Dave started a new series on the ‘fruit of the Spirit’ this morning, speaking from Gal 5:13-23. Recently, we have been looking at the baptism of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit, but to ensure balance, we need to look also at the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in a person when they are saved, working within to transform us (see 2 Cor 3:18), with the baptism of the Spirit an experience subsequent to conversion which is available to all believers, giving an infilling of power to enable believers to witness to Christ (see Acts 1:8). In 1 Cor 12-14, Paul develops teaching on the gifts of the Spirit but also reminds us that love is the greatest way; we have to maintain a balance between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.

In the book of Galatians, Paul writes to people who thought that it was necessary to follow the Jewish law in order to be saved. Paul reminds the Galatians of the freedom Christ has purchased (Gal 5:1), but also reminds them not to use this freedom to indulge the sinful nature (Gal 5:13). Freedom comes from Christ, but the fruit of the Spirit can only grow as we abide in Christ (John 15:5, Phil 1:11). Paul reminds us that the sinful nature has been crucified with Christ (Gal 2:20) and we no longer have any 0bligation to live on the treadmill of obligation. Instead, unobtrusive growth comes from our relationship with Christ, whereas the gifts of the Spirit are often received through the laying on of hands (eg Acts 19:6).

The development of holiness is essential if we are to see the fruit 0f the Spirit develop in our lives. Holiness is a two-way process: God imparts holiness to us, but holiness is also our choice, choosing to live a life that is pleasing to Christ. Spiritual fruit does not necessarily look as visible as the spiritual gifts, but the quiet influence of holiness and godliness is powerful. We should also note that whilst the fruit of the Spirit may be manifested in different ways (through love, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, patience and self-control), there is only one fruit, just as there is only one God.

As the summer holidays start, so does the hard work of decorating our church building. Having such a great community facility is a fantastic privilege, but we also have a responsibility to look after this facility and so over the next few weeks, we’ll be aiming to decorate the huge community room (used by so many groups during the week normally, but most groups take a break over summer, giving us the ideal opportunity to do work) and the corridor. The last time we tackled these was when we first moved into the building five years ago (yes, it really has been that long!), so we’re hoping our amazing army of volunteers will come along to help again as we clean, sand down, fill holes and re-paint!

Work starts on Tuesday 21st July at 10 a.m. We’ll be open each week for a few days per week. This week, we’re aiming to work on Tuesday, Wednesday (22nd July) and Friday (24th July), starting at 10 a.m. and continuing till whenever! (People may come after work, for example, if evenings are the only time available.) Come along if you can for as much or as little of that time as you can spare and we’ll soon see transformation again! As the proverb says, ‘many hands make light work‘!

We are truly grateful for people who are so willing to be involved in practical work (especially those of us, like myself, who are not at all gifted in the painting and decorating realms!) There’s always a job to be done, however, so whatever your skills, please come along and help if you can.

Tonight’s Bible study looked at 1 Cor 4:1-13. Paul continues his exposition of the true nature of apostleship, reminding the Corinthians that apostles are primarily servants of Christ and stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God. The word used for servant here is different from in 1 Cor 3:5 and means ‘under-rower’: ‘not the captains of the ship but the galley slaves who are under orders’ (Warren Wiersbe). In echoing Jesus’s words on servanthood (see John 13:1-17), Paul emphasises the true nature of discipleship. Stewards were managers for their masters (like Joseph in Potiphar’s household), often with great responsibility, but their role was to faithfully obey whatever their master commanded. In Peter’s words, we are to ‘use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.’ (1 Pet 4:10)

God is looking for faithfulness (1 Cor 4:2, Luke 16:10, Matt 25:21), ‘extended obedience’, because He Himself is faithful (Lam 3:23, Hos 2:20, Zech 8:8) and we are called to reflect His image. Paul knows ultimately that it is God’s approval which matters, not people’s or even his own opinion. Judgment has to be based on Scripture, as he urges the Corinthians not to ‘go beyond what is written.’ (1 Cor 4:6) Clearly, there are things God expects us to evaluate (character, based on the descriptions given in the Word (eg Matt 7:16-19); sin which is clearly defined in the Scriptures (see 1 Cor 11:17-31, 1 Cor 5); the doctrinal truth of what we are taught (Acts 17:10-11)). However, we must always remember that we cannot judge other people’s motives and must not judge other people’s convictions on issues which the Scriptures have not defined as sin (see Rom 14:4, James 4:11-12). Only the Lord can fully investigate our hearts (see 1 Sam 16:7) and we must be prepared to leave final judgments to Him. It is impossible to judge the motives behind other people’s actions and we must be humble enough to accept there are many things we cannot fully evaluate.

