Diagram of a Disciple Pt. 2: External Expressions

Marc Reynolds

The Healthy Christian • Sermon • Submitted 3 months ago • Presented 3 months ago

Galatians 5:16–26

Fruit of the Spirit

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INTRO: I once knew a teenage girl who suffered from severe acne. Her family spent hundreds of dollars on special face soaps and creams, but with little positive results. The girl was deeply troubled. She tried her best to hide her face at school and refused to participate in extra-curricular events. One day, her parents took her to the dermatologist. The doctor suggested a change in diet. Cut out the bad foods, eat the healthy ones and return in about 6 weeks. Remarkably, the girl’s acne began to clear up!

The principle: Internal changes produce external results.

As we pick up our study this morning, we are looking at how we can become healthy Christians in a healthy church. We’ve laid the foundation: When we believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and surrender our lives in faith to Him, our identity changes. Jesus founded the church as a gathering of these transformed people, called Christians and has supplied the structure of the church as well as assigned its mission.

Our mission is to make disciples of everyone we can reach until the whole world has heard the Good News!

Last week, we began to try and draw a picture of sorts of what a healthy disciple looks like. This diagram helps us to understand both what we are hoping for in our own lives as well as what it is that we are hoping to produce as we carry out the Great Commission. As we explored the beatitudes in Matt. 5, we emphasized that these were internal components- not so much things we do, but who we are becoming in character and motive, with the ultimate aim of becoming like Jesus.

But all these internal components or changes to our lives produce effects that can be observed on the outside, just like in the story I told you a minute ago. Jesus explained that you can know a tree by its fruit. Indeed, if I were to show you a picture of a peach tree and a nectarine tree, you probably would not be able to discern the difference except by the fruit the tree produces.

And so, we, as Christians, recognize that we cannot peer into one’s soul and know their motive. However, we should be able to see evidence in our lives and others’ lives that there has been a change on the inside. So, while the internal components we examined last week call for a self-evaluation, our study today will help us to see some areas of our Christian walk that allow us to join in mutual accountability and edification.

So, let’s turn our Bibles to Galatians 5:16-26

Galatians 5:16–26 NASB95

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 26 Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.

(READ/ PRAY)

This passage begins with the exhortation: Walk by the Spirit. And so you might be thinking, “What does that mean? How do I walk by the Spirit?”

The Spirit that Paul is referring to is of course the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are given the Holy Spirit when in faith, we repent and believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior. But the Holy Spirit doesn’t speak to us audibly nor do we become robots. What Paul is explaining is that we still have our sinful nature in us as well.

That means that we will have the desires of both our flesh and of God tugging at us at all times. Thus, Paul’s words, ‘walk by the Spirit.’ Now, we have to remember that this letter was written to a group of first-generation Christians who were struggling with not only their sinful flesh, but also had a group called Judaizers influencing them. This group taught that their salvation needed to be earned through strict adherence to the Jewish Law.

So here we have folks who didn’t quite know what to do. It seemed that they couldn’t win. Either they were placing themselves under the yoke of the Law, which will not save or they were under the yoke of their sin, which likewise condemns them.

Remember that Jesus said, in John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;” Ultimately, Paul says that the Holy Spirit will be our guide as we follow Christ. The Holy Spirit will not lead us to break God’s Law, but instead will lead us to trust in Jesus and walk in His footsteps.

Jesus said in John 14:6“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Paul echoes this in Verse 21, saying that following Jesus is the path that leads to the Kingdom of Heaven, whereas others lead to hell. As we follow Jesus, there are indicators in our lives that we are in fact on the right path. We know these as the Fruit of the Spirit.

If you want to know that you are on the right path, walking by the Spirit, then these indicators will help affirm you and allow for others to help you stay the course as well. The message is titled, “Diagram of a Disciple Pt. 2: External Expressions.” Your bulletin has a helpful sermon guide on the inside flap that you can use to take notes and follow along. Let’s dive in.

