People's Church

James 4:2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. (NIV)

6 Reasons We Don’t Ask God

1. Because God already knows my needs

Matthew 6:8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (NIV) 

John 16:24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. (NIV)

1a. You don’t believe God will help you

Mark 6:5–6 And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their unbelief. (NLT)

1b. Pride

2 Chronicles 16:12 In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians. (NIV)

1c. Unworthy feelings 

Hebrews 4:15–16 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. (NLT)

1d. Disappointment

Luke 18:1 Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (NIV)

2. Asking is Biblical

Mark 11:24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. (NIV)

Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:11- If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! (NIV)

Matthew 9:38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. (NIV)

Matthew 18:19 Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. (NIV)

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. (NIV)

3. Ask with the right motives 

James 4:3-4 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. (NIV)

3A. Motived by selfishness and worldliness

3B. Motivated by your will

1 John 5:14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (NIV)

4. Ask with Faith

Hebrews 11:5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: “He could not be found, because God had taken him away.” For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. (NIV) 

Hebrews 11:11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise. (NIV)

Hebrews 11:29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. (NIV)

Matthew 9:2 Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” (NIV)

Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (NIV)

Matthew 9:29 Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”; (NIV)

Matthew 15:28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment. (NIV).

Mark 10:52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (NIV)

Acts 14:9 He listened to Paul as he was speaking. Paul looked directly at him, saw that he had faith to be healed (NIV)

REVIEW:

1. You don’t receive a miracle because you don’t ask God

1a. God already knows my needs

1b. You don’t believe God will help you

1c. Pride

1d. Unworthy feelings

1e. Disappointment

2. Asking is biblical

3. Ask with the right motives 

4. Ask with faith

The One Ingredient You Need For A Miracle

1. Humanity needed a home

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)

2. Abraham and Sarah needed a son

Genesis 21:1-2 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (NIV)

3. Moses needed God’s clarity on his calling  

Exodus 3:2- There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. (NIV)

4. The Israelites needed deliverance

5. The Israelites needed divine direction

6. The Israelites needed food and water

7. The Israelites needed victory over their enemy

8. Jonah needed radical repentance

Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV) 

9. A widow needed her resources multiplied

10. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego needed protection

Daniel 3:25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (NIV)

NEW TESTAMENT

1. People needed physical healing

1a. The deaf needed to hear and the mute to speak

1b. The blind needed to see

1c. A man had a withered hand

1d. A woman had a blood issue

1e. Lazarus needed to be raised from the dead

2. The disciples needed a miracle at their job

3. People were demon possessed

4. The disciples were in a storm

The One Ingredient You Need For A Miracle

1. Humanity needed a home

Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (NIV)

2. Abraham and Sarah needed a son

Genesis 21:1-2 Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised. 2 Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him. (NIV)

3. Moses needed God’s clarity on his calling  

Exodus 3:2- There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. (NIV)

4. The Israelites needed deliverance

5. The Israelites needed divine direction

6. The Israelites needed food and water

7. The Israelites needed victory over their enemy

8. Jonah needed radical repentance

Jonah 2:10 And the LORD commanded the fish, and it vomited Jonah onto dry land. (NIV) 

9. A widow needed her resources multiplied

10. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendego needed protection

Daniel 3:25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” (NIV)

NEW TESTAMENT

1. People needed physical healing

1a. The deaf needed to hear and the mute to speak

1b. The blind needed to see

1c. A man had a withered hand

1d. A woman had a blood issue

1e. Lazarus needed to be raised from the dead

2. The disciples needed a miracle at their job

3. People were demon possessed

4. The disciples were in a storm

How to Recognize God’s Voice

Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) 

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

3 Dangerous Voices:

1. Voice of the flesh

Galatians 5:17 – The sinful nature wants to do evil. – NLT

Proverbs 14:12 - You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead. CEV

2. Voice of the world

1 John 2:16 - For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. NIV

3. Voice of the devil

John 8:44 - He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. NLT

Romans 8:14 - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. NLT

Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, NIV

John 16:13 - 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ESV

2 Ways the Holy Spirit speaks:

1. He speaks through God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. NIV

2. He speaks directly to your heart.

a. Whisper

b. Peace

c. Check in your spirit

d. Prophetically

How to Recognize God’s Voice

Galatians 5:16-17 (NLT) 

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

3 Dangerous Voices:

1. Voice of the flesh

Galatians 5:17 – The sinful nature wants to do evil. – NLT

Proverbs 14:12 - You may think you are on the right road and still end up dead. CEV

2. Voice of the world

1 John 2:16 - For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. NIV

3. Voice of the devil

John 8:44 - He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. NLT

Romans 8:14 - For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. NLT

Luke 4:1 Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, NIV

John 16:13 - 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. ESV

2 Ways the Holy Spirit speaks:

1. He speaks through God’s Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. NIV

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. NIV

2. He speaks directly to your heart.

a. Whisper

b. Peace

c. Check in your spirit

d. Prophetically

The #1 Reason You’re Not Growing

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (NIV)

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16–23 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 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. (NIV)

9 Characteristics Of The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Love:

2. Joy:

3. Peace:

4. Patience:

5. Kindness:

6. Goodness:

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (NIV)

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (NIV)

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

7. Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (ESV)

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (NIV)

Matthew 25:21 The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together”. (NLT)

