Sermons on the resurrection of Christ

The Resurrection

And

The Forty Days with the Apostles

Go with me to Jerusalem.

1.       The trial---the persecution—slaps and slugs—crown of thorns—the scourging.  His whole torso was a ripped and torn by the steel in the whip. His body was a giant scab.

“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand and the other on the left”  Luke 23:33.  They drove large nails in his hands and feet and lifted him before all as a convicted criminal. The mob laughed. They humiliated him. His nakedness—their language—the shame—the pain! Six agonizing hours. His strength had oozed away. He was bleeding out.  “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do!”

His body slipped from the violent darkness of Golgotha to the blackness of death.

It was over.

Death is quiet.

Death is black both in symbols and reality.

A rich man claimed His tattered body.

He took it to his own tomb. It was a tomb made for his family. It had been hand hued with clanging hammers on steel chisels.  They dug a tunnel into the rock. But the tomb was finished. It had never been used. The Scriptures say “it was a “new” tomb.

Joseph and Nicodemus, “who came to Jesus by night,” gently carried Jesus into the tomb, laying Him on a large flat slab of rock, and covered Him with a shroud, and rolled the stone in the opening of the cave.

Heaven could still hear His raspy voice, “My God—My God—Why hast thou forsaken me?”

Soldiers, by Pilate’s order, sealed the small openings around the stone with mud or clay so they could determine if His body was stolen by His friends or enemies. He said He would arise from death. But no one believed Him! So, if someone robbed this tomb and claimed a resurrection, everyone would know.

The soldiers had disappeared at the order of their commander.  Imperial Rome was finally finished with this long day. The Carpenter was finished too.  His followers had slipped away with stooped shoulders and sad faces.  The world’s greatest single day closes as the drapery of night settles gently upon the earth.

It was dark again—and quiet.

As morning comes, the disciples of Jesus are behind closed doors and shuttered windows.  Their hearts are broken by seeing His violent death and because of their disappointment in themselves. They forsook Him. They are frightened. They are confused. He’s gone, and they are scared!

They think they know about where everyone else is staying—but they are fearful to get together in large groups.  Jerusalem is full of angry people. They are certain the streets of this city will flow with the blood of hundreds of His followers.  If they would kill the innocent Jesus, what would they do to them? The mob has seen His disciples in His company. They know who is in this little group. They all know they should stay off the streets and behind locked doors.

Everything is so different now that the Master is gone.  Everything seems upside down. For three years they nearly lived on the streets—but now they are hiding.  The shades of evening come. They hope they are less conspicuous in night’s cover. The followers of Jesus don’t want their lights to shine now!

The dawn opens the Sabbath. They didn’t prepare well for this one. They began to get up from their mats. There will be less people around town. They have survived their most fearful day.  Today should be better.  “Lord—please keep us safe!”

Because it is the Sabbath, families will be together; less chance of mobs forming. The people should control their anger better. It is a Holy day. They will lose themselves in their rituals. Maybe they will survive.

And they do.

As the beams of morning’s dawn begin to break the darkness early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the wife of Cleopas, and Salome are walking toward the sepulcher when the earth begins to move beneath them and structures move as though pushed by the wind. It was a “great earthquake.”   There have been others recently. Their anxiety increases. “The angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it” as to signify the victory over death.

“His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:  And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.  And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.   Come, see the place where the Lord lay.   And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulcher with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.”                   (Matt. 28: 2-8)

Peter and John had a race to the tomb. John wanted you to know that he is the fastest.   John 20:4 

The three women and the Apostles, Peter and John all saw it the first thing Sunday morning.  They saw that the tomb was empty.  No historian, no atheist, no agonistic, no person living or dead, has ever been able to give a reasonable explanation for the empty tomb—except that Jesus arose from the dead by the power of God.  And all of our hope of eternal life is found in His resurrection.

There are 12 Biblical accounts of our Lord’s Appearances after His resurrection.

1.       Mary Magdalene early Sunday morning                              John 20: 11-18

2.       Women returning from the tomb                                         Matt. 28: 9-10

3.       Simon Peter alone                                                                     Luke 24: 34

4.       Two disciples on Emmaus road                                               Luke 24: 13-31

5.       Apostles, except Thomas                                                          John 20: 19-25

6.       Apostles, with Thomas present                                               John 20: 26-39

7.       Seven disciples fishing                                                               John 21: 1-13

8.       Eleven disciples on a mountain                                               Matt. 28: 16-20

9.       Above 500 brethren                                                                    I Corinthians 15: 6

10.   James only                                                                                     I Corinthians 15: 7

11.   All the apostles at ascension                                                      Luke 24: 50-51

 

I Corinthians 15: 6 says that he appeared unto above 500 of the brethren, and most historians suggest that was about the number of his followers. Doesn’t that sound like Jesus—wanting to be with every one of them again, perhaps to prove himself, before he ascended into heaven. This truly must have built their faith, and gave them the assurance to go and accomplish what he had commanded them.

