Read Galatians 5:23 and Matthew 5:5. Why is meekness or gentleness so important for Christlike leadership? Gentleness or meekness does not mean weakness. It is not cowardice or lack of leadership. On the contrary, Moses was called the meekest man on earth (Num. 12:3); yet, he was a powerful leader of God’s people. Meek people … Continue reading –>
You can view an in-depth discussion of “The Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. (Adobe Flash Player version.) A Youtube version of this week’s lesson at Hope Sabbath School is below. You can download the video, the MP3 audio, and the lesson … Continue reading –>
Read 1 Corinthians 13:4. Why does genuine kindness have such positive appeal to other people? Where do you see God’s kindness in His dealings with humanity? “Kindness” is the word frequently used in describing God’s dealings with His people. Kindness also describes our dealings with others in their failures. God could be quite harsh in … Continue reading –>
Romans 14:17 reads: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (NASB). That is, joy is love’s reaction to the blessings of God and His great mercy and forgiveness. Now, human joy often is focused upon earthly things and is affected by the … Continue reading –>
One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray….Luke 18:1 NLT As Sunday’s lesson talks about abiding in Christ, I have found for myself that praying often is not the answer. I must pray always. I used to have a golf cart relationships with Jesus. Golf carts charge their batteries early in … Continue reading –>
1. The fruit of the spirit. Are you often encouraged in your Christian life by the gifts of the Holy Spirit? Which of the gifts bring to mind most vividly the blessings of being deeply involved with God as a Christian? What about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control? What would your life be … Continue reading –>
Read Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 13. Why is love the first and foremost aspect of the fruit of the Spirit? How does love affect all the following aspects of this fruit? Love appropriately leads and crowns the various characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit and permeates the whole fruit. In a sense all … Continue reading –>
Read John 15:1-11. Why can fruit come forth only out of a living relationship with Jesus, the vine? Why is abiding in Jesus so important? How do we abide in Him? The first secret to genuine Christian fruit bearing is to abide in Christ. Apart from Christ, we cannot produce genuine spiritual fruit. The fruit … Continue reading –>
Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. John 15:5 NLT Is it that simple? Can I be fruitful by just remaining and abiding in Christ? I was reading John 15 the other morning, when this phrase jumped out at me. If I just live in Jesus I can be … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: John 15:1-11, Gal. 5:22, 1 Corinthians 13, Rom. 14:17, Eph. 5:9, Matt. 5:5. Memory Text: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23, NASB). The fruit of the Spirit is the true essence … Continue reading –>
