January 1, 2012
Sermon: Cash Beveridge, Pastor
We didn’t record this week’s sermon, so we decided to share Pastor Cash’s notes:
Intro:
What are you praying for concerning 2012?
“Lord I just want to be more like you!!”
That sounds so noble and religiously correct, and it is, but what does it really mean as it applies to my life???
As I pondered this thought, the Fruit of the Spirit came to my mind, for to be more like Christ would surely be for my life to bear much more of the Fruit of the Spirit in the next year.
Galatians 5:22-26 (NASB95)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:22-26 (NKJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
As we re-examine these fruit together this morning I want you to consider which ones of these do you believe the Lord might encourage you to work on through out this next year.
At first glance, I mean, think about it. Who doesn’t want more love and joy in their lives??
But now think about it from Kingdom of God perspective. How do we see love and joy expressed in Christ life??
LOVE
Ephesians 5:25 (NASB95)
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her,
and of course John 3:16
John 3:16 (NASB95)
16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
As I look at the concept of LOVE through the lenses of Christ’ life I get a different picture than just the lovey dovey emotional, feel good concept of love. Love, for Christ, was the way of the cross.
I wonder how the Lord would want to change the way I love this year.
JOY
So often we see joy as an outward expression welling up from an immediate gratification based on something that makes us happy.
Look at Christ Idea of JOY
Hebrews 12:2 (NASB95)
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Joy by the way of the cross.
or how about this one
James 1:2-4 (NASB95)
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I wonder how the Lord may want to change my idea of JOY this year.
PEACE
John 14:27 (NASB95)
27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Philippians 4:7 (NASB95)
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Considering the times that we are presently living in I know that I will definitely need the Lord’s PEACE that surpasses all comprehension throughout this next year.
PATIENCE, LONG SUFFERING
Colossians 3:12-15 (NASB95)
12 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;
13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.
15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.
James 1:2-4 (NASB95)
2 Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance (patience).
4 And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
I wonder if I will need to grow in patience and long suffering this year?
KINDNESS
Ephesians 4:32 (NASB95)
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
How often will I need to draw from Christ’ example of kindness and forgiveness this year?
GOODNESS
Ephesians 5:8-9 (NASB95)
8 for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light
9 (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),
Are the “first fruits” out of my mouth ones of goodness?
FAITHFULNESS
Hebrews 11:6 (NASB95)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
I pray that God will grant me the grace to see my faith grow stronger and stronger throughout the next year
GENTLENESS
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NASB95)
1 Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
May I be quick to partake of the fruit of humility and gentleness this year
SELF-CONTROL
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NASB95)
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win.
25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.
26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air;
27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Discipline!! Not again!!
Closing:
Romans 15:13 (NASB95)
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
