SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES 16-09-2018

RECAP OF OUR LAST STUDY From our last study, entitled “Maintaining spiritual Liberty”, we learnt that having been made free by grace, believers should not turn to the weak and miserable practices of the law and be enslaved again. Liberty from spiritual bondage can be maintained through the Spirit’s continued indwelling and obedience to God’s leading. Only those who hold fast to their profession of faith till the end can be assured of a place in God’s kingdom.

TODAY’S STUDY: LESSON 710: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT MEMORY VERSE: …… “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22,23) TEXT: Galatians 5:22-26

TODAY’S STUDY (continued) INTRODUCTION: A Christian should show the visible marks of Christ’s life or “the fruit of the Spirit”. Believers are like a tree, which is expected to bear fruit. To be fruitless is not to be born of the Spirit. On the other hand, where the fruit of the Spirit is found, it is clear that there is the new birth because these marks cannot be produced by the human spirit or human efforts. The aim of this study is to examine these marks so we can yield our lives to the Spirit of God and He can mould us after the life of Jesus Christ.

TODAY’S STUDY (continued) QUESTION 1: What is the fruit of the Spirit? – Gal 5:22,23

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:22,23 There are nine characters of the fruit produced by the Spirit. The singular term “fruit” means they are to function together. Love is basic essential life of Christ: it embraces all the other attributes. QUESTION 2: How does love embrace all other components of the fruit of the Spirit? – John 13:34,35; 1 John 4:7-12 QUESTION 3: Explain any fruit of the Spirit according to the verses below – Isa 61:10; 1 Sam 24:17; Luke 6:29; Pro 16:32

CONDITIONS FOR FRUIT BEARING John 15:1-9; Romans 7:4 To bear the fruit of the Spirit, one must be born again and remain in fellowship with Jesus. Every branch detached from the stem cannot bear fruit; so we must abide in Christ to remain fruitful. QUESTION 4: What are the conditions for fruit bearing? – John 4:24; 15:4,5; Romans 7:4 QUESTION 5: Mention some of the benefits of bearing the fruit of the Spirit – John 15:7-9

CRUCIFIXION OF THE FLESH AND WALKING IN THE SPIRIT Galatians 5:24-26, 16 The Christian life demands that a believer should crucify the flesh and live in the Spirit. The flesh represents the base nature of sin; the Spirit represents the righteous life of God. To walk in the Spirit is to obey the Word of God, thereby living after the pattern of Christ. QUESTION 6a: What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? – Gal 5:24-26 QUESTION 6b: What is the sure way to be free from sin’s bondage? – Eph 3:17,18

CONCLUSION The fruit of the Spirit represents the visible marks of Christ’s life; it is Christ reproduced in the believer. Everyone that is born again should bear the fruit of the Spirit. To remain fruitful, we must abide firmly in Christ by obeying His word. To be free from the slavery of sin, we must crucify the flesh and yield our lives to the Spirit of God.