WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.400 I have sort of a David Letterman top 10 list to start out. 00:00:06.560 --> 00:00:11.939 It's not quite 10 and it's not quite David Letterman because I'm not nearly as funny as him. 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:17.260 But seven things that you won't hear in church. 00:00:19.320 --> 00:00:24.800 Number one, now that keeping all of God's commandments has become second nature, 00:00:25.400 --> 00:00:27.219 I'm planning to solve some real problems. 00:00:27.219 --> 00:00:34.519 Number two, I've stopped praying because I realized I don't need any help. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:42.840 Number three, I don't read the Bible anymore because I already know everything there is to know about God. 00:00:44.320 --> 00:00:51.640 Number four, since I've earned God's love for myself, I'm now working on helping others earn it too. 00:00:51.640 --> 00:00:57.320 Number five, my strength is sufficient for my salvation. 00:00:58.539 --> 00:01:02.500 Number six, grace is only for losers. 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:06.439 Number seven, wisdom? 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.400 That's why I've got this handy magic eight ball. 00:01:09.400 --> 00:01:14.760 It's a toy from my childhood for those who don't know. 00:01:15.940 --> 00:01:18.480 I say magic eight ball, should I go do this? 00:01:18.520 --> 00:01:21.520 And it says it is decidedly so and so on and so forth. 00:01:22.219 --> 00:01:25.200 So that's a list of things you won't hear in church. 00:01:26.040 --> 00:01:29.760 It's right to kind of chuckle and laugh because they sound so ridiculous. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:45.060 And yet, our sin problem goes so deep, our fleshly nature so pervades and oozes into every nook and cranny of our lives, 00:01:47.020 --> 00:01:53.280 that things that sound ridiculous on one hand actually show up in our lives. 00:01:53.280 --> 00:02:01.019 Not certainly in these brazen kind of arrogant statements that I listed, but more subtly. 00:02:02.879 --> 00:02:05.099 We operate in our own strength all the time. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:08.580 In fact, that was part of Billy's prayer of confession that we heard. 00:02:09.939 --> 00:02:15.300 We fail to carve out time for the Lord to seek His face and to have Him help us. 00:02:16.199 --> 00:02:22.879 Sometimes we act in haste in a situation that requires a lot of wisdom and waiting. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:24.580 On God. 00:02:24.719 --> 00:02:32.080 Sometimes we forget just how much help we need to combat our sin-sick condition. 00:02:35.659 --> 00:02:42.699 Sometimes life is so busy we don't open our Bibles because we don't have time, 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:46.199 failing to remember that life is in knowing God. 00:02:48.800 --> 00:02:51.400 The bottom line is we need help. 00:02:53.280 --> 00:02:56.939 This is where the book of Galatians comes in handy. 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:04.420 To kind of get us back into this book, we've taken three or four weeks off now to enjoy Advent together, 00:03:04.620 --> 00:03:06.900 but so to get us back into the book of Galatians, 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:15.599 this is a letter written by the Apostle Paul to a mostly non-Jewish Christian church in Galatia. 00:03:15.599 --> 00:03:24.019 That's being written to folks who wouldn't necessarily have been following the commandments of God 00:03:24.019 --> 00:03:27.859 because they were Gentile, they were pagans, 00:03:27.859 --> 00:03:35.579 and they would have been living very different lives than the typical Jewish religious man or woman. 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:43.380 And Paul writes because these Galatian Christians are in danger of abandoning their faith in Jesus 00:03:43.380 --> 00:03:48.360 for a cursed captivity under the Jewish law. 00:03:49.800 --> 00:03:53.920 See, a group of false teachers, we call them Judaizers, 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:58.879 they've come in to this church and they've started giving the Galatians this message that says, 00:03:59.759 --> 00:04:06.019 your faith is incomplete until you begin keeping the Jewish commandments. 00:04:06.020 --> 00:04:16.379 All this faith in Jesus, it will be next to nothing until you obey the Old Testament law. 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:20.560 And tragically, this church who's been set free by Jesus, 00:04:21.400 --> 00:04:24.639 the moment that they believe that His perfect life, 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:28.280 His death for sinners and His glorious resurrection 00:04:28.280 --> 00:04:32.220 and now current ascension and rule and reign over all things, 00:04:32.800 --> 00:04:34.439 this church has believed this. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:35.680 They believe the good news. 00:04:36.019 --> 00:04:38.000 They're in danger of turning from it. 00:04:38.500 --> 00:04:41.439 Surrendering the freedom that Jesus alone provides 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:43.799 in exchange for slavery. 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:48.919 They're surrendering their salvation for condemnation. 00:04:48.919 --> 00:04:51.359 And Paul is urgently warning them. 00:04:53.519 --> 00:04:56.859 He's calling them back to faith alone in Jesus. 00:04:57.379 --> 00:04:59.519 Saying the law cannot save you. 00:05:00.359 --> 00:05:04.299 Only Jesus can through faith in Him alone. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:11.079 But if the law is not the guide into righteousness, 00:05:11.299 --> 00:05:14.539 if the law is not ushering the people of God into salvation, 00:05:14.979 --> 00:05:17.180 then who or what is? 00:05:19.839 --> 00:05:21.680 Well, Paul's answer in our text is, 00:05:22.500 --> 00:05:26.379 the Holy Spirit is the guide into righteousness 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:29.799 and the one who is ushering us into salvation. 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:34.720 It's the Holy Spirit alone who does this. 00:05:35.220 --> 00:05:41.100 So, in Galatians 5, 16-24, our text for this morning, 00:05:42.580 --> 00:05:44.220 God, through the Apostle Paul, 00:05:45.080 --> 00:05:46.460 issues a command to Christians, 00:05:46.620 --> 00:05:48.860 both the Galatian church and us today, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:52.800 and then gives us the reason why. 00:05:54.680 --> 00:05:55.840 So, a command and a reason, 00:05:56.060 --> 00:05:58.220 and essentially, if I could summarize it 00:05:58.220 --> 00:05:59.980 and boil it down to one sentence, it's this. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:02.460 Walk by the Spirit 00:06:02.460 --> 00:06:05.319 because you need Him. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:10.420 Walk by the Spirit because you need Him. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:13.500 We all need help, right? 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:14.860 We're in agreement there. 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:16.660 And Jesus has sent, 00:06:16.900 --> 00:06:19.540 not just sort of some book, 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:20.780 of course the Bible is amazing, 00:06:21.120 --> 00:06:23.020 not just a list of do's and don'ts, 00:06:23.100 --> 00:06:24.600 but a helper, a person, 00:06:25.879 --> 00:06:27.580 to help us, the Holy Spirit. 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:31.420 So, walk by the Spirit 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:33.540 because you need His help. 00:06:33.540 --> 00:06:38.520 We're going to walk through this passage this morning 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:40.000 by looking at three reasons 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:42.340 why we must walk by the Spirit. 00:06:43.200 --> 00:06:44.420 Three reasons why 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:46.960 we must walk by the Spirit. 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:47.860 Reason number one, 00:06:49.640 --> 00:06:52.040 you need Him to defeat the flesh. 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:55.300 You need the Spirit to defeat the flesh. 00:06:55.939 --> 00:06:59.540 This is what Paul gets at in verses 16 and 17. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:02.680 Right on the heels of making this command, 00:07:02.680 --> 00:07:03.699 walk by the Spirit 00:07:03.699 --> 00:07:07.759 and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:10.480 Paul says in these verses 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:11.920 that each and every Christian 00:07:11.920 --> 00:07:14.160 is engaged in a conflict. 00:07:15.660 --> 00:07:17.060 Now, he's not talking about 00:07:17.060 --> 00:07:18.800 that kind of cosmic conflict 00:07:18.800 --> 00:07:20.939 of God versus Satan 00:07:20.939 --> 00:07:24.220 and all the corresponding angels and demons. 00:07:24.480 --> 00:07:26.939 Not that conflict Paul has in mind here, 00:07:27.100 --> 00:07:29.340 but an inner conflict, 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:32.639 a conflict inside each and every Christian. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:37.780 It begins the moment we trust in Jesus for salvation 00:07:37.780 --> 00:07:40.240 and it continues for our entire life 00:07:40.240 --> 00:07:42.139 until either we die 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:44.720 or Jesus graciously returns. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:48.560 And it's because that at our salvation, 00:07:49.500 --> 00:07:52.180 the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in us. 00:07:52.180 --> 00:07:54.500 The moment that happens, 00:07:54.699 --> 00:07:58.400 this conflict begins waging inside of us. 00:07:59.060 --> 00:08:00.400 But that also means 00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:03.360 that this conflict is not one 00:08:03.360 --> 00:08:05.319 that is just universally true 00:08:05.319 --> 00:08:06.259 of all human beings. 00:08:06.259 --> 00:08:09.139 This isn't like the cartoon 00:08:09.139 --> 00:08:10.599 where there's a devil on one shoulder 00:08:10.599 --> 00:08:12.139 and an angel on the other shoulder 00:08:12.139 --> 00:08:13.819 and every person is just kind of struggling 00:08:13.819 --> 00:08:14.560 through this. 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:17.360 There is a sense that that's true, 00:08:17.439 --> 00:08:19.159 but that's not what Paul's getting at. 00:08:19.939 --> 00:08:21.459 This is a conflict between 00:08:21.459 --> 00:08:23.899 the sinful nature of the Christian 00:08:23.899 --> 00:08:25.240 and the Holy Spirit 00:08:25.240 --> 00:08:27.259 who now indwells the Christian. 00:08:27.259 --> 00:08:31.899 Just so we're clear, 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:34.120 the Holy Spirit is a person. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:37.740 He's the third person of God. 00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:42.639 The third person of what we call the Trinity. 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:46.379 God is three persons in one. 00:08:47.279 --> 00:08:48.179 There's not three gods, 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:48.980 there's one God, 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.879 and yet there are three distinct persons 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:53.840 and the Holy Spirit is one of those persons. 00:08:53.840 --> 00:08:58.379 He is God and He lives in every single Christian 00:08:58.379 --> 00:09:01.300 the moment we are born again, 00:09:01.700 --> 00:09:04.019 the moment we trust in Jesus Christ 00:09:04.019 --> 00:09:06.040 for forgiveness and eternal life. 00:09:07.280 --> 00:09:09.700 In fact, the Holy Spirit is the only reason 00:09:09.700 --> 00:09:11.120 anyone in this room 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:12.820 is a Christian in the first place. 00:09:13.800 --> 00:09:15.580 The Spirit gives life. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:18.379 The flesh is no help at all, 00:09:18.480 --> 00:09:19.740 Jesus says in John 6. 00:09:21.320 --> 00:09:23.700 So Paul explains this conflict 00:09:23.700 --> 00:09:25.220 in verse 17. 00:09:26.480 --> 00:09:27.320 Listen to what he says. 00:09:27.420 --> 00:09:28.740 For the desires of the flesh 00:09:28.740 --> 00:09:30.560 are against the Spirit, 00:09:31.100 --> 00:09:32.540 and the desires of the Spirit 00:09:32.540 --> 00:09:33.780 are against the flesh. 00:09:34.200 --> 00:09:36.120 For these are opposed to each other 00:09:36.120 --> 00:09:37.700 to keep you from doing 00:09:37.700 --> 00:09:38.940 the things you want to do. 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:42.259 Do you notice the word against 00:09:42.259 --> 00:09:44.080 that Paul uses twice? 00:09:46.259 --> 00:09:47.660 When you see that word against, 00:09:47.840 --> 00:09:50.700 you should think hostile, enemy. 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:54.740 The flesh and the Holy Spirit 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.780 are enemies. 00:09:59.020 --> 00:10:01.400 If you think back to a science class 00:10:01.400 --> 00:10:02.480 that you had in school, 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:04.180 probably in grade school or middle school, 00:10:04.320 --> 00:10:05.980 and your science teacher says, 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:06.720 today class, 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:10.520 we're going to look at magnets. 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:12.440 Right? 