Hands

John 10:25-29 “I did tell you and you don’t believe,” Jesus answered them. “The works that I do in My Father’s name testify about Me.  But you don’t believe because you are not My sheep. My sheep hear My voice I know them, and the follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish – ever! No one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

These four verses pack a vast amount of information, and each part should give us believers great comfort. Let’s break it down.

Jesus is talking to the Jews who have asked if He was the Messiah. His response is He did tell them, but they didn’t believe. Jesus doesn’t force anyone to believe in Him. It is up to each person to decide what they believe.

Jesus tells the Jews His works testify about Him. As believers, what do our works testify about us? Are we talking about people behind their backs masking it as a “prayer request?” Or are we using our words to build up believer and lead the lost to Christ? You understand this point without my belaboring it.

Believers are followers of Christ like sheep follow a shepherd. There are benefits to being Christ’s sheep. We get to hear His voice. Do you know what His voice sounds like? It takes some practice in being still, worship, meditation, quiet time with God, praying, and being silent.  Let me tell you about God’s voice. 1 Kings 19:11-13 says the Lord wasn’t in the great and mighty wind that shattered cliffs nor in an earthquake nor in a fire. Elijah heard a voice, a soft whisper. Elijah was so overwhelmed by this whisper, he wrapped his face in his mantle. Zephaniah 3:17 says God rejoices over us with singing. OH, the things we miss out on by not listening for and hearing the voice of God.

Another benefit in being a follower of Christ is eternal life. We will never perish. The Greek word is “apollymi” which means to destroy fully. We may endure hardships, and our physical bodies may fail, but we will NEVER be fully destroyed because we have eternal life with Jesus in heaven. Does that give you peace and comfort? If it doesn’t, the next part should.

Once we are the sheep of this Shepherd, no one can take us out of His hand. Hands are amazing instruments. I remember as a child studying my daddy’s hands when I would give him a manicure. No one else I know has hands like my daddy. They are very distinguishable. Jesus’ hands have our names engraved in them (Isaiah 49:16), and do you know where they are engraved? In the palm of His nail-pierced hands…that’s where. He has purchased His sheep with His blood. He isn’t about to let someone snatch them out of His hands now.

I love the next part. It’s almost as if it’s like, “My dad is better than your dad” kind of thing. Jesus says His Father has given Him those who believe, and His dad is greater than all fathers including the father of lies, Satan. I want to remind you of what God’s “greater” looks like. Louis Giglio on YouTube “How Great Is Our God” will tell you just how big God is. Giglio loves space, and he gives the audience a small glimpse of the size of our God. The audience is left feeling small and in awe. If you ever forget how great your Father is or just need reminding, watch this clip. We serve a great God.

Father and I are one. They are unified. There is no division. They are 2 parts of the Trinity. These two agree. God is His witness.

If you choose not to follow Christ, it is your choice. If you choose not to follow Christ on earth, you cannot choose heaven later. The reward for choosing Christ on earth is having a Father who is waiting on us, created heaven for us, and if you deny Christ on earth, He will deny you in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).

His hands, His voice, His presence are a comfort to His sheep. This is why in Psalm 23 the sheep testify of the Shepherd’s rod and staff giving comfort. Those who do not know Him, who do not believe Him, do not have this comfort, nor do they understand it when you try to explain it to them.

Aren’t we blessed? We are safe and secure and comforted. If you aren’t giving thanks right now, you really should. I know I am.

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Works of the Flesh vs Fruit of the Spirit -- An Introduction

Our summer Bible study is about the Works of the Flesh versus the Fruit of the Spirit. As I prepared for this study, God stomped all over my toes.  I self-studied the fruit of the Spirit a couple years ago, so I thought I had a pretty good handle on this section of Scripture.  I stand amazed and thankful by how much more God has taught and grown me.   This time, instead of just studying the fruit of the Spirit alone, I studied the works of the flesh as well.

The visual I will use throughout this study is a bottle of soda and a bottle of fruit juice.   The bottle of soda will represent the flesh, and the fruit juice will represent the Spirit. 

“What’s on the inside is most important.”  

Have you ever heard someone say that quote? In order to know what's inside drink containers, we look at the label. Without labels, we'd have mystery liquids. If you look at a bottle of fruit juice, you will notice some labels say "contains at least 10% fruit juice." Isn’t that much like many Christians today with 10% of their lives lived for God not 100%? God wants 100%. 

Let’s consider these three words from Galatians 5:16-26: works, fruit, walk.

1.    Works - What is your motive?

The work is determined by our motive. When we are walking in the flesh, we are walking in our own power and strength which leads to our sinful nature. If we will allow the Holy Spirit to prompt, direct and produce our actions then we walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit brings glory to God, while walking in the flesh elevates our self. Both choices have consequences. What happens if I shake up the soda? It explodes.  Much like what happens to our life when we are walking in the flesh, our lives get messy.  Now, what happens when we shake up the fruit juice?  It gets better, sweeter.  The things that shake us while in the Spirit help to teach us and grow us in our walk.  They help us to become more like Christ.

How do you know if your works are things you’ve done in the flesh versus works produced by the Spirit? It’s a litmus test. Who is lifted up? God or ourselves. Matthew 5:16 (KJV) says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Who gets the glory by your work?

2.    Fruit – Where do you get your nourishment?

After we have chosen the Spirit, how do you grow your fruit? 

In a message on the Ohana Baptist Church website, the fruit of the Spirit is defined as:        

• “Fruit” – characteristics of the Spirit
•  “outward expression of power working inwardly which gives evidence of the character that produces it”
• “divinely empowered attitudes expressed in action” 

Did anyone notice that Fruit is singular and not Fruits?  It is one of the most misquoted Bible verses in the Bible.  Do you think it was a mistake? Of course not.  So how could it be singular with a list of nine fruits following?  Let's look back at our juice.  Although it has several fruits combined, it is still called “fruit juice” not “fruits juice.” After we are saved, God starts making us each into a unique blend of spiritual fruit.  Some of us have a little more patience than others. Some have more faithfulness.  There are many brands of fruit juices that all have their own special flavors. In fact, sometimes even fruit juices of the same kind from the same brand have different flavors.  We are like that.  Each with our own unique flavor.

Are you thirsty? Your thirst cannot be quenched if I drink for you.  You have to be the one drinking. In order to be filled with the fruit of Spirit, we must each be filled with God’s Word.

The seed was planted in our hearts when we asked Jesus into our hearts.  When we plant a seed, what do we need to make it grow? In order to grow, a seed must be watered. What do you do to water the seed in your heart? You spend time worshiping, praying, reading the Bible and spending time with God. But some fail to water the seed of faith and try to fill their lives with things of the world. As Luke 8:14 (ESV) says, "they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not mature.”

Sin is the weeds in our garden. Sin is what chokes the fruit of the Spirit. So how do we keep our garden free from weeds? The more we absorb the Word of God the more Christ can be reproduced in us through the Holy Spirit. Do you crave God’s word? Romans 12:2 (ESV) says, ”Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” The way to keep the weeds out, to keep sin out is continually renewing your mind and focusing on the will of God.

3.    Walk – What is your reputation? For what are you known?

 “Walk” – It’s a course of life, a continuous action. We all know someone who oozes kindness, or someone who is patient. Part of growing the fruit of the Spirit is not only to grow enough for yourself but enough to share with others. Matthew 12:33 (ESV) says, “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.”

This is just an introduction to the rich truths we'll be studying at Girlfriend Ministry this summer. Stay tuned for more posts about the works of the flesh vs. the fruit of the Spirit.