ROMANS: Part 1 ~ Apostasy Among Us

Our Great Commission

ROMANS

Part 1: Apostasy Among Us

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith – www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –

“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Friday at the church 8:00PM

WHERE WE ARE AT

† Maturing in Christ

† Understanding in Christ

† Love of God

† God’s Spiritual Fruit

This Series: The Book of Romans

Previously:

TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission

Romans

Part 1: Apostasy Among Us

SCRIPTURE READING

Romans 1:20-21
For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His external Power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

INTRODUCTION

The first chapter of the Epistle (or letter) to the Romans was not intended to be read aloud, but to be a dreadful message to those who read it from the Word of God.

Some of the words have lost their original intent because of our changing times, and the general acceptance of sin against God under the guise of “tolerance”.

A missionary traveling to India, after reading the first chapter of Romans, was approached by a Hindu after the service. He asked the Pastor, “Did you write that first chapter to the Romans after your first visit here?” The missionary replied, “No, I didn’t write it at all. It was written nearly two thousand years ago.”

The Hindu was quite shocked and amazed at the accurate description of the sin described in Romans, believing it was a description of India because of the sinful condition there.

However, today, we are not talking about India, nor are we talking about ancient Romans from two thousand years ago. But we are going to speak about ourselves, and about some people here whom the text fits. Today I am speaking to some who are “without excuse: because that, when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were they thankful.”

I. The first charge against those who are mentioned in the text is, WANT OF REVERENCE. "They knew God," but "they glorified him not as God." They knew that there was a God; they never denied his existence; but they had no reverence for his name, they did not render him the homage to which he is entitled, they did not glorify him as God.

This unfortunately is still true today.

· They never think of God, year to year no thought of Him. Not in words or in thought.

As the Psalmist puts it, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not at all in his thoughts."

· The marginal reading is very expressive: "All his thoughts are, There is no God." Whether there is a God, or not, makes no practical difference to the wicked; they have so little esteem for him that, perhaps, if we could prove that there were no God, they would feel easier in their conscience.

Rev. Charles Spurgeon said “There must be something very wrong with you when you would rather that there were no God. "Well," says one, "I do not care much whether there is a God or not; I am an agnostic. "Oh!" I said, "that is a Greek word, is it not? And the equivalent Latin word is 'Ignoramus'." Somehow, he did not like the Latin nearly as much as the Greek. I could not bear to be an "ignoramus" or an "agnostic" about God! I must have a God; I cannot do without him. He is to me as necessary as food to my body, and air to my lungs.”

· The sad thing is, many believe there is a God, yet they “glorify Him not.” They do not give Him a thought.

My question to you is, do you go on without glorifying Him? Do you go from the beginning of the week to the end without reflecting upon God at all?

Do you feel you could do as well without God as with Him? Is that the case?

There must be something very terrible in the condition of your heart when, as a creation, you can do without a thought of your Creator, when He has nourished you, and brought you up, yet, is nothing to you, is not one you ever think of?

These people have no true conception of who God is, if God is anything, then He has to be everything!

You cannot put God in second place.

He is Almighty, All-wise, All-gracious, knowing everything, being in every place, constantly present, the emanations of his power found in every part of the universe. God is infinitely glorious; and unless we treat him as such, we have not treated him as he ought to be treated.

Shall we set God aside and say to Him, “When I have more time, I will spend it with you, when I have more money, I will attend to religion, when I can be a follower of you and not lose anything by it, then I will seek you”?

Beware your wrong thinking of God. “When they knew God, they glorified Him not.”

· There are some who think of God a little.

but they never offer him any humble, spiritual worship. Do not imagine that God can be worshipped by anything which is merely mechanical or external, but which is from the heart.

Is your conception of God that he desires your gold and your silver, and your brass and your fine linen, and all these adornments? Do you think that he is as yourself?

If so, you have a poor conception of God.

When the music is playing at full volume, but your heart is not singing, do you think God’s ears like a man, can be tickled with sweet sounds?

Why do you bring God down to our level?

Does he want candles when his torch makes the mountains to be great altars, smoking with the incense of praise to the God of creation? I fear that it has been true of many who externally appeared to be devout, "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God"!

Weep over your sin: now have you glorified him as God. Fall on your face, and be nothing before the Most High: now you have glorified him as God. Accept his righteousness; adore his bleeding Son; trust in his infinite compassion. Now you have glorified him as God, for "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

How far have you complied with that?

