The sermon podcast is back as we kick-off this years advent series.

This Saturday, Rachel spoke on the topic of Gentleness, her message was titled, A Gentle Kingdom.

Questions:

Why do you think gentleness is a Fruit of the Spirit?

What are some words you associate with gentleness? Do any of them carry any cultural baggage for you?

What roles does gentleness play in a Christ-centered community?

Scripture:

Galatians 5:13-26

13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[b] 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

This week Greg is speaking and he is tackling the subject of self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1

New International Version

Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet this is no cause for shame, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day.

13 What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. 14 Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Discussion Questions

1. What practices help you re-kindle your faith, fanning into flame the gift of God’s Kingdom?

2. What fears keep you from acting courageously in your faith? How do you summon the courage given by the Holy Spirit to address those fears?

3. What good things have you learned from mentors and teachers in your life, that you have put into practice?

Here is the message from July 10th. Matt was speaking that week and he helped us sort out what Goodness really is. Check it out as he referenced the story of the Good Samaritan.

Yang and Victor were both asked to share a significant Scripture in their lives. Unfortunately the recording of Yang's talk started midway through his message. We are sorry for that. Thanks to both men for sharing.

Check out Dave's Message from the week of June 26. Dave talked about Patience or Long-suffering. Unfortunately the external videos that Dave used in his message were not recorded with the message.

From the June 19th Gathering.

Greg speaks about Kindness.

This week Keegan spoke about Peace as part of the Fruit of the Spirit.

Here is the message.

The discussion questions are:

1. If you were to describe peace as explored in the Scripture, how would you explain it.

2. List three things that you have been thankful for in the past fifteen months.

3. Where do you see peace?

Main Verse:

John 16:16-24 NIV

16 Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.”

17 At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” 18 They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.”

19 Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? 20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. 21 A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. 22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. 23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

Discussion Questions:

1. Describe a time this week when you felt happy.

2. How have you over come a personal struggle?

3. What is a something that you are looking forward to in the next year?

This audio includes an update from Bryn about the work she is doing at Emily Carr in Vancouver.

We are kicking off a new series for the summer months. We are calling it Not Illegal and we will be based in Galatians 5:16-26.

This passage is one of the more famous passages in the New Testament as it refers to the Fruit of The Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is made up of 9 virtues. And over the summer months we will examine how these 9 virtues are demonstrated in the lives of Jesus followers.

Discussion Questions

1. What does the phrase walking with the Spirit mean to you?

2. Have you ever had a time where you felt like Jesus was saving you from drowning?

3. How would you explain Christian Love to someone who was not a Christian?