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FOURSQUARE GOSPEL CHURCH, MAGODO

WEDNESDAY BIBLE STUDY 13TH APRIL, 2016.
THEME: MANIFESTATION OF THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22-23
TOPIC: MANIFESTATION…. REFLECTION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:22-23, MATTHEW 5:1-11, JOHN 15:9-14
According to the Dictionary, the word manifestation means a public display of group feelings (usually of a political nature) demonstration, manifest indication of the existence or presence or nature of some person or thing “a manifestation of disease”, expression without words; expression; reflection; reflexion; an appearance in bodily form (as of a disembodied spirit), a clear appearance! While fruit of the Holy Spirit is a virtue of Godly living that result naturally from a walk in the spirit.
In summary, to manifest the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the reflection of Godly virtues in a transformed life (Philippians 1:6).

 

The book of Romans 8:19, says “for the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God”. Without any gain saying, every true believer in Christ (whose sins have been forgiven and names written in book of life) is expected to live a new life (1 Corinthians 5:17) but it’s sad to see that Christians who are supposed to be the light of the world and salt of the earth are falling short of this (Matthew 5:13-14).
We have been called out of darkness into His marvelous light and to show forth His praises (1 Peter2:9-10). We have been called to live and reflect the character of our God as His ambassadors as we live here on earth.

 

The Beatitudes as illustrated by our Lord Jesus Christ in (Matthew 5:1-11) is a replica and a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit (an ideal Christian life).
The nine (9) fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. This fruit is divided into 3 groups as it affect our relationships:

  1. Love, joy and peace – an expression of a Christian growth and relationship with God which develop unselfish love, true joy and lasting peace in an individual’s life.
  2. Patience, kindness and goodness – this three build relationship with other people as one relates with them.
  3. Faithfulness, gentleness and  self control- as individual believer gets mature spiritually such an individual discover an inner strength, towards God and other people.

The fruit of the spirit is godly virtues which are evidence of our salvation and the genuine work of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 7:17).

Summary on Galatian Christians
Apostle Paul founded the churches in Galatia during his missionary journey (Acts 16:6, Gal 1:8, 4:13, 4:19). These Galatians were converts from paganism (Gal 4:8). After Paul’s departure, the churches were led astray from  Paul’s teachings by individuals proposing “another gospel” which centered on salvation through mosaic law (law of Moses) called legalism which Paul saw as preaching a “different gospel” from what he had taught them (Gal 1:1-9; 4). The Galatians welcomed the teachings of these new teachers. Paul wasn’t happy about this, so he placed a curse on those false teachers (Gal 1:6-9).
(What lesson do we learn from this compared to the converts we are discipling today?)

 

Nine (9) fruit of the Holy Spirit; it’s meaning and biblical references
The fruit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control

  • LOVE: it is the first fruit of the spirit, one trait of God that exemplifies His character, (in this, love of God was manifested, while we were yet sinners, He laid His life for us —?)
    1 Corinthians 14:1, Romans 5:5  we can have this love by Holy Spirit, by knowing God, loving God, it is when we have fellowship with Him that we come to know Him and receive His love
    1 John 5:1-3, 4:20, John 14:15, 15:10

 

  • JOY:  It is the natural reaction to the work of God whether promised or fulfilled. Joy expresses God’s kingdom – His influence on earth (Rom.14:17)
    Joy can manifest in different ways
    -Joy of deliverance (freedom that comes only from God) 1 Sam 2:1 , Acts 12:14,
    -Joy of salvation  Luke 15:7, Acts 8:8, 15:3
    -Joy of God’s presence  Psalm 16:11, Luke 1:14

 

  • PEACE : This is when there’s submission of ones will to God’s leading and actions to God’s word but leaving the end result to God. Paul exhorted the Christians at Rome to try by all means to be at peace with all men (Rom 12:18)
    The peace our Lord Jesus gave or brought to the world cost Him His life (Isa 53:5)
    Psalm 26:3, Romans 5:1, John 14:17,27

 

  • PATIENCE:  means steadfastness in difficult circumstances, to have long temper (ability to hold ones temper), peace is also known as long suffering.
    As the Spirit produces patience in us, He is making us more like Christ. (2 Thess. 3:5, Heb 10:12-13,) opposite of patience is agitation, discouragement, and a desire to revenge, but God doesn’t want His children to live in agitation but in peace (John 14:27)

 

  • KINDNESS: or gentleness – to be tender, concern, to be upright. His kindness provide salvation for us (Rom 2:4, 11:22, Titus 3:4-5), His kindness, gives green pastures (Psalm 23:2-3), He also expressed His kindness to Hagar and Ishmael at exile in form of water and hope (Gen 21:9-21). On multiple occasions, kindness induced Jesus to stop what  He was doing and help others in need (Matthew 6:34,7:29,10:46-52)

 

  • GOODNESS: relates directly to morality, it’s a virtue and holiness in action, it’s a moral characteristic of a spirit-filled person. Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own (James 1:17, math 19:16-17)

 

  • FAITHFULNESS: to be steadfast, to be constant, it is being careful in keeping what is entrusted to us, it’s the conviction that the scriptures reflect reality (Hebrews 11 listed the names of faithful men and women in Old Testament who trusted God), Abraham and Sarah believed against all evidence that they would have a child (Gen 21: 1-34), Rahab (Joshua 6). Faithfulness is believing God for who says He is and continuing in that belief despite the unexpected in life.

 

  • GENTLENESS: means meekness, it doesn’t mean weakness rather it involves humility and thankfulness to God and a polite behavior towards others. It takes a strong person to be truly gentle (2 Sam 22:36 – David’s testimony, II Tim. 2: 24-25)

 

  • SELF CONTROL: means temperance, ability to control one’s self which involves moderation, constraint, to say NO to desire or fleshy lust. Believers need self control because the outside world and internal forces are full of attacks (Romans 7:21-25), hence self control leads to perseverance

 

HOW DO I GROW IN MANIFESTATION OF THIS FRUIT?

  • Those who have been baptized and received the Holy Spirit should demonstrate this fruit daily
  • Do not quench the Spirit (1Thess. 5:19).
  • Stay connected to God and always asks Him for more of His Spirit
  • Constant obedience to God and His Spirit in other to become more like Him (John 15:14)
  • Do not neglect your relationship with God at the expense of focusing on the things of this world.

 

Discussion:    Is it possible to lack any of this fruit? Is it possible to have all this fruit?

 

Conclusion:   For constant manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our life, we need to remain connected to the Holy Spirit the giver and helper of the fruit, by so doing men will see our good works and shall give glory to God on our behalf. Shalom