II. Now I take from the text the second accusation, which is certainly quite as sad as the other. Those who are mentioned by Paul are accused of WANT OF GRATITUDE. It is said of them that "when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were they thankful."

We say so many times in our lives, “I wish I knew what I ought to do, which way to go…” and it does begin with being thankful.

Be thankful for each “thou shalt,” in the scriptures, and for each “thou shalt not!”

Be thankful for plain direction in God’s Word.

God’s day is dishonored by those who are not thankful to Him.

They cannot come to worship, praise and cry out to Him on His day, but that very same day will go and spend the day as a family of amusement, sport or anything other than service to God.

They rob God of his day, even though it is only 1 of seven.

God’s book is also neglected by ungrateful men and women.

He has given us a Book, so full of wisdom and love. Heaven can be found between those pages.

A father’s love letter to his son, which goes unread far too often.

God’s Son, refused by the unthankful.

God had but one Son, infinite, holy, His delight! Whom left His home in heaven, coming to earth to be a servant, and died the death of a felon, the death of the cross, and all to save us, all for the guilty, all for men who were His enemies.

I loathe my sin and wicked ways which drove Jesus to the cross…but this must be one of the mysteries that the angels cannot comprehend, that after Christ died, there were still sinners found who would not be saved by Him.

They refused God’s Son, His holy sacrifice for payment of our sins.

They chose hell rather than salvation.

So in love with their enemy, sin, that they refused to be reconciled with God.

When you are compelled to say “I’ve been lucky…” instead thank God, there is no such thing as luck, God is in complete control.

“You know, I’ve been a hard working man…” instead, thank God, who gave you the strength to do so?

“I’m really smart…” instead thank God, who placed those brains within your head.

Should we continue to have no gratitude for the one from whom all blessing flow?

III. Now I finish with my third point, which is, that THIS IRREVERENCE AND INGRATITUDE WERE AGAINST KNOWLEDGE. "When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful."

You can see from the scripture that knowledge is of no use, if it does not lead to holy practice.

Hearing and not doing is fruitless.

Paul says, “they are without excuse”.

You too, are without excuse. All of us here today, are without excuse.

Whether you had godly parents, ungodly parents, or no parents at all. If you were raised poor, or rich. With or without. Whether you have exceptional intelligence, or of low caliber, you are without excuse if you know God.

On July 13^th, 1890, Rev. Charles H. Spurgeon had 82 people arrive in church that Sunday evening for service.

He said of that evening, that he couldn’t help but pray an earnest prayer that that would be the beginning of a revival.

His prayer was for those who were listening to glorify the God they know.

Step into a state of constant thought and worship of the Creator.

To be thankful to Him at all times, for all things.

To turn away from sin, and to the only name that can save.

Let us not be counted among those listen in the following pages of the Epistle to the Romans.

Let us not find ourselves in the pages of text that we will be looking at in our new series.

Apostasy Among Us.

God's Spirit - Part 13 - Two Destinies

Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 13: Two Destinies
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith – www.PS127.org www.TruthDigest.org


ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –
“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Friday at the church 8:00PM


WHERE WE ARE AT

† Maturing in Christ
† Understanding in Christ
† Love of God


This Series: God’s Spiritual Fruit

Previously:
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of Love
The Fruit of Joy Part I
The Fruit of Peace
The Fruit of Long Suffering (patience)
The Fruit of Kindness
The Fruit of Goodness
The Fruit of Meekness
The Fruit of Self-Control

TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 13: Two Destinies

SCRIPTURE READING

Galatians 6:7-9

7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.


INTRODUCTION



I. DO NOT BE DECEIVED
1. By others
i. Have you ever been lied to?
ii. Proverbs 26:18-19 “ 18 Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows
19 is a man who deceives his neighbor and says, "I was only joking!"”

2. By devils
i. Genesis 3:13 “Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

3. By our selves (are you?)
i. Obadiah 1:3 “ 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who live in the clefts of the rocks and make your home on the heights, you who say to yourself, 'Who can bring me down to the ground?”
ii. James 1:22 “22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”

Ill. Deceiving yourself

We can deceive ourselves, as the scriptures say, even to the point of destruction.

Roofing Story – Falling through the ceiling.