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.820 And a real magnet has kind of this 00:10:13.820 --> 00:10:15.240 north pole on it 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.340 and a south pole on it, 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:18.740 and it attracts the opposite pole 00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.560 of another magnet. 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:20.600 Right? 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:21.700 So if you take the north side 00:10:21.700 --> 00:10:22.120 of a magnet 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:22.780 and the south side, 00:10:22.899 --> 00:10:24.759 they actually pull together. 00:10:26.280 --> 00:10:27.160 Paul is saying the opposite 00:10:27.160 --> 00:10:28.600 is true of the flesh and Spirit. 00:10:28.780 --> 00:10:30.560 You put the north end of a magnet 00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:32.019 against the north end of a magnet 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:34.620 and they repel each other. 00:10:36.620 --> 00:10:38.720 They're headed in opposite directions. 00:10:40.280 --> 00:10:41.480 The flesh and the Spirit 00:10:41.480 --> 00:10:43.420 possess contrary affections 00:10:43.419 --> 00:10:44.360 and they're motivated 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:46.379 and driven by opposing desires. 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:52.059 That's the conflict 00:10:52.059 --> 00:10:52.899 Paul's talking about, 00:10:52.939 --> 00:10:53.860 but the good news is 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:56.159 that it's not a fair fight. 00:10:58.459 --> 00:11:00.899 These are not equal opposites. 00:11:03.099 --> 00:11:03.879 So of course, 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.679 we know as a Christian 00:11:05.679 --> 00:11:07.219 that the flesh 00:11:07.219 --> 00:11:08.219 and the temptations 00:11:08.219 --> 00:11:09.599 and the desires 00:11:09.599 --> 00:11:11.299 of things that are not of God 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:12.939 can feel very strong. 00:11:13.379 --> 00:11:14.620 There can be a very strong pull 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:15.519 toward these things. 00:11:19.219 --> 00:11:21.319 It can seem irresistible at points. 00:11:21.939 --> 00:11:23.019 But look at verse 16. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:26.120 Paul's not rejecting 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:26.979 that experience, 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:28.240 but he's saying something 00:11:28.240 --> 00:11:29.319 so full of hope 00:11:29.319 --> 00:11:30.019 in this verse. 00:11:31.439 --> 00:11:32.379 But I say, 00:11:32.519 --> 00:11:33.500 walk by the Spirit 00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:36.559 and you will not 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:38.319 gratify the desires 00:11:38.319 --> 00:11:39.120 of the flesh. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:42.799 Paul's saying here 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:43.899 that the possibility 00:11:43.899 --> 00:11:45.399 of gratifying the flesh 00:11:45.399 --> 00:11:46.259 in the moment, 00:11:46.460 --> 00:11:47.340 in the situation 00:11:47.340 --> 00:11:47.980 that you're walking 00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.440 by the Spirit 00:11:48.440 --> 00:11:49.740 is zero percent. 00:11:53.340 --> 00:11:54.440 Our English translation 00:11:54.440 --> 00:11:55.460 sounds a bit tame 00:11:55.460 --> 00:11:56.500 compared to what Paul's 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.500 really trying to get at. 00:11:57.600 --> 00:11:58.159 He says, 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:00.240 there is zero possibility, 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:01.240 no potential 00:12:01.240 --> 00:12:02.340 whatsoever 00:12:02.340 --> 00:12:03.860 in gratifying the flesh 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:04.759 and its desires 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:06.620 if you are in that moment 00:12:06.620 --> 00:12:08.159 walking by the Spirit. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:13.600 Now just a caveat, 00:12:13.799 --> 00:12:14.980 Paul here is not saying 00:12:14.980 --> 00:12:15.539 that somehow 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:16.840 we can ascend 00:12:16.840 --> 00:12:18.000 beyond the point 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:18.840 where the flesh 00:12:18.840 --> 00:12:20.759 causes trouble 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:21.539 in our lives. 00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.399 He's not saying 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:23.659 that you should be perfect 00:12:23.659 --> 00:12:24.299 all day, 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:24.919 every day, 00:12:25.179 --> 00:12:25.860 end of story. 00:12:26.860 --> 00:12:27.620 He's not saying that. 00:12:27.679 --> 00:12:28.299 We will have this 00:12:28.299 --> 00:12:29.379 lifelong conflict. 00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.060 But, 00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.779 he's saying 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:33.560 there is hope. 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.200 There is reason 00:12:36.200 --> 00:12:37.460 to have full confidence 00:12:37.460 --> 00:12:38.620 that when we are walking 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:39.259 by the Spirit 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.639 we will not be gratifying 00:12:40.639 --> 00:12:41.259 the desires 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.200 of the flesh. 00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.019 It should make our ears 00:12:47.019 --> 00:12:47.660 perk up, 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.120 friends. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.500 It should be filling 00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.860 our hope tanks 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.780 of our hearts 00:12:52.780 --> 00:12:53.720 to hear that 00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.600 because we know 00:12:54.600 --> 00:12:55.160 all too well 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:56.280 this inner conflict. 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:59.439 facing this relentless 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:00.639 day by day 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.339 temptation 00:13:01.339 --> 00:13:02.779 and influence 00:13:02.779 --> 00:13:03.720 of the flesh. 00:13:05.019 --> 00:13:06.220 The discouragement 00:13:06.220 --> 00:13:07.220 and the heartache 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:08.519 when we fail. 00:13:11.019 --> 00:13:11.699 Yet there's hope. 00:13:11.819 --> 00:13:12.659 The Holy Spirit, 00:13:12.819 --> 00:13:13.120 Paul says, 00:13:13.159 --> 00:13:14.720 is so much more powerful, 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:16.819 so much more influential 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:18.539 that it's not a fair fight. 00:13:18.539 --> 00:13:21.639 Whenever he leads, 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:23.279 whenever we walk 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.039 in his strength, 00:13:24.740 --> 00:13:25.879 we will never ever 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:27.139 gratify the desires 00:13:27.139 --> 00:13:27.919 of the flesh. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:29.019 It is impossible 00:13:29.019 --> 00:13:30.959 because these desires 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:31.899 are opposed 00:13:31.899 --> 00:13:32.939 to each other. 00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:34.480 They're not moving 00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:35.259 in the same direction, 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.620 they're not on parallel tracks, 00:13:36.699 --> 00:13:37.159 they're opposed. 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.179 If you're going this way, 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.339 you can't be going that way. 00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:44.299 We all need this reminder 00:13:44.299 --> 00:13:45.639 today and every day, 00:13:45.699 --> 00:13:46.039 don't we? 00:13:46.039 --> 00:13:48.159 Maybe you're here 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:48.899 and you're discouraged 00:13:48.899 --> 00:13:49.679 by a sin 00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:50.779 that just keeps cropping up 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.240 in your life 00:13:51.240 --> 00:13:51.860 and it just seems like 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:53.579 you can't get a handle on it, 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.819 you can't gain victory. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:56.279 Paul would say, 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.099 walk by the Spirit. 00:13:57.980 --> 00:13:59.000 Not in some kind of 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.599 just dismissal sort of way, 00:14:00.839 --> 00:14:02.500 but look to Him. 00:14:02.839 --> 00:14:03.639 He's your hope. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.980 You will conquer the flesh 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.980 by the Spirit. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:08.839 You need His help. 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.480 You won't do it 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:10.099 any other way. 00:14:10.319 --> 00:14:11.219 So don't look to yourself. 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.980 Don't be gloomy. 00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.099 But walk by the Spirit. 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:18.279 Maybe you're in a hard 00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:19.299 and stressful season. 00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:22.360 Just temptation 00:14:22.360 --> 00:14:23.639 feels more intense 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:24.279 and more real 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.419 just because you're strung out. 00:14:25.539 --> 00:14:26.259 You're tired 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.139 and you're not thinking 00:14:27.139 --> 00:14:27.659 as clearly 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:28.519 as you normally are. 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.740 You need the Spirit. 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:33.459 You need His help. 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:36.579 But even if we're 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:37.299 in a good spot 00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:37.899 in the room, right? 00:14:38.120 --> 00:14:39.079 Everything spiritually 00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:40.459 is going pretty well. 00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.579 We're not struggling 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.799 with anything in particular. 00:14:42.799 --> 00:14:45.379 Still striving 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:46.439 and yearning for holiness. 00:14:47.699 --> 00:14:48.459 Holy Spirit 00:14:48.459 --> 00:14:49.179 is who you need. 00:14:50.620 --> 00:14:51.459 We don't look 00:14:51.459 --> 00:14:52.839 an ounce more like Jesus 00:14:52.839 --> 00:14:54.000 by our own effort. 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.279 It's by the Holy Spirit 00:14:55.279 --> 00:14:57.399 working in us. 00:15:00.339 --> 00:15:01.659 So that's reason number one. 00:15:01.719 --> 00:15:02.539 We're in a conflict 00:15:02.539 --> 00:15:03.779 and we need the Spirit 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:04.939 to defeat the flesh. 00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:07.019 So walk by Him. 00:15:07.019 --> 00:15:12.460 The second reason 00:15:12.460 --> 00:15:13.340 Paul points to 00:15:13.340 --> 00:15:15.179 is in verses 18 to 23. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:16.919 He says, 00:15:17.039 --> 00:15:17.879 you need the Spirit 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.879 because He produces 00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:20.799 and provides 00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.860 what the flesh cannot. 00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.559 You need the Spirit 00:15:24.559 --> 00:15:25.439 because He alone 00:15:25.439 --> 00:15:26.600 can produce things 00:15:26.600 --> 00:15:28.079 that the flesh 00:15:28.079 --> 00:15:28.879 has no hope 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.679 of producing. 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:33.059 And bear with me 00:15:33.059 --> 00:15:33.559 because this is 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.599 the bulkiest part 00:15:34.599 --> 00:15:35.419 of the text. 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.799 It's the bulkiest part 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:38.139 of the sermon as well. 00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:40.939 The first thing 00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:42.019 we see in verse 18 00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:44.319 is the Spirit 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:45.019 produces 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:46.120 and provides 00:15:46.120 --> 00:15:47.179 freedom. 00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.379 Listen to 18. 00:15:51.539 --> 00:15:52.620 But if you are led 00:15:52.620 --> 00:15:53.339 by the Spirit, 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.120 you are not under the law. 00:15:56.519 --> 00:15:57.459 Okay, I don't hear 00:15:57.459 --> 00:15:57.899 freedom. 