THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: ESSENCE OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER Lesson 13 for the 27th of March, 2010

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS: Longsuffering THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS: Love Patience Joy Goodness Faithfulness Self-control Kindness Meekness Hope Peace Purpose Manner of life Brotherly kindness Doctrine Truth Knowledge Godliness Righteousness Virtue Ask the Holy Spirit for His fruit in your life.

OUR PRIORITY A B “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew, 6: 33) “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John, 2: 15) “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans, 14: 17) “You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James, 4: 4)

OUR PRIORITY A B We must give priority to receiving the fruit of the Spirit in our prayers and our thoughts, being confident that God will supply our needs. Loving the world is considered spiritual adultery. Our heart cannot love God and the world at the same time. We must decide. Ask the Holy Spirit for help to: Make the Kingdom of Heaven your first priority. Keep your heart from divisions.

E.G.W. (Counsels on stewardship, cp. 44, pg. 255) “"Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness," the Saviour says; "and all these things shall be added unto you." That is, Look away from this world to the eternal. Put forth your most earnest endeavors to obtain those things upon which God places value, and which Christ gave His precious life that you might secure. His sacrifice has thrown open wide to you the gates of heavenly commerce. Lay up your treasure beside the throne of God, by doing with His entrusted capital the work that He desires done in the winning of souls to a knowledge of the truth. This will secure you eternal riches” E.G.W. (Counsels on stewardship, cp. 44, pg. 255)

PERSEVERING OR BECOMING DISHEARTENED Do we show all the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Are we perfect like our Model, Jesus? If the answer to those questions is NO, what can we do to avoid becoming disheartened? We must be sure about our salvation. It doesn’t depend on what we can do, but what Jesus did. God wants us to move forward in our Christian career, reminding always our Model.

“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus” (Philippians, 3: 13-14) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to persevere every day, developing His fruit in your life.

“Our Saviour, who understands our heart-struggles, and knows the weakness of our natures, pities our infirmities, forgives our errors, and bestows upon us the graces which we earnestly desire. Joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, faith, and charity are the elements of the Christian character. These precious graces are the fruit of the Spirit, and the Christian's crown and shield … These heavenly attainments are not dependent upon circumstances, nor the will or imperfect judgment of man. Nothing can give more perfect contentment and satisfaction than the cultivation of a Christian character; the most exalted aspirations can aim at nothing higher” E.G.W. (The signs of the times, September 9, 1886)

HOW TO GROW THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT STUDYING GOD’S WORD “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17) PRAYING “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians, 5: 17) CORRECT THOUGHTS “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things” (Philippians, 4: 8) CHRISTIAN WITNESSES “Jesus did not let him, but said, "Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."” (Mark, 5: 19) Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to grow His fruit.