There are 9 External Expressions of a Healthy Disciple

ILL: Emily is going to help me here. We find a lot of agricultural illustrations in Scripture, which was very helpful in the agrarian culture of Paul’s day. And I hope that you will find this helpful today.

Trees are meant to produce fruit and what we need to grasp is that these fruits’ are ultimately not for us (An apple tree does not eat apples) but are to nourish others to have a healthy knowledge and understanding of our God.

So, use your imagination a little bit. We are not ‘trees’ but it might help you to think in these terms. Emily is a fruit tree. Now, let’s throw out the limitation that a tree can only produce one particular kind of fruit. That’s because we are all very special trees.

Before we came to know Christ, there are things that we produced, but all of these things were self-centered. Galatians 5:19–21

Galatians 5:19–21 NASB95

19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Now, with these things in our lives, others who come into contact with us may take of our produce, but ultimately do not become healthy nor do they grow in their knowledge of God. Even if we manage to fake some good fruit, this fruit, not coming from the Spirit, will not lead others into a healthy understanding of God.

So, we have these deeds of the flesh that are like thorns, brambles, diseased fruit, etc. When we are made new in Christ, the root of these is still within us, but we are given the Holy Spirit which produces good fruit. What we are going to do this morning is examine these good fruits and why it is important that they are produced in our lives. First,

The Fruit of Love

Love, as intended here is not an emotion, but a resolve to sacrificially place others above yourself.

This was demonstrated by Jesus perfectly. John 3:16 tells of how Jesus is the expression of God’s love for you and I! He loved us so much that He humbled Himself, stepped down from His throne in Glory and entered our world so that He could be beaten and crucified, to take upon Himself the wrath and penalty of our sins.

And in

John 15:12–13 NASB95

12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 13 “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

So, the fruit of love produced in our lives is a demonstration for others to see the love that God has for them. When we are walking by the Spirit, we are not being selfish and looking for all the ways we can satisfy our lusts, but instead we are selfless and look out for the needs of others. When others take of this fruit, they come to know that we belong to God.

John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Fruit of Joy

Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is fleeting, just ask the KC Chiefs. Joy is the disposition that life is good because we know God; because He calls us sons and daughters! It’s gratitude for every breath and hope in every sorrow.

Joy is knowing that we are heirs to the eternal kingdom and that nothing can take away what God has for you. That’s why both Paul and James encouraged the church to consider it joy when they faced trials or persecution.

And when others come around you and can partake of the fruit of joy in your life, especially when they see the torrents of strife you experienced, they are curious and left wanting more. Where does that joy come from? It comes through the Spirit of the living God!

The Fruit of Peace

Peace is a calm assurance in God. It does not mean that there is never conflict or that there are never any times in our lives where things are chaotic.

I think of the time when Jesus and his disciples were on the boat, and Jesus was napping. A storm popped up that caused all the disciples to spaz out. They didn’t have peace, but then Jesus stepped in. He calmed the storm and showed them that His presence was enough.

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated this peace- In the healings, though others were gripped by urgent despair, Jesus both showed peace and gave peace. That’s why He is called the Prince of Peace.

And so we are called to Colossians 3:15 “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

When we have the fruit of peace, others benefit because that peace tastes way better than the bitterness of chaos and anguish that our flesh produces.

The Fruit of Patience

I felt you all cringe just then. Patience is such a struggle, isn’t it? My flesh is all about ME. I want it and I want it NOW! But the Spirit of God produces patience that waits upon the Lord.

Did you know that God is never late nor wrong? So why do we get mad when He does not give us what we want when we want it?

Psalm 37:7 “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out wicked schemes.”

Again, this fruit is for others. Think about that poor waitress at the restaurant! When others get to benefit from our fruit of patience, they see that we are patient because God is patient towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Oh how patient God is with me!

