THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
OBCFRS-1-INTRODUCTION AND LOVE -
(Week 1 )
The children’s song says, “Love is something if you give it away, you will end of having more.” Most definitely the Father-in-heaven has given much and so we ought to return much to Him. No greater act of love could be shown, than His willingness to give his only begotten Son to die for the sins of mankind. No greater love could man show in return, than to willingly submit to His will in repentance and baptism. What a wonderful expression of our own love to give back to the Father our lives in His service.
With the beginning of this lesson, Lord willing, we will study over the course of the next eight weeks lessons on the fruit of the Spirit. Our text will be from Galatians 5:22-23 where Paul speaks of the differences in the “works of the flesh” and the “fruits of the Spirit.” They are like night and day and they have no relationship to one another. There is no harmony between the “works of the flesh” and the characteristics which accompany the life of a child of God. Indeed, Peter speaks of things that are to be added to our Christian faith. (II Peter 1:5-13) Paul had earlier indicated that we were to follow his example as he followed Christ. (I Corinthians 11:1)
We must undergo a change in leaving the kingdom of Satan and entering into the kingdom of our dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We bury the old man of sin in baptism. We resurrect the new creature in Christ. The precious shed blood of Jesus cleanses us and makes us right with the Father-in-heaven. Once we become babes in Christ it remains necessary for us to grow spiritually on a day to day basis. As we grow and mature in Christ we begin to take on the characteristics of the Son of God. We allow Him to control our thoughts and direct our ways through the written the word of God.
As we study we grow. As we grow we begin to see what is really important in this life.
Paul speaks to the Christians meeting in the area known as Galatia. He speaks to us today, also. In verse 25 of our text, Paul reminds us, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” A part of our walking in the Spirit necessitates that we learn about love. From the earliest days of sitting on our mothers’ lap, we have been exposed to the concept of love. As we have grown physically and matured emotionally, we have accepted changes in our behavior toward others. As we have grown spiritually, we have realized that there is more to the idea of love, than just an emotional feeling of attachment to others. We have perhaps in our youth spoken of “puppy love”. During the teen years we may have been infatuated with someone of the opposite sex. Now that many of us have reached the adult stage in our lives, we have found that having a companion who shares a like precious faith is worth more than anything this world might offer.
But, what is it exactly that we as New Testament Christians are to possess when we speak of the love that God desires His children to have? The Holy Spirit adequately gives us example after example of the kind of love we must have in order to be pleasing to God. The love we must have is often much different from what the world offers as an explanation of the term “love”. Let us study further, especially now from I Corinthians 13.
Larry R. Scott, minister
Serving the Churches of Christ
THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT –INTRODUCTION AND LOVE (Week 1)
Friday February 29th., 2008
1. Is there such a thing as genuine love? (I Corinthians 13:1) _______________
2. We do not possess the types of “gifts” that the Apostles and some of the First Century
Christians possessed. What did Paul say about these individuals and their abilities, if it
was not done with love? (I Corinthians 13:2-3) _______________________________
3. What are some of the characteristics that Paul speaks of? (I Corinthians 13:4-7)
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4. Paul says love will never fail. What does he say will fail? (I Corinthians 13:8)
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5. What does Paul say will abide? (I Corinthians 13.13) ___________________________
6. Are we to love one another as Christ loved us? (John 13:33-34) __________________
7. Does our disposition of heart and actions towards one another give proof that we are
who we claim to be? (John 13:34) _____________
8. Why did God send His son to die for us? (John 3:16-17) ________________________
9. Is there a right way to present the truth of God’s word? (Ephesians 4:15) ___________
10. John says something about the “manner of God’s love” in I John 3:1. What does this
love give us the privilege of becoming? ___________________________________
11. Is it possible for us to hate our brother and love God? (I John 14-18) _____________
12. Why do we love God? (I John 4:19) _______________________________________
13. Can we love God whom we cannot see if we hate our brother whom we can see who
is made in the image of God? (I John 4:20) ________________________________
14. Ultimately, where do we learn the right definition of what love is? ______________
Student___________________ Date_____________
Grade______________
Instructor: Larry R. Scott
God loves you. Jesus loves you. I love you. You are loved. Don’t ever think your not!!!