00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:59.120 I don't hear 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.579 anything about the flesh 00:16:00.579 --> 00:16:01.459 or what's going on here. 00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:04.459 When Paul says 00:16:04.459 --> 00:16:05.679 under the law, 00:16:07.079 --> 00:16:08.259 which he has 00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.779 three, four, five times 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:11.100 previously in Galatians, 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:12.100 he's speaking of 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:13.819 being in captivity 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:14.539 under the law, 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.919 being in slavery 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.720 under the law. 00:16:19.220 --> 00:16:19.840 If you want to turn 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.600 to chapter 3, 00:16:20.659 --> 00:16:21.439 verse 23, 00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.919 I think it's most clear there 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:25.340 what Paul's meaning 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:26.399 by this phrase. 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:29.759 Now, before faith came, 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:32.980 we were held captive 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.500 under the law, 00:16:35.500 --> 00:16:35.980 imprisoned 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:38.220 until the coming faith 00:16:38.220 --> 00:16:39.659 would be revealed. 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:43.199 Okay, so under the law 00:16:43.199 --> 00:16:43.899 means captivity, 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:45.019 but what does this have to do 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:45.659 with the flesh? 00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.579 Paul's been saying 00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.840 through chapters 3 and 4 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.519 of Galatians 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:53.699 is that those who are 00:16:53.699 --> 00:16:54.980 captive under the law 00:16:54.980 --> 00:16:56.740 are attempting 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:58.079 in their own strength, 00:16:58.699 --> 00:17:00.720 aka according to the flesh, 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:02.879 to achieve righteousness 00:17:02.879 --> 00:17:03.960 and salvation. 00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.500 They're trying to keep 00:17:07.500 --> 00:17:08.039 the law 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.859 to earn righteousness, 00:17:10.139 --> 00:17:11.259 to earn salvation. 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:13.019 And Paul's been warning 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.519 the Galatians, 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.400 you can't do so. 00:17:14.400 --> 00:17:17.240 By works of the law, 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.440 no one 00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:19.759 will be justified. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:21.280 No one will be saved. 00:17:22.100 --> 00:17:23.060 Because the law 00:17:23.060 --> 00:17:24.000 reveals sin 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.320 and the law 00:17:25.320 --> 00:17:26.900 imprisons us. 00:17:29.100 --> 00:17:30.120 So for the Jew 00:17:30.120 --> 00:17:31.080 who was trying to gain 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:31.960 his salvation 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.900 through law keeping, 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:33.400 Paul says, 00:17:33.480 --> 00:17:33.980 you're a slave. 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.259 You're not free 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:36.320 and you're not righteous. 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.000 You're a slave. 00:17:38.820 --> 00:17:39.220 In fact, 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:39.620 Paul says, 00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.580 the law was never 00:17:40.580 --> 00:17:42.220 intended to save anyone. 00:17:42.220 --> 00:17:45.980 But our own flesh, 00:17:46.079 --> 00:17:46.880 our own pride, 00:17:47.420 --> 00:17:48.720 tries to save 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:50.400 ourself anyway. 00:17:52.460 --> 00:17:52.940 The flesh 00:17:52.940 --> 00:17:54.400 enslaves religious people 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:55.579 underneath the law 00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:57.100 that God gave 00:17:57.100 --> 00:17:58.660 for that very purpose. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.819 The Spirit 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:02.039 alone 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.160 frees 00:18:03.160 --> 00:18:03.960 them 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.799 to live 00:18:04.799 --> 00:18:05.600 for Jesus. 00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:09.799 Verse 19 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:11.220 continues this argument 00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.319 about freedom. 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:16.980 Paul writes 00:18:16.980 --> 00:18:17.240 that 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:18.640 he's talking about 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:19.180 the flesh 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:20.059 enslaving 00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.920 but the Spirit 00:18:20.920 --> 00:18:21.900 providing freedom. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.860 And Paul's been 00:18:23.860 --> 00:18:24.480 given kind of 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:25.200 two ways 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.019 that you can be 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.620 enslaved. 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.759 The first is the one 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.920 I've just been talking about 00:18:29.920 --> 00:18:30.980 being under the law, 00:18:31.079 --> 00:18:31.700 being captive 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:32.299 under the law. 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.100 And now in 19 00:18:33.100 --> 00:18:34.180 he pivots and says, 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.279 here's the second way 00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.120 you can be a slave. 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:37.940 By living fully 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.019 into the desires 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.620 and passions 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.600 of the flesh. 00:18:40.599 --> 00:18:44.279 You can be 00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.919 imprisoned by 00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:45.740 attempting to save 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.359 yourself through 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:46.859 rule keeping 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.719 and you can be 00:18:48.719 --> 00:18:49.439 imprisoned by 00:18:49.439 --> 00:18:49.939 pursuing 00:18:49.939 --> 00:18:51.399 the immoral 00:18:51.399 --> 00:18:52.879 unrighteous 00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:53.559 works of 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.519 the flesh. 00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:57.099 The Galatian 00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.719 church would be 00:18:57.719 --> 00:18:58.500 very familiar 00:18:58.500 --> 00:18:59.659 with this list 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.939 in 19 to 21. 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.699 This essentially 00:19:02.699 --> 00:19:03.119 was their 00:19:03.119 --> 00:19:04.319 former life. 00:19:05.719 --> 00:19:06.459 But they were 00:19:06.459 --> 00:19:07.399 in danger of 00:19:07.399 --> 00:19:08.259 reverting back 00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:08.879 to slavery 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.440 though God 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:09.920 had set them 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:10.700 free not by 00:19:10.700 --> 00:19:12.220 becoming immoral 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.140 unrighteous people 00:19:13.140 --> 00:19:14.160 again but by 00:19:14.160 --> 00:19:14.740 thinking that they 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:15.120 could start 00:19:15.120 --> 00:19:15.960 keeping a law 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:16.640 to save 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.080 themselves. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.600 Both are 00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:18.980 slavery. 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.220 That's why Paul 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:21.980 can pivot so 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.660 quickly from 00:19:22.660 --> 00:19:23.620 in verse 18 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.100 talking about 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:24.680 the law 00:19:24.680 --> 00:19:26.160 to verse 19 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:26.720 talking about 00:19:26.720 --> 00:19:27.080 the works 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:27.740 of the flesh. 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.100 In his mind 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.580 they're both 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:30.300 under this 00:19:30.300 --> 00:19:31.200 category of 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.900 slavery and 00:19:31.900 --> 00:19:32.380 captivity. 00:19:33.900 --> 00:19:34.680 Because he spent 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.300 two chapters 00:19:35.300 --> 00:19:36.040 already talking 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.659 about the 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:38.379 law and 00:19:38.379 --> 00:19:38.920 its ability 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.639 to enslave. 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:40.599 He only needs 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.119 to raise it 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.859 in one sentence 00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.700 to draw all 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:43.079 of that 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.799 information 00:19:43.799 --> 00:19:44.859 back in. 00:19:48.220 --> 00:19:48.899 Essentially he 00:19:48.899 --> 00:19:49.299 says both 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.680 the rule 00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.119 follower 00:19:50.119 --> 00:19:51.680 and the 00:19:51.680 --> 00:19:52.279 immoral 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:53.619 are slaves. 00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.079 The spirit 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.740 alone 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.940 provides 00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.720 freedom. 00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:57.779 fruit. 00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.460 But additionally 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.100 the spirit 00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.680 also provides 00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.620 Christ-like 00:20:05.620 --> 00:20:06.339 fruit. 00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.279 It's the 00:20:09.279 --> 00:20:09.759 point of the 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:10.720 comparison in 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:11.880 verses 19 00:20:11.880 --> 00:20:13.039 to 21 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.759 with the 00:20:13.759 --> 00:20:14.120 fruit of the 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.700 spirit in 00:20:14.700 --> 00:20:15.460 22 and 00:20:15.460 --> 00:20:16.000 23. 00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.519 Paul saying 00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.019 look what the 00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:21.180 flesh produces 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.019 and provides. 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.819 Only unrighteous 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.420 things. 00:20:26.100 --> 00:20:26.600 Whether you're 00:20:26.600 --> 00:20:27.539 trying to keep 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.159 the rule of 00:20:28.159 --> 00:20:29.519 God or 00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:29.940 whether you're 00:20:29.940 --> 00:20:30.599 just letting 00:20:30.599 --> 00:20:31.180 it loose and 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:31.920 living for the 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:32.200 flesh. 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.759 The flesh 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:34.180 produces unrighteous 00:20:34.180 --> 00:20:34.440 things. 