“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance” (Gal. 5:22-23).

1. Love –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

2. Patience –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

3. Faith –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

4. Peace –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

5. Joy –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

6. Gentleness –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

7. Goodness –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

8. Meekness –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

9. Self-Control –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:”

“17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

1. He saw (Num 24:17)

“17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.”

Can you see truth? Jesus is truth. His Word is truth.

2. He saw a star (Num 24:17)

“17I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob,”

The wise men followed the star. How did they know about it? Perhaps they read the prophecy of Balaam. There is good indication they did.
Are you following the LIGHT of the world Jesus?

3. He saw a star and a sceptre rising out of Israel who would be a ruler (Num 24:17)

“17I shall see him……and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.

Here Balaam prophesied that this King would be in control with Authority. That is the meaning of sceptre.

Introduction: The devil has always hated Jesus Christ. Being the master deceiver and accuser, he not only attacks Israel but also attempts to devour the Savior of the world. One can trace his plots in Revelation 12.

1. The Great Red Dragon hates Israel (Rev 12:1,2) 

“1And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.”

2. The Great Red Dragon hates Jesus (Rev 12:3,4) 

“3And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.”

3. The Great Red Dragon hates angels (Rev 12:7-9) 

“7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.”

4. The Great Red Dragon hates the brethren (Rev 12:10) 

“10And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

From this study of satanology we can derive at several conclusions. First, the dragon will not succeed. Second, Jesus will prevail. Third, Michael and his angels win. Fourth, We are being accused by the accuser daily.

Conclusion: God reveals through His Word this war in heaven. Technically speaking, this will probably take place during the tribulation.

But Jesus Christ wins the war! Because He wins, we win!!

Introduction: Is America looking for a King besides King Jesus? Israel made the mistake of trying to make Jesus into a Political King (leader – Matthew – John). And since He did not fit their description, they rejected Him and ultimately crucified Him on a cross. Why? According to their laws, because He blasphemed God by claiming to be GOD!

Guess what? He was God (John 1:14). But not a Political God.

Instead, He was the Savior of the world who came to seek and to save that which was lost (all mankind).

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

1. Do you think America is guilty of what Israel attempted to do? Namely, to attempt to make Jesus Christ to be a Political Savior?
2. Don’t forget. One day Jesus will come again as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!
3. His Kingdom will be established but only after He judges the world during the tribulation.
4. He will rule and reign while Satan, the false prophet and the beast – the Antichrist, will be cast into a bottomless pit.
5. Jesus Christ’s Kingship will stand forever – even after the 1,000 year reig.n
6. His plan will be fulfilled, which was in the making from eternity past to eternity future, as He makes a New Heaven and a New earth, along with the New Jerusalem.

Conclusion: Jesus Christ will come again in His second coming as the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. He will establish His Kingdom on earth and rule and reign forever.

Isn’t that good news?

The young man, Timothy had a single heart and a fixed mind. Evidently he had allowed the Lord Jesus to work in his life. Keep in mind, both his mother, Eunice and his grandmother, Lois were very influential in shaping his “unfeigned” faith in Jesus Christ. Many believe that Paul was the one who led him to Jesus. Certainly, he discipled young Timothy who later served as a co worker and a Pastor.

2. Outside the Church (Acts 16:1,2).

“Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.”

This is key in serving the Lord. A man (or woman)must prove their self as to their loyalty to Jesus and faithfulness to His work through His Church. This means refraining from gossip, backbiting, or stirring up trouble in the Church.
Of course, we all fail at times, but it is then that we must make it right with our Lord and each other.

If the devil can get us at odds with each other, he has a foothold in the Church, but equally as bad in our spiritual life.
Unity is God’s will in the Church. Without it, the Church ceases to fulfill her VISION and MISSION. Granted, even though at times we “cross our wires,” but it is then that we must go to the CROSS and die to SELF so that the Holy Spirit is not grieved or quenched.

Introduction: Do you have good memories of CHRISTmas? Perhaps most of us do. But how can we continue to build good memories? Here are some suggestions:

1. Take time to SLOW DOWN your busy pace. (Matt 6:25-34)

“Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? …..O ye of little faith? 31Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
34Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

Simply put. Put the brakes on some things during this time.

2. Be deliberate in building UP your RELATIONSHIPS. (Col 3:8-14)

“8But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. 9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10And have put on the new man…
12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”

Relationships are more important than rules.

3. Watch OUT for unresolved conflicts. (Heb 12:15)

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”

Be quick to forgive.

4. Stay FOCUSED on our Lord’s will. (Phil 3:10-14)

“That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Walking in the Spirit of prayer gives us a clear vision of our Lord’s will.

6. CREATE an atmosphere of unconditional LOVE. (1John 3:14)

“14We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.

Without the love of God, we are tinkling cymbals.

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;

Let earth receive her King;

Let every heart prepare him room,

And heaven and nature sing,

And heaven and nature sing,

1. Jesus has JOY like a well! (Isa 12:3)

“3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

Joy to the world! the Saviour reigns;

Let men their songs employ;

While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains

Repeat the sounding joy,

Repeat the sounding joy,

2. The JOY of Jesus is our STRENGTH! (Neh 8:10)

“… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

A JOYFUL heart is like medicine.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,

Nor thorns infest the ground;

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found,

Far as the curse is found,

Far as, far as, the curse is found.