The Corinthians had allowed pride to slant their opinions. They were ‘puffed up’, inflated like balloons, full of hot air, arrogant (1 Cor 4:6, 18, 19). Paul reminds them that grace cuts away pride, for all we are and have are gifts from God. Pride leads to strife and downfall (see Prov 18:12, Prov 13:10). Paul urges the Corinthians to see themselves as Christ sees them and to understand that suffering and adversity are an inevitable part of discipleship (see John 15:18-19, John 16:33, Acts 14:22, Phil 3:10-11, 1 Pet 4:12-13, 2 Tim 3:12). The apostles might be considered ‘scum’ or ‘refuse’, but they were following Christ’s example when they blessed those who cursed them and spoke kindly to all. Following Christ will inevitably mean living in a radically different way to the way the world tells us will prosper.

It seems to me that waiting is something we all have to do, but something we rarely like doing. We are impatient creatures, rarely understanding God’s timings. For all those in that in-between stage between hearing God’s promises and seeing them made visible in the natural world of flesh and blood, waiting is inevitable but difficult. Matt Redman’s ‘Songs In The Night’ reminds us that we need to ‘sing songs in the night’ as we wait, learning to ‘stand, be still and know whatever may come, You’re God in it all.’ God’s timing can be trusted. Keep holding on.

“God, You can tell the waves, ‘Be still’;

Tell the ocean roar to pass,

Lord, until it does, I’ll wait here.

God, You can part the raging sea,

Bring the miracle I need,

Lord, until it comes, I’ll wait here.

And I will sing songs in the night,

Praise in the storm,

You’re God in it all.

I will stand, I’ll be still and know,

Whatever may come,

You’re God in it all.

Your love, Your love won’t leave me in the shadows,

Your love, Your love forever by my side.

I will not be afraid:

You are my song in the night.

And so when I am in the storm,

The storm is not in me.

You will be my peace.

I’ll wait here.” (‘Songs In The Night’, Matt Redman)

Almost a year ago, Mark preached on the word ‘Amen’. I was reminded of that sermon recently as I was looking at the subject of God’s faithfulness. 2 Cor 1:18-20 says, ‘But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.’

Eugene Peterson says “The yes of the gospel is not spoken under the pretense [sic] that sin is not as bad as it appears to be, nor while avoiding pain, nor while sidestepping suffering. Amen, the biblical yes, is used, always, in relation to God, the God who establishes and makes persons firm and secure in eternal purpose and redemptive love.” (Eugene Peterson, ‘Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work’, P 160

Many people accuse Christians of being naive or presumptuous, but in fact, as our studies of 1 Corinthians are showing, God’s ways are the ultimate reality and His truths are the one firm foundation on which we can build. As we do so, we find that ‘Amen’ is more than a word to indicate we’ve finished praying. It’s a word that aligns us with God’s will!

Just as gold and silver can easily become tarnished, so our love for God and for other people can become tarnished. The church in Ephesus was hard-working and zealous but was chastised by Jesus for forsaking its first love (Rev 2:2-5). We have to be careful to maintain our intimacy with God and not allow the ‘little foxes‘ to ruin the vineyard (see Song of Songs 2:15).

Barriers to intimacy include a misuse of time, busyness, wrong priorities, mistrust and familiarity. When we first fall in love, we make time for the one we love, but so often, busyness creeps into our lives, communication becomes functional and informational rather than relational and we allow our focus to wander, setting wrong priorities. Jesus reminded us to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matt 6:33) rather than to spend all our time and energies on the pursuit of things. Trust is fundamental to all relationships, for if we are fearful and suspicious of the other’s intentions and love, we will hold back. Prov 3:5 reminds us to trust God with all our hearts; He is not after an arm’s length relationship!

Familiarity breeds contempt, the proverb says, and we have to be careful to value those we love and not become indifferent to them. If we truly want to maintain intimacy with God, we must:

1. give Him the firstfruits of our time (see Ps 5:3, Ps 141:2)
2. guard against over-busyness, learning to say ‘no’ to the good in order to say ‘yes’ to the best
3. make God and people a priority over things and activities that do not have eternal value (see Ps 127, Matt 6:25-34)
4. learn to trust God and rely on Him wholly (recognising that intimacy means vulnerability, but we serve a wounded Saviour who knows what it is to be hurt and betrayed, but who still forgives and urges us to love even our enemies)
5. allow wonder, awe and gratitude to shape our lives so that familiarity does not breed contempt

Our relationship with God is based on the covenant He has made with us (see Jer 31:32-33). A covenant is a promise made between two parties, reflecting a relationship of love. That is the kind of relationship we have with God which He wants to fuel every day. Let’s allow God to lead us to His banqueting hall and let His banner over us be love. (Song of Songs 2:4) His food will nourish us; His words will captivate us; He will be ‘altogether lovely’ to us (Song of Songs 5:16) and we will then ‘spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.’ (2 Cor 2:14)