Walking on Water - Matthew 14:22-23

Walking on Water

Matthew 14:22-33

August 25, 2024

BIBLE READING

Matthew 14:22-33
“Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

INTRODUCTION

Have you ever walked on water? 

Imagine you’re on a boat in the middle of a big lake. Suddenly, a storm hits. The wind howls, the waves crash, and you’re scared. 

Out of nowhere, you see someone walking towards you on the water. It’s Jesus, and He’s coming to help you. This is exactly what happened to the disciples one stormy night.

The story of Jesus walking on water is more than a miracle. This is a lesson about faith. The disciples were caught in a storm, they were scared and uncertain. But Jesus came to them, walking on the water, showing them—and us—that He is always with us, even in the middle of life’s storms.

Today, we will explore what this passage teaches us about how to deal with the storms of life.

JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH US IN THE STORM

We had a dog, a Labrador called Cisco. Cisco was part of the family.

Whenever there was a thunderstorm, Cisco would run to us. We would hold him, wrap him in a blanket and gradually his trembling would subside. He was safe, with us. The storm would still be there, but he was no longer afraid because he knows he’s not alone.

Just like Cisco, we can feel safe in the middle of life’s storms because Jesus is with us. Even when the wind is strong and the waves are high, Jesus is right there, ready to help us.

Isaiah 41:10 

"Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Psalm 23:4  

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."

Psalm 139:7-12 

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? 8 If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 9 If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10  Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; 12 Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.”

Whatever our situation, God is with us!

So no matter what is going on, whatever our personal trial at this moment, God knows and God is with us in that trial. We have assurance that he will help us to walk on the water, he will help us get to our destination. Just like he did for Peter.

Jesus is in the storm with us.

KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS, NOT ON THE STORM

Think of a tightrope walker, balancing high above the ground. Below is nothing but air, and one misstep could mean a fall. If he looks down, he could fall. The tightrope walker keeps moving forward, focusing on the goal ahead, not the fear below.

Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on water towards Jesus. But when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the wind and waves, he began to sink. This teaches us to keep our focus on Jesus, not on the problems around us.

This is not easy to do, though. 
It is not easy to discipline our thoughts.

Deuteronomy 20:3 

“And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them”

Hebrews 12:1-2 

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

With our eyes on Jesus, we can make it through the storm.

IT TAKES FAITH TO WALK ON THE WATER

Faith is trusting that something promised, is happening, even when we do not yet see it.

Like when we walk along a mountain path in the fog. We can see the path at our feet, but we cannot see ahead of us. We take each step in faith, believing God will direct our steps. We pray in faith, believing that God will answer.

This is the faith required to walk on the water. Knowing that God will hear and answer, and respond.

Hebrews 11:1 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

Matthew 8:26 

“But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; 6  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Mark 11:22-24 

“So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

Faith is important. If we want to dominate our circumstances, we need faith in Jesus.

TRUSTING JESUS GIVES US PEACE IN THE STORM

When Jesus got into the boat, the wind stopped, and there was peace. 

Trusting Jesus brings peace, even in the middle of life’s biggest storms. 
We might not be able to calm the storm ourselves, but Jesus can.
And with him beside us, we are safe.

Matthew 14:32 

"And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased."

Philippians 4:6-7 

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

John 14:27  

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Philippians 4:13  

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

CONCLUSION

Whatever our situation, Jesus is always with us. Even in the middle of the storm. We keep our eyes on Jesus, not on the problems around us. It takes faith in Jesus to walk on the water. Whatever our storm may be. Trusting Jesus brings peace, no matter how scary the situation.

Remember Cisco? Cisco found peace in the storm, by being with us.

In the same way, we experience peace when we trust Jesus. No matter how strong the storm, Jesus is with us. Let’s keep our eyes on Him and trust that He will bring us peace, no matter what we face.