II. TWO DESTINIES
1. Two paths in Deuteronomy
i. Deuteronomy 30:14-16 “14 No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.
15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction. 16 For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.”
ii. Deuteronomy 30:19 “ 19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live”

2. Flesh and Spirit
i. They battle against each other, constantly
ii. Paul spoke about this
iii. We must choose daily, whom we are going to serve

3. Destruction or Eternal life (Which path are you on?)

Ill. Choosing a path
Sometimes we can have difficulties reconciling the sovereignty of God and the free will of man. How can God be in control if we can do what we want?

I believe the easiest way to understand it is to think of it like this. An ocean liner is traveling to a certain destination. It’s path is set, and the destination has been chosen. The passengers on board or not in chains, they can walk about the ship, eat and sleep when they choose, play games and visit with others. All this while the great liner travels closer and closer to its destination.

Both freedom and sovereignty are present at the same time.

So it is with God, His Kingdom has a set course. And while we are obedient to the Lord, at that same time, we have our free will.

III. DO NOT GIVE UP
1. Faithful until the end
i. 9 Let us not become weary of doing good…

2. Doing good without reward
i. 9 …at the proper time we will reap the harvest if we do not give up.

3. Building treasures in heaven (Are you storing treasures on earth or in heaven?)

Ill. Real treasures

A man was speaking with a farmer about his soybean and corn crops. Rain had been abundant, and the results were evident. But the farmer surprised the man when he said “My crops are especially vulnerable. Even a short drought could have a devastating effect.”

The man asked the farmer why, and the farmer explained that while frequent rains are a benefit, during that time the plants are not required to push roots deeper in search of water. The roots remain near the surface. A drought would find the plants unprepared and quickly kill them.

Some Christians receive abundant “rains” of worship, fellowship, and teaching. Yet when the stress enters their lives, many suddenly abandon God or think him unfaithful. Their roots have never pushed much below the surface. Only roots grown deep into God help us endure times of drought in our lives.

CLOSING

Colossians 2:6-7
6So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
So choose today whom you will serve.

Is it the path of yourself, and your sinful desires which only lead to destruction, or it is the path of the Spirit of God, which in time, if you do not give up, will lead you to eternal life in heaven, where unimaginable treasure, loved ones and the creator of heaven and earth anxiously await your arrival?

You have the power to chose your destiny.

† Do not be deceived by others, devils or yourself. You are on one path or the other.
† Which final destination are you choosing? Destruction or Eternal life?
† Do not give up!

God's Spirit - Part 12 - Spiritual Fruit of Self-Control

Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 12: The Fruit of Self-Control
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith – www.PS127.org www.TruthDigest.org


ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –
“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Friday at the church 8:00PM


WHERE WE ARE AT

† Maturing in Christ
† Understanding in Christ
† Love of God


This Series: God’s Spiritual Fruit

Previously:
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of Love
The Fruit of Joy Part I
The Fruit of Peace
The Fruit of Long Suffering (patience)
The Fruit of Kindness
The Fruit of Goodness
The Fruit of Meekness


TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 12: The Fruit of Self-Control

SCRIPTURE READING

Galatians 5:16-25

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
















The Spiritual Fruit of Self-Control

Introduction: Spiritual Self-Control

1. Spiritual Fruits: Characteristics which come from God’s Holy Spirit that dwells within every follower of Christ.

We have to decide as followers of Christ if we are going to produce God’s character in our lives (Spiritual Fruits), or our character (fruits of the flesh).

2. Self-Control: Moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression, Restraint in the use of or abstinence from…abstinence.


I. YOU CAN NOT DO IT ALONE
a. Fruit of the Flesh
i. Fruit of the Flesh: Galatians 5:19-21 19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

ii. Our Righteousness: Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness’s are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.



b. Achieved through Holy Spirit’s Presence
i. Righteousness by Faith: Romans 1:16-17 16I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[c] just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."



ii. Those who lack self-control: Romans 1:18-22 18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
21For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

iii. So God allows them to sin: Romans 1:24-25 24Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.




II. WHAT IS THE SPIRITUAL FRUIT OF SELF-CONTROL?
a. Moderation {defined} - quality of being moderate and avoiding extremes, the trait of avoiding excesses.
i. Drunkenness, gluttony, lust, money (greed), work (no rest)…


b. Self-restraint
i. Can only be achieved through the Holy Spirit of God
ii. Must practice submission to the Lord
iii. Submission begins with trust, trust begins with faith, faith begins with the Word

Romans 10:16-18
16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?"[a] 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."[b]

You have heard, you who chose to sin, have no excuse.

