Keeping Ourselves unspotted from the world (Lesson 78)
Introduction:
1. According to James 1:27, "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world" is an important part of "pure and undefiled religion before God." 2. How grateful we need to be that God has provided a wealth of information to help us remain free from the world's spots. 3. In this lesson we are studying instructions in Galatians 5-6 that will greatly help us to remain free from the world's spots. 4. The first point we need to make is that . . . Discussion: I. EACH CHRISTIAN MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN PURSUING THE SPIRIT OR THE FLESH
A. God wants His children to: 1. "walk in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:16-17) 2. "live in the Spirit" (Galatians 5:25) 3. sow "to the Spirit" (Galatians 6:7-8). B. The fruit that we bear shows whether we are pursuing the Spirit or the flesh (Luke 6:43-45). 1. Those who walk in the flesh, live in the flesh, and sow to the flesh will bear "the works of the flesh" (Galatians 5:19-21). 2. Those who walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit, and sow to the Spirit will bear "the fruit of the Spirit" (Galatians 5:22-23). C. Let us turn our attention to the 9 characteristics that make up "the fruit of the Spirit." II. "THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT" IS:
A. Love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) B. Joy (Philippians 4:4) C. Peace (Romans 12:18; 14:19) D. Longsuffering (Ephesians 4:1-3) E. Gentleness (Titus 3:1-2) F. Goodness (Galatians 6:10) G. Faith [Faithfulness] (Revelation 2:10) H. Meekness (Colossians 3:12-13) I. Temperance [Self-control] (2 Peter 1:5-7). III. "AGAINST SUCH THERE IS NO LAW"
A. The Lord highly approves of these characteristics. B. He wants His followers to develop and grow in these characteristics (John 15:8). C. Requirements for bearing good fruit include the right kind of "seed" (Luke 8:11) and the right kind of "soil" (Luke 8:15). Conclusion:
1. As we endeavor to keep ourselves unspotted from the world, let us walk in the Spirit, live in the Spirit, and sow to the Spirit. 2. Let us always abstain from the works of the flesh.
