This past Sunday we continued in a sermon series called “Are You Filled?” which is centered around the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Both Trevor and I have learned a lot in just the past couple weeks. The sermon yesterday had a lot of great messages in it and I wanted to get it logged in my “diary” so I can always come back to it.
The product of the Presence and control of the Holy Spirit in our lives cultivates some beautiful and fascinating character traits called the The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. Just as fruit appear in an orchard, the Holy Spirit brings gifts into our lives—things like a Christlike compassion for others, an exuberance about life that supercedes our circumstances, and a peace and serenity despite the sometimes harsh realities of life.
The Spirit also cultivates within us a willingness to stick with things, a graciousness in responding to people’s needs and an integrity of heart which offers comfort to those afflicted by the pain and heartaches of life. The fruit of the Spirit fosters loyalty in commitments, a gentleness in not needing to force our way in life, and the ability to direct and channel our energies and resources wisely. The Fruit of the Spirit are the outward expressions of Christ dwelling within us.
A quote I loved that was shared with us: “Powerfully and surely the Spirit works—sometimes dramatically; sometimes slowly, almost imperceptibly—in our lives to repeat the miracle of a new creation in Christ Jesus.” – Maxie D. Dunnam
The Holy Spirit is at work in our lives to help us not only talk the talk, but to walk the walk. The Fruit of the Spirit is not the fruit of human potential—it’s the fruit of God’s Spirit in the driver’s seat in our hearts and lives.
Sunday, May 16th, 2010, 12:23 pm | 
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