The Fruit of Kindness

This is different than being ‘nice.’ The fruit of kindness is sincere and forgiving. This is not a mask- some of us know how to ‘play nice’ but then turn around and speak poorly of the person. That’s not good fruit… that’s like a crab apple with a worm in it! It looks good, but it’s sour and wormy!

Kindness is that picture that Christ gave to love your enemies, to do good and expect nothing in return. Why? Because God has already given you everything!

Ephesians 4:32 “32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

When others eat of the fruit of kindness, they are invited to see the compassionate hand of Almighty God.

The Fruit of Goodness

Goodness is simply doing what is right by God and man. It’s holding the door open and it’s letting others merge in traffic. It’s caring for those who are less fortunate and taking an interest in that which is best for your community.

Goodness is a fruit that shows God’s grace and nature - lending a helping hand in a time of need, taking a stand against evil, and upholding the values of God.

The Psalmist writes in Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life, And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

When others partake of the fruit of goodness in our lives, they are brought to know that God is good and that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called to His purposes. (Rom. 8:28)

The Fruit of Faithfulness

Faithfulness describes our trust in God that leads us to obedience. It’s the fruit that brings about perseverance and steadfastness. It’s the fruit that drives us to our knees in prayer, and leads us to depend upon God’s strength instead of our own.

Faithful is a word used to describe God. Psalm 36:5 “Your lovingkindness, O Lord, extends to the heavens, Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.” In 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

So, if we have the fruit of faithfulness, it is evident that we believe what we say about who God is and what He has done. We not only declare to trust Him, we trust Him in truth and deed. Others see and partake of our faithfulness fruit and are encouraged in their own path of knowing and trusting in God.

The Fruit of Gentleness

Gentleness is similar to humbleness. It’s the idea of being approachable and not thinking too highly of oneself. This is about as opposite as we can get from the deeds of the flesh which are self-exalting.

Gentleness is not weakness. God is gentle… Jesus described himself as a Shepherd; One who gently guides the sheep to still waters, while ardently defending them from the ravenous wolves. When we display the fruit of gentleness, others see that our God is not trying to bully people into submission, but rather is extending a gentle hand and saying, “Come to Me, All who are weary, and I will give you rest.”

The Fruit of Self-Control

Self Control might be one of the most overlooked fruit. Self Control is a restraint upon the desires of our flesh. It is the fruit that allows us to respond to others instead of reacting based on emotion. It is the fruit that binds our tongues from gossip or divisive language. It is the fruit that keeps our eyes from lusting and our minds from entertaining worldly passions.

Self Control is the fruit that truly demonstrates strength and is often describe as discipline. This is true for men and women. Real men are not the ones out there partaking in all the world’s playground. Real men do not allow themselves to be pressured by peers or emotions to do what is ungodly. They don’t let their anger result in physical or verbal abuse.

A Godly woman is one who restrains her tongue from tearing down and submits herself to the Lord so that she may please Him. As Proverbs 31:25–27 says, “25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.”

We could talk at length about any of these fruit. But I want to show you the principle at play here.

These fruit I’ve described are produced by God’s Holy Spirit living in you for the sake of others. Your fruit is so others may come to know and love our God.

So, when we are a healthy disciple, this fruit is evident as we abide in Christ. In relationship with one another, we can affirm these fruits, and we can see when there is produce that has come from the root of our flesh.

Look here. If you are a fruit tree that is designed to bring others to know and love God, then you have to ensure that any time there is a branch that sprouts which produces diseased fruit- it must be pruned, so that good fruit can thrive.

Church, I need you to hear this. Some of you are trying to produce both kinds of fruit. Or you are trying to hang fake fruit while still nourishing the fleshly root of your sin.

A healthy disciple is walking by the Spirit, producing Good Fruit that cannot hang with diseased fruit.

Discuss: What is the difference between Godly fruit and fleshly produce?

Discuss: How can your fruit benefit others?

Discuss: How can you discern the leading of the Holy Spirit in your life?

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