PRAYER

“Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being our example of the Christian life. We know this life is temporary, but life with you is eternal. Help us please to keep our eyes fixed on you, the author and finisher of our faith. Thank you that you are faithful, no matter what our circumstances may be. And that you answer our prayers.
In Jesus name. Amen.”

Love Wins! - 1 Cor 13

Title: Love Wins!
Verse: 1 Corinthians 13
Date: August 18, 2024

BIBLE READING

1 Corinthians 13:1-13
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 

4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 

10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

INTRODUCTION

I grew up in an abusive home. As a result, I did not have a lot of confidence. I ended up working for a publishing company in the United States. My supervisor was an encourager. He cared about me. He encouraged me and mentored me.
He developed skills in me. Skills I still use today, even right now as I write this sermon. Roger showed some of the qualities of love. That’s the kind of person he was. Those actions had a big impact on me. They helped to form me into the person I am today. 

This may seem like a little thing. But little things sometimes mean a lot. They can have a big impact.

Today we are going to look at how God describes love. 

Love is not just a quality, but an action. Paul describes love in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is more than a feeling—it’s the way we need to live our lives every day. Let’s see how God describes love and how we can show it to others.

LOVE IS PATIENT AND KIND

Imagine a school where everyone is in a hurry, and no one takes the time to help anyone else. One day, a new student, who didn’t know anyone and was having a hard time fitting in, dropped all his books in the hallway. Everyone walked by, too busy to help—except for one girl who stopped, smiled, and helped him pick everything up. That small act of kindness made a big difference in the new student’s day.

Love is patient and kind. It means being willing to wait and not get angry when things don’t go our way. It means helping others, even when it’s not convenient. 
God’s love is like that, and He wants us to show that kind of love to others.

1 Corinthians 13:4 
"Love suffers long and is kind."

Ephesians 4:32 
"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

Colossians 3:12 
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering."

Patience and kindness are qualities God shows to us, continually. We fall down so many times in the way we conduct our life. We often let God down by our attitudes and actions toward others. But God encourages us to just get back up again and do better. He forgives us, cleans us up, and encourages us.

Proverbs 24:16 
"For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."

LOVE IS UNSELFISH

In a small town, Robert was known for his selfless nature. One winter, a severe snowstorm hit, and an elderly widow, Mrs. Johnson, ran out of firewood. Though Robert had just enough for his own family, he couldn’t ignore her need. Early the next morning, Robert bundled up and walked through the deep snow to Mrs. Johnson’s house, bringing half of his firewood. When she saw him, she asked, “What about your family?” “We’ll manage,” Robert replied with a smile. “You need to stay warm.” Though Robert’s family had to ration their firewood, they got through the storm, Thankful they had been able to help someone in need. When the town heard of Robert’s act, they came together to provide his family with more firewood, ensuring they stayed warm for the rest of the winter.

Love is not selfish. Love doesn’t think only about what’s best for us but considers what’s best for others. Jesus showed us this kind of love by giving His life for us. 
He wants us to follow His example by putting others before ourselves.

1 Corinthians 13:5 
"Love does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil."

Philippians 2:3-4 
"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others."

John 15:13 
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

LOVE NEVER GIVES UP

A young couple Ahmed and Amina lived in a small village. Ahmed was a farmer and Amina took care of the home. They faced big challenges. They were deeply in love and dreamed of a better future, but their lives were marked by poverty and frequent hardships. One winter a severe flood hit their village, destroying their crops and home. Ahmed lost his source of income, and they were left with nothing. Despite the dire situation, Amina and Ahmed supported each other with unwavering love and hope.

Each night, as the floodwaters receded, Amina and Ahmed would walk through the village, offering whatever small help they could to their neighbors. They would share their meager supplies and comfort those who had lost everything. Months passed, and rebuilding was slow. Many villagers had given up hope, but Amina and Ahmed continued their efforts. They repaired their home with the little they could salvage, and Ahmed began planting new crops with whatever seeds he could find.
Their love for each other and their commitment to their community never wavered.

