'FRUIT OF LOVE



FRUIT OF LOVE

Galatians 5:22-23

Fruit Of The Spirit Message Series

April 10, 2016

Pastor Nathan Thompson

Each one of us have most likely heard multiple sermons/messages on the importance of love; we have probably read books and watched talk show guests telling us how we need to simply be more loving and love-filled people.

These messages usually tell us that we should care more about people and their needs. They tell us we should do more nice things for others; to make sure we reach out and help people in need. It is true that all of these “loving” things can be really good for the other person and for our own well-being. Love is definitely a beautiful thing.

On the other hand however when we talk about love as a fruit of God’s Holy Spirit; when we talk about God empowering his love in us this popular word takes on a whole new meaning. As a fruit love isn’t just something that you simply do; it isn’t something that you can do all by yourself. Love as a fruit of the Spirit comes rather from God living and working inside of you.

If you have ever tried to plant a fruit tree (as well as basic crops and garden produce) you know how important it is to have it planted in good soil Trees and plants need sunlight and plenty of water so the roots can grow deep. Therefore it is only as a fruit tree (produce and crops) grows strong and healthy in good soil that healthy and abundant fruit will come forth.

This of course is one of the major problem with most sermons about love; also with most of the sentimental ideas and popular platitudes we hear each day about love. Now granted some caring and nice actions can feel like love, yet on their own they are often lacking. On our own the loving things we do can be pretty shallow; they can easily become self-centered; they can easily fall back into stories of hearts completely broken by this so-called thing called love.

However to have the seeds of faith and love sown in our hearts; to have the Holy Spirit fill us with God’s love and grace; to be personally touched and transformed by the love of Jesus working in us; then Jesus' love growing in us literally overflows as a fruit of God. It is a love growing in God’s values and strength; in God's grace and power—not on our own.

One of the problems even in the Christian church today (among believers) is that we usually expect that love should be the center of what we do. We expect that people will love their neighbors; will love their fellow church people; will love those in need. We believe that people will want to help others; to give generously; to seek forgiveness; to want to be in a ministry.

However many times we fail to find this kind of love happening in the church like we had hoped. What we rather find quite often is a kind of lukewarm caring and giving. We find love and service for certain people (those we know/who are like us) while others may be forgotten.

We also often find that when someone doesn’t like certain people; when they don't like some church decision; when they don't like how certain things are being done in a church, the church has often been known to be anything but a truly loving and caring place.

Yes we usually explain these conflicts away by saying it is simply a sign of the contentious days we live in; it is our sinful natures that cause divisions. Our response as pastors (church leaders) is to just keep preaching and urging people to love each other more. We say just be nicer people; just put aside your own agenda and think more about others. However the cycle usually continues; in turn we often wonder why God’s people just aren’t more loving?

The problem however is not a lack of good advice; not a lack of encouraging people to be more loving; it is actually a lack of Jesus' seeds of love/forgiveness firmly planted and growing in one's heart. It is found in expecting fruit from sinful people who are putting their own anger and selfish wants in front of God's truth about love; peace; reconciliation; forgiveness.

It is found in people who think they can be loving individuals simply by using their own will and power, rather than by having Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit filling you; empowering you; motivating you to love and serve others in Jesus’ name.

A few years ago I heard Pastor Bill Hybels of Willow Creek Community Church share an image that I have not forgotten. It was an image of a big thermometer with degrees listed from 180-degrees to 212-degrees. It is the progression from a warm heat to the boiling point of 212.

Bill Hybels said that as Christians if we simply go to church pretty faithfully; simply do those things that most feel make good active church members; these actions will enable us to generate only 180-degrees. Going through the religious motions can of course feel kind of warm and satisfying; can cause a person to feel as if they are living the way that every Christian should.

Bill Hybels however reminded us that those who are satisfied at 180-degrees usually don’t care very passionately about the lost world. Worship then is meant mostly to be done to uphold tradition rather than being vibrant worship that seeks to reach out to the seeker. At 180-degrees why should you really care about those who don’t know Jesus?

Also at 180-degrees why should you care about making an effort to serve the poor and needy; to become a tither in your giving; to loving your enemies? I mean simply coming to church pretty faithfully; simply going through the motions of being involved; what real power is generated from that which enables us to bear the abundant fruit of Jesus' love and witness in this world?

Bill Hybels went on to say that in order to generate more heat than simply 180-degrees one needs to open themselves up to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It means opening your love up to ways where God can touch your heart; ways he can use you. It means stepping out in faith; it means relying on God’s Spirit to work in and through you.

Opening up to the Holy Spirit first of all means to commit ourselves to spiritual disciplines and practices. This means learning how to and regularly reading your Bible; it means taking time to pray. It means listening to and seeking God's voice. Spiritual practices mean focusing each day on God and being open to the many ways God's Holy Spirit wants to work in you.

A second way to open up to the Holy Spirit is to get involved in a regular learning opportunity. This may mean being part of a Bible study; a Christ-centered Small Group; by listening to Christ-centered sermons/lectures. A large number of you at Messiah found God’s Spirit working in a powerful way through the weekly Lenten video lectures and Small Group breakout sessions.

A third way to open up to the Holy Spirit is through serving someone else; through investing your time in helping others in need. It is amazing the transformation which happens in you when you choose to focus simply not on your own troubles. Putting your love into action through service and effort has been known to transform a person's whole reason for living. The Holy Spirit grows and strengthens your faith as you use it in service; he lights a fire in your soul.

A fourth way to open up to the Holy Spirit is through acts of compassion and care; through giving sacrificially (time; talent; money) because you really care about those who don’t know Jesus. The Bible is clear—when you put your money where your mouth is; when you seek first God’s kingdom and his love the Holy Spirit’s power is set free in all you do; in all you live for.

Bill Hybels explained that as the Holy Spirit fills you; as you grow your roots of faith deeper in him; it is then that your life will boil over at 212-degrees. It is then that your life will be filled and brimming over with the Holy Spirit's fruit—fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

That’s the fruit of love which Paul is talking about in Galatians. It is not the superficial love the world talks and sings about; it is rather a love that loves like Jesus. It is a love that cares so deeply about others that it motivates (empowers) you to focus your life (your ministry) on helping others know and love Jesus. It is love that is “patient and kind, not jealous or boastful…”

It is a love which overflows with abundant giving and generosity in response to all the unbelievable blessings that God gives. It is a giving that is growing toward a tithe and beyond; toward a life of giving that is centered in faith; toward a love filled gratitude for our God.

It is a love that overflows in your witness and sharing with others about Jesus; in your faith testimony as to what God has done and is doing in you. It is love that overflows in your worship where you no longer simply go through the motions without thinking. It is rather a worship that overflows from the very depth of your amazing love and thanksgiving to God.

How about you today? Where is your life of faith as far as a temperature on this thermometer; how about our church? Is your faith lukewarm or at 180 degrees? Is your faith growing warmer in Jesus through Messiah's mission and ministry together? Are you overflowing and excited with all the love and joy that God wants to give you?

Let us all pray together that the Holy Spirit will fill us these weeks as we talk about these “Fruit of the Spirit.” Just imagine how our amazing ministry for Christ at Messiah will be enhanced as the Holy Spirit empowers us to overflow even more with his love and power.

My sincere prayer is that your love will boil so hot in God’s Spirit that it overflows in everything that you do. May your love be evident and shine forth each day as a “Fruit of the Spirit.”

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