8. Gentleness 

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you

will find rest for your souls. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! (NIV)

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (NIV)

Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (NIV)

9. Self-Control

2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (ESV)

Titus 2:11–12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (NIV)

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (ESV)

John 15:1-10 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. (NLT)

9 Ways To Remain So Your Fruit Grows

1. Remain in the word

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (NIV)

2. Remain in prayer

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV)

3. Remain in church

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT)

4. Remain in small groups

5. Remain in serving

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV)

6. Remain in generosity

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (NIV)

7. Remain in the love of God

John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (NIV)

8. Remain in the pruning process

John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (NIV)

9. Remain in obedience

John 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

The #1 Reason You’re Not Growing

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (NIV)

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16–23 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 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. (NIV)

9 Characteristics Of The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Love:

2. Joy:

3. Peace:

4. Patience:

5. Kindness:

6. Goodness:

Luke 6:27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (NIV)

Titus 2:14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (NIV)

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (NIV)

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

7. Faithfulness

1 Corinthians 4:2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. (ESV)

Revelation 2:10 Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. (NIV)

Matthew 25:21 The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together”. (NLT)

8. Gentleness 

Matthew 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you

will find rest for your souls. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 10:1 By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away! (NIV)

Philippians 4:5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. (NIV)

Titus 3:2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone (NIV)

9. Self-Control

2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (ESV)

Titus 2:11–12 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (NIV)

1 Peter 4:7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. (ESV)

John 15:1-10 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

1 Peter 1:14 So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. (NLT)

9 Ways To Remain So Your Fruit Grows

1. Remain in the word

John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (NIV)

2. Remain in prayer

Colossians 4:2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. (NIV)

3. Remain in church

Hebrews 10:25 And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. (NLT)

4. Remain in small groups

5. Remain in serving

1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (NIV)

6. Remain in generosity

1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (NIV)

7. Remain in the love of God

John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. (NIV)

8. Remain in the pruning process

John 15:1-2 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. (NIV)

9. Remain in obedience

John 15:10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. (NIV)

Are You Led By Flesh Or Fruit?

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (NIV)

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16–23 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 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. (NIV)

Illustration: Dirty water in a glass.

3 Interesting Facts About The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Christ followers do not have all the gifts of the Spirit but do have all the fruit of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 12:11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (NLT)

2. They are called the fruit of the Spirit not the fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 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. (NIV)

3. Your fruit matters to God and it should matter to you

Matthew 7:17–20 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (NIV)

Luke 6:43–44 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. (NIV)

9 Characteristics Of The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Love 

Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT)

John 13:34-35 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love. (ESV)

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (ESV)

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (ESV)

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)

2. Joy

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (ESV)

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)

3. Peace

4. Patience

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

5. Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (ESV)

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (NIV)

The Fruit Evaluator: Rate yourself from 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great)

Love 1 to 10

Joy 1 to 10

Peace 1 to 10


Patience 1 to 10

Kindness 1 to 10

Are You Led By Flesh Or Fruit?

1 Peter 1:23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (NIV)

1 John 3:9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. (NIV)

Galatians 5:16–23 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 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. (NIV)

Illustration: Dirty water in a glass.

3 Interesting Facts About The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Christ followers do not have all the gifts of the Spirit but do have all the fruit of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. (NLT)

1 Corinthians 12:11 It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have. (NLT)

2. They are called the fruit of the Spirit not the fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23 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. (NIV)

3. Your fruit matters to God and it should matter to you

Matthew 7:17–20 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (NIV)

Matthew 12:33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. (NIV)

Luke 6:43–44 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. (NIV)

9 Characteristics Of The Fruit Of The Spirit

1. Love 

Romans 5:8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (NLT)

John 13:34-35 “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. 35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (NLT)

1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love. (ESV)

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (ESV)

Colossians 3:14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (ESV)

Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. (NIV)

2. Joy

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (ESV)

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (ESV)

3. Peace

4. Patience

Hebrews 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (NIV)

5. Kindness

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. (ESV)

Colossians 3:12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (NIV)

The Fruit Evaluator: Rate yourself from 1 to 10 (1 being poor and 10 being great)

Love 1 to 10

Joy 1 to 10

Peace 1 to 10


Patience 1 to 10

Kindness 1 to 10

Baptized and Blessed

Matthew 3:13-17 - 13 Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to talk him out of it. “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,” he said, “so why are you coming to me?”

15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires.[a]” So John agreed to baptize him.

16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” NLT

Reasons people don’t get baptized:

1. They don’t see the importance of it.

2. They allow pride to keep them from being baptized.

3. They aren’t followers of Jesus.

Reasons you should be baptized:

1. Make a statement to yourself.

2. Make a statement to the world.

3. Your next step is always your most important one.

4. Jesus said you should.

Matthew 28:19-20 - 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations,[b] baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” NLT

Acts 2:38 - 38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. NLT

James 4:17 - 17 Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it. NLT




5. God’s blessing follows obedience.

Matthew 3:16-17 – 16 After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened[b] and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” NLT

John 8:28-29 - I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. 29 And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” NLT

Acts 10:36-38 – 36 This is the message of Good News for the people of Israel—that there is peace with God through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. 37 You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee, after John began preaching his message of baptism. 38 And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. NLT

James 1:25 - 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. NLT