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Sunday Worship 26 September 2021 : "The Fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering"

Text: Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4
26 September 2021

INTRODUCTION

1. The Work of the Spirit of God with reference to Salvation

a) Regeneration   (Titus 3:5)
b) Seal   (Ephesians 1:13)
c) Guarantee   (Ephesians 1:14)

2. The Work of the Holy Spirit with reference to our Sanctification

a) He teaches us how to be holy
b) He enables us to become holier
c) Invariably, He helps to cultivate Christian character

THE CHARACTER OF GOD APPRECIATED

1. Manifestation of love

“But God demonstrates His love toward us,
In that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us”   Romans 5:8

2. Giver of Joy

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full”   John 16:24b

3. Peace

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you;
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”   John 14:27

THE LONGSUFFERING OF GOD

1. Paul’s Salvation recounted and shared with Timothy

a) Confession of Paul
i) Blasphemer   (1 Timothy 1:13a)
ii) Persecutor   (1 Timothy 1:13b)
iii) Insolent man   (1 Timothy 1:13c)
iv) Unbelief   (1 Timothy 1:13d)
b) Salvation given to Paul
i) Exceedingly abundant grace   (1 Timothy 1:14a)
ii) With faith   (1 Timothy 1:14b)
iii) And love   (1 Timothy 1:14c)
iv) Obtained mercy   (1 Timothy 1:16a)
v) All longsuffering   (1 Timothy 1:16b)

2. The Longsuffering of God

a) The word “longsuffering” has the following nuances
i) Great tolerance
ii) Patience
iii) Endurance
b) Paul appreciated all the things that God had shown him
i) A cluster   (1 Timothy 1:14-16)
ii) Longsuffering is part of the cluster

PRAYING FOR THE CULTIVATION OF OUR CHARACTER

(Colossians 1:9-11)

1. Knowledge

“Filled with the knowledge of His will
In all wisdom and spiritual understanding”   Colossians 1:9
a) Knowledge of God’s will
b) Wisdom
c) Spiritual understanding

2. Walking worthy

“That you may walk worthy of the Lord
Fully pleasing Him”   Colossians 1:10a
a) Honouring the Lord
b) Fully pleasing Him

3. Fruitfulness

“Being fruitful in every good work”   Colossians 1:10b
a) Fruitfulness
b) Every area of good work

4. Increasing in knowledge

“Increasing in the knowledge of God”   Colossians 1:10c
a) Knowledge must not be stagnant
b) It must ever increase

5. Strength

“Strengthened with all might, according to His power”   Colossians 1:11a
a) God’s power
b) Made mighty

6. Patience and longsuffering

“For all patience and longsuffering with joy”   Colossians 1:11b
a) Patience (perseverance)
b) Longsuffering with joy

GOD’S CALLING

1. Walk worthy

“Walk worthy of the calling with which
You were called”   Ephesians 4:1
a) Consciousness of Calling
b) Commitment to walk worthy

2. Features of this Walk highlighted:

a) Humility
“With all lowliness and gentleness”   Ephesians 4:2a
b) Longsuffering
“With longsuffering, bearing with one another
In love”   Ephesians 4:2b

CONCLUSION

1. Fruit Cluster

a) Love
b) Joy
c) Peace
d) Longsuffering

2. Challenge to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit

a) Praying
b) Practising each fruit taught
c) Power of the Lord to be sought