John Lloyd - Walking His Way
/Life by the Spirit: Study of Galatians
What Spiritual Growth Looks Like?
Galatians 5:16-25
February 3, 2019
It’s wonderful to see children grow up into adults and, in many cases, look like their parents. Physical growth is something we naturally expect. It’s a blessing to see people come to believe in Jesus and grow in Him spiritually. What does this growth look like? Paul gives an incredible description in today’s passage of growing more like Jesus. Spiritual growth brings health to every area of our lives. May each day look more like the life of Jesus.
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Memory Verse: 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Big Idea: We have forgiveness in Jesus Christ and He provides a new way of living. Walk His Way!
What does spiritual growth look like?
I. Spiritual Growth is not only receiving forgiveness but it also is a ________ ________ of life.
Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. (Galatians 2:20)
Romans 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
I John 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. (Ephesians 1:13-14)
If you have the Son, He is calling you to become like Him. Walk His Way!
II. Spiritual Growth is truly ___________________.
Galatians 5:22 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.
Fruit- is singular as well as collective. The flesh spreads out in many directions with its evil works. The spirit follows one direction, and produces unit fruit. Fruit is a sweet harmony. Lenski
Love- means to serve a person for their good and intrinsic value, not just for what the person brings you.
Joy- is a delight in God for the sheer beauty and worth of who He is. The opposite is hopelessness or despair and its counterfeit is elation that is based on experiencing blessings, but not the Blesser, causing mood swings based on circumstances. (2 Corinthians 6:10, 7:4)
Peace – a confidence and rest in the wisdom and control of God, rather than in your own. It replaces anxiety and worry. (Romans 5:1, Is.26:3)
Patience- an ability to face trouble without blowing up or leaving. Its opposite is resentment toward God and others. (2 Timothy 2:10)
Kindness- is an ability to serve others practically in a way which makes me vulnerable coming from a deep inner security. Its opposite is envy, which leaves me unable to rejoice in another’s joy. (Eph.2:7, Rom. 2:4)
Goodness- (integrity) being the same person in every situation, rather than a phony or hypocrite. It implies generosity. Romans 15:14
Faithfulness-(loyalty, courage) being utterly reliable and true to your word. Its opposite is to be an opportunist, a friend only in good times. ITim6:11 It denotes an attitude or response that we have towards others.
Gentleness- (humility, self-forgetfulness) the opposite is to be superior or self-absorbed. When we are wronged or abused we shall show no resentment or threatening vengeance. (Matt.5:5, 11:29, 2 Timothy 2:25)
Self Control- the ability to pursue the important over the urgent, rather than always be impulsive or uncontrolled. Holding our desires and passions in check. (Acts 24:25, Titus 1:8)
“When we stop looking at our gifts as a sign that we are Christ like, and stop looking to our natural strengths as a sign we are Christ like, but challenge ourselves to look at nature, unity and definitions of the Spirit, we have a much deeper sense of how we lack these things.” Keller (Q5)
Spiritual growth is gradual, inevitable, internal, and symmetrical. (Q4)
Lord, make me more like You. Walk His Way!
III. Spiritual ____________ is produced when I walk His Way.
Galatians 5:24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
“This combination of “indicative” (what God has done) and imperative (what we must do) is typical of Paul’s presentation of our walk. A concentration on either to the neglect of the other leads to an imbalance.” Moo
a. Know to whom you ______________. (Romans 6:6)
b. Bring God your fleshly passions and desires to the ____________. (Rom.8:13, Galatians 6:14)
c. Choose to live in step with the ______________. (Galatians 5:25)
Galatians 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16, 18)
John 15:5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:7-8) (Question 8 &9)
Commit to growing in this new way of life. Walk His Way
Growth Group Questions for February 3, 2019
Icebreaker: Describe the longest walk you have ever taken.
1. Read Galatians 5:16-25. Describe in your own words what is happening here. What is the value of the list of fruit in 5:22-23?
2. Read Jeremiah 31:31-34 & Romans 8:3-4. Write down the relationship between the Holy Spirit and God’s statutes? How are things different now that we have the Spirit? (Romans 8:3-4)
3. Read Galatians 5:16, 5:25. How is it helpful to know that the Holy Spirit is the dominant power in the battle against the flesh? What helps you to remember the power of the Holy Spirit in this battle?
4. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and from our outline. Spiritual growth is gradual, inevitable, internal, and symmetrical. Examine yourself. How can you see the fruit of the Spirit growing in your life?
5. Do you have natural characteristics which could be confused with the fruit of the Spirit? Which fruit do you chronically lack?
6. Read Galatians 5:24, Romans 6:6 & 6:11. Why is it important to not just deal with what we do wrong, but to deal with the “why” we did what we did? Why must we have it? How can these verses help you?
7. What are the idols which need identifying and dismantling in your life? How can you replace them with Christ? Consider this quote: “The flesh demands but the Spirit produces.”
8. Read Galatians 5:25, Romans 13:14, John 15:7-8 How can the fruit of the Spirit take root in our hearts and be produced in our lives? What helps you to keep in step with the Spirit?
9. How will you choose to live by the Spirit today and this week? How can we pray for you? Encourage someone to join you on this journey.