The Story of Three Gardens

Genesis 2:8-9, Revelation 22:1-2,
Luke 22:39-46

Gardening for some people is a pleasant pastime. For others it is a passion.
This morning I brought in some things that can be grown in a garden – fruit and some that are not grown in a garden -junk food. Let’s take a moment to compare these items: (Overhead 1)
Fruit [...]

Consider it Joy?

James 1:2-4

Main point – Joy is more than happiness.
This morning we begin with a musical experiment. I need three volunteers to see if we can get these glasses of water to “sing.” (Select volunteers).
As our volunteers rubbed the top edge, the water vibrated. You could hear the vibrations that came across as sound. If [...]

Peace – The Illusive Fruit?

John 14:27

Over 20 years ago a retired couple, concerned about the threat of nuclear war, decided to carefully research the safest place on earth to which they could move and live. They studied and traveled, traveled and studied.
Finally they found THE PLACE. And on Christmas they sent their pastor a card from their [...]

Patience- The Impossible Fruit

Colossians 1:11

Main point – The fruit of patience is an expression to the long haul in our commitment to Christ.
We begin this morning with a brief review of our current series on the Fruits of the Spirit. We began with a look at love. Then we examined joy. Last week we spent some time [...]

Kindness-The Serving Fruit

2 Samuel 9:1-13
Kindness is love, joy, peace, and patience in action.

Introduction: (Overhead 1)
Steve Sjogren’s story of he and the store manager in his book Servant Warfare.
“You’re what?”
“I have a mind to call the cops.”
“If it makes you feel good – go ahead.”
“Would someone like me, fit in?”
“ Yes, you would!”
He goes on to [...]

Goodness: The Fragrant Fruit

Ephesians 5:1-2

Main point – Goodness is a fruit that is best given away by the example of our lives.
Introduction (overhead 1)
1.The fragrance test with two men. (Adapted from Tasting The Fruit of the Spirit, Group Publishing, 2003)
2. The college prank played on me with my cologne.
Review of series (overhead 2)

1. We are more [...]

Faithfulness: The Bonding Fruit

(This sermon was done in outline form)
Matthew 25:13 – 30

Main point – Faithfulness is evidence of how attached we are to God.
Introduction: (Overhead 1) Faithfulness

E-mail survey:

Who/what do you trust the most?
Top three most frequent responses:

i. Family
ii. Best Friend
iii. [...]

Self-Control: The Balancing Fruit

I Corinthians 6:12, 10:23

Last Sunday I asked you to be ready to share ways that we demonstrate the Fruits of the Spirit as a church. That will take place in a few minutes, as we first need to address the final fruit – self-control.
There have been a few “experiments” if you will during this [...]