Life by the Spirit (Galatian 5: 22-25)

Life by the Spirit

^{Galatian 5: 22-25}

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

 

My Story: I was born in Korea as a Buddhist. In 1999 I moved to Waco, Texas to Study at Baylor University. During my time at Baylor I didn’t know, what I didn’t know was that God prepared two wonderful Christians for me. God prepared wonderful Christians that change my heart and my life forever. See during my time in need in Waco they were there for me, they took me in and they loved me, I loved that and to this day I am still thankful. Not much later I converted, baptized in Jan. 2000. Ten Year later, the SBC Church ordained me as Baptist minister. Throughout my Christian journey, pastors told me about “live by the Spirit”, “Anoint by Spirit.”

I still have been trying to figure it out since then.

I believe that I am not the only one that struggling with this issue.

Let us talk about our story.

 

Our Story: 

What it look like to live by the Spirit, It looks like others live better life than me. It looks like the neighbors children is better behaved and more disciplined. Yes, we pray before a meal and other occasions.

How does that relate with “live by the Spirit.”

 A lot of women push to lose weight and get thin. So you have getting thin issues, diet issues.. So, let me ask you this. How that diet work it out for you?

How does that diet and getting thin relate with “live by the Spirit.”

Maybe one of your neighbor did you wrong. You got heart broking.

It could have been your husband, wife, children, or relatives.

So you have a big burden, discomfort in your heart and you need to forgive somebody that’s hurt you but, you cannot. Or you will not.

How that discomfort relate with “live by Spirit.”

So. Do I have your attention for my preaching today?

Luckily God has plan for us, always.

 

God’s Story:

Let us see what God tells us about this “live by Spirit”

Bible tells us “God is spirit.” John 4:24

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

 

What is opposite word of “live by Spirit”, Answer is “live by flesh.”

When we read Bible, you have to read in context. Just previous section talked about “live by flesh.”

Galatian 5:19-21

¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

When we live by flesh, your destination is destruction.

What is the easiest way to understand “live by the Spirit.” That is what Im interested in.

Easiest way to understand is to change one word “Spirit”, change spirit to “WORD.”

So, then we’d Say “Live by the WORD of God.”

John 1:14 says, “14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”

John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

 

Our Story:

Let us come back to our story.

So, problem with diet issue is that you hear the world spirit. All of pageant competitions and the model say, you should be this much and that much in figure.

Bible say, “Psalm 139:14”

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Everybody want to be loved and cared. That is why we want to look good.

God say, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” that should be enough for my appearance. If you do not like what I look, you should complain to God because he made me. I had nothing to do with it.

We Story:

I want to make a small test using water in glass.

The glass is your and the is the word of God. When you had a bad day, when your boss scold you, when you got stress.

Some people try to medicate by alcohol or smoking and other means. When you do this pour some water out. Some time as self-medication, you do more harm than good.

Instead of self-mediating turn to the word of God seek guidance through the lord not some bottle or package. When you turn to God add some water in the glass.

So, what is solution then?

This is solution. Solution is that we need to live by the spirit, not by gratifying flesh desire.

We need to continue pour the word of God into our life.

Watch here. As we pour the word of God into our life, our life change.

It was in the darkness, but Now in the light.

I was blind, but Now I can see.

I believe the bottom line is that we have to continue pour the word into our life. As long as we got clear water, we should be good.

The word of God cleanse our life.

Let me conclude today message.

What it look like to “live by the spirit?” My answer is “live by the word of God.”

When we live by the word of God, our life will be cleaned and purified through the word of God.

When we live by the word of God, our family, our church, our community, and our nation will be blessed and glorify the Kingdom of God. You will see the more you look to God and the Word eventually you will be overflowing with the word.

 

Let us pray.

                                        by yoonsoo,park