Fruitful Discipleship

Scripture Reading:  Galatians 5:1-26
Memory Verse: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."  Gal. 5:22-23

1.  Liberty is produced by the Holy Spirit! Verses 1-14

• Freedom fails when:
  

         a.  Viewed as a license to sin! Verse 13
         b.  Forfeited to legalism! Circumcision, outward religious rule keeping.

• Free for “Love our neighbor as our self!” verse 1, 6, 13-14
  

         a.  An expression of faith, not a religious law keeping! Hebrews 11:6
         b.  Serve one another in humility
         c.  Love fulfills the law! Affirmed by both Jesus and Paul!

• Free from Law: verse 18
  

         a.  The Law is an all or nothing obligation? Verse 3
         b.  Alienates from Christ and pulls away from grace! Verse 4
         c.  Of no value to the saved! Verse 6
         d.  Removes the offense of the cross! Verse 11

• Free from slavery to sin! Verse 16
  

         a.  Will not gratify desires of the flesh!
         b.  The Flesh and the Spirit are in conflict!

2.  Leadership is provided by the Holy Spirit! Verses 16, 18, Romans 8:14

• You can’t just do what “feels” right! Verse 17
  
• Away from works of flesh: Romans 8:5-9
  
• This lifestyle isn’t the lifestyle of the Kingdom of God 
  
• Toward Spiritual work

3.  Life in the Spirit is the power for victory!

• Keep in step with: verse 25
  
• Crucify the flesh: verse 24
  
• Cultivate a knowledge of the Mind of Christ! 
  
• Careful not to become prideful and antagonistic! Verse 26