HOLY SPIRIT (Part-11)
The fruit of the Spirit has been defined as:
– The supernatural outcome of being filled with the Spirit.
– The living proof that the Spirit of God dwells in us.
– Our natural tendencies are replaced with actions, reactions,
and attitudes that are led and controlled by the Holy Spirit.
Question:
(Galatians 5:22-23)
With nine elements listed, why is the singular word “fruit” used?
– Being filled with the Spirit encompasses all of these areas of our lives.
Love:
We use the word “love” in many ways.
I “love” sports.
I “love” to sing.
I “love” his smile.
I “love” to eat.
I “love” my family.
I “love” my friends.
I “love” my spouse.
In order to look at the different uses of the word,
We need to review the Greek words for love.
“eros” love:
– The Greek word for “longing” and “desire”.
– A selfish word for love that focuses on “what can I get for myself?”
– It became associated with sexual love (the word “erotic”).
Note:
Outside of God’s Will, this kind of love becomes possessive;
there is a desire to conquer and control.
Note:
Song of Songs (1 and 4) reveal love as God intended.
In verses 1:9, 15 and 4:1, 7
the Hebrew word “rayah” is used, which means “a female associate”
(Solomon probably was saying, “the woman of my dreams”).
– Over the years, the pressures of life and daily distraction
can result in diminished sexual desire and fulfillment;
this is dangerous in the fact that it provides Satan
another venue for corrupting our lives.
– The Bible provides us with marital guidelines (1 Corinthians 7:3-6).
– Outside of ourselves, our bodies belong to our spouse as well.
– Guidelines for sexual abstention:
– Mutual consent.
– For a time.
– To devote ourselves to prayer.
– Return to each other:
– So Satan will not tempt us.
Question:
How?
– So that we do not have failures resulting from a lack of self-control.
Question:
Self-control regarding what?
Note:
On-going deprivation for the wrong reasons
could be considered a unique form of adultery
(giving our bodies to self, selfishly).
“philos” love:
– The Greek word for love toward a friend.
– (Luke 14:10)
Question:
What position does “philos” love place on a friend?
– A high position.
– (Luke 15:8-9)
Look how friends respond to each other’s joys.
Note:
In Luke 15:9 the Greek words “tas philos”
are used, which mean “female friends”.
– (Luke 21:5-16)
Look at the sad results of friends
when “philos” is not present (betrayal).
– (Luke 23:8-12)
Question:
What cause Herod and Pilate to become friends?
– A common pursuit; a common interest.
– (1 Peter 3:8) Peter exhorts us to demonstrate brotherly love.
– (Galatians 6:10) Instructions on how to treat fellow believers.
– Examples of love not sanctioned by God:
– (1 Timothy 6:10) Money.
– (2 Timothy 3:1-5) Money and self.
Question:
What adjectives would you use
to describe someone who loves themselves?
Conceited.
Arrogant.
Boastful.
Rude.
Note:
The Greek word, “philautos” refers to this kind of love
(“autos” means “himself”, not “philautos”).
Note:
(John 12:25) Look what John says about those who love themselves.
“agape” love:
– From a Greek word which points toward a caring love.
– A love that flows from what is right and best,
and needed the most (“For God so loved (agape)”).
– Is not a love based so much on feelings
or common interests, but more of a response to a need.
In John 3:16, God responded to what humanity needed.
– (1 Corinthians 13)
When “love” or “charity” is used, it refers to “agape”.
– Some thoughts we may have regarding “agape” in our own lives:
Overwhelmed. Challenged. Skeptical.
Confident. Unattainable. Others?
– (1 Corinthians 2:1-2)
Paul readily admits that he could not speak with wisdom
or eloquence (which the people of Greece wanted),
but in (1 Corinthians 13:1) he points out that no matter how
he spoke, if he did not have “agape”, his words were useless.
– “agape” love is patient:
Romans 12:17-21 and Proverbs 25:21-22
(guidelines for patience).
– “agape” love is kind:
From the Greek word “chresteuomai”,
which means, “to show oneself useful”;
“agape” love volunteers to help.
– “agape” love does not envy:
– The Greek word “zeloo” means, “to be zealous”;
it connotes a passionate sense of jealousy.
– (Acts 7:9) Envy untamed always leads to some kind of action.
– “agape” love does not boast:
– The Greek word “perpereoumai”
comes from the root word meaning, “braggart”.
– (1 Corinthians 1:27)
Question:
Why did God choose
the foolish things of the world to shame the wise?
– (1 Corinthians 1:29) So that no one could boast before Him.
– (1 Corinthians 1:31)
There is a time when we are encouraged to boast.
Question:
What makes this kind of boasting okay?
Question:
How can we boast in the Lord?
– “agape” love is not proud:
– Scriptures that show the negative results of pride:
Proverbs 11
Psalm 10:4
Obadiah 1:3
2 Chronicles 25:27 – 26:21 (Uzziah)
Daniel 5:1-30 (20 – Nebuchadnezzer) (22 – King Belshazzar)
Jeremiah 13:15-17
(cause of coming captivity of Judah & Jerusalem)
– (2 Chronicles 32:24-30) Repenting of pride has positive results.