III. HOW TO HAVE SPIRITUAL SELF-CONTROL
a. Follow Christ
i. Read the Word continually, every chance you get
ii. Make time for God
iii. Pray without ceasing
iv. Talk to God
v. When temptation arises, ask God for self-control

b. Submit to the Lord

IN YOUR THOUGHTS
2 Corinthians 10:4-5
4The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 5We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

IN YOUR HEART
1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.

Psalm 101:4
Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.

IN YOUR WORDS
1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

IN YOUR DEEDS
Romans 2:12-13
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.


James 1:21-22
21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

c. Practice


i. Submission
James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

2 Timothy 2:22
22Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.


CLOSING

You cannot do it alone!

Submit to the Lord in Heart, mind, body and soul

To resist the temptations in life and live as one who is self-controlled, you MUST

a. Follow Christ
ii. Read the Word continually, every chance you get
iii. Make time for God
iv. Pray without ceasing
v. Talk to God
vi. When temptation arises, ask God for self-control

God's Spirit - Part 11 - Spiritual Fruit of Meekness

Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 11: The Fruit of Meekness
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith – www.PS127.org www.TruthDigest.org


ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –
“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Friday at the church 8:00PM


WHERE WE ARE AT

† Maturing in Christ
† Understanding in Christ
† Love of God


This Series: God’s Spiritual Fruit

Previously:
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of Love
The Fruit of Joy Part I
The Fruit of Peace
The Fruit of Long Suffering (patience)
The Fruit of Kindness
The Fruit of Goodness
The Fruit of Meekness


TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 11: The Fruit of Meekness

SCRIPTURE READING

Galatians 5:16-25

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.


The Spiritual Fruit of Meekness

Introduction: Be meek as He is meek.

1. Spiritual Fruits: Characteristics which come from God’s Holy Spirit that dwells within every follower of Christ.

We have to decide as followers of Christ if we are going to produce God’s character in our lives (Spiritual Fruits), or our character (fruits of the flesh).

2. Meekness: Patient, submissive humbleness. Humility.


Illustration – Alex Haley “Turtle on a fence post”

Alex Haley, the author of Roots, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence.
The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: “If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help.”

Alex says, “Any time I start thinking. Wow, isn’t this marvelous what I’ve done! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle – me – got up on that post.”


3. We are commanded to show fruit in our walk.



Scriptural Background: Galatians 5:23
Matthew 11:29
Matthew 28:20
John 14:15
John 10:11
Titus 3:2
I Timothy 6:11
II Corinthians 10:1

Proposition: Every follower of Christ should produce Spiritual Fruit in their lives.

† We “DO”, but is it good fruit or bad? Who’s characteristics are we showing?

Transitional Sentence: Because of the commands given in the Word of God, every follower of Christ should be producing Spiritual Fruits in their lives.

I. Because the Lord is our guide. Matthew 11:28-31 “for I am meek.”

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


a. Obey all that I command – Matthew 28:20

18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

b. If you love me, you will obey my commands – John 14:15-21

15"If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever— 17the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

c. I am the good shepherd – John 10:14

14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—


Illustration – Because the Lord is our guide, our shepherd, we must obey Him, and we must follow where He goes.


II. We are commanded. Titus 3:2 “follow after meekness”
a. Citizenship of a follower of Christ – Titus 3:1 & 2

1Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.


Illustration – True humility and false humility


III. Commanded to follow. I Timothy 6:3-12 “follow after meekness”
a. Who is more meek than the Lord Himself?

3If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

11But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.


Illustration – Those who think godliness is a means to financial gain are gravely mistaken.

TV Evangelists
Missionaries
Cult leaders

We must follow after Christ, in His meekness. Obeying for the “right” reasons, in all humility, NOT for personal gain.

IV. His meekness, is our example. II Corinthians 10:1 “The meekness of Christ”
a. He is our example

Conclusion:
1. The Lord is our guide
2. We are commanded
3. His meekness is our example

God's Spirit - Part 10 - Spiritual Fruit of Faith

Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 10: The Fruit of Faith
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith – http://www.ps127.org/ http://www.truthdigest.org/


ANNOUNCEMENTS

6:00PM Evening Service at the church –
“Seminary Students will be preaching”

Monday 5:00PM Bible Study

Tuesday Women’s at Lori’s 5:00PM

Men’s on Friday at the church 8:00PM


WHERE WE ARE AT

† Maturing in Christ
† Understanding in Christ
† Love of God


This Series: God’s Spiritual Fruit

Previously:
God’s Spirit with us / in us
The Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of Love
The Fruit of Joy Part I
The Fruit of Peace
The Fruit of Long Suffering (patience)
The Fruit of Kindness
The Fruit of Goodness


TODAY’S SERMON: Our Great Commission
God’s Spirit
Part 10: The Fruit of Faith

SCRIPTURE READING

Galatians 5:16-25

16So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. 17For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. 18But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

19The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.