Slowly, their efforts began to pay off. The crops started to grow, and the village began to rebuild. Through their resilience and selflessness, Amina and Ahmed became a beacon of hope for others. In time, their farm flourished again, and their village regained its strength. Amina and Ahmed’s love had not only survived but had inspired their entire community to persevere.

Love never gives up. It keeps going, even when things are tough. God’s love for us is like that—it’s strong and never-ending. He wants us to love others with that same determination and faithfulness.

1 Corinthians 13:7 
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Galatians 6:9 
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

1 Peter 4:8 
"And above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins."

SUMMARY

So, in summary, first of all, love is patient and kind. We can apply this wherever we go. Because God has given us his love we are carriers of God’s love.

Romans 5:5
"Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

We are able to be patient, no matter what the provocation. Because God has been patient with us. We can be kind as well. God is kind both to Christians and those who are not yet Christians. He is patient with them as with us. He causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.

Matthew 5:44-45
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

We can be unselfish. Sometimes our poverty can make us so concerned about ourselves, that we forget to be generous to those around us. But God blesses generosity.

Proverbs 22:9
"He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor."

Finally, love never gives up. We love our children no matter how far away they may have drifted. We never give up on loving them.

CONCLUSION

There was a woman and her teenage daughter, who lived in a large city, in a small apartment. The daughter ran away from home, wanting to see what life in the big city was like. The mother was distraught, she knew how hard and dangerous life could be for her daughter.

She went to the store and got an envelope full of pictures of the daughter. Then she went to the big city and one by one, went to each of the public restrooms. In each restroom, on the mirror, she taped a picture of her daughter.

One day the daughter visited one of these restrooms, and noticed her picture on the mirror. She took it down, and turned it over. 

On the back, she read “No matter where you are. No matter what you have done. No matter what has happened in your life. Please come home.”

This is what God says to each of  us. “I love you. I have loved you since even before you were born. No matter what your life is like, please come home. I will give you rest for your soul.”

PRAYER

Let us pray:

“Dear Lord God, thank you for your amazing love for us. Thank you that you gave your love inside us. Please forgive us for our sins and draw us back into relationship with you. As you have loved us, help us to love others with that same patient, kind, generous and persistent love, with which you love us.
In Jesus name, Amen.”

From the Darkness into the Light - Acts 9:1-19

Title: The Conversion of Saul - From the Darkness into the Light
Verse: Acts 9:1-19
Date: August 11, 2024

BIBLE READING:

Acts 9:1-19
"Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 

3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. [a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

INTRODUCTION

It was probably a cool day in Jerusalem. Stephen had been witnessing about Jesus, performing miracles among the people. Some of the Hellenistic Jews (Greek-speaking converts to Judaism), became upset, and accused Stephen before the religious council, the Sanhedrin. They set up false witnesses to support their case. Stephen gave his defense by preaching a sermon to the Sanhedrin, in the context of their national history, starting with Abraham, all the way to the recent past when they had crucified Jesus. He was trying to get through to the Sanhedrin, the religious rulers, and give them the opportunity to repent of killing Jesus. But they would not listen.

Acts 7:51-60
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. 52 Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, 53 who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.” 54 When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, 56 and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; 58 and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 
60 Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep."

It says they laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. The Greek tells us this was an outer garment worn over a tunic. It may indicate that this happened in the spring or the winter. Presumably they did not want to have their clothes dirtied with Stephen’s blood, as they murdered him. While Saul appears not to have participated, yet he did consent to the stoning.

Acts 8:1-3
"Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison."

This event must have had a big impact on the young man, Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul.

Today, we’re going to look at the story of Saul's conversion. 

We’ll see how Jesus can take someone who seems hopelessly lost and turn their life around. No matter where we are in life, Jesus can change us for the better.

