Reformed Non-Denominational Church in O'Fallon, Missouri

Fruits of the Spirit II: Joy

Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

Meaning of Joy (Greek: Xara): Joy is delight at something esteemed good in possession or in prospect.

Xara denotes both the state and the object of joy

Objects of Joy:

• The Person of God

• The People of God

• The Power (Gospel) of God

Observations on Joy:

• Joy linked to thankfulness

• Joy opposed to selfishness

• Joy consistent with trials

Walk in the Spirit VI

Walking in the Spirit VI (Galatians 5:16 and following)

Works of the Flesh can be grouped in this way:

• Vices against Purity

• Vices against Spirituality

• Vices against Community

> VICES AGAINST SOBRIETY

— Vices against Sobriety

1) Methai: drunkenness

2) Komoi: revelries; carousing; rioting

— And the like

1) Ephesians 5:3-4

2) Colossians 3:8-9

3) 1 Corinthians 5:11

— Shall not inherit

1) Tell you before

2) Those who do/practice

Conclusion: Change the tree and you change the fruit

Walk in the Spirit IV

Walk in the Spirit – Galatians 5:16-21

Works of the Flesh can be grouped in this way:

• Vices against Purity

• Vices against Spirituality

> VICES AGAINST COMMUNITY

• Vices against Sobriety

— Vices against Community

1) Hatred

– Exthrai: hatreds; animosities; enmity

2) Contentions

– Eris: contentions; strife; disputes

3) Jealousy

– Zelos: jealousy; envy; rivalry

4) Wrath

– Thumoi: wrath; outbursts of anger

5) Selfish Ambition

6) Dissensions

7) Heresies

Walk in the Spirit III

Galatians 5:16 and following

Works of the Flesh

I Sexual Sins: fornication, uncleanness, lewdness

II Spiritual Sins: idolatry, sorcery, enmity

A Eidololatreia: idolatry; idol worship

1 Two kinds: Spiritual; Formal

a Spiritual Idolatry

i Its meaning

ii Three rivals to God

– earthly things

– people

– yourself

b Formal Idolatry

i Its meaning

ii True worship; Spirit & Truth

B Pharmakeia

1 Medical Use

2 Moral Use

3 Religious Use

C Exthrai

1 Enity or Hostility

2 Link to idolatry

D Conclusion

1 Modern man and idolatry

2 Christian man and idolatry

3 Victory over idolatry

Walk in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16

“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

Meaning of Spirit & Flesh

• Old Man & New Man

• Outward Man & Inward Man

• Natural, Spiritual, & Carnal

• Spirit & Flesh

The Spirit

• The Holy Spirit Himself

• The Union of Holy Spirit and Human Soul

The Flesh

• Not the “old man” of “old nature”

Christian Liberty II: It’s Goal

Galatians 5:13-15

Meaning of Liberty

• Liberty from Curse

• Liberty from Sin

• Liberty from Satan

• Liberty from Law (Galatians 5:1)

Goal of Liberty

• Negatively: “Use not as an opportunity to indulge the flesh”

• Positively: “In love, server one another”

Loving Service

• Motive: love

• Fruit: service