Both our Flesh and God's Spirit produce fruit.

Good fruit and bad fruit.

Luke 6:43
“No Good tree bears bad fruit, and no bad tree bears good fruit”

We need to decide which fruit we are going to allow to be produced in our lives.

If we belong to the Lord, then we need to allow His fruit to be produced.



I. THE THREE FAITHS
a. A Measure to each person

Romans 12:3
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

Why are we given a measure?

Because God’s Holy Spirit dwells in believers, if we do not yet belong to the Lord, His Holy Spirit will not dwell within us, and we cannot have the Spiritual Fruit of Faith.

Without Faith, no one can be saved.

So God gives us each a measure to lead us to Him.
† Each of us is given a measure of Faith

† This is not the Spiritual Fruit of Faith, or the Spiritual Gift of Faith, but a seed which is planted by God to grow in us, and that we are to judge ourselves with.

† This measure of Faith guides our growth.

We can choose to ignore it, and never get closer to God, or we can listen to it and recognize where we are falling short of god’s glory and calling for us in our lives, and make adjustments.


b. The Faith that Saves

This is the “Faith that saves”

The measure that is given to every person to lead them to God.

Luke 7:50
Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Ephesians 2:8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

These are examples from the scripture of Faith that saves…

Faith that is given by God to lead mankind to Him.

But Spiritual Fruit of Faith is different.
The GIFT of Faith that is a gift not given to all.

The Fruit of Faith is a Characteristic of God.

c. The Gift of Faith

The Gift of Faith is Faith beyond Faith.

Although it still comes from God’s Holy Spirit, it is a Faith that is beyond what some can even comprehend.

The Fruit of Faith is the Faith that replaces the measure when we become saved.

II. SPIRITUAL FRUIT IN ACTION
a. In the Word

Remember, the Faith that saves is given to all mankind so that we may judge ourselves and grow closer to the Lord.

The Spiritual Fruit of Faith is different, although given by the same Holy Spirit, it is given to some who belong to the Lord for the building and edifying of the Body of Christ.

Some examples of the Spiritual Gift of Faith in the scriptures are;

† Noah, by faith warning man and building the Ark

† Abraham forsaking his home land by the command of God

† Abraham believing the promise of many descendants

† Philip when questioned by Jesus as to how the multitude would be fed

† Shadrach, Meshach & Abednego when told to worship the idol

We see many examples of Faith beyond Faith.

A Spiritual Gift of Faith that is given to some to build and edify God’s People.

The Spiritual Fruit of Faith is what replaces our measure that saves us, and is for us to measure ourselves and grow in the Lord.

But if God calls us to a specific task which calls for Faith beyond Faith, He will grant unto us the Spiritual Gift of Faith.

b. Examples in Life

If we ask God in prayer to increase our faith, He will.

This increase comes directly from the Holy Spirit.

And when He does something in our lives, even if it only lasts a moment, we can call back on the memory and remind ourselves what God has done.

God wants us to do this, to remind ourselves of His Glory, Power and might, and to dwell on the great things He has done for us in our lives.

This is one of the reasons God developed the Holy Days.

Terri prayed for an increase in Faith during a Bible Study.

And God answered.





III. DEVELOPING AND GROWING THE FRUIT OF FAITH
a. In our Thoughts

We need to cultivate and allow this Spiritual Fruit in our lives.

We all begin with the measure of Faith that God gives all to call them to Himself.

Once we accept the Lord and we become His, that measure is replaced when God’s Holy Spirit enters us.

The Fruit of the Spirit (Faith) is now part of us and our Character.
We begin to change our thinking, and we begin to have Faith in the Lord and His Word.


b. In our Words

Once we have accepted the Lord as our savior, and our thinking begins to change, we will see a change in our Words.

We begin to speak Words of Faith.

Where there was doubt, it is replaced with Faith.

Where there was fear, it is replaced with Hope.

Where there was disbelief, there is now nothing but belief in our Lord.


c. In our Deeds

As we speak this Faith into our lives, our actions and deeds will reflect our Faith.

We will live out our Spiritual Fruit of Faith, and it will continue to grow in our lives.