– Beth Moore’s pride confession:
During the early years of our marriage, my husband sometimes
chose fishing over church. It upset me so badly that I could not
refrain from quarreling with him about it. I hoped to make him
miserable enough that he would decide instead to go to church
with me.
Does this sound familiar?
Would you like to know what bothered me the most about his absence?
Having to explain why he wasn’t at Sunday School.
Relief flooded my soul the day I relinquished responsibility for my
husband’s spirituality. It was hindering my own! He still occasionally
skips church to fish, and when he does, he leaves a note that says,
“Elizabeth, Jesus loves a fisherman”. I don’t doubt it.
Oddly enough though, he rarely catches a thing on Sunday.
Isn’t God good?
He’s taken up the cause Himself, and He loves Keith even more than I do.
– “agape” love is not rude:
– From the Greek word “aschemoneo” which means,
“to behave in an ugly, indecent, unseemly, or unbecoming manner”.
Question:
Examples of people being rude?
– Lack of caring.
– Driving habits, including road rage..
– Expressing opinions without consideration of others.
– Shoppers.
– Teenagers.
– People who don’t listen.
– People who don’t answer when asked a question.
– People who don’t respond to a comment (when appropriate).
– People who interrupt when others are talking.
– Elderly people.
– Question:
How do you feel about people who are rude?
Has anyone ever walked away while you were talking directly to them?
– Question:
How do you feel about what they have to say?
– When the Holy Spirit is active in our lives,
we have a keen sensitivity toward indecency.
Note:
We should be concerned when we start to become de-sensitized.
– (Philippians 4:8)
Guidelines for avoiding
the quenching of our capacity for having and showing “agape” love.
– “agape” love is not self-seeking:
– Self-seeking is in direct contradiction to “agape”.
– “agape” seeks the highest and best for others.
– “self-seeking” seeks the highest and best for self.
Note:
God established the pattern.
If Jesus sought His own interests,
He would not have been crucified.
– “agape” love is not easily angered:
– This is joined with “self-seeking”.
When we are focused only on our own desires,
we can be easily angered by anything contrary to our desires.
Question:
What are some other causes of anger?
– Past hurts.
– Unresolved differences.
– Accumulation of things.
– (Psalm 145:8)
Again, God establishes the example.
Question:
According to this verse, what can help us in being slow to anger?
– Rich in love.
– (Proverbs 15:1) Provides a key for dealing with anger.
Question:
What is the most gentle answer we can give?
– I’m sorry.
– I understand.
– No answer (that means nothing can be mis-interpreted).
– (Proverbs 15:18) Tells us how to handle stressful situations.
Question:
How can a patient person calm a quarrel?
– (Proverbs 16:32)
Question:
What does this verse say to you?
– A patient person is strong and powerful?
– (Proverbs 19:11)
Tells us how to deal with being offended;
we can receive glory whenever we respond appropriately.
Question:
Is this easy to do? Why, or why not?
Question:
Can we do it? How?
– (Proverbs 21:19)
Our anger can affect those around us and make their lives miserable.
“When mom’s not happy, no one is happy”
– (Proverbs 22:24-25)
We are affected by the company we keep.
Question:
Do you think constant exposure
to a particular type of attitude can affect us? How?
– “agape” love keeps no records of wrong doings:
– (Psalm 103:10-14) God’s example.
Note:
(V14) – The length of God’s memory.
– (Hebrews 10:16-18) Another example from God.
– Some ideas to help us avoid keeping records
(in essence, forgetting wrongs).
– Allow God to be in charge of justice.
– Do not indulge in self-pity.
– Focus on the future, not the past.
– Discipline our thoughts toward the positive, not the negative.
– Realize that we also make mistakes.
– Remember how God treats our mistakes.
– Question:
Does forgiving always mean forgetting?
Question:
Examples?
In this case,
forgetting means it will not become a topic of discussion.
– “agape” love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth:
– (Psalm 119:29-32)
Question:
If we have this attitude, how does it affect our lives?
Question:
“Set my heart free” – free from what?
Isaiah 60:5 – Enlarge my heart; open the horizons.
– “agape” love always protects:
– From the Greek word “stego”
which means, “to cover over in silence”.
– We can take this to mean we should not expose the faults of others.
Question:
How do we expose the faults of others?
– Gossip.
Question:
Why do we expose the faults of others?
– (1 Peter 4:8)
Guidelines for avoiding exposing the faults of others (love).
– “agape” love always trusts:
– Question:
What makes us skeptical?
– Question:
How can we overcome skepticism?
– Trust God; leave everything in His hands.
– “agape” love always hopes:
– From the Greek word “elpizo”
which means, “to expect with desire”.
– In our terms, “to trust someone…to expect the best from them”.
– (2 Corinthians 8:22-24)
Paul sent Titus to the church of Corinth with great anticipation
that he would see and understand why Paul loved them as he did.
Paul expected the best from them (and probably received it).