Forty days ago they lived in fear. A little over a month later, they stood bravely and boldly preached the Risen Christ on the day of Pentecost.  The church of Jesus Christ was established and the saved of the last 2000 years have been added to it.

March, 2015

Don Pruitt

 

Fresno, California

He Came to Our Rescue

It was the night of July 2, 1971 in Fresno, California. 24-year-old Rick Freund, his wife, and some
friends were driving home from the car races when Rick's wife spotted a house that was on fire.
They stopped to see if they could help. They found three little girls in their nightgowns standing
with their mother watching their home as it was being engulfed with flames. The mother was crying
out in desperation, "My baby! My baby! Where is my baby?"

"I just asked her where her baby was and she pointed out the room," Freund recalls.

Firefighters had not yet arrived, so Freund and some deputies from the Fresno County Sheriff's
Office went into action. As Carmen George reports, Freund and the deputies "approached the baby's
bedroom window. One of the deputies shattered it with a baton, then hoisted Freund - who was the
thinnest - through the window. Inside, he found a room filled with smoke, flames fast approaching
on the other side of the door, and a smiling baby in a crib. He scooped up the infant and passed
the child through the window, then pushed himself out, bloodying his back and hands in the process."

"After I climbed out the window, the only thing I was interested in was seeing if the baby was
alright. He was crying a little but seemed okay, so we left," said Freund to a reporter back in
1971. He left without the family even knowing his name.

The family tried in vain to find the rescuer but their efforts weren't fruitful until they saw an
article in the Fresno Bee that identified him. On behalf of her family, Mrs. Robert Herzman wrote a
letter to Freund and The Bee printed it in the paper. Mrs. Herzman wrote the letter in her son's
name - "Bobby" - who was just four-months-old at the time. It concluded with these words:

"You brought me to safety and disappeared before my parents could express their gratitude. But
heroes don't want to be thanked. Thank you is too inadequate for saving my life. But I know that
mommy and daddy will do their best to teach me right from wrong and to do just like you did. You saw
it had to be done and you did it. We will never forget you." - Bobby

46 years after the terrible fire and wonderful rescue, Bobby and his three sisters - with the help
of The Bee - were able to meet with Freund to thank him personally. The visit, Carmen George
reports, was filled with gratitude, gifts, and Freund happily answering their questions about what
he remembered from the night of the blaze. *

When you and I were in the clutches of sin and destined for destruction, Jesus Christ came to rescue
us. In order to rescue us, Jesus had to give His life for us by dying on the cross for our sins.
"In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of
His grace" (Ephesians 1:7).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts
16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans
10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins
to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to Whom be
glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Galatians 1:3-5 NIV

Won't YOU allow Jesus to rescue you by accepting His offer of salvation and eternal life?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "He heard 'My baby!' and came to the rescue, then disappeared. The family
finally found him" by Carmen George of The Fresno Bee, 2/5/18, www.fresnobee.com.

Where can I find e-mail devotionals?

Looking for great devotionals by e-mail? The e-devotions from http://www.edevos.abiblecommentary.com provide a good variety of free e-mail devotionals every Monday-Friday. These e-devotions include information about general Bible subjects, a free on-line Greek word study, a daily devotional for Christian women, an audio Bible study, etc.  If you use an Android phone, you may also get this information through on of our “Android Bible study apps” listed at http://apps.abiblecommentary.com/index.html

Self Control and the Bible

What is the value of self-control? Self-control is that which enables us to hold our tongues when we are tempted to viciously put someone in his place once and for all; or when we know a juicy bit of gossip that would be entertaining to the group and would turn us into the "life of the party"; or when an occasion almost demands that we betray a confidence that must not be betrayed under any circumstances.

Self-control is that which enables us to control our passions when another is provoking us to anger; that keeps the clinched fists in the pockets when the agitator is only half our size; that keeps the lips sealed when another is railing and swearing at us. Self-control is that which enables us to be like our Lord "who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously" (I Peter 2:23).

Self-control is that which enables us to maintain purity of heart and to thrust out evil thoughts before they can take root; that enables us to place the best possible construction on another person's actions when unproven rumors could easily destroy our confidence in him; that helps us to maintain a cheerful disposition when everything around us has turned sour. Self-control is that which enables us to love the unlovable and to hate that which the world loves.

Self-control is that which enables us to rule our appetites; to say "no" when our lusts would lead us to sin or when that which is harmful to our health is placed before us. Self-control is that which enables the smoker to put down his cigarettes and the alcoholic to put down his drink and never return to it. Self-control is that which enables us to rule rather than to be enslaved.

The Bible does not glorify the indifferent and impassive. It is not our goal to be uncaring. To be like Paul, we must be able to have our spirit stirred within us when we are surrounded by evil (Acts 17:16). To be like our Lord, we must sometimes feel anger when surrounded by hypocritical self-righteousness (Mark 3:5); we must even react with occasional outbursts of goodness on occasions, as when the Lord cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17). But, all such outbursts must be tempered with self-control, that in our anger we "do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26).

