Jun. 08, 2025

Background:

• It does not take much to get in the flesh when we aren't walking in the spirit
• In order to stay in the spirit we must stay connected in the vine
• Jesus is the vine, we are the branches
• We have to know how to operate in the spirit
• Walking in the spirit is not an option but a command if we want God to have his way in our lives
• You have to make a choice to be obedient when walking in the spirit
• We try to do it and we end up messing up

Key Sermon Points:

1. The contrast

• The sins of the first list are ugly and repulsive result of evil desire(vv. 19-21)
• When we do this type of sin it disconnects us from the spirit
• If we do not adhere to the spirit we may end up paying with our lives
• If we live this life we once lived before then we have some issues
• We need not to be walking in the flesh instead we need to walk in the spirit
• We can not blame this on Satan nor can we blame it on the world, it is the sin in us
• All of us have choices and sometimes we make the wrong choice
• For a Christian these should be things we used to be caught up in
• To an unbeliever this lifestyle is natural
• If we want to walk by the spirit then we must be attached to the word of God
• We must read our word, pray, and be around positive people
• If we hang around negativity it will start to affect us
• The reason we are not growing is because we hang around people that like to talk
• It is important to understand that to walk in the spirit we must be genuine
• If we do not feed the spirit, then we feed the flesh and it will take over

2. The fruit of the Spirit

• Godly attitude of a Christian
• Fruit is not something hidden
• We ought to be able to see with our own eyes that there is fruit on our tree
• The fruit of the spirit is always displayed in contrast with others
• If we have fruit on our tree then we must serves others
• One tree with three branches (Branch 1)
  • Love: agape love from Jesus
  • Joy: a gift from God that the world can not take away
  • Peace: guard your heart, an oasis in the storm
• Personal Relationship with others (Branch 2)
  • God is long suffering
  • Kindness: tender concern of others and a desire to treat other gently and being tender hearted
  • Goodness: acts of kindness
• Development of a person (Branch 3)
  • Faithfulness: be faithful to the Lord until death, He will show us how to be faithful
  • Gentleness: power under control, meekness
  • Self-control: it is important to have yourself under control

3. Let us crucify the flesh

• We must die daily to the flesh
• We must deny our flesh the things it desires of the world
• Walking in the spirit is an attitude, a disposition
• If we want to walk, influence, or grow in the spirit then we must let the spirit have its way
• The Spirit of God will allow us to do things that we can't do on our own