– “agape” love always perseveres:
– From the Greek word “hupomeno” which means, “to remain under”.
– In our terminology, “hang in there”.
– Question:
What are some reasons we fail to persevere?
– Lack of a relationship (easily discouraged).
– Previous failures.
– Lack of support & encouragement.
– Too hard.
– Lack of patience.
– Question:
What are some hindrances to long-term relationships?
– A lack of faithfulness.
– The existence of problems or sin in our own life.
– Complacency.
– Question:
What are some causes for “back sliding”?
– “agape” love never fails:
– The Greek word for “fails” is “ekpipto”
and it means, “to be without effect; to be in vain”.
– If we allow “agape” to be a part of our lives,
it will always have an effect (a positive one).
– If God wants us to love a very difficult person,
if we are obedient, it will not be in vain.
– In summary:
– We can all say:
– We have loved our children, but have not always been patient.
– We want certain things from and for our children
(our love is self-seeking).
– We have not always had faith in the people we love,
and we have not always “hung in there”.
– When we review the list of “nevers” and “always”,
we realize we have never always done anything.
Question:
What is our problem?
– Agape is a divine love.
In ourselves, we are incapable of this kind of love.
Agape is the love of God expressed through us to others
(remember John 3:16).
– Agape is more of a response than a feeling.
– We face a situation in which God wants us to “agape” another person.
– We admit to God that we lack “agape” for this person.
– We think about how God would respond to this person
(according to the Scriptures).
– We obediently respond as He would.
– When we obey, He tenders our heart toward this person.
– We will be blessed for allowing God to use us
as a vessel for expressing His love to His children.
– As we mature spiritually, we will be able to pray
for good things to happen to this person,
to express hope in him, and to protect him.
– Agape in action:
– Look at the common thread in these verses:
Romans 5:8
1 John 3:16
1 John 4:9
– Each refers to the sacrifices of Christ (agape sacrifice).
– “Agape” is demonstrative:
Look at the common thread in these verses:
Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His own love for us”
1 John 4:9 – “This is how God showed His love among us”
1 John 3:16
“This is how we know what love is:
Jesus Christ laid down His life for us”
– God commands us to love as He loves;
look at how Christ shows His love (John 17):
Note:
We are allowed to read the precious words between the Father
and the Son just before Christ’s trial and crucifixion – awesome!
– (John 17:6) He reveals us to the Father.
– (John 17:8) He gives us the Father’s Word.
– (John 17:9) He prays for us.
– (John 17:12) He protects us.
– (John 17:19) He sanctifies Himself.
Question:
Sets Himself apart for what?
– Our well being?
– (John 17:22) He gives us glory.
– (John 17:23) He places us in Him.
– (John 17:24) He desires for us to be with Him and to see His glory.
– (John 17:25-26) He makes the Father known to us.
– (John 13:34-35)
Agape makes us known as His disciples.
Question:
Without agape, are we disqualified as His disciples?
Question:
What are the benefits of being considered as His disciples?
Question:
What are the expectations of His disciples?
– (1 John 3:11-24)
Question:
How is agape demonstrated in these verses?
– (v11) We have love for one another
– (v12)
We do not belong to the evil one.
Question:
Meaning?
– (v12)
We do not commit evil actions.
Question:
Examples?
– (v13) We can expect the world to hate us.
– (v14-15) We love our brothers.
– Without love we remain in death.
Question:
Meaning?
– Hate is equated to murder;
it disqualifies us from eternal life.
Question:
What is the difference between hate and dislike?
– (v16)
Love means laying down our lives for others.
Question:
Does self-sacrificing qualify?
– (v17) Help those in need; share our possessions and time.
– (v18) Know that love is expressed through actions.
– (v19)
Realize that we can have peace
in God’s presence when we show love.
– (v20-22)
God reads our hearts; if what He reads is genuine,
sincere, and obedient, then we can ask anything
of God and confidently expect to receive it.
Note:
If our hearts are right, our requests will be reasonable.
– (v23)
We should believe in Jesus Christ
and love one another.
– (v23)
Accept that loving one another
is a commandment, not a suggestion.
– (v24)
When we obey His commands,
we have a unique relationship with Him;
we will know this relationship exists
when His Spirit lives in and through us.
Note:
Also in 1 John 4:13.
Note:
When we quench the Holy Spirit,
we break this unique relationship.
– (1 John 4:7-21)
Read then ask, what is the source of agape love?
– Verse 7.
– (Romans 5:5)
Look at how God has equipped our hearts to possess “agape”
– (1 John 4:21) God’s command regarding love.
Question:
If we don’t love our brother, does that mean we don’t love God?
Question:
Who is our brother?
– (Matthew 22:36-40)
Jesus lists the two greatest commandments.
Question:
How do we show we love God to that degree?
Question:
How can we love our brothers as ourselves?
Question:
How do we express love for ourselves?
– Think of the names of 10 people we love the most.
Question:
Do they know we love them?
Question:
How do they know we love them?
Question:
What changes should we make?
BREAD FOR BELIEVERS 
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