Follow the Holy Spirit not the World

The Holy Spirit
Written By Tommy Smith

Sermon Notes

Walking by with the Spirit

TODAY’S PASSAGE

Galatians 5:16-24 ESV… But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

THE CALL TO WALK BY THE SPIRIT

  • Believers are literally the temple of the Holy Spirit… 1 Cor. 6:19-20

  • Believers are called to “walk by the Spirit”… Gal. 5:16

  • Believers are called to “keep in step with the Spirit”… Gal. 5:25

  • “Walking by the Spirit” is contrasted with “walking with the world”… Eph. 2:1-3; Col. 3:5-7

WALKING BY THE SPIRIT IS KEY TO VICTORY OVER THE FLESH

  • One of the key benefits of walking in the Spirit is victory over the flesh… Gal. 5:16

  • Walking by the Spirit isn’t something we add “to our life”… it becomes our very “way of life”

WHEN WALKING BY THE SPIRIT YOU CAN’T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS

  • The Spirit and the flesh are opposed to another… Gal. 5:17

  • Believers cannot walk by the Spirit… and flirt with the world!

WALKING BY THE SPIRIT PRODUCES CONVICTION… NOT CONFUSION.

  • The works of the flesh are obvious… Gal. 5:19-21

  • The spirit of this world is not a neutral spirit… James 3:15

THOSE WHO ARE “WALKING” WILL BE “PRODUCING”

  • The fruits of the Spirit are powerful displays of the Spirit’s work in our lives… Gal. 5:22-24

  • The world may hate us but there will be no denying the fruit they see the Holy Spirit producing through us.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

  • What does it mean to “walk by the Spirit”?

  • What are some of the benefits to “waking by the Spirit”?

  • Why is it impossible to serve both the Spirit and the flesh?

  • Is anything distracting you from “keeping in step” with the Spirit”?

Tommy Smith
Previous

Resolute to Follow Jesus
Next

Resolute to Take the Cross