unit 2 LESSON 9

April 28, 2024

STUDY TEXT:  Luke 10:17-21; John 14:27; 16:33; Romans 5:1-2; 12:18-21; Galatians 5:22-23; Philippians 4:4-7; Colossians 3:13-15; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7; 1 John 3:16-18

CENTRAL TRUTH: The Holy Spirit produces love, joy, and Peace in the believer.

KEY VERSE: 1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but on deed and in truth (KJV).

Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

Let's think about the difference between a fruit tree and a Christmas tree. Christmas trees are valuable because of external factors: the ornaments we place on them and the gifts we place under them. Fruit trees, on the other hand, are known for what they produce on their own. Think of the fruit of the Spirit as something that is naturally produced rather than something with which decide to decorate ourselves. Emotions are natural feelings arising from our circumstances. They are psychological responses to what's happening to us. because they are so changeable, they cannot always be trusted. The fruit of the Spirit, however, describe attitudes the Spirit produces in believers' lives. They are based on what is true about God, our relationship with Him, and His will for us. They naturally grow as we walk in the spirit day by day.

Key Takeaways from This Lesson: (1). The various expressions of the fruit of the Spirit are founded on love. (2). True love, joy, and peace are not mere emotions, but Christlike attitudes or dispositions the Spirit produces in believers, lives. (3). We can choose to operate in love, joy, and peace.

  PART1 ---Love by the Spirit

Love Over All                   Galatians 5:22-23

What does the Spirit produce in us? What kind of fruit does a life in the Spirit bear? The character of Christ! In just one word, the character of Christ is love. After all., love is the supreme characteristic of God (1 John 4:7-8). If the fruit of the Spirit can be encapsulated under the heading of love, it makes sense that this God-given quality would have multiple manifestations in the lives of people being directed by the Spirit. It would sometimes look like patience, sometimes look like gentleness, sometimes look like faithfulness, etc.--but this love would always come from God himself, who "has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love" (Romans 5:5). The fruit produced by living in the Spirit is ab attitude of love which pleases God, blesses others, and satisfies our souls. Sidestepping fickle emotions, it results in a settled way of thinking and feeling, which is reflected in our behavior. It results in a point of view that is based on the truth about God and His will for us.

REACT? Share an example from your life when an attitude of steadfast love would have been much better than an emotional response. 

                           Love Above All                         Colossians 3:13-14; 1 John 3:16-18

Above all the other virtues believers should display, we are to put on love! It is the: bond of perfectness" (Colossians 3:14) holding all the virtues together and binding "us all together already this quarter, John's epistles reiterate the preeminence of love. Imitating Christ by loving others is nonnegotiable for His followers. It is not just a matter of talk but of action; genuine love is demonstrated in deeds of compassion and kindness.

REACT? Why do you think love is the supreme virtue?

PART 2- Joy by the Spirit

Joy in Affliction and Suffering                       1 Thessalonians 1:5-7

The Holy Spirit produces the holy disposition of joy--a celebration of God's love that transcends temporary heartache or trouble. The Thessalonian believers received the message of Christ with joy from the Spirit, despite the suffering it had brought them. Their courageous response made them examples to other believers. Joy in affliction, suffering, pain. and persecution is not the natural response! But consider the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is circumstantial--the emotional response to something that is perceived as positive. People pursue things they think will make them happy. The Thessalonians commitment to Jesus had changed everything! They knew they were loved, forgiven, and accepted by God. They had hope beyond persecution and death. They loved God more than everything in this world, even their lives. As a result, they had joy!

Joy is an attitude the Spirit produces in the lives of believers.  "Joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17) is an essential mark of kingdom life. This joy is a spiritual disposition based on what is true about God, our relationship with Him, and will for our lives. That's why people who walk in the Spirit are not enslaved to their emotions or captive to their circumstances.

REACT? Tell of a time you experienced joy in the Holy Ghost in the midst of affliction.?

Joy in Mission and salvation                            Luke 10:17-21

Returning from their first evangelistic mission, the apostles were overjoyed (Luke 10:17). They had been commissioned, they had served faithfully, and they had witnessed the power of Jesus; name Jesus rejoiced with them, sharing His own testimony of power over the enemy (verse 18). Then Jesus encouraged His disciples to shift the focus of their rejoicing "Don't rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven" (verse 20). Belonging to God is the ultimate reason for joy! Even the mission of God is secondary in important to that. Since working for God includes both successes and failures---people who respond to the message and people who reject it--rejoicing in our work for God is not enough. Instead, we must rejoice in our relationship with God.

REACT? How can you joyfully celebrate the relationship you have with Jesus?

Part 3--Peace by the Spirit

Peace in Your Heart                            John 16:33; Colossians 3:15; Romans 5:1-2

The deepest peace any person can find is peace with God. When we know we are loved by Him, we enjoy peace that is immovable. Paul explained peace with God in romans 5:1-11. Christ's work coupled with our faith makes us right with God and grants as access to grace. We now stand rejoicing in hope as we look forward to sharing God's glory. This reconciliation--this restoration of our relationship with God-is why we can rest. Peace is love at rest.

REACT? In what ways do Jesus' words in John 16:33 prepare you for the future?

                                Peace in Your Life                         John 14:27; Romans 12:18-21; Philippians 4:4-7

Not only do we have peace with God---certain of our position in Him--but as His love works through us, we can also live peaceably with others. Like the contrast between joy and happiness, there is a difference between biblical peace and the world's concept of peace. The world defines peace as the absence of conflict, which means it only lasts as long as things remain calm. But the peace Jesus gives is not like that (John 14:27). In fact, God's peace transcends our understanding (Philippians 4:7). This kind of peace is based on the Hebrew concept of shalom, which includes well-being, completeness, wholeness, flourishing, and prosperity. Not only does the Holy Spirit give us peace with God, but His fruit in our lives leads to peace with others as well. The shalom in our hearts is manifested in the way we interact. 

with others. We are called to released revenge, respond to evil with goodness, be considerate in all we do, abandon worry, and pray with thanksgiving (Romans 12:18-21; Philippians 4:4-6). All the while, God's shalom is protecting our hearts and minds as we live in Christ Jesus (verse 7).

REACT? Tell me a time you experience God's presence in the midst of a conflict.

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

Love, joy, and peace are not mere emotions, but Christlike attitudes the Spirit produces in our lives. The fruit of the Spirit in its various expressions 'is grounded on believers' absolute confidence in the unconditional love of God. As they intentionally seek to stay in step with the Spirit, He produces evidence they are walking with Christ.

LIVING IT OUT. 

                                    (1). Choose to live in God's love and share it with others.

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                                                        (2). Choose to live in the joy of the Holy Ghost--even in affliction--by celebrating what is true about God, your relationship with Him, and His will for your life.

                                            (3). Choose to live in peace, knowing it is well with your soul.

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DAILY BIBLE READING

                                      Monday: Love God Wholeheartedly. Deuteronomy 10:12-22

                      Tuesday: Love Your Neighbor. Leviticus 19:11-18

Wednesday: Joy Expressed. Psalm 66

     Thursday: Joy in Heaven. Luke 15:1-10

          Friday: Christ Gives Peace. John 14:22-29

           Saturday: Peace with God. Romans 5:1-11

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 105 Number 3. Mar. Apr.  May. 2024