Sunday, June 22, 2008
"Salvation and the Spiritual Fruit"

(Gal 5:22 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

(Gal 5:23 NIV) gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

(Gal 5:24 NIV) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

(Gal 5:25 NIV) Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Gal 5:26 NIV) Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.


The Handbook of Magazine Article Writing contains this illustration by Philip Barry Osborne; "Alex Haley, the author of Roots, has a picture in his office, showing a turtle sitting atop a fence. The picture is there to remind him of a lesson he learned long ago: 'If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he had some help.'
"Says Alex, 'Any time I start thinking, WOW, ISN'T THIS MARVELOUS WHAT I'VE DONE! I look at that picture and remember how this turtle--me--got up on that post.'" Sandy Reynolds.

There is a danger inherent with the spiritual fruit. It is two-fold. We can think that the spiritual fruit themselves makes us good enough. And/or we can become conceited because we possess the fruit.

Brian Interviewed several people in the congregation to see what they do in the church and asked them if those things were good enough to get them to heaven. Of course, the answer was “No.” Belief in Jesus Christ and a personal commitment to follow him gets us to heaven.

We are not saved because we have spiritual fruit. We have spiritual fruit because we are saved!

Ok, I need your help. Here I am, on my “Christian Walk.” When I ask “Where?” you answer, “Heaven.” When I ask “By whose power?” you answer, “Christ Alone!” I’m on my way – where? (heaven) by whose power, (Christ alone!). I’m on my way – where? (heaven) by whose power, (Christ alone!). I’m on my way – where? (heaven) Not by Brian’s power but by whose power, (Christ alone!).

Superiority – thinking we are better than someone else – is a major sin – it leads to abuse, racism, and even capital crime. We are no better than anyone else – because of skin color, or religion or job or money! No, no, no! We are all at level ground at the foot of the cross.

Paul had a great prescription for humility:

I am the least of the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:9

I am the very least of all the saints. Ephesians 3:8

I am the foremost of sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15

Who invented the telelegraph? Samuel Morse. He received many honors from his invention of the telegraph but felt undeserving: "I have made a valuable application of electricity not because I was superior to other men but solely because God, who meant it for mankind, must reveal it to someone and He was pleased to reveal it to me." Tim Hansel, Eating Problems for Breakfast, Word Publishing, 1988, pp. 33-34.
Hudson Taylor was scheduled to speak at a Large Presbyterian church in Melbourne, Australia. The moderator of the service introduced the missionary in eloquent and glowing terms. He told the large congregation all that Taylor had accomplished in China, and then presented him as "our illustrious guest." Taylor stood quietly for a moment, and then opened his message by saying, "Dear friends, I am the little servant of an illustrious Master."

W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 243
Conceit is spiritual highway robbery. It takes away from the glory of God. It darkens the face of the spirit. It transfers majesty to an unworthy vessel. We must defeat conceit. We must defeat conceit. We must defeat conceit.

How? By putting the majesty where it belongs. By passing the buck to the supreme banker. By admitting that we are the little servants of an illustrious master. By seeing ourselves as we really are – sinners – saved by the grace of almighty God.

Do you ever point the way to someone who is lost or searching for a destination? Point the way to the master. Anytime we make it apparent that we are high and mighty, commit idolatry. Self-promotion is self-absorption. Don’t point to self – point to Jesus.

Someone once said, “The door of life is a door of mystery. It becomes slightly shorter than the one who wishes to enter it. And thus only he who bows in humility can cross its threshold.” Assigning our ability to a higher power is everything. Salvation itself is the admission for the need of someone who can save. Won’t you trust Jesus today? If you have never asked him into your heart, do so right now. Just pray this prayer:

“Lord, come into my heart and live with me. Forgive my sins. Help me to follow you. Grow me into Christ likeness. Amen.”

Tell someone if you have prayed that prayer. It is good news.

If you are already certain of your salvation, pray this prayer:
“Lord, I’ve not always done what you have wished me to do. Sometimes, I have really messed up. Restore me and renew me. I rededicate myself to you. Help me to please you in my actions, words and thoughts. Amen.”

May the covenant you have made on earth today be ratified in heaven. God bless you!