craigmanderson

RELATIONSHIP BUILDER (MOTHER’S DAY)

REVISION

In April we spoke about being full of the Holy Spirit. To be baptised in the Holy Spirit is necessary to be a witness. We shared about the difference between being born of the Spirit and being baptised in the Holy Spirit and also about the value of praying in other tongues to build up your spiritual life.

Last week we began a new theme of being led by the Spirit.

We are designed by God to be a vessel for the Spirit of God to dwell in. We can choose to walk in the flesh or walk in the spirit. Being led by the Holy Spirit is a daily conversation with the Holy Spirit.

Let’s look at the fruits of the Spirit. What does the bible mean by fruits?

Fruits are the outward signs of the tree being healthy. Fruit is the sweet part that a tree produces to benefit passers–by. Fruit is the seed bearing part of the plant that enables reproduction. (Joh 13:35  By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].)

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Gal 5:23  Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

Now consider how many of these fruits can be displayed when we are alone?

Love  NO

joy (gladness),  YES

peace,   YES

patience (an even temper, forbearance),   NO

kindness,   NO

goodness (benevolence),   NO

faithfulness,   NO

Gentleness (meekness, humility),   NO

self-control (self-restraint, continence).   YES IN SOME WAYS

Most of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life is directed towards improving your relationships with people. Now let’s go back to the context of that verse about the fruit.

 LED BY THE SPIRIT – WORDS THAT BUILD UP – NOT TEAR DOWN.

Gal 5:14  For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. [Lev. 19:18.]

Gal 5:15  But if you bite and devour one another [in partisan strife], be careful that you [and your whole fellowship] are not consumed by one another.

Gal 5:16  But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).

HERE WE SEE THAT BEING LED BY THE SPIRIT IS NECESSARY TO KEEP KIND WORDS COMING OUT OF OUR MOUTHS ABOUT EACH OTHER. NO GOSSIP, NO SLANDER, NO CRITICISM OF EACH OTHER. THE BIBLE SAYS IF YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH YOUR BROTHER GO TO HIM NOT EVERYONE ELSE.

Gal 5:17  For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do.

SO THE FLESH WANTS TO BITE AND DEVOUR ONE ANOTHER BUT THE SPIRIT OF GOD LIVING IN US WANTS TO EXERCISE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT – LOVE, KINDNESS.

Gal 5:18  But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

Gal 5:19  Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,

Gal 5:20  Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),

Gal 5:21  Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

 LED BY THE SPIRIT – TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER

Gal 5:22  But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness,

Gal 5:23  Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

Gal 5:24  And those who belong to Christ Jesus (the Messiah) have crucified the flesh (the godless human nature) with its passions and appetites and desires.

Gal 5:25  If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

IN OTHER WORDS BEING LED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT TRUMPS THE POWER OF THE FLESH! IF YOU ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD YOU GUIDE YOU AND CONTROL YOU – THEN YOU WILL NOT PRODUCE BAD FRUIT OF ENVY STRIFE AND DISSENTIONS BUT THE GOOD FRUIT OF LOVE, KINDNESS AND GENTLENESS.

LED BY THE SPIRIT FOR MOTHER’S DAY

So what does love and kindness look like on mother’s day?

Just about every kindergarten, school class room and Sunday school class will all be making a mother’s day gift each year. When little junior comes home to mum with the crayon drawing and egg carton stick man – her heart always melts.

Now we grow up and it’s not the same. Guys if you’re like me it’s Thursday and suddenly I think – Yikes…. I haven’t got a present for mum yet!! FLOWERS!!

Call the florist – spend some money and all is well. Call mum up on mother’s day and have chat.

It’s all good and that’s love. But imagine for one moment that you actually prayed about this…. I know that’s a radical thought!!! Now you ask God what would really bless my mum? He may very well lead you to say or do something that would truly make her day!

Here’s some random acts of kindness one of our interns prepared before hand for us…

• Cook a meal for your mum

1. Go grocery shopping with your mum.
2. Wash her car
3. Write a thankyou note to your mum.
4. Post on facebook about how awesome your mum is.
5. Send her a card once a week for a month.
6. Buy her an inspiring book.
7. Have a meaningful chat with her about stuff that she always cared about.
8. Paint her a picture.
9. Send some flowers.
10. Send a note with just kisses on it.
11. Go to her place and do some gardening.
12. Take her to a movie. OR buy her a DVD and send it.
13. Bake some cookies and send them to your mum.
14. Call your mum
15. Take you mum out to dinner or lunch.
16. Tell your mum how she helped you as you were growing up.
17. Tell your mum that you are praying for her.
18. Ask your mum for advice about something.
19. Send you mum some fun photos.

LED BY THE SPIRIT – CARING FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE – SOLO MUMS

There’s a group of special mums that we as a church should look out for – The solo mums. There’s 8 solo mums in our church. It’s a big job being a great mum for any of our mothers, but when you don’t have anyone doing the journey beside you that makes it even harder. There’s no one to bounce ideas off and no one there with a shoulder when it all gets a bit tough.

That’s why church is a part of the answer.

1Ti 5:1  DO NOT sharply censure or rebuke an older man, but entreat and plead with him as [you would with] a father. Treat younger men like brothers;

1Ti 5:2  [Treat] older women like mothers [and] younger women like sisters, in all purity.

1Ti 5:3  [Always] treat with great consideration and give aid to those who are truly widowed (solitary and without support).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Talk about some ways that natural fruit and spiritual fruit are alike and different.
2. How can a Christian increase the fruits of the Spirit in their life?
3. What are the fruits of the spirit you are pretty good at?
4. What are the fruits of the Spirit you need to see an increase in for your life?
5. What can you do to show kindness to a vulnerable person in the church? When will you do it?