00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:35.119 It's only the 00:20:35.119 --> 00:20:36.039 spirit who 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.599 produces 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:38.460 righteous fruit. 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.879 Flesh cannot 00:20:43.879 --> 00:20:44.920 provide righteousness. 00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:47.399 It can't help 00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:48.359 you and me 00:20:48.359 --> 00:20:49.200 become more 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.720 like Jesus 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.240 Christ. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:53.379 It only works 00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:54.319 immorality. 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.200 Now look a 00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:58.659 little bit more 00:20:58.659 --> 00:20:59.460 closely at this 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.339 works of the 00:21:00.339 --> 00:21:00.779 flesh in 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.799 19 to 21. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:03.559 Paul's 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.200 intentionally 00:21:04.200 --> 00:21:05.220 organized this 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:05.920 for us. 00:21:07.200 --> 00:21:07.960 The first 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:09.379 three works 00:21:09.379 --> 00:21:09.839 that he 00:21:09.839 --> 00:21:10.299 lists in 00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.500 verse 19 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.980 they cover the 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.000 full range of 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.899 sexual sin. 00:21:16.039 --> 00:21:16.420 Whether it's 00:21:16.420 --> 00:21:17.039 immorality, 00:21:17.299 --> 00:21:17.740 adultery, 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:18.879 homosexuality, 00:21:19.039 --> 00:21:19.339 lust, 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.079 all of it. 00:21:20.159 --> 00:21:20.980 He covers 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.579 them all in 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.059 these three 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:22.559 words. 00:21:23.659 --> 00:21:24.139 He says those 00:21:24.139 --> 00:21:24.579 are of the 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:25.039 flesh. 00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:27.460 The next 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:27.940 two on the 00:21:27.940 --> 00:21:28.279 list, 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.700 idolatry and 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.259 sorcery, 00:21:30.339 --> 00:21:30.680 deal with 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.819 false religion. 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.579 Worshipping 00:21:34.579 --> 00:21:35.799 a god other 00:21:35.799 --> 00:21:36.480 than the one 00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.339 true god. 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.639 Or trying to 00:21:39.639 --> 00:21:40.960 manipulate this 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:42.359 deity to do 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:43.399 what you want 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:43.819 him to. 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:47.039 And the final 00:21:47.039 --> 00:21:47.859 two in the 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.240 list, 00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:50.399 drunkenness 00:21:50.399 --> 00:21:51.119 and orgies, 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.500 deal with this 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.379 blatant lack of 00:21:53.379 --> 00:21:53.980 self-control. 00:21:54.180 --> 00:21:54.720 This kind of 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:56.220 just letting 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.759 loose. 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.039 And rather 00:21:58.039 --> 00:21:59.039 than seeing 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.559 that last 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.180 word as 00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:00.539 some kind 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.500 of sexual 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:02.200 connotation, 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:02.640 it's more 00:22:02.640 --> 00:22:03.700 of like the 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.259 movie Animal 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.600 House, 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:05.259 just like some 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.120 big frat 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:06.600 party and 00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.059 carousing. 00:22:07.799 --> 00:22:08.120 It's kind 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.400 of what you 00:22:08.400 --> 00:22:08.640 want to 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:09.000 think of 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:09.200 there. 00:22:11.519 --> 00:22:12.039 These are 00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.380 all works 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:12.660 of the 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:13.079 flesh. 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:14.039 We skipped 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.460 over the 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:14.860 middle eight 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:15.940 because Paul 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.640 wants to 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.319 draw attention 00:22:17.319 --> 00:22:17.620 here. 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.059 He wants 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.380 to focus 00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:22.140 in on the 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.579 middle eight. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:23.039 And it 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.519 starts the 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:23.960 third word 00:22:23.960 --> 00:22:24.279 of verse 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.680 20. 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:25.899 Just listen 00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.279 to these 00:22:26.279 --> 00:22:26.680 and notice 00:22:26.680 --> 00:22:27.599 the relational 00:22:27.599 --> 00:22:28.299 kind of 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:29.440 components of 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.619 these. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:30.119 These are 00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:31.399 sins that 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:31.799 have to do 00:22:31.799 --> 00:22:32.299 with treatment 00:22:32.299 --> 00:22:33.079 of other 00:22:33.079 --> 00:22:33.759 people. 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.279 Enmity, 00:22:35.980 --> 00:22:36.500 strife, 00:22:37.299 --> 00:22:37.660 jealousy, 00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:38.859 fits of 00:22:38.859 --> 00:22:39.240 anger, 00:22:40.039 --> 00:22:40.680 rivalries, 00:22:41.180 --> 00:22:41.740 dissensions, 00:22:42.180 --> 00:22:42.619 divisions, 00:22:43.579 --> 00:22:43.819 envy. 00:22:47.819 --> 00:22:48.700 It seems 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.139 like Paul 00:22:49.139 --> 00:22:50.139 probably has 00:22:50.139 --> 00:22:50.859 the Judaizers 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.639 in his mind 00:22:51.640 --> 00:22:52.620 as he's 00:22:52.620 --> 00:22:53.680 writing several 00:22:53.680 --> 00:22:54.100 of these. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.080 Strife, 00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:55.780 rivalries, 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:56.300 division, 00:22:56.820 --> 00:22:57.100 envy. 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.220 These people 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.720 are coming 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.240 into the 00:22:59.240 --> 00:22:59.600 church and 00:22:59.600 --> 00:23:00.180 wreaking havoc, 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.240 dividing people 00:23:01.240 --> 00:23:02.540 over by 00:23:02.540 --> 00:23:03.440 speaking heresy 00:23:03.440 --> 00:23:04.320 and falsehood. 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:05.980 People who are 00:23:05.980 --> 00:23:06.840 envious of 00:23:06.840 --> 00:23:07.700 Paul's position 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.340 and authority 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:09.160 and trying to 00:23:09.160 --> 00:23:10.040 get him in 00:23:10.040 --> 00:23:10.520 trouble and 00:23:10.520 --> 00:23:11.180 trying to 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.880 oust him 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.100 from having 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:14.180 sway over 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:14.900 this church. 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:14.980 church. 00:23:16.780 --> 00:23:17.440 But not 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:17.920 just that, 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.400 this list 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:18.680 kind of 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.200 hits even 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:19.740 closer to 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.080 home for 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:20.740 the Galatians. 00:23:20.920 --> 00:23:21.180 If you 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.140 look at 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:23.160 5 verse 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:23.780 15, 00:23:25.640 --> 00:23:25.880 Paul's 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.700 talking to 00:23:26.700 --> 00:23:27.360 the Galatians 00:23:27.360 --> 00:23:28.080 in this 00:23:28.080 --> 00:23:29.280 passage we 00:23:29.280 --> 00:23:30.140 heard three 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:30.380 or four 00:23:30.380 --> 00:23:30.900 weeks ago 00:23:30.900 --> 00:23:31.259 and saying 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.000 if you 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:32.680 bite and 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:33.040 devour 00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.640 one another, 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.259 watch out 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.519 that you're 00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.220 not consumed 00:23:36.220 --> 00:23:36.620 by one 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:36.880 another. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:38.360 So the 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:38.980 Galatians 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.460 are kind 00:23:39.460 --> 00:23:39.840 of at 00:23:39.840 --> 00:23:40.740 each other's 00:23:40.740 --> 00:23:42.100 necks a 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.600 little bit. 00:23:42.599 --> 00:23:44.059 And then 00:23:44.059 --> 00:23:44.359 in verse 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:44.879 26, 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:45.480 the last 00:23:45.480 --> 00:23:45.879 verse of 00:23:45.879 --> 00:23:46.599 chapter 5, 00:23:46.719 --> 00:23:47.199 we see a 00:23:47.199 --> 00:23:49.240 similar idea 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:49.579 again. 00:23:49.679 --> 00:23:50.219 Let us not 00:23:50.219 --> 00:23:51.379 become conceited, 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.679 provoking one 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:53.019 another, 00:23:53.699 --> 00:23:54.819 envying one 00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:55.159 another. 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.679 These are 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:57.319 real warnings 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:57.879 because the 00:23:57.879 --> 00:23:58.579 Galatian church 00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:59.099 seems to be 00:23:59.099 --> 00:24:00.000 kind of taking 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.459 on and 00:24:00.459 --> 00:24:01.379 developing some 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:01.759 of these 00:24:01.759 --> 00:24:03.879 very divisive 00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.579 and hurtful 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.259 and sinful 00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.899 fleshly 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:07.059 practices that 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.480 they're seeing 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:09.219 exhibited in 00:24:09.219 --> 00:24:09.659 these false 00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.079 teachers. 00:24:10.079 --> 00:24:10.299 chapters. 