SAUL’S DARK STORY

Saul was a hunter. He hunted Christians. He was determined to catch Christians and put them in jail. He thought he was doing the right thing by stopping people from talking about Jesus. Saul’s heart was filled with anger and hatred toward Christians. He believed that he was serving God by persecuting them, but he was actually fighting against God’s plan.

Acts 9:1-2 

“Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.”

Acts 22:4 

“I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison.”

Acts 26:11 “Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.”

SAUL ENCOUNTERS JESUS

Saul was traveling to Damascus to apprehend Christians and bring them to trial in Jerusalem. He was actively pursuing and persecuting Christians, even in foreign cities. On the road to Damascus, Saul suddenly saw a bright light from heaven. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” Saul was terrified and asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice replied, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.”

Jesus appeared to Saul in a powerful way, showing him that he was not just hurting people—he was fighting against Jesus Himself. This encounter opened Saul’s eyes to the truth.

Acts 9:3-4 

“As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’”

Acts 26:14 

“We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’”

SAUL RECEIVES A NEW MISSION

Saul was blind for three days after seeing the bright light. During that time, he didn’t eat or drink anything. God sent a man named Ananias to heal Saul and tell him that God had chosen him to spread the good news about Jesus. When Ananias placed his hands on Saul, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. Right away, Saul was baptized, and he started telling everyone about Jesus.
Saul’s life was completely changed. 

The man who once hunted Christians became a powerful preacher for Jesus. His new mission was to tell people about God’s love and grace.

Acts 9:10-11 

“In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.’” 

Acts 9:17-18 

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.”

Acts 9:20 

“At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.”

SUMMARY

Saul’s conversion teaches us that no one is too far gone for Jesus to reach. Saul was on a dark path, but Jesus met him, changed him, and gave him a new purpose. When we encounter Jesus, our lives can be transformed, and we can be given a new mission to share His love with others.

CONCLUSION

No matter where we are, what we have done, Jesus can change our lives. That’s what happened to Saul. Jesus can take our darkest moments and turn them into something amazing. Just like Saul, we are never too far away for Jesus to find us and use us for His good purpose. Let’s open our hearts to Jesus today and allow Him to change us, just as He changed Saul.

PRAYER

"Dear Lord, thank you for the example of Saul, and how you were able to turn his life around. Help us to know that no matter where we are, or what we have done, you can change us and give us a new direction and purpose in life. Please help us to live for you, and share your love with others.
In Jesus name. Amen."

Bearing Spiritual Fruit - Galatians 5:22-23

Title: "Bearing Spiritual Fruit"
Date: August 4, 2024
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

SCRIPTURE READING

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

INTRODUCTION

Many years ago my wife and I had a back yard. It was dry and dusty and rocky.
We had a vision for this to become a beautiful garden. Of course this would take hard work, and many things would have to change. 

We had to break up the hard ground.  Rocks had to be removed. The big clumps of dirt had to be broken down into soil. Fresh soil had to be brought in, which would nourish plants and grass. We planted a young fruit tree. I built wooden planters which we filled with fertile topsoil, to create raised beds to grow vegetables. Then we planted seeds in these planters. Seeds for many types of plants, including tomatoes. 

We watered these seeds. Every day we would go out and see if the seeds had sprouted. After a week we started to see green sprouts push their way through the soil. The sprouts developed and became plants. We removed weeds that sprouted up in the planters. The tomato plants grew larger and I placed supports around them These supports would protect the fruit, and hold it in the sunlight. Buds developed on the tomato plants. The buds grew, and one day they opened, and yellow flowers became visible. The flowers were beautiful, but after a while, they died. Where the flower had died, however, a tiny tomato developed. 

We continued watering the plants, and the tomatoes grew steadily larger. The sun shone its rays on the tomatoes, and they gradually turned from green to a bright red color. When a tomato was red, it was ready to be harvested. We picked the tomatoes, and they tasted really good!

Our garden had finally borne fruit.