3. In His Presence is fulness of JOY! (Psa 16:11)

“… : in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”

Jesus is JOY. Has JOY. GIVES JOY.

He rules the world with truth and grace,

And makes the nations prove

The glories of His righteousness,

And wonders of His love,

And wonders of His love,

Conclusion: All we have to do is ask Jesus for His JOY! (John 16:24)

“24Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”

Will you ask Jesus for His JOY? Then ENJOY, His JOY!

Introduction: Can you tell there has been a cosmic shift in our culture when it comes to CHRISTianity? From Politics to the Pulpit, there is a trend of redefining biblical doctrine. What seems to be spelled out as a sinful practice has become socially acceptable. Unfortunately, this is the case even in CHRISTian circles.

However, a steady diet of the Word of God cuts diametrically opposed to this nonsense. Only those who are “walking in the light of the truth” of the Word of God will be able to discern the error. But stop and think. Most all of the prophets faced this dilemma. Many lost their lives because of their faith in the God of the Bible. Remember. Their names are engraved in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Just like the martyred saints who will be beheaded during the tribulation because they will not worship the beast or take his mark, their time will come. They will be rewarded by being resurrected during the millennial reign of Jesus Christ while on earth to rule and reign. 

So here is the up to date question, “are you a fence straddler?” Where do you stand? Do you lovingly take a stand for truth and righteousness? How much persecution are you willing to endure?

Please note these non negotiables:

1. All Scripture is inspired of God (2Tim 3:16; 2Tim 2:15)

“16All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

2. One must follow the proper method of interpretation of the Bible (2Pet 1:20,21)

“20Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 21For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.”

3. Lordship is more important that friendship or kinship (Luke 6:46)

“And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?”

(Luke 12:53)

“51Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

 4. Prepare to be persecuted (2Tim 3:12;2:12;1:12; 1Pet 4:12-19)

“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”

5. Rejoice and give God glory (Rom 8:18)

“18For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”

6. Be humble and take your place in the cross (Gal 6:14)

“14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Conclusion: The choice is ours. Are we going to be a friend of the world and an enemy of the Lord or a friend of Grace and hated by the world? 

“……know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God” (James 4:4).

1. Kindness (Eph 4:32)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

The word “kind” is χρηστός,(khrase-tos’), which means useful, gentle, pleasant, kind.

The opposite of gentleness is harshness, bitterness, or rudeness. Have you noticed? A bitter person will speak or react harshly. Yet, the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of Kindness. Are you a kind person or a bitter person? Are you jealous? Envious of others? Mad at God? Resentful because of your circumstances? Feel cheated? Angry at the world? Throwing a pity party? Revengeful?

The word “tender hearted” is εὔσπλαγχνος, which means tender-hearted, merciful, compassionate. Admittedly, with so much injustice and bitterness in this world, it is tempting to feel uncompassionate. Do you show compassion? Jesus showed compassion on the multitudes. And at the same time, He rebuked the Pharisees and others in the religious crowd because of their hypocrisy and self-righteousness. They felt that they were alittle “better” (superior – 1 up!) than others.

But listen. Praise His name because He imparts to us His compassion through the power of His Holy Spirit! If He did not, we would not have compassion. It is not in our nature. That is where the transforming GRACE of God changes us.

Forgiving is like releasing a debt. When you are “born again,” Jesus Christ releases the payment (wages Rom 6:23) for sin. This is possible all because Jesus poured out His life’s blood to pay for our sins. As we trust in His sacrificial death and resurrection God the Father releases the debt we owe, which must be paid (either by Jesus or in the lake of fire).

Did you notice “kindness and forgiveness seem to be related?

1. Eternal life! (John 3:36; 5:24)

“36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

“24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

When you have Jesus you have a guaranteed eternal life!

2. Abundant life! (John 10:10)

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Notice. This is not the subpar life in Christ, instead it’s the supernatural life in Christ!

God’s will results in either healing in this life or the life to come.

4. Purpose in life! (Rom 14:8)

“For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.”

Here we learn what our purpose is on this earth… it’s His will not ours to live.

5. Power in life! (Phil 3:10; Acts 1:8)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

That is the power source…the Holy Spirit!

5. Peace in life! (John 14:27; Phil 4:6,7)

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

This PEACE money cannot buy! It comes from Jesus.

6. Provisions in life! (Phil 4:19)

“9But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

Needs. Not wants. Big difference.

7. Contentment in life! (Phil 4:8)

“But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. 11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

Wow! What a state!!

8. Love in life! (Rom 5:5)

“5And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”

The love of God is the greatest of all!

9. Victory in life! (2Cor 2:14, 15)

“14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

Please pay attention that victory is in Jesus Christ, not ourselves.

10. Forgiveness in life! (Heb 8:12)

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

Even though at times we remember our sins, God does NOT!

11. Focus in life! (Col 3:1-4)

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.”

Since we are both crucified and risen with Christ, our focus changes from this life to the life which is to come.

12. Security in life! (Heb 13:5)

“5Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

This means never, no never! Thank you Jesus!

13. Rewards in life! (John 15:16)

“6Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”

Fruit abounding!

14. Good works in life! (Eph 2:10)

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Saved by grace; through faith; unto good works! In that order.

15. Wisdom in life! (1Cor 1:30,31)

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: 31That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.”

Jesus becomes our wisdom. I need it Lord daily!