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:14.039 It's a 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.819 pretty sobering 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.179 list, 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:15.659 isn't it? 00:24:19.059 --> 00:24:19.960 We should 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.199 see ourselves 00:24:21.199 --> 00:24:21.839 in various 00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.419 ways and 00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:22.879 shapes and 00:24:22.879 --> 00:24:23.439 forms in 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.599 various works 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:25.039 on this 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:25.579 list. 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:27.659 Sobering 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:28.279 list when we 00:24:28.279 --> 00:24:28.859 stop and 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.199 think a 00:24:29.199 --> 00:24:29.539 little bit 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.079 about it. 00:24:32.419 --> 00:24:32.720 And Paul 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.099 doesn't even 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.539 give a full 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:33.740 list. 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.000 He says, 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:34.659 these are 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:35.460 the all 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.079 inclusive 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:37.139 works of 00:24:37.139 --> 00:24:37.559 the flesh. 00:24:37.559 --> 00:24:38.579 Things like 00:24:38.579 --> 00:24:39.019 these. 00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:40.559 So we 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:40.839 could go 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:41.139 on and 00:24:41.139 --> 00:24:41.659 list more 00:24:41.659 --> 00:24:41.919 and more 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.139 and more 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.779 things. 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.159 It's a 00:24:45.159 --> 00:24:45.639 sobering 00:24:45.639 --> 00:24:46.279 list because 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.179 of the 00:24:47.179 --> 00:24:47.859 number of 00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:48.500 fleshly 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:50.240 works that 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.799 involve our 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.480 treatment of 00:24:51.480 --> 00:24:52.000 one another. 00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:54.799 Rivalry and 00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.480 division and 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.159 jealousy and 00:24:56.159 --> 00:24:56.919 envy and 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:58.359 things like 00:24:58.359 --> 00:24:58.779 this. 00:25:01.159 --> 00:25:02.039 That doesn't 00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:02.659 mean that we 00:25:02.659 --> 00:25:04.199 must kind of 00:25:04.199 --> 00:25:05.099 stay quiet 00:25:05.099 --> 00:25:06.759 and just 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.519 kind of keep 00:25:07.519 --> 00:25:08.000 the peace 00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:08.519 sort of as 00:25:08.519 --> 00:25:09.299 some fake 00:25:09.299 --> 00:25:11.079 facade of 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:12.740 being united 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:14.139 but it 00:25:14.139 --> 00:25:14.519 does mean 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.079 that if we 00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.599 engage in 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:17.680 heavy things 00:25:17.680 --> 00:25:17.980 and things 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.539 we're passionate 00:25:18.539 --> 00:25:19.000 about that 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.440 the words we 00:25:20.440 --> 00:25:20.920 choose, 00:25:21.779 --> 00:25:22.240 our tone of 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.779 voice and 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.339 the heartbeat 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:24.240 underneath of 00:25:24.240 --> 00:25:24.740 those things 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.859 matters a lot. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:30.639 I find it 00:25:30.639 --> 00:25:31.720 so sobering 00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.339 to recognize 00:25:32.339 --> 00:25:33.220 that if I 00:25:33.220 --> 00:25:36.759 am living 00:25:36.759 --> 00:25:37.500 a life that 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.600 has fits of 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.160 anger as 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:39.600 just kind of 00:25:39.600 --> 00:25:40.220 the normal 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:40.960 course of 00:25:40.960 --> 00:25:41.600 my existence 00:25:41.600 --> 00:25:42.620 that Paul 00:25:42.620 --> 00:25:44.120 says people 00:25:44.120 --> 00:25:44.720 that do this 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:45.220 stuff don't 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.700 inherit the 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.019 kingdom. 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.059 But Paul 00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.380 has not 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:50.880 sort of 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.539 listed this 00:25:51.539 --> 00:25:52.200 thing to 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:52.779 sort of 00:25:52.779 --> 00:25:53.220 condemn 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:53.920 anybody but 00:25:53.920 --> 00:25:55.220 to call 00:25:55.220 --> 00:25:57.019 the Galatians 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.539 and to call 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.460 us out of 00:25:58.460 --> 00:25:59.059 these things. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:25:59.480 We need 00:25:59.480 --> 00:25:59.920 help. 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:01.940 Paul says 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.480 the Spirit 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.380 will provide 00:26:03.380 --> 00:26:04.120 the Christ-like 00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.680 fruit that 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.340 you need. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.600 Only He can 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:09.960 make us 00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.700 righteous like 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.019 Jesus. 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.420 We need 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.800 Him and 00:26:13.800 --> 00:26:14.240 when we 00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.220 walk by 00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:15.560 Him, 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:15.960 when we 00:26:15.960 --> 00:26:16.480 walk by 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.060 the Spirit 00:26:17.060 --> 00:26:17.660 of Jesus 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.060 Christ, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.039 this fruit 00:26:19.039 --> 00:26:20.039 that we 00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:20.460 see in 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.240 verses 22 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.960 and 23 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.580 is evident 00:26:23.580 --> 00:26:25.680 moment by 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.039 moment, 00:26:26.840 --> 00:26:27.300 circumstance 00:26:27.300 --> 00:26:28.539 by circumstance, 00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:31.399 but also 00:26:31.399 --> 00:26:32.879 increasingly so 00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.420 as we 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.460 mature and 00:26:34.460 --> 00:26:34.920 grow in 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.339 our faith. 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.079 This fruit 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:36.819 should be 00:26:36.819 --> 00:26:37.799 blossoming and 00:26:37.799 --> 00:26:38.740 expanding in 00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:39.440 our lives 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:41.240 as we walk 00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:41.960 by the Spirit 00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.879 and seek 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.519 His help. 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.659 Notice 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:47.139 again that the 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.539 fruit of the 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.680 Spirit involves 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:49.299 so much of 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.200 this relational 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.980 kind of 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.740 dynamic. 00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:55.220 Love, 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:56.819 patience, 00:26:57.420 --> 00:26:57.779 kindness, 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.420 goodness, 00:26:59.279 --> 00:26:59.940 gentleness, 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:01.559 things that 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.460 show up in 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.240 our interactions 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:03.799 with one 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:04.180 another. 00:27:07.180 --> 00:27:07.480 And Paul 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.000 here is not 00:27:08.000 --> 00:27:08.940 talking about 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.059 things that 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:11.139 are natural 00:27:11.139 --> 00:27:12.000 temperament. 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:13.839 Some of us 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.420 are just very 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.079 by nature 00:27:15.079 --> 00:27:15.920 kind people. 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.700 Some of us 00:27:17.700 --> 00:27:18.759 are fairly 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.000 patient individuals, 00:27:20.220 --> 00:27:20.619 it's our 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.720 natural disposition. 00:27:23.240 --> 00:27:23.940 That's not 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.339 what Paul is 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:25.039 talking about. 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:25.740 He's not 00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:25.940 saying, 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.099 well, 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.500 you get a 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.039 pass if 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.299 you're an 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:28.220 impatient guy. 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.059 You get a 00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:30.019 pass on this 00:27:30.019 --> 00:27:30.279 fruit. 00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.720 Saying this 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.440 is fruit that 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.019 is of the 00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.339 Spirit. 00:27:33.660 --> 00:27:34.220 Only God 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.000 produces it 00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.180 and He will 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.920 produce it 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:38.099 as we seek 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.680 His help 00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.319 and walk 00:27:39.319 --> 00:27:40.319 by the 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.599 Spirit. 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.599 God will 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:51.240 love and 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.319 serve others 00:27:52.319 --> 00:27:54.359 even if 00:27:54.359 --> 00:27:54.839 they may 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:55.879 annoy us 00:27:55.879 --> 00:27:56.419 or disappoint 00:27:56.419 --> 00:27:57.539 us or hurt 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:58.019 us. 00:27:59.179 --> 00:28:00.500 It means 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.919 that 00:28:00.919 --> 00:28:02.379 God will 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.439 produce the 00:28:03.439 --> 00:28:03.819 fruit of 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.619 gentleness 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:07.659 inside of 00:28:07.659 --> 00:28:08.099 us who 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:10.159 may be 00:28:10.159 --> 00:28:10.519 struggling 00:28:10.519 --> 00:28:11.359 to love 00:28:11.359 --> 00:28:11.619 someone 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:11.859 who's 00:28:11.859 --> 00:28:12.359 rude 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:13.939 or harsh 00:28:13.939 --> 00:28:14.679 toward us. 00:28:15.939 --> 00:28:16.439 And it 00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:16.859 means that 00:28:16.859 --> 00:28:17.359 we will be 00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:17.939 kind 00:28:17.939 --> 00:28:19.199 toward those 00:28:19.199 --> 00:28:19.500 who are 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.939 impatient 00:28:19.939 --> 00:28:20.379 and aren't 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:20.779 bearing the 00:28:20.779 --> 00:28:21.000 fruit of 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.359 the Spirit. 