God does not view our uncontrolled actions with amusement. Our temper tantrums and harsh, unbridled words are soul threatening, a potential bar to the abundant entrance into the Lord's everlasting kingdom (II Peter 1:5-11). We must not minimize the danger. We must not surrender to this evil.

What is the value of self-control? It is one of the qualities that enable us to go to heaven. The possessor of it is rich indeed.

- by Bill H

God Gives us Arguments, not Headlines

 

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:12-21

 

Paul is making an argument – a God-inspired theological argument. God’s arguments have depth. And this is only a bit of it. It’s an argument that begins at Romans 1:15 and finishes somewhere around Romans 8:4. Here in 5:12-21 he contrasts Adam with Christ, sin with righteousness, law with grace, death with life. We have points highlighted, but we also have truth explained and argued in depth.

 

It doesn’t matter how much sin has been committed, and how many laws condemn those sins; God’s grace,

through the one-and-only-Christ’s one act of righteousness, can set believers free from those sins. The one saves

the many. Romans presents the theological justification for grace. Sin is atoned for and sinners freed of their sins!

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:21-26

 

Righteousness and eternal life are given by God to anyone who will believe in Jesus as Lord, and obey His commands. Read Romans 5:17; 6:16-18,23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Hebrews 5:8-9; Revelation 14:12

 

A Tough Journey Needs a Great Saviour to Worship: the Message of Hebrews

 

Jesus is worthy of the highest praise because He endured the lowest degradation.

 

Jesus is the ultimate revelation of God (Hebrews 1:2), not simply a messenger of revelation. He is the author of salvation (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 12:2-3 refers to Jesus as the author or founder and perfecter of the faith), not simply a ministering spirit who serves those who inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14). Jesus’ name is superior to angels’ names (Hebrews 1:4). He is God’s Son (Hebrews 1:5), whom angels are called to worship (Hebrews 1:6). He is Lord and God, and they are his servants who tend to the needs of those whom Jesus has saved (Hebrews 1:7-14). The point in all this is that Jesus is supreme, and so God’s people should hold fast to him no matter how extreme their sufferings are. The letter is written (likely prior to the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70) in the hope that Jesus’ followers will redirect their gaze, renew their spiritual vision, grow in resilience, and enter God’s rest. Paul Louis Metzger, Those Who Endure Extreme Suffering Need Supreme Worship to Enter God’s Rest.

 

As Revelation reminds us:

 

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. Revelation 5:11-12

 

The angels themselves worship Jesus! We must worship Jesus. “Jesus is supreme [as God and sacrifice], and so God’s people should hold fast to him no matter how extreme their sufferings are.” (Metzger)

 

how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, 4 while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will. 5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him, or the son of man, that you care for him?

7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honour,

8  putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:3-18

 

“Because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”

 

Jesus knows the highest heaven, yet experienced the lowest hell … for us! Since Jesus never gave up, we never give up. let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Jesus said, But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13; 28:20

 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge

his name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:16-16

 

  The God who planned all this deserves our sacrificial worship and our sacrificial life of good deeds.  He sacrificed and we must sacrifice.

 

David Hunter

 

In Every Nation, Who is Acceptable to God?

 

So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” Acts 10:34-43

 

Jesus will one day judge the world.

 

Whoever fears God and does what is right is acceptable to God.

 

Doing what is right means doing what God says is right to do!

 

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30-31

 

Judgment is certain because Jesus’ resurrection from the dead was certain.

Because a judgment day is coming, God requires all people to repent. Repent means turn from your sinful life to Jesus’ salvation and life.

 

John the Baptist, to Israel, preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:4.

This was God’s way of preparing Israel to meet Jesus.

 

Jesus, for the whole world, teaches a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 10:48; 22:16.

 

This is God’s way of preparing the world to meet Jesus in the judgment!

 

Notice:

·     Acts 10:43 says that forgiveness is granted to everyone who believes in Jesus.

·     Acts 2:38 says that forgiveness is granted to everyone who repents and is baptized. The promise is to all!

·     In Acts 10, we see that because Cornelius believed in Jesus, he needed to be water-baptized according to Peter’s command: While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the

Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain for some days. Acts 10:44-48

 

People, who are thus acceptable to God because they have feared God and done what is right, then need to live a life which is acceptable to God: Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. 6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honour and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality. Romans 2:4-11

 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

 

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 2:4-5

 

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge

his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.

Hebrews 13:15-16

 

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Ephesians 5:1-13

 

So, the acceptable life includes walking in love, walking in light, being always humble and thankful, offering spiritual sacrifices through worship, doing good and sharing, and abstaining from sexual immorality, bad thoughts, bad language and bad people. The more we live our lives trusting in Jesus and trying to please God, the more our lives will overflow with the fruit of the Spirit that is acceptable to God. We must always be willing to do God’s will.

 

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15:1-11

 

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do 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 And 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 keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:13-26  David Hunter