play or completely ignore the fruit of the spirit. The fact is you can possess and manifest every gift of the spirit and still miss heaven if you don’t bear the fruit of the spirit. But it is never possible to bear the fruit of the spirit and miss heaven even when you don’t manifest any of the gifts of the spirit.
Christ did not say any branch that do not manifest the gifts of the spirit would be cut off by the Father but the branch that bears no fruit shall be cut-off by the Father but the branch that bears no fruit shall be cut-off (Matt.3:10; 7:15-23; John 15:2,6).
For a healthy Church and believer, when we receive the Holy Spirit, we should receive His multifaceted ministry. We should receive His ministry gifts, which He graciously bestows upon the members of the body of Christ. We should also be open to receive the manifestation of the spirit, which are a vital part of His ministry, and we should receive the fruit of the spirit.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
The manifestation gifts are temporary, supernatural revelations of the spirits presence, while the fruit of the spirit is to become increasingly a permanent part of the lifestyle of God’s people.
QUESTIONS
- What makes a healthy Church?
- What is the spiritual atmosphere for spiritual gifts?
DATE: – 19THMARCH, 2023
TOPIC: – FRUIT BEARING (Part 10)
BIBLE PASSAGE: – Galatians 5:22 – 26, 1Corinthians 13:1 – 13
MEMORY VERSE: – “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
INTRODUCTION: – The fruit (not fruits) of the spirit is one and not nine as widely taught. However, as most fruits are embodiments of ingredients or constituents. Take a fruit like tomato or guava and you open it, you would find that which makes it a fruit inside. So is the fruit of the Spirit as recorded in our Bible passages of today, it contains nine ingredients: patience (long suffering), kindness, generosity, humility, courtesy, unselfishness, temperance, righteousness, sincerity (2Corint.13:14-8).
LESSON OUTLINE
1) The Fruit Of The Spirit
In contrast to the acts of the sinful nature, the fruit of the spirit is a God-centered spiritually focused lifestyle exhibiting the character of Christ. This lifestyle can easily be identified a godly Christ like manliness that is produced and developed in Christians as they allow the Holy Spirit to control, direct and influence their lives. Through the spirit’s power, Christians are able to overcome and destroy the power of sin particularly the acts of the sinful nature and to enjoy the benefits of their personal relationship with God (Rom.8:5-14; 8:14; Eph.4:2-3; 5:9; OL.3:12-15; 2 Pet.5:; Col.3:14).
“The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE …..” (Gal.5:22). Note the verb “is” (singular, not “are” – plural). The one and only all powerful and all-encompassing fruit of the spirit is LOVE.
There are four Greek words used for love:
i) Eros:From where the English words erotic comes. Eros is the erotic, sensual love expected to be found or exist only in marriage (Heb.13:4). Where ever or whenever, it is practiced outside marriage, it becomes sin, a work of the flesh that attracts God’s judgment (Rom.1:31-33).
ii) Phileo: This is the highest word for love in the secular world. It is tender affection towards someone. It can be referred to as a special liking. This is where the city of Philadephia in Asia minor (the sixth city where the Church addressed by the Lord Jesus in Revelation 3:7-13). The Lord even promised to confirmed His love to them (Revelation 3:9-11). It is the only Church that had nothing against her but commendations from the Lord. There reason is not far-fetched than the love that existed among the brethren.
iii)Storage: refers to family love. It was used to describe a mother’s love for her children or the children’s love for their parents or the love among siblings. The love with the family circle, kinship love.
iv) Agape: refers to spontaneous, unconditional, sacrificial, selfless and divine love. It is more eternal than gifts. Thou, it was seldom used in classical Greek but it was taken up by the New Testament writers and given special definition. This is the love God has for us (John 3:16). It is that love that refuses to be defeated. It is shed abroad in our hearts (Rom.5:5). If has no fear in it and does not discriminate.
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Love (GK. Agape is the fruit of the spirit, all other traits are appendage. Love is the fulfillment of all commandments. Love is the embodiment of all Christian manliness that makes us truly Christ likes.
Bear the fruit as it is all you required to make it to heaven.
QUESTIONS
- How many are the “fruit” of the Spirit?
- Enumerate the different types of love?
DATE: -26THMARCH, 2023
TOPIC: – FRUIT BEARING (Part 11)
BIBLE PASSAGE: – Philippians 4:1 – 10)
MEMORY VERSE: – “Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
INTRODUCTION: – It is no news that light shines in darkness and cannot be hid. Where ever there is love, it cannot be hidden, it manifest in diverse ways. The manifestation of love in a family, Church or community results in joy, peace, patience, kindness etc. let there be Love.
LESSON OUTLINE
1) Joy (GK. Chara): This is a strong inner sense of gladness that is not based on circumstances but on the love, grace, blessings, promises and nearness of God that belongs to those who follow Christ (Ps.119:16; 2 Corint.6:10; 12:9; Phil.1:14; 1Pet.1:8).
It is the joy of the Lord, that joy that comes from knowing that you are accepted in the beloved. That joy is accentuated, strengthened, and ripened by the ministry of the spirit. Joy “unspeakable and full of glory” is characteristic of true Christian. This is such a contradiction to some manifestations of Christianity. Some people believe very strongly that the more Christian you are, the sadder or more melancholy you are.
This is a very wrong perception. Long faced concept of Christianity is opposite to what the New Testament teaches. The first manifestation of the fruit of the spirit:
– Love, is joy. It is expected to be exhibited in every spirit-filled Christians.
In all circumstances, including suffering, God’s people must learn to rejoice and gain strength by recalling the Lord’s goodness, faithfulness, nearness and promises.
Joy is the key theme in Paul’s letter to the Philippian Church. Joy is the central part of our spiritual salvation and personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
True Christian joy reflects an inner peace and delight in God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. It is the blessing that flows from our relationship with them (2Corint.13:14). Joy is deeper than emotional happiness, which often depends on outward circumstances. Joy is based God’s immeasurable love for us and on the peace and hope we have because of what Christ has done for us. Our greatest joy will come when God reveals what is stored up for those who remain faithful to Him.
– Joy is directly related to the spiritual salvation provided by the personal sacrifice of Jesus Christ who “hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us (Eph.5:2; 1Pet.1:3-6). Joy is directly connected to God’s word (Jer.15:15). For this reason, true joy does not increase or decrease depending on our feelings or circumstances because it is based on the solid foundation of what Christ has already accomplished for us and on His eternal and unchanging word (Lk.21:33; Jh.1:1).
– Joy comes from God as one aspect of the Holy Spirit “fruit”. Joy does not come automatically, but is experienced only as we remain in growing, personal relationship with Christ (Jh.15:1-11). Our joy increases as the Holy Spirit gives us a deep sense of God’s presence and nearness in our lives. (Prov.16:11; Jh.14:15-21; 16:14).
– Joy comes from the comfort and delight of God’s nearness (Act 2:28) and His gifts of forgiveness, spiritual salvation and an eternal relationship with Him. True joy cannot be destroyed by pain, suffering, weakness or difficult circumstances (Mt.5:12; Act 16:23-25; 2Corint.12:9).
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Joy provides the highest motivation and strength for serving God and fulfilling His purposes for our lives (Neh.8:10). This kind of joy does amazing things in the lives of Christians. God’s joy guards our lives by providing help and motivation to overcome troubles and temptations.
Joy also motivates Christians to spiritual victory success. There is hardly a more powerful source of inspiration for enduring faith and love than the complete joy that is available to those who fine their greatest purpose though a personal relationship with God.
QUESTIONS
- Define what joy is
What is the difference between joy and happiness?