DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Expensive Devotion 07 JANUARY, 2018

LESSON 675: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT MEMORY VERSE: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23) TEXT: Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:1-8

SUMMARY (1) From our previous study, we learnt the following lessons: Sin is the transgression of the law; Jesus came to take away our sins. True freedom from sin is the identifying mark of every child of God. It is obtained through repentance towards God and faith in Jesus Christ. It is self-deceit to be comfortable in sin and claim to be a child of God; stop excusing your sin and flee from it. The study of today touches on three points: The nature of the fruit of the Spirit. Conditions of fruit-bearing. Benefits of the fruit-bearing life.

SUMMARY (2) The nature of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23): It is the character of Christ reproduced in the Christian through the Holy Spirit. It comprises nine parts: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance collectively called “the fruit”. They are inseparable. Love expresses itself in the other eight parts; it is the essence of the Christian faith. Conditions of fruit-bearing (John 15:1-8; Psalm1:1-3): Salvation from sin is the basic requirement for bearing the fruit of the Spirit. Abiding in Christ, death to the old life and regular Christian fellowship are crucial. Benefits of the fruit-bearing life (John 15:7-8): Fruitful Christians attract divine favour and receive answers to their prayers. Christ identifies them as his disciples; God is glorified in them.

DISCUSSION

QUESTION 1 What is the “fruit of the Spirit”? Galatians 5:22-23

QUESTION 2 How does love embrace all other parts of the fruit of the Spirit? 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 1 John 4:7-8

QUESTION 3 Describe any of the parts of the fruit of the Spirit Isaiah 61:10 1 Thessalonians 2:7 Galatians 6:10 Proverbs 16:32

QUESTION 4 Mention some of the conditions for fruit-bearing Romans 7:4-6 John 15:4-5 Psalm 1:1-3

QUESTION 5 Mention some of the benefits of the fruit-bearing Christian life John 15:7-8 Psalm 92:13-14

CONCLUSION Salvation from sin is the gateway to receiving the fruit of the Spirit. Keeping the fruit is conditioned on holy living, obedience to God’s word and abiding in Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is the identification of the Christ-like life. “Ye shall know them by their fruits…” (Matthew 7:15). A fruitful Christian enjoys God’s glory and favour. He is Christ’s disciple. There is just one fruit of the Spirit. Go for it, get it and guard it!