The Fruit of the Spirit

Memory Verse: Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Once, there was a beautiful apple tree that lived in front of a grand church right in the center of town. The apple tree spent its time people-watching and enjoying the warm sun on its branches. But every Sunday left the apple tree quite annoyed. All of the members of the church would walk out of its large doors at exactly noon and would spend the next several minutes screaming at all the people passing by. “I am a Christian,” they would call out. “Do you see how large the Bible is that I carry?” They wore ties with scenes from the crucifixion on them and large pieces of jewelry with crosses. After they felt that others had heard their yells, they would get into their cars with their Honk If You Love Jesus bumper stickers and head home. They continued this every single week until the apple tree could not stand for it to continue. So, one Sunday, the apple tree pulled up its roots and made his way into the church. He dragged his heavy roots behind him and made his way up to the pulpit. He stood in front of the congregation and leaned in toward the microphone attached to the podium. “Do you know what I am?” he asked. Everyone looked around and began to whisper amongst themselves. A little boy who had been coloring in the back row stood on the pew. “You’re an apple tree,” he said. 
“You are right,” the tree said. “And did I have to tell you that I was an apple tree?”
“No,” replied the little boy. 
“Did I have to carry a sign or yell out as people passed?”
Again, the little boy said “No.”
“Then how do you know that I am an apple tree?”
The boy thought for a moment and then called out, “I know you are an apple tree because of the fruit that you bear.”

1. Love: Not emotion-based but rather a decision to be committed to the well-being of others without any conditions or circumstances.  I John 4:7-12
2. Joy: Not determined by outward success or good health. Experienced by realizing that true success is knowing God and living for Him, ministering to others and sharing His word.  John 16:22-24
   
3. Peace: Freedom from worry. A state of assurance and contentment.  Philippians 4:6-7
   
4. Patience: Being slow to anger and practicing restraint when faced with disagreement and persecution.  Proverbs 15:18
   
5. Kindness: A temperament that shows friendly regard.  Proverbs 11:16-17
   
6. Goodness: Being selfless and generous to others even when it is undeserved.  Galatians 6:9-10
   
7. Faithfulness: Firm devotion to God, first and then to others through loyalty and trust.  Proverbs 3:3
   
8. Gentleness: Not weak but rather humble. Calm and non-threatening. I Peter 3:15
   
9. Self-control: Restraining emotions and desires to assure a life kept in line with God’s will.  Titus 2:11-12