November 02, 2025

CULTIVATE: THE POWER OF LOVE AND THE REWARD OF JOY

November 02, 2025

 Pastor Jonathan Falwell

In November, we will study the Fruit of the Spirit as found in Galatians 5:16-26. A beautiful verse in 2 Peter 1:3 is one we can learn from and grow in our spiritual life—if we take it to heart. “His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.” As we study the fruit that should be apparent in our lives as we walk under the leading of God the Holy Spirit, we see a promise: all that we need to live a life of joy and love is found in Scripture. But—like vitamins in the bottle on a shelf, or a doctor’s advice if it isn’t followed—that fruit only comes when it is internalized in our hearts. Join us as we learn how to be joyful and loving to everyone.

Focal Passages: Galatians 5:16-26, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.

The Spirit-filled life:

  • Read Gal. 5:16. Paul begins by giving an action and a consequence. What Spirit is he talking about? When did the Holy Spirit make His entrance into the lives of the believers in the early church? Where is He now, in your life as a believer?
  • When was the Holy Spirit first mentioned in the Bible? (Gen. 1:26). The early church understood the Trinity. Is He as fully God as the Father and the Son? (Acts 5:3, John 14:26, Rom. 8:11, 1 Cor. 3:16). Is He a Person? Can we talk to Him?
  • Can we love Him, and be loved by Him? How can we grieve the Holy Spirit? Does that mean He will leave us? What are some of His functions in our lives?
  • Does the Holy Spirit fill us with power? What kind of power do we have from Him? What are the first steps we can take to give the Holy Spirit power in our lives to resist sin? If we walk in the Spirit, will we rise above the lusts of the flesh?
  • Read vv. 22-23. In an orchard or a garden, which plants produce good fruits or foods? How is that like us, if we listen to the Holy Spirit, or obey Satan? What fruit is produced by the Holy Spirit? Can you have any of the other eight fruits if you lack love? Why is that? Read 1 Cor. 13:13. Why does Paul come to this conclusion?

The beginning of the Spirit-filled life–Love:

  • Read Gal. 5:22a. As you walk under the power of the Holy Spirit, what must you have in order to bear fruit? Read Matt. 22:34-40 and Luke 10:27. What does Jesus mean in these passages? How do we show that we love the Lord with all our heart?
  • Read 1 Cor. 13:4-8. Which of these is the hardest to do? How can we do these? What is the first thing the Holy Spirit has to have if we conquer this mountain? Why does he say Love never fails?
  • What are some steps we can take to love others in a life-changing way that works miracles in our lives and that will eventually bear godly fruit?

The reward for the Spirit-filled life–JOY:

  • Read Gal. 5:22b. What is the meaning of JOY? How does Joy differ from Happiness?
  • How often do we confuse joy and happiness? If we truly have a heart that is willing to be used by God to love other people, how would that produce joy?
  • Read James 1:2. What are some ‘trials’ that you can think of that happen in our lives? How can we be joyful when something dreadful happens without being a hypocrite?
  • Read Neh. 8:10b. What does this verse mean? Read John 15:5-11. What can we learn about the relationship between God’s joy and our joy?

The power of the Spirit-filled life—LOVE and JOY:

  • For us: If we have joy as a result of walking under the leading of the Holy Spirit, will other people notice? Has that been you in the past? Is it you now?
  • To others: If you begin loving other people, will this be a ‘new’ you? Read Philippians 2:3-5. How does this show us exactly how we should treat others, and how does that rebound in our joy?

ACTION:

  • Look for the barriers to walking in the Spirit. 5:19-20 lists many of the distractions that will grieve the Spirit, perhaps quench Him, and render you useless.
  • See others for who they are: God’s beloved creation. Remind yourself daily that every person you encounter is the Apple of God’s eye.
  • See the best, even in the worst. Remind yourself that if this situation is permanent, you can either fight against God or find joy in the offering. Choose joy. We do have a choice.

Close:  

What a marvelous God we have! Just think—if we had been raised in a country that worships idols, man-made, as Scripture says, with part of the wood or other material that you use also to make a chair to go with your table, we would have been doomed. But we are blessed by having a God-breathed Bible that tells us of God’s love for us. It tells us how He let Jesus, His only Son, come to earth to die for our sins, and it tells us of God the Holy Spirit who will indwell our bodies to lead us in paths of righteousness! All of that is too awesome for words. Then couple that with the knowledge that He also grants us the power He has used to create the world, to rise from the grave, and to feed the thousands. Yet the Holy Spirit uses this power so that we can become a valuable tool for God to bring others into His Kingdom. It’s all too much for frail, ‘dusty’ humans to take in. He will one day allow us to be with Him forever. What a day that will be!

By Sandy Day

November 02, 2025

“If God is truly your Father, He won’t let you live a double life for long.”

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