The Holy Spirit, Part 1: In step with the Spirit!

Introduction of topic-

Ÿ         What is the key factor to spiritual growth when you read through the Acts of the Apostles?

Ÿ         The Holy Spirit is the greatest factor of spiritual growth in the first century.

Ÿ         I am going to refer to the Holy Spirit with the pronoun "He" for reasons we will get into more later, but just to let you know now He has a mind, will, and affections (Romans 8:27; 1Corinthians 12:11; Romans 15:30)--and many bible versions use that pronoun as well.

Ÿ         So, He is the key character in the book of Acts, the One who miraculously works spiritual growth!

Ÿ         His power is true in the lives recorded in the bible, and it is true for us here today!

Ÿ         The bible calls these fruits of the Spirit--spiritual fruits. <Please be turning to that passage-Galatians 5:16-26>

Ÿ         I want us to begin seeing the importance of noticing the Holy Spirit, where you emphasize Him in an increasing way in your life!

Ÿ         This will be Part 1 of a series

 

In step with the Holy Spirit

Purpose of this lesson-

1.      We must go from acknowledging the Spirit in our lives to actually following Him in a very evident way.

2.      We will touch on the importance of producing fruit.

3.      Realize the Spirit characterizes your life-style as a Christian.  Everyone has a life-style.  That is what is meant by the "stepping" idea.  Our life-style in the kingdom of God is in step with the Spirit.

 

Read Galatians 5:16-26

Ÿ         What does "fruit" in this passage convey?

Ÿ         The "byproduct" or "result" of Him in our lives.

Ÿ         Jesus says something important about this in…

Matthew 7:15-20

Ÿ         He is mostly talking about how to recognize false prophets, people who appear to lead us to God but actually do not.

Ÿ         He does compare a good and bad tree--a prophet of God from one that is not of God--both are recognizable by their fruit.

Ÿ         I think this passage is hard because we're all sinners, and the leader who takes arrogance lightly should be avoided the most!

Ÿ         But I think this passage starts to indicate more of what is meant by fruit when we ask the question: what is the key difference between a true prophet and a false one?

Ÿ         Simply the result of a true prophet's teaching and life leads you to God, whereas and the other does not.  The former is a deeper connection to God, knowing God more and reflecting His will more.  The latter is becoming more delusional about God, more unlike Him, less of the person you see in Jesus and more like the person who rules this world.

Ÿ         Good news is 1John 4:4: You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 

Let's go back to Galatians 5...

Ÿ         Do you see a good fruit/bad fruit comparison in this chapter?

Ÿ         So the fruit of the Spirit is…

Ÿ         But is that all?  Is that an exhaustive list?

Ÿ         No, the point isn't to categorize all that comes from the Spirit because He works in so many awesome, wonderful, and even mysterious ways, such as saving someone from their sins--providing purification of those sins (the whole process of bringing someone into Christ is the Spirit's doing!).

Ÿ         We can also know each one of these in more detail.  For example, John 13:34-35, helps us see it as the love of Christ.

Ÿ         But we do know from this passage that the Spirit leaves an indelible mark on us.

Ÿ         But what does verse 25 say is God's will for us?

Ÿ         Since the verse says, "If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit," we must go from acknowledging the Spirit to actually following Him in a very practical, a very real way!

Ÿ         We have this passage and the real life example of Philip (Acts 8), where he was led by the Spirit…

Ÿ         Do you think being led by the Spirit is different for us than the people we read about in the book of Acts?  If so, how?

Ÿ         Being in step with the Spirit is an expression of our relationship with God.

2 Illustrations:

Ÿ         <picture a jogging in step with someone>  If the two people are "in step," they are matching one-another stride for stride.  How is this similar with our relationship to the Spirit?

Ÿ         <picture a yoke of oxen>  This concept is used 60 times in the bible.  Jesus to take His yoke upon us (Matthew 11:29-30), whereas the apostle Paul tells us not to be yoked with unbelievers (2Corinthians 6:14).

Personal Questions (for reflection and deeper personal bible time):

Ÿ         How are you sensing the Spirit's movement in your life?

Ÿ         How are you not in step with the Spirit? 

Ÿ         What "steps" is the Spirit calling you toward that you have been reluctant to step in?

Ÿ         Do you see the connection between producing the Spirit's fruit and being in step with the Spirit?  "If I am doing what the Spirit is doing, then I am going to have similar results the Spirit would have?"