00:28:24.199 --> 00:28:24.719 And we 00:28:24.719 --> 00:28:25.059 know all 00:28:25.059 --> 00:28:25.419 too well 00:28:25.419 --> 00:28:25.799 that we 00:28:25.799 --> 00:28:26.139 can end 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:26.459 up on 00:28:26.459 --> 00:28:27.219 both sides 00:28:27.219 --> 00:28:28.339 of this 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:28.879 exchange, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.179 right? 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.779 Sometimes 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.700 we bear 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.039 the fruit 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.340 of the 00:28:32.340 --> 00:28:32.620 Spirit 00:28:32.620 --> 00:28:33.299 for the 00:28:33.299 --> 00:28:33.640 sake of 00:28:33.640 --> 00:28:34.279 those who 00:28:34.279 --> 00:28:35.279 are struggling 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:35.900 with something. 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:36.940 And other 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.860 times those 00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:39.019 of us in 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.380 the church 00:28:39.380 --> 00:28:40.019 around us, 00:28:40.080 --> 00:28:40.500 our friends, 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:40.940 our brothers 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.440 and sisters 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:41.920 bear the 00:28:41.920 --> 00:28:42.880 fruit for 00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.840 us because 00:28:43.840 --> 00:28:44.299 we need 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:44.620 it, because 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.259 we're struggling, 00:28:45.400 --> 00:28:45.920 because we've 00:28:45.920 --> 00:28:46.200 wronged 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.539 somebody. 00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.920 All of 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.200 this is 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:49.840 provided by 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.360 the Spirit 00:28:50.360 --> 00:28:51.860 and only 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.759 by the 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.100 Spirit. 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.000 And of 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.420 course it's 00:28:58.420 --> 00:28:58.960 love that 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.720 headlines the 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.100 list. 00:29:02.079 --> 00:29:03.079 This first 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:04.100 priority on 00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:04.779 the list is 00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:06.279 love, because 00:29:06.279 --> 00:29:06.920 Paul has just 00:29:06.920 --> 00:29:07.539 said in the 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.240 previous verses 00:29:08.240 --> 00:29:09.440 that the 00:29:09.440 --> 00:29:10.100 whole law is 00:29:10.100 --> 00:29:10.660 fulfilled in 00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.200 one word. 00:29:12.360 --> 00:29:12.600 You shall 00:29:12.600 --> 00:29:13.079 love your 00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:13.900 neighbor as 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.440 yourself. 00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.059 That's verse 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.480 14. 00:29:19.380 --> 00:29:20.200 Paul says 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.039 love is only 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.920 possible, true 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.360 love, the 00:29:22.360 --> 00:29:22.720 love he's 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.180 talking about is 00:29:23.180 --> 00:29:24.519 only possible and 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.920 yet readily 00:29:25.920 --> 00:29:28.480 available as we 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.059 walk by the 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.339 Spirit. 00:29:31.279 --> 00:29:32.120 We need the 00:29:32.120 --> 00:29:32.860 Spirit to love 00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.299 one another. 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:33.860 We need the 00:29:33.860 --> 00:29:34.240 Spirit to 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:35.259 produce Christ 00:29:35.259 --> 00:29:36.299 like fruit in 00:29:36.299 --> 00:29:37.099 our lives. 00:29:38.579 --> 00:29:39.299 Flesh doesn't 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:39.880 create these 00:29:39.880 --> 00:29:40.279 things. 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:43.200 Only conflict and 00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.860 division and 00:29:43.860 --> 00:29:44.279 harm. 00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.299 The Spirit 00:29:46.299 --> 00:29:47.680 empowers us to 00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:49.360 love, to 00:29:49.360 --> 00:29:50.940 joy, to 00:29:50.940 --> 00:29:51.440 peace, 00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.740 patience and 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:53.299 kindness, 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:55.919 gentleness, 00:29:56.119 --> 00:29:56.399 goodness, 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.240 faithfulness, 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.000 self-control. 00:30:02.399 --> 00:30:02.599 And 00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:03.220 ultimately, the 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.779 thing that the 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.700 Spirit provides 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:07.399 is eternal 00:30:07.399 --> 00:30:07.899 life. 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.819 The flesh isn't 00:30:10.819 --> 00:30:11.279 going to get you 00:30:11.279 --> 00:30:11.519 there. 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.220 Paul says this 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:13.819 much at the end 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.399 of verse 21. 00:30:14.559 --> 00:30:15.000 Those who 00:30:15.000 --> 00:30:15.720 practice such 00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.480 things, works of 00:30:16.480 --> 00:30:17.119 the flesh, will 00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:18.019 not inherit the 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:18.779 kingdom of God. 00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:22.319 though we 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.379 don't see the 00:30:23.379 --> 00:30:25.819 opposite idea at 00:30:25.819 --> 00:30:26.319 the end of the 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:26.700 fruit of the 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.420 Spirit, it's 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:27.859 implied. 00:30:28.660 --> 00:30:29.279 Those who are 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:29.920 bearing the fruit 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:30.460 of the Spirit, 00:30:30.619 --> 00:30:31.019 those who are 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:31.759 walking by the 00:30:31.759 --> 00:30:32.460 Spirit, are 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:33.460 sons of God and 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.399 they will inherit 00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:35.839 eternal life. 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:35.980 life. 00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:40.419 It's been said 00:30:40.419 --> 00:30:40.980 that Jesus 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.079 accomplishes our 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:44.019 salvation and 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.699 the Holy Spirit 00:30:44.699 --> 00:30:45.899 applies our 00:30:45.899 --> 00:30:46.359 salvation. 00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.379 He gives us 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:49.559 life in Jesus, 00:30:50.159 --> 00:30:51.480 he sustains our 00:30:51.480 --> 00:30:52.519 lives in Jesus, 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.279 he ultimately 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:55.759 will bring us 00:30:55.759 --> 00:30:56.359 to glory. 00:30:58.220 --> 00:30:59.220 So we need the 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.559 Spirit. 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.519 He provides what 00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.220 the flesh cannot 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.779 provide. 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.240 Freedom, 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.819 Christ-like fruit, 00:31:05.839 --> 00:31:07.279 eternal life. 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:10.779 It's the second 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:12.359 reason Paul gives 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:14.019 walk by the 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.319 Spirit. 00:31:16.179 --> 00:31:16.959 The third and 00:31:16.959 --> 00:31:17.659 final reason of 00:31:17.659 --> 00:31:18.419 our text is in 00:31:18.419 --> 00:31:19.319 verse 24. 00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.799 We need the 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.819 Spirit because he 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.740 reminds us of who 00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.839 we are in 00:31:25.839 --> 00:31:26.279 Christ. 00:31:28.399 --> 00:31:29.299 Paul writes in 00:31:29.299 --> 00:31:30.019 verse 24, 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:30.919 and those who 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:32.500 belong to Christ, 00:31:32.839 --> 00:31:33.679 Jesus, have 00:31:33.679 --> 00:31:34.519 crucified the 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:35.359 flesh with its 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.899 passions and 00:31:36.899 --> 00:31:37.299 desires. 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:40.859 This is a huge, 00:31:41.399 --> 00:31:43.019 bodacious claim. 00:31:47.299 --> 00:31:48.599 For those who 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.740 belong to Christ, 00:31:50.799 --> 00:31:51.740 they have crucified 00:31:51.740 --> 00:31:53.939 the flesh with its 00:31:53.939 --> 00:31:55.039 passions and 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.519 desires. 00:31:55.519 --> 00:31:55.720 sinners. 00:31:55.720 --> 00:31:59.000 It means that the 00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:00.460 Christian already 00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.759 has the assurance 00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:02.960 of victory over 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:04.920 the flesh because 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:06.240 it's already on the 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:07.799 cross being crucified 00:32:07.799 --> 00:32:09.000 and done away with. 00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:13.960 Friends, let me let 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:14.539 you in on a little 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.019 secret. 00:32:16.799 --> 00:32:18.779 Crucifixion always 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.740 works. 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:23.259 It always kills the 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.720 one it intends to 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.099 kill. 00:32:26.160 --> 00:32:27.819 Paul says, those who 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:29.079 belong to Jesus have 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:30.240 crucified the flesh. 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.460 It's perishing, it's 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:33.759 dying, it's being done 00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.460 away with. 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:37.960 So in this verse, we 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:39.200 have another message of 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:39.579 hope. 00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:42.440 It really is true. 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.759 The flesh is perishing 00:32:43.759 --> 00:32:46.599 because of who we are. 00:32:46.599 --> 00:32:52.439 We need the Spirit 00:32:52.439 --> 00:32:53.459 because He reminds us 00:32:53.459 --> 00:32:54.059 of who we are in 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.359 Christ. 