Scripture References: Galatians 5:16-26; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Corinthians 13:1-13; 1 Corinthians 14:1; Colossians 3:16

Intro: Welcome. We're in our "Good Ground" series on the Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5). Last week we looked at self-control as foundational. Today, we address a common tension in the church: the relationship between the Fruit of the Spirit (character like love, joy, peace) and the Gifts of the Spirit (empowerment like prophecy, healing, tongues). Do we emphasize one over the other? Paul shows us we need both.

Key Points:

1. The Context: Spirit vs. Flesh (Gal 5:16-23): Paul contrasts life lived by the Spirit (producing good fruit) with life lived by the flesh (producing obvious "works" like strife, jealousy, division – prevalent today). The call is to walk by the Spirit.
2. Fruit Focus: Becoming Like Christ: The Fruit of the Spirit describes Christ-like character. Growing this fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—is essential. It's about who we are becoming.
3. Gifts Focus: Empowered for Mission (1 Cor 12): The Gifts of the Spirit (wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, tongues, interpretation etc.) are diverse empowerments given by the same Spirit for the "common good"—building the church and advancing God's mission. They relate more to what we do in His power.
4. The False Dichotomy (Fruit OR Gifts): Churches and individuals often lean towards one emphasis, sometimes viewing the other with suspicion:
   • Fruit-Focus ("Fruities"): May emphasize Word, character, natural growth, quietness; potentially wary of supernatural gifts or emotional expression.
   • Gift-Focus ("Gifties"): May emphasize Spirit's leading, experience, power, public manifestations; potentially neglecting deep character formation or careful grounding in the Word. Paul wrote Romans (Word/Fruit emphasis) and experienced/encouraged Gifts (raised the dead, 1 Cor 12-14). We need both.
5. The Biblical Balance: Both/And:
   • Love is Supreme, Gifts Desired: 1 Cor 13 highlights love (fruit) as the indispensable context for gifts. But 1 Cor 14 immediately commands, "Pursue love, and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy." It's not either/or.
   • Word AND Spirit: The Spirit inspired the Word; they work together.
   • Natural AND Supernatural: God works through both means.
   • Character AND Calling: God shapes who we are (fruit) and empowers what we do (gifts).

Conclusion: A healthy, biblical Christian life embraces the fullness of the Holy Spirit's work. We need His fruit developing godly character and His gifts empowering effective ministry. Prioritizing one while neglecting the other leads to an incomplete and less effective expression of Christ's body. Let's eagerly desire both.

Call to Action: Examine your own emphasis. Do you lean more towards Fruit or Gifts? Ask God to broaden your perspective and appetite. If you focus on Fruit, ask the Spirit to activate His gifts in you. If you focus on Gifts, ask the Spirit to deepen His fruit of character in you. Pursue love AND eagerly desire gifts.

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