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Dear Ones, Today we explore the fruit of the Spirit by seeing how broadly love applies to our lives.  Here is truth stated by the Apostle Paul to Timothy. 1 Timothy 1:3-5 NIVAs I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work– which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and…

We are focusing on love this month as one of the fruit of the Spirit. Some say love is the umbrella fruit, and all the others flow out of love. Paul discusses the exercise of gifts in the church throughout 1 Corinthians 12. Then he writes the “love” chapter! Please note, demonstrating love is the most excellent way to use your gifts to serve others. 1 Corinthians 12:31-13:3 NIVNow eagerly desire the greater gifts. And yet I will show you the most excellent way.If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I…

The fruit of the Spirit begins with “love.” This precise word appears in the New Testament as a noun 116 times and as a verb 143 times. It is unique in its meaning focusing on the choice of the will to serve others, often by sacrifice. The word is so common it could almost be called a “Christian” word. Through October, we will go over several statements about love. These will be specially selected verses, not a complete list. Just hours before Jesus died on the cross, which was the ultimate demonstration of His love for us, He issued this…

This ministry season we are exploring the Holy Spirit’s work of transformation in each follower of Jesus Christ. Our theme verse is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18 2 Corinthians 3:18 NIVAnd we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. This glorious transformation is ongoing and progressive. Progress is only made by God transforming us from the inside to the outside. It reflects the character of God, His glory! It can be measured by the evidence of the fruit of the…

Today is often referred to as Silent Saturday during Holy Week. A time to pause and remember the moments of suspense between the death of Jesus and His resurrection. As we also wait in anticipation, let’s finish examining the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus on earth.  The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ reveals the work of the Holy Spirit. 1 Peter 3:18 NIVFor Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. Romans…

As we prepare to reflect on Jesus’ procession into Jerusalem at our Palm Sunday Service, we are blessed to observe the comfort of the Holy Spirit in the life, suffering, and death of Jesus. Hebrews 9:14 NIV How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!  We are also told that a Holy angel ministered to our Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane: Luke 22:39-44 NIV Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and…

Dear fellow worshippers, Tomorrow, March 22, we end our sermon series from Jesus’ teaching in John 13-16. For several weeks in our EncourageOGrams, we have also examined the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus on earth. As we conclude both explorations, we find one, final word: rejoice. In sacred scripture, we espy Jesus rejoicing in His Father and the Holy Spirit! Luke 10:21 NIV (emphasis added)At that time Jesus, full of JOY through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes,…

Dear Ones, What did the work of the Holy Spirit look like in the life of Jesus on earth? In scripture, we observe Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit throughout His journey.  John 8:29 NIV“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” If our Lord himself followed the Spirit’s leading, shouldn’t we? Of course! We ought to desire to be led by the Holy Spirit. We want to display His fruit, just as Jesus did! Galatians 5:22-25 NIVBut the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,…

Fellow Followers of Jesus, Today we continue to look closely at the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus on earth. Jesus was sealed by the Holy Spirit. John 6:27 NIVDo not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval. The seal on Jesus demonstrates He is truly the Savior sent from God the Father. The Father’s approval of Jesus inspires us to believe on Him and trust His teaching. Through His…

I have a question for you. What is filling your soul today? As a Church we are walking through Jesus’ teaching in John 13-16 and examining the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of Jesus on earth. From scripture, we know that our Lord Jeus was filled with the Holy Spirit. Luke 4:1 NIV Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness Jesus followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and was subsequently tested by the Devil. Too often we think the Spirit only leads us into blessed…