00:32:54.619 --> 00:32:56.519 Let me help realize 00:32:56.519 --> 00:32:57.980 that seems like I 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.679 just went off on a 00:32:58.679 --> 00:32:59.019 tangent. 00:33:03.419 --> 00:33:04.959 But if we think 00:33:04.959 --> 00:33:05.599 about it for a 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:07.599 second, we all know 00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.299 the difference, right, 00:33:08.359 --> 00:33:09.480 between a head 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:11.539 knowledge and a heart 00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:11.980 knowledge. 00:33:13.419 --> 00:33:15.059 This is the longest 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:16.579 two feet. 00:33:16.599 --> 00:33:18.579 to travel ever 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:20.639 from our head 00:33:20.639 --> 00:33:21.639 to our heart. 00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.480 How do we get what's 00:33:23.480 --> 00:33:24.419 true about Jesus and 00:33:24.419 --> 00:33:25.559 what's true about us in 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:27.240 Him from our head 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:27.959 into our heart? 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.099 The flesh is not going 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.879 to do it for us, 00:33:30.959 --> 00:33:31.159 friends. 00:33:31.859 --> 00:33:33.319 We can't think hard 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.480 enough to get it from 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:35.399 our head into our 00:33:35.399 --> 00:33:35.659 heart. 00:33:35.879 --> 00:33:37.559 It's the Spirit alone 00:33:37.559 --> 00:33:38.799 who will remind us and 00:33:38.799 --> 00:33:39.980 impress these things upon 00:33:39.980 --> 00:33:41.599 our heart in such a 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.719 way that they begin to 00:33:42.719 --> 00:33:44.500 operate out of us. 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:47.259 We need the Spirit to 00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:48.319 remind us of who we 00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:49.240 are in Christ. 00:33:50.839 --> 00:33:51.700 Paul says this much, 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:53.160 that's the Spirit's role 00:33:53.160 --> 00:33:54.160 back in chapter 4, 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:54.920 verse 6. 00:33:57.339 --> 00:33:58.259 He says this, 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.059 And because you are 00:33:59.059 --> 00:34:00.900 sons, God has sent the 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:02.839 Spirit of His Son into 00:34:02.839 --> 00:34:04.740 our hearts, crying, 00:34:04.920 --> 00:34:05.900 Abba, Father. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:13.239 This is how what's true 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:14.239 about us gets from our 00:34:14.239 --> 00:34:15.179 head to our heart. 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:17.579 The Spirit reminds us. 00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.079 He lives and dwells in 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:20.059 our hearts and He reminds 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.380 us of what is true about 00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:21.820 us. 00:34:21.820 --> 00:34:25.340 Words, either spoken or 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:27.400 on a page, can get into 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:28.000 our heads. 00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:29.340 They can't get into our 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.720 hearts. 00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.980 We need help for that. 00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:32.740 We need the Spirit for 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.019 that. 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:35.660 He alone affects the 00:34:35.660 --> 00:34:36.059 heart. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:39.880 We need Him to remember 00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:40.980 who we are, not in some 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.700 mental or intellectual 00:34:42.700 --> 00:34:44.160 way, but in a way that 00:34:44.160 --> 00:34:46.000 transforms us and changes 00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:46.860 who we are. 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.860 Because we know we can 00:34:49.860 --> 00:34:51.400 all be forgetful that we 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.579 even belong to Jesus in 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.400 the first place. 00:34:54.760 --> 00:34:55.740 There's other times we 00:34:55.740 --> 00:34:56.619 can be hardened and 00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.720 callous and just don't 00:34:57.720 --> 00:34:58.740 want anything to do with 00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.160 the truth. 00:34:59.660 --> 00:35:00.460 We need the Spirit to 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:01.619 soften us enough for it 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:03.019 to get lodged in our 00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:04.500 heart and start producing 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:04.940 fruit. 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:07.920 Sometimes we can get 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.780 tunnel vision thinking 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:10.019 that the flesh is winning 00:35:10.019 --> 00:35:11.059 and we get so discouraged 00:35:11.059 --> 00:35:12.420 that we just check out. 00:35:14.500 --> 00:35:15.940 The Spirit of Jesus is 00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:16.500 our helper. 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.400 He's who we need. 00:35:21.400 --> 00:35:22.960 The beautiful thing Jesus 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:25.260 says in John 16, 13, that 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:28.460 when the Spirit comes, He 00:35:28.460 --> 00:35:29.440 will guide us into all 00:35:29.440 --> 00:35:29.900 truth. 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:32.360 He will reveal everything 00:35:32.360 --> 00:35:33.660 we need to know about God, 00:35:33.760 --> 00:35:34.940 about our salvation, about 00:35:34.940 --> 00:35:35.680 our very lives. 00:35:35.760 --> 00:35:36.920 The Spirit will bring us 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.700 into that truth. 00:35:39.380 --> 00:35:41.559 Jesus doesn't say, this book 00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:43.200 that I'm leaving you or the 00:35:43.200 --> 00:35:44.680 self-help book or your own 00:35:44.680 --> 00:35:45.720 intuition, but the Holy 00:35:45.720 --> 00:35:48.740 Spirit, God Himself, will 00:35:48.740 --> 00:35:50.619 remind us of what we need to 00:35:50.619 --> 00:35:52.079 remember in order to live 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:54.039 into this salvation accomplished 00:35:54.039 --> 00:35:55.880 by Jesus for us. 00:36:01.039 --> 00:36:02.420 So we tried to argue this 00:36:02.420 --> 00:36:03.960 morning from Galatians 5 that 00:36:03.960 --> 00:36:05.359 we need the Holy Spirit's 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:05.599 help. 00:36:06.880 --> 00:36:08.319 We need Him to defeat the 00:36:08.319 --> 00:36:08.739 flesh. 00:36:09.299 --> 00:36:11.059 We need Him to produce and 00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:12.359 provide what only He can 00:36:12.359 --> 00:36:13.699 provide that the flesh 00:36:13.699 --> 00:36:14.000 cannot. 00:36:15.339 --> 00:36:16.559 And we need the Spirit to 00:36:16.559 --> 00:36:17.819 remind us of who we are in 00:36:17.819 --> 00:36:18.259 Christ. 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:18.380 Christ. 00:36:19.920 --> 00:36:21.640 So walk by the Spirit, 00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:22.420 friends. 00:36:25.560 --> 00:36:26.680 Hopefully this text has 00:36:26.680 --> 00:36:27.680 convinced you of your need 00:36:27.680 --> 00:36:29.100 to do so this morning, but 00:36:29.100 --> 00:36:32.220 I'm guessing maybe you're 00:36:32.220 --> 00:36:33.440 still wondering, well, how 00:36:33.440 --> 00:36:34.080 do I do that? 00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:36.680 What does it mean to walk by 00:36:36.680 --> 00:36:37.080 the Spirit? 00:36:37.260 --> 00:36:38.240 It seems great. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:40.300 Yeah, sign me up, but how's 00:36:40.300 --> 00:36:41.100 this look? 00:36:41.180 --> 00:36:41.860 What does it mean? 00:36:41.860 --> 00:36:46.420 Well, with the time we have 00:36:46.420 --> 00:36:47.519 left, I want to try and help 00:36:47.519 --> 00:36:49.140 us answer that a little bit. 00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:53.880 First, I think there's 00:36:53.880 --> 00:36:55.720 confusion about who the 00:36:55.720 --> 00:36:57.140 Holy Spirit is, what He 00:36:57.140 --> 00:36:58.420 intends to do, and why He 00:36:58.420 --> 00:36:59.120 intends to do it. 00:36:59.220 --> 00:37:00.400 So let me give us a few 00:37:00.400 --> 00:37:00.800 things. 00:37:01.680 --> 00:37:03.559 A couple of, it's not this, 00:37:03.660 --> 00:37:04.360 it's not this. 00:37:04.820 --> 00:37:05.740 Sometimes it might be that. 00:37:05.820 --> 00:37:06.660 It's always this. 00:37:06.659 --> 00:37:11.839 It's not this. 00:37:12.199 --> 00:37:13.299 Your alarm goes off in the 00:37:13.299 --> 00:37:15.960 morning, kind of wipe the 00:37:15.960 --> 00:37:17.799 sleep dust out of your eyes, 00:37:17.859 --> 00:37:18.779 and you wait for the Spirit 00:37:18.779 --> 00:37:19.739 to tell you whether you 00:37:19.739 --> 00:37:21.079 should drink coffee or tea. 00:37:23.579 --> 00:37:24.359 It's not that. 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:25.839 The Spirit is interested in 00:37:25.839 --> 00:37:27.460 truth and righteousness, not 00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:28.359 beverage selections. 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:33.239 It's not this either. 00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:35.039 The Spirit told me to punch 00:37:35.039 --> 00:37:36.119 that guy in the face. 00:37:36.659 --> 00:37:37.859 Because I was mad at him. 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:41.159 Or the Spirit told me to 00:37:41.159 --> 00:37:43.739 divorce my wife and marry 00:37:43.739 --> 00:37:44.500 this other lady. 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:47.259 The Spirit never contradicts 00:37:47.259 --> 00:37:47.819 the Bible. 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:50.519 He always upholds it. 00:37:54.239 --> 00:37:56.259 Sometimes, there's a 00:37:56.259 --> 00:37:57.420 particular prompting. 00:37:58.819 --> 00:38:00.159 It's kind of hard to explain 00:38:00.159 --> 00:38:00.359 it. 00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:01.960 It doesn't sort of show up as 00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:03.579 an objective thing in the 00:38:03.579 --> 00:38:04.940 Bible, but there's a 00:38:04.940 --> 00:38:06.639 prompting to, hey, get on the 00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.500 other side of the sidewalk. 00:38:07.779 --> 00:38:09.279 Or, man, I think I need to 00:38:09.279 --> 00:38:11.119 change lanes here or something. 00:38:12.319 --> 00:38:13.940 Sometimes, this happens, 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.179 right? 00:38:14.259 --> 00:38:15.619 We've probably experienced 00:38:15.619 --> 00:38:16.279 some of this. 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.879 We shouldn't go looking for 00:38:19.879 --> 00:38:20.980 these things as if the Holy 00:38:20.980 --> 00:38:22.219 Spirit is just wanting to 00:38:22.219 --> 00:38:23.799 make us robots and just kind of 00:38:23.799 --> 00:38:25.359 dictate every single decision 00:38:25.359 --> 00:38:26.679 and move of our lives like that. 00:38:27.099 --> 00:38:28.719 It's not primarily what he 00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:30.940 cares to do in us and through 00:38:30.940 --> 00:38:31.379 us. 00:38:31.380 --> 00:38:33.740 We shouldn't rely on this type of 00:38:33.740 --> 00:38:33.960 thing. 00:38:35.280 --> 00:38:36.400 Some people might debate that, 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.820 but that's kind of my take 00:38:37.820 --> 00:38:38.180 anyway. 00:38:39.160 --> 00:38:42.539 But always, we can be sure that 00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:44.519 the Holy Spirit is seeking to 00:38:44.519 --> 00:38:46.660 produce and work this way in all 00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:47.140 of us. 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:50.539 He's looking to glorify Jesus. 00:38:51.539 --> 00:38:52.840 John 16, 14. 00:38:53.700 --> 00:38:55.820 He's looking to meet every single 00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:57.500 spiritual need we have. 00:38:59.100 --> 00:39:00.500 He's looking to produce 00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:02.440 righteousness in our attitudes, 00:39:02.660 --> 00:39:04.340 our affections, and our actions. 00:39:05.980 --> 00:39:08.019 He's looking to assist our prayers. 00:39:08.300 --> 00:39:09.160 Abba, Father. 00:39:10.880 --> 00:39:13.059 And groanings with too deep for 00:39:13.059 --> 00:39:14.220 words when we don't know what to 00:39:14.220 --> 00:39:15.300 pray for as we ought. 00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:16.420 Romans 8. 