For this week's sermon, our guest speaker, Deb Prieto, continue sour series on the Fruits of the Spirit. Abiding in the Father can produce the Fruits of the Spirit, such as Kindness. What could abiding in the Father look like for you? 

In this sermon we explore the difference between love and kindness. They are both Fruits of the Spirit and while similar, have two different meanings. We see how it is the kindness of God that leads us to repentence.

When Paul asked Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a brother, he did not use his authority as an apostle. Instead, he asked Philemon to do so out of love. When we do things out of love instead of duty, we do so with Joy.

Jesus says to rejoice when people hate and revile and defame us on his account. How can we do this? Know that Jesus has victory in the spiritual realm. When we face life's trials, ask for his vision, to know that the heavenly hosts and chariots of fire are all around us.

To be fruitful and multiply is more than a call to just have babies. It is a call to abide in Jesus!

Joy doesn't respond to circumstances. Joy has its eyes fixed on something in the future.

On this Easter Sunday, we are reminded that God has completed the items on our To Do list that we could not do ourselves. He has dealt with our shame. He has given us a source of hope. He has diminished our despair. Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead has accomplished these tasks for us, things we could not do for ourselves.

In the same way a strong scent can transport you to another place and time, the scent of Christ on Palm Sunday is powerful for those he encounters.

When we watch a movie, we identify with the main character. We want the story to be about us. We want to be in control. But in reality, we are one of the minor characters, one of the extras, looking on from the background. As Christians, we need to step aside and recognize that Jesus is the center.

Biblical self-control is not the same as the dictionary definition. It is not gritting our teeth and trying to control our desires and actions. It looks more like surrender. When we submit ourselves to God and fix our eyes on Jesus, he will empower us with his Spirit and bestow upon us his self-control.