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The Church of What’s Happening Now. NOW. Fruit. Galatians 5:16-25. Bill Parker (703) 629-7009. Bill@ParkerLLC.com. Eternity Past. Ancient. Way Back Then. In the Past. Last Year. Last Week. A Second Ago. NOW. In A Second. Shortly. Just A Moment. Next Month. Next Year.
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NOW Fruit Galatians 5:16-25 Bill Parker (703) 629-7009 Bill@ParkerLLC.com
Eternity Past Ancient Way Back Then In the Past Last Year Last Week A Second Ago NOW In A Second Shortly Just A Moment Next Month Next Year Prospective Eternity Future
Is God the Source of All? My Disadvantaged or Advantaged Heritage My Parents, My Family, My Upbringing My Past Sins and Mistakes Regrets and Successes Things I Wish I’d Said and Didn’t Say What Was I Thinking? NOW What’s About to Happen? Can I Get My “To Do” List Done? How Will We Pay the Bills? Who Will I Marry? Will I Be Successful? Will I Have a Secure Retirement? Is Heaven for Sure?
The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17) You formed my inward parts… Your eyes have seen my unformed substance… and ordained my days. (Ps.139:13,16) I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more. (Jer.31:34) If anyone is in Christ, old things have passed away. (2Cor.5:17) NOW If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature… new things have come. (2Cor.5:17) Before a word is on my tongue… You know it all. (Ps.139:4) I know the plans I have for you… plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jer.29:11) The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17)
The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17) You formed my inward parts… Your eyes have seen my unformed substance… and ordained my days. (Ps.139:13,16) I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more. (Jer.31:34) If anyone is in Christ, old things have passed away. (2Cor.5:17) NOW We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… (Rom.8:28) If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature… new things have come. (2Cor.5:17) Before a word is on my tongue… You know it all. (Ps.139:4) I know the plans I have for you… plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope. (Jer.29:11) The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17)
The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17) Past NOW We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… (Rom.8:28) Future The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17)
Past 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Gal.5:16-25) NOW Future
De-Mystifying the “Walk” 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Gal.5:16-25) • “Walk” is a series of “Nows,” with each step a new “Now” • A new “Now” so often missed as we look forward or back Let’s be encouraged by a fresh look at what’s really happening NOW
Purity… 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jn.1:5-9) NOW
Purity NOW… and then another NOW • There is humility to this walk 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1Jn.1:5-9) • Faith in your forgiveness now • Faith in the effectiveness of the blood of Christ now • Faith in your complete purity now • Faith in your purity for the next now Fruit
Salvation… Eternal Life… God’s Heir! 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Tit.3:5-7) NOW NOW Fruit His Power… 17 'Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You. (Jer.32:17) 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God." (Mk.10:27) Fruit 20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. (Eph.3:20)
Infinite, Unconditional Love… His Child! His Presence… 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. (Ps.103:11) NOW NOW 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom.5:8) Fruit 1 See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are… (1Jn.3:1) 1 O LORD, You have searched me and known me.2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You understand my thought from afar. 3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down, And are intimately acquainted with all my ways. 4 Even before there is a word on my tongue, Behold, O LORD, You know it all. 5 You have enclosed me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it. (Ps.139:1-6) Fruit
Walk is a Series of Steps, or “Nows” • Now with faith in His sovereignty • Now with purity from Him • Now with faith in Him • Another “Now” • Now to Now His Presence… NOW His Love… NOW His Power… NOW Eternal Life… NOW Salvation… NOW Purity… NOW When we’re walking like this, fruit happens… NOW… In each moment… without conscious effort
NOW Fresh Fruit 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. 19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Gal.5:16-25) When we’re walking like this, fruit happens… NOW… In each moment… without conscious effort
NOW Fresh Fruit Spontaneous Love Joy Genuine Peace His Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness NOW His Love… NOW NOW Eternal Life… Purity… Gentleness NOW His Presence… NOW NOW Salvation… His Power… Self Control Fresh!
Difficult Issues Come Down to NOW • Counseling so often comes down to this • Very difficult problems and very complex problems • There’s no fruit of the Spirit… • Big problems break down to you in the now • All are simplified to now… and then the next now • Not others but just you… Faith in all His is to you now • So often we’re stuck on the past or we’re anxiously trying to manage future outcomes • Focusing on Him >NOW brings the right focus
The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17) Past NOW We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God… (Rom.8:28) Future The lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. (Ps.103:17)