Fruit of the Spirit Week #2
Pastor Kris Freeman
Revolution Church
May 14, 2017 (Mother’s Day)
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
In week two of the Fruit of the Spirit, we are going to discuss PATIENCE and KINDNESS
What better week to discuss patience and kindness than Mother’s Day!
I found a poem online called What is a Mother? and the third line said she is filled with infinite patience.
What is patience?
- Bearing pains or trials without complaint
- Manifesting forbearance under provocation or strain
- Not hasty or impetuous
- Steadfast despite opposition, difficulty or adversity
The Greek word for patience in Gal. 5:22 is makrothymia and it appears 14 times in the New Testament. The Bible calls this kind of patience:
- Endurance
- Constancy
- Steadfastness
- Forbearance
- The common English translation for the word is “longsuffering”
Why talk about patience on Mothers Day? The Greek word for it is a FEMININE noun! Moms and mentors might have more patience and endurance than anyone!
Patience is a VIRTUE. Where do we get this phrase?
The Psychomachia is a 410 A.D. poem called the “battle of the soul wars” by Aurelius Clemens Prudentius, and outlines the seven heavenly virtues which battle the seven deadly sins. It was written in Latin. The seven heavenly virtues are: chastity, temperance, love (charity), diligence, patience, kindness and humility. They sound MUCH like the Fruit of the Spirit!
The seven heavenly virtues are presented in FEMALE heroic form. The Bible tells us in Proverbs 31 that there is nothing like the VIRTUOUS woman!
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. 11
Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. (Proverbs 31:10-12 NLT)
And the fruit of the Spirit works TOGETHER to build this nature within us. Every mother knows the power of using TOOLS at her disposal for success!
In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. (Romans 9:22 NLT)
12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15 NLT)
As God has called us to be Christ-like and model the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives, so a mother knows well it takes all of these things to be a successful parent, wife, friend, mentor and help mate.
And as a measure of God’s virtues, you show KINDNESS in adversity in all you do. Kindness is also a feminine noun in the Greek translation!
Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? (Romans 2:4 NLT)
Ladies, if you can pull this off, you are INCREDIBLE!!!
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