00:39:18.480 --> 00:39:20.620 He's always interested in enabling 00:39:20.620 --> 00:39:22.880 us to worship the risen Jesus. 00:39:23.420 --> 00:39:23.780 Always. 00:39:23.780 --> 00:39:25.080 Every time we gather, the Holy 00:39:25.080 --> 00:39:26.300 Spirit is interested in our 00:39:26.300 --> 00:39:28.040 worship and empowering us to 00:39:28.040 --> 00:39:29.720 worship God in the way that he's 00:39:29.720 --> 00:39:29.940 due. 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:33.580 He's always guiding us into all 00:39:33.580 --> 00:39:33.920 truth. 00:39:34.140 --> 00:39:35.880 He always wants us to come to a 00:39:35.880 --> 00:39:36.780 greater and greater understanding 00:39:37.320 --> 00:39:38.760 of the word of God and what it 00:39:38.760 --> 00:39:40.840 means for our lives and who God 00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:42.019 is revealed to be in it. 00:39:44.340 --> 00:39:45.780 He's always giving us understanding 00:39:46.300 --> 00:39:48.480 of God and of his word. 00:39:49.100 --> 00:39:50.200 These are things the Holy Spirit 00:39:50.200 --> 00:39:51.880 always delights to do. 00:39:52.200 --> 00:39:53.760 Always delights to convict us 00:39:53.760 --> 00:39:55.800 us of sin and to transform us into 00:39:55.800 --> 00:39:58.040 the righteousness and image of 00:39:58.040 --> 00:39:58.420 Jesus. 00:40:00.420 --> 00:40:02.000 He's passionate about these 00:40:02.000 --> 00:40:03.360 things and he works these things 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:07.520 constantly in our lives on behalf of 00:40:07.520 --> 00:40:07.900 Christ. 00:40:12.700 --> 00:40:15.680 So now, just a couple little 00:40:15.680 --> 00:40:17.660 descriptions of what it can look 00:40:17.660 --> 00:40:17.980 like. 00:40:18.620 --> 00:40:20.520 How do I walk by the Spirit? 00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:22.500 What are you getting at, Paul, when you 00:40:22.500 --> 00:40:24.360 say walk by the Spirit? 00:40:26.860 --> 00:40:28.719 I'll try to just sort of break that 00:40:28.719 --> 00:40:31.000 down and deconstruct it a little bit. 00:40:31.079 --> 00:40:33.159 And this isn't perfect, but I hope it 00:40:33.159 --> 00:40:33.519 helps. 00:40:35.519 --> 00:40:37.679 We need to be aware of the Holy Spirit's 00:40:38.239 --> 00:40:39.980 presence in our lives. 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:43.960 He's always with us. 00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:46.639 He lives in our hearts. 00:40:46.740 --> 00:40:48.079 He doesn't kind of go on vacation. 00:40:48.820 --> 00:40:51.300 He's always present in the heart of the 00:40:51.300 --> 00:40:51.659 Christian. 00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:55.840 We need to just cultivate this awareness 00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:57.699 that he is with us. 00:41:00.400 --> 00:41:02.480 So many times, right, we can just walk 00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:04.139 around unaware of his presence. 00:41:04.380 --> 00:41:06.760 That does us no good if the command is to 00:41:06.760 --> 00:41:07.539 walk by him. 00:41:07.539 --> 00:41:09.699 We've got to be aware of him. 00:41:11.759 --> 00:41:13.659 And the more we're able to remember him, 00:41:13.719 --> 00:41:15.239 the more we can walk by him. 00:41:15.860 --> 00:41:16.960 Walk in his power. 00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:18.279 Walk by his strength. 00:41:18.579 --> 00:41:20.820 Walk on the path that he is revealing to 00:41:20.820 --> 00:41:23.860 us from the Word of God for our ultimate 00:41:23.860 --> 00:41:24.559 good. 00:41:27.820 --> 00:41:28.920 It's kind of like this. 00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:33.500 We have a two-story house. 00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:36.960 And even if my wife is upstairs and I'm 00:41:36.960 --> 00:41:39.480 downstairs, I know she's there. 00:41:40.460 --> 00:41:41.639 I know she's home. 00:41:41.780 --> 00:41:44.260 I know she's present simply because I know 00:41:44.260 --> 00:41:45.000 where she is. 00:41:46.860 --> 00:41:48.000 It's kind of like that. 00:41:48.380 --> 00:41:50.480 If we can kind of develop that sort of 00:41:50.480 --> 00:41:52.199 awareness of the Holy Spirit, he's always 00:41:52.199 --> 00:41:52.480 home. 00:41:53.340 --> 00:41:54.239 He's always in us. 00:41:54.940 --> 00:41:56.440 He's always acting in our lives. 00:41:56.440 --> 00:42:03.019 To develop an awareness of his presence. 00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:09.679 But two, cultivate a dependence upon him. 00:42:11.000 --> 00:42:13.119 Particularly for everything spiritual. 00:42:13.119 --> 00:42:18.179 You can't understand a Bible verse? 00:42:19.599 --> 00:42:21.839 Pray to the Holy Spirit to illuminate, to teach 00:42:21.839 --> 00:42:24.139 you what it means. 00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:28.039 And you might want to go ask help from a friend 00:42:28.039 --> 00:42:30.359 who studied it longer or whatever. 00:42:30.619 --> 00:42:33.279 But the Holy Spirit wants us to know God's Word. 00:42:33.400 --> 00:42:34.539 Wants us to know the truth. 00:42:35.400 --> 00:42:36.359 Depend upon him. 00:42:36.900 --> 00:42:38.119 He should be your first call. 00:42:39.719 --> 00:42:41.839 You need wisdom for a major decision in your 00:42:41.840 --> 00:42:43.840 life. James 1.5 00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:45.740 If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask God. 00:42:47.180 --> 00:42:48.100 Spirit, you're with me. 00:42:48.160 --> 00:42:48.740 I need wisdom. 00:42:49.240 --> 00:42:49.780 I need help. 00:42:50.059 --> 00:42:50.860 I don't know what I'm doing. 00:42:54.380 --> 00:42:55.880 Desiring to love your spouse, 00:42:56.120 --> 00:42:57.220 your neighbor, 00:42:57.640 --> 00:42:59.360 your brother, sister better. 00:43:00.680 --> 00:43:01.680 It's the Spirit's fruit. 00:43:03.380 --> 00:43:03.940 Ask him. 00:43:04.160 --> 00:43:05.660 Depend on him to bear that fruit 00:43:05.660 --> 00:43:06.380 in your life. 00:43:07.260 --> 00:43:07.720 He will. 00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:17.559 I was thinking this week, 00:43:17.600 --> 00:43:18.579 I was convicted by this, 00:43:18.700 --> 00:43:18.840 that 00:43:18.840 --> 00:43:21.960 though I would say 00:43:21.960 --> 00:43:24.300 I don't want to rely on the Spirit 00:43:24.300 --> 00:43:26.940 to kind of decide which grocery store 00:43:26.940 --> 00:43:27.539 I frequent, 00:43:28.840 --> 00:43:30.140 how easily 00:43:30.140 --> 00:43:32.420 I can turn to 00:43:32.420 --> 00:43:36.100 sad sources 00:43:36.100 --> 00:43:37.280 for information 00:43:37.280 --> 00:43:39.480 when the Spirit should be 00:43:39.480 --> 00:43:40.760 the one I turn to. 00:43:40.760 --> 00:43:44.900 I don't do this particular one 00:43:44.900 --> 00:43:45.780 but it's like 00:43:45.780 --> 00:43:46.900 turning to Google 00:43:46.900 --> 00:43:48.720 to seek some spiritual answer 00:43:48.720 --> 00:43:51.140 instead of going to the Spirit 00:43:51.140 --> 00:43:51.900 of the living God 00:43:51.900 --> 00:43:53.340 dwelling inside of us. 00:43:54.700 --> 00:43:55.340 It's silly 00:43:55.340 --> 00:43:55.680 and yet 00:43:55.680 --> 00:43:57.380 I do this stuff all the time. 00:43:58.260 --> 00:43:58.980 I don't rely 00:43:58.980 --> 00:43:59.820 and depend on the one 00:43:59.820 --> 00:44:00.500 who lives in me 00:44:00.500 --> 00:44:01.500 and wants my good. 00:44:02.400 --> 00:44:03.400 Wants me to know God. 00:44:03.520 --> 00:44:04.540 Wants me to be wise 00:44:04.540 --> 00:44:05.240 in my actions. 00:44:05.440 --> 00:44:06.140 Wants me to put 00:44:06.140 --> 00:44:07.380 the flesh to death. 00:44:08.660 --> 00:44:10.140 Must depend on the Spirit. 00:44:10.139 --> 00:44:12.379 That's walking by Him. 00:44:17.879 --> 00:44:19.079 Walking by the Spirit 00:44:19.079 --> 00:44:20.619 means growing in godliness. 00:44:23.639 --> 00:44:25.539 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 00:44:25.539 --> 00:44:26.559 says the will of God 00:44:26.559 --> 00:44:27.699 is your sanctification. 00:44:28.980 --> 00:44:29.699 The will of God 00:44:29.699 --> 00:44:30.599 is that you would come 00:44:30.599 --> 00:44:32.799 to resemble more and more 00:44:32.799 --> 00:44:35.139 the person of Jesus Christ. 00:44:35.679 --> 00:44:36.420 Your character, 00:44:36.679 --> 00:44:37.199 your attitudes, 00:44:37.400 --> 00:44:37.920 your actions 00:44:37.920 --> 00:44:39.079 would be like Jesus. 00:44:39.079 --> 00:44:45.699 I want Paul's question 00:44:45.699 --> 00:44:47.500 in Galatians 3 verse 3 00:44:47.500 --> 00:44:48.739 ringing in my mind 00:44:48.739 --> 00:44:50.000 a lot for this reason. 00:44:53.119 --> 00:44:54.579 He writes to the Galatians, 00:44:54.679 --> 00:44:55.639 are you so foolish 00:44:55.639 --> 00:44:57.019 that having begun 00:44:57.019 --> 00:44:57.799 by the Spirit, 00:44:57.940 --> 00:44:58.739 are you now being 00:44:58.739 --> 00:45:00.159 perfected by the flesh? 00:45:01.659 --> 00:45:03.139 Are you trying to work 00:45:03.139 --> 00:45:04.579 this out on your own? 00:45:04.579 --> 00:45:08.900 If we want to grow in godliness, 00:45:09.079 --> 00:45:10.059 we need the Holy Spirit. 00:45:11.880 --> 00:45:12.940 And growing in godliness 00:45:12.940 --> 00:45:14.759 is walking by the Spirit. 00:45:16.599 --> 00:45:17.799 I cannot grow, 00:45:17.900 --> 00:45:18.699 I will not grow 00:45:18.699 --> 00:45:20.199 apart from the Spirit's help. 00:45:21.559 --> 00:45:22.739 He gives the growth. 00:45:22.739 --> 00:45:27.539 So the last thing. 00:45:29.759 --> 00:45:30.599 All of these, 00:45:30.719 --> 00:45:32.079 I've been trying to 00:45:32.079 --> 00:45:33.419 both help us see 00:45:33.419 --> 00:45:34.659 that the Spirit 00:45:34.659 --> 00:45:35.939 has this active, 00:45:36.159 --> 00:45:36.899 ongoing presence 00:45:36.899 --> 00:45:37.779 in our life, 00:45:38.539 --> 00:45:39.739 but that we're also 00:45:39.739 --> 00:45:41.339 cooperating along with Him. 00:45:41.819 --> 00:45:42.619 This isn't some 00:45:42.619 --> 00:45:43.500 just kind of sit down 00:45:43.500 --> 00:45:43.959 on the couch 00:45:43.959 --> 00:45:45.259 and let Him drag us around. 00:45:46.399 --> 00:45:47.279 But we cooperate, 00:45:47.480 --> 00:45:48.680 we press in 00:45:48.680 --> 00:45:50.519 in the ways 00:45:50.519 --> 00:45:52.360 that God has called us to, 00:45:52.460 --> 00:45:52.640 right? 00:45:53.040 --> 00:45:53.519 And it's, 00:45:55.040 --> 00:45:56.580 these aren't super complex things, 00:45:56.700 --> 00:45:57.640 but we draw near to God 00:45:57.640 --> 00:45:58.320 through His Word. 00:45:59.340 --> 00:46:00.180 We pray to Him 00:46:00.180 --> 00:46:01.100 and seek His help. 00:46:02.060 --> 00:46:02.920 So we're cooperating, 00:46:03.000 --> 00:46:03.720 we're cultivating 00:46:03.720 --> 00:46:04.440 this dependence, 00:46:04.700 --> 00:46:05.360 this awareness. 00:46:11.840 --> 00:46:12.280 Essentially, 00:46:12.420 --> 00:46:13.240 walking by the Spirit 00:46:13.240 --> 00:46:13.940 is cultivating 00:46:13.940 --> 00:46:15.400 a relationship with Him. 00:46:17.280 --> 00:46:18.300 It's forming the habit 00:46:18.300 --> 00:46:19.560 of seeking His wisdom 00:46:19.560 --> 00:46:20.840 as we make decisions 00:46:20.840 --> 00:46:22.600 that pertain 00:46:22.600 --> 00:46:24.620 to our spiritual well-being. 00:46:25.320 --> 00:46:26.400 It's forming the habit 00:46:26.400 --> 00:46:27.980 of opening our Bible, 00:46:28.140 --> 00:46:29.100 knowing that He is there 00:46:29.100 --> 00:46:30.280 ready to help us. 00:46:31.320 --> 00:46:31.980 So we pray, 00:46:32.100 --> 00:46:33.620 Psalm 119.18, 00:46:33.760 --> 00:46:34.720 Open my eyes 00:46:34.720 --> 00:46:35.519 that I might behold 00:46:35.519 --> 00:46:36.400 wondrous things 00:46:36.400 --> 00:46:37.360 from Your Word. 00:46:39.760 --> 00:46:40.920 It's forming the habit 00:46:40.920 --> 00:46:42.380 of making every effort 00:46:42.380 --> 00:46:44.000 to rely upon Him 00:46:44.000 --> 00:46:44.780 for our faith. 00:46:47.280 --> 00:46:48.480 It's a lifelong endeavor. 00:46:48.680 --> 00:46:49.940 We don't ever arrive, 00:46:51.540 --> 00:46:52.400 but we strive 00:46:52.400 --> 00:46:53.320 to make it normal, 00:46:53.460 --> 00:46:54.280 to make it a habit 00:46:54.280 --> 00:46:55.420 to depend on Him. 00:46:56.300 --> 00:46:57.160 It's like breathing, 00:46:58.180 --> 00:46:59.000 second nature. 00:47:01.080 --> 00:47:02.380 We want to be so aware 00:47:02.380 --> 00:47:03.040 and so dependent 00:47:03.040 --> 00:47:03.640 on the Spirit 00:47:03.640 --> 00:47:04.540 that it just becomes 00:47:04.540 --> 00:47:06.420 naturally who we are 00:47:06.420 --> 00:47:08.060 because we've cultivated it 00:47:08.060 --> 00:47:08.920 so much. 00:47:08.920 --> 00:47:12.280 we're conditioned 00:47:12.280 --> 00:47:13.119 and poised 00:47:13.119 --> 00:47:14.340 to walk by the Spirit 00:47:14.340 --> 00:47:16.180 because we need Him 00:47:16.180 --> 00:47:16.980 so much 00:47:16.980 --> 00:47:18.500 in our lives. 00:47:22.460 --> 00:47:23.099 Church, 00:47:23.260 --> 00:47:25.139 let's seek the Spirit. 00:47:25.320 --> 00:47:27.000 Let's walk by Him 00:47:27.000 --> 00:47:29.119 because we need Him. 00:47:30.700 --> 00:47:31.659 We need Him 00:47:31.659 --> 00:47:32.500 for our salvation. 00:47:33.820 --> 00:47:34.300 Let's pray. 00:47:34.300 --> 00:47:38.420 Father, 00:47:38.519 --> 00:47:39.440 thank You for Your Word. 00:47:40.640 --> 00:47:41.160 I recognize 00:47:41.160 --> 00:47:42.400 I've said a lot of things 00:47:42.400 --> 00:47:43.400 and none of it 00:47:43.400 --> 00:47:45.300 will bear fruit 00:47:45.300 --> 00:47:46.519 apart from Your Spirit. 00:47:48.600 --> 00:47:49.039 Spirit, 00:47:49.160 --> 00:47:49.960 would You have Your way 00:47:49.960 --> 00:47:50.680 in our hearts, 00:47:51.280 --> 00:47:52.320 in our lives. 00:47:53.440 --> 00:47:54.560 Would You help us? 00:47:55.019 --> 00:47:55.620 We need You. 00:47:56.980 --> 00:47:58.180 Pray in Jesus' name. 00:47:58.620 --> 00:47:58.820 Amen. 00:47:58.820 --> 00:47:58.920 Amen.