God does a lot of work inside of us, as well.

He softens our heart so it becomes good soil to receive the knowledge of Jesus. He then waters it with the Holy Spirit and the words of the Bible. And we then bear fruit. 

Today we we are going to examine the fruit that is developed inside us, and how it reflects Jesus inside us.

UNDERSTANDING THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

The Fruits of the Spirit are qualities that reflect Christ’s character, which are cultivated in us by the Holy Spirit.

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

John 15:4-5 
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."

Matthew 7:16-17
"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit."

It took a lot of work to prepare our garden so the plants would bear fruit. The seeds had to be planted. They had to be watered. Weeds had to be removed. The plant had to be supported.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit develops Jesus’ character inside of us. This character is seen by the fruits which become evident in our motivations and actions. This is not our doing. It is the work of God inside us.

Ephesians 2:8-10
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."

We can ask the Holy Spirit to develop the qualities of Jesus inside us. Now, what are these qualities?

WHAT ARE THE FRUITS THAT GOD CULTIVATES IN US?

Each Fruit of the Spirit plays a vital role in our Christian walk and witness.
Our passage in Galatians 5 lists nine of these fruits or qualities

LOVE
1 John 4:7-8 

"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

JOY
Philippians 4:4 

"Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

PEACE 
Isaiah 26:3 

"You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

LONGSUFFERING (OR PATIENCE)
Colossians 3:12 

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering."

KINDNESS
Ephesians 4:32 

"And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you."

GOODNESS
Romans 15:14 

"Now I myself am confident concerning you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another."

FAITHFULNESS
1 Corinthians 4:2 

"Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."

GENTLENESS
Philippians 4:5 

"Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand."

SELF-CONTROL
2 Timothy 1:7 

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."
The words ”sound mind” here, can be better translated “discipline, or self-control”.

The Holy Spirit develops these fruits in our lives. But we work in partnership with God.

James 4:8 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

We recognize these fruits in others. I’m sure each of us knows people who perhaps overflow with love for people, or who are incredibly patient, or who treat everyone with kindness.

APPLICATION
We can ask God to show us which of these fruits are doing well inside our life, and which need more development. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. So how do these fruits impact our relationships?

THE IMPACT OF THESE FRUITS ON OUR RELATIONSHIPS

The Fruits of the Spirit enhance our relationships and witness to the world. They will be evident to others.

Matthew 5:16 
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."

Galatians 6:9-10 
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

John 13:35
"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

There is a special sweetness where people are displaying these fruits. A church that is allowing these fruits to grow will be shining like a light, in the darkness of a selfish world around us. We can be intentional about allowing these fruits to be evident to others, so they can see them. It is not about us appearing to be good people. It is about allowing God to work through us, God showing his love to all we come into contact with.

SUMMARY

Daily ask the Holy Spirit in prayer to cultivate these virtues in your life. Reflect on your actions and attitudes, and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas needing growth. Engage in acts of kindness and service, showing the Fruits of the Spirit in tangible ways.

PERSONAL CHALLENGE

This coming week, focus on one specific fruit of the Spirit.
Pray, reflect, and act in ways that allow that fruit to flourish in your life.

CONCLUSION

So, we have seen that God is developing his characteristics inside of us. These characteristics need to be cultivated, nurtured and developed. This is God’s work inside us, through the Holy Spirit. We partner with God in this by inviting him to show us where we need to change, and then asking him to develop us in those areas. 

We may have been like a rocky, dusty wilderness at one time. But God is able and desiring to change that wilderness into the Garden of Eden. By developing his characteristics in our lives.

Isaiah 51:3
“For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places;
He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody.”

Let us pray:
“Dear Lord, thank you that you are working inside each one of us. You do not leave us the way we used to be, but you make us a new creation. You develop your characteristics inside us, so that they will be visible to all people we connect with. Please do your work inside us.
In Jesus' name. Amen”