1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:19-22 serves as a guiding light, revealing how our encounters with the divine can lead to the manifestation of spiritual gifts and the growth of spiritual fruit in our lives.
I am truly delighted to welcome you all today as we gather virtually to explore the profound theme of “Gifts and Fruit – The Outcome of Encountering God.” In our digital sanctuary, we come together as a diverse community seeking to grow in faith and understanding.
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As we journey through this sermon, may we open our hearts and minds to the rich teachings of Scripture and discover how encountering God can truly transform us from the inside out.
Before we begin today’s sermon, I want to share a personal experience with you. I, like many of you, have embarked on a spiritual journey filled with highs and lows, moments of doubt and moments of unwavering faith. In one particularly challenging season of my life, I encountered God in a way that left an indelible mark on my heart and soul.
It was a moment of divine presence and comfort surpassing all human understanding. Through that encounter, I witnessed the transformative power of God’s love, and it reinforced my belief that God is not distant but intimately involved in our lives.
Cultivating a Spirit of Discernment
As we start our reading into 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, let us pay particular attention to the instruction “Do not quench the Spirit.” This verse is a poignant reminder of the importance of cultivating a spirit of discernment in our journey of faith. It urges us not to stifle or extinguish the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives.
Discernment is the art of perceiving and understanding God’s leading in our lives. It involves recognizing the gentle nudges, promptings, and convictions the Holy Spirit imparts. It’s an essential skill in our walk with God, as it allows us to align our thoughts, actions, and decisions with His divine will.
In contrast, let’s draw from an Old Testament example found in Numbers 20:10-12, where we witness Moses’ disobedience. In a moment of frustration, he struck a rock instead of speaking to it as God had instructed. This act of disobedience led to consequences—Moses was denied entry into the Promised Land. It serves as a powerful illustration of what can happen when we quench the Spirit by acting contrary to God’s guidance.
In Proverbs 3:5-6, we find wisdom that complements the message of 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This reminds us true discernment begins with trust in the Lord.
When we lean on our understanding alone, we risk quenching the Spirit. However, when we submit to God and seek His wisdom, our paths become straight, and we cultivate a spirit of discernment.
Today, let us reflect on our own lives and consider whether we are quenching the Spirit or embracing discernment. May we trust in the Lord with all our hearts, seeking His guidance in all aspects of our journey. As we do so, may our spirits become more attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit, guiding us in the ways of truth and righteousness.
Testing ~ Holding Fast
In our exploration of 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, we encounter the valuable guidance to “test everything” and “hold on to what is good.” This underscores the importance of discernment in our faith journey. It encourages us to be open to various teachings and prophecies but also to exercise discernment by holding onto what aligns with God’s truth.
Balancing openness and discernment is a crucial aspect of our walk with God. While we should be receptive to different spiritual teachings, it’s equally vital to apply discernment to distinguish between what is true and what may be misleading. This balance ensures we are not easily swayed by every spiritual message that comes our way.
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The New Testament provides us with examples of testing and discernment. In Acts 17:11, where we read about the Bereans who diligently tested Paul’s teachings against the Scriptures. They didn’t blindly accept what they heard but searched the Scriptures to verify the truth of his words. This practice of testing aligns with the instruction in 1 John 4:1: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
These examples remind us, testing and discernment are not signs of doubt but expressions of faith. They help us safeguard our spiritual journey and ensure that we remain anchored in God’s truth. As we encounter various teachings and prophecies, may we be like the Bereans, testing them against the unchanging Word of God. In doing so, we hold fast to what is good and guard our hearts against deception, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.
Pursuing Holiness ~ Wholeness
Within 1 Thessalonians 5:22, we encounter a concise yet powerful command: “Abstain from every form of evil.” This directive serves as a profound call to pursue holiness in our lives. Holiness, in this context, refers to a state of moral and spiritual purity, marked by a separation from all that is evil or sinful.
The pursuit of holiness is not a mere suggestion but a central theme in our Christian journey. It signifies our commitment to align our lives with God’s character and will. By abstaining from evil, we actively distance ourselves from behaviors, attitudes, and actions that oppose God’s goodness and righteousness.
In the Old Testament, we find a similar call to holiness and consecration. Leviticus 11:44 declares, “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy because I am holy.” This divine declaration emphasizes, our pursuit of holiness is rooted in the character of God Himself.
Just as God is holy, we are called to be holy.
Supporting this idea, Hebrews 12:14 instructs us to “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness, no one will see the Lord.” This underscores the significance of holiness in our faith journey. It’s not a passive endeavor but an active pursuit that requires diligence and intentionality.
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As we contemplate these teachings, let us consider the depth of our commitment to holiness. Are we actively abstaining from evil and striving to live in accordance with God’s holiness?
The pursuit of holiness is not a destination but a lifelong journey, one that leads us into a closer and more meaningful relationship with the Lord. May our lives continually reflect His holiness, drawing us ever nearer to the presence of our gracious and holy God.
Application: Nurturing Gifts ~ Fruit
When we reflect on the outcomes of encountering God, it’s essential to apply these insights to our personal lives. Each one of us has a unique journey of faith, and we’ve all experienced moments when God’s presence became undeniably real.
Take a moment to think about your own encounters with God. Perhaps it was during a time of worship, prayer, or a particularly challenging season in your life. These encounters often leave us with a sense of awe, gratitude, and a deep longing for more of God’s presence.
In the context of 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21, these encounters with God are like seeds planted within us. They have the potential to grow into spiritual gifts and bear the fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 beautifully describes this fruit as love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
So, how can we actively nurture and develop these outcomes in our lives? Here are some practical steps:
Cultivate a Spirit of Thankfulness – Begin each day with gratitude for the encounters you’ve had with God. Gratitude opens our hearts to receive more of His presence.
Seek His Presence Daily – Dedicate time in your daily routine for prayer, meditation, and reading the Word. These practices help you stay connected to God.
Use Your Spiritual Gifts – Identify and use the spiritual gifts you’ve received. Serve others with love, encourage fellow believers, and contribute to the growth of God’s kingdom.
Practice the Fruit of the Spirit – Intentionally work on manifesting the fruit of the Spirit in your interactions with others. Be a vessel of God’s love, joy, peace, and kindness.
Fellowship and Community – Engage with your fellow believers. Encourage one another, share your faith experiences, and create an environment where encounters with God are celebrated and shared.
Remember, nurturing these outcomes is a lifelong journey. It’s about allowing the encounters we’ve had with God to transform us from the inside out. As we actively participate in this process, we become living testimonies of His love and grace. May the fruit of the Spirit flourish in our lives, drawing others to the beauty of encountering God.
Call to Action: Active Engagement with God
I want to issue a heartfelt call to action. We’ve explored the significance of encounters with God, the cultivation of spiritual gifts, and the bearing of spiritual fruit. Now, it’s time to put these insights into action and actively engage with our heavenly Father.
The first step in this journey is to deepen our relationship with God. It’s not enough to be passive observers of our faith; we must be active participants. This means seeking God with all our hearts, minds, and souls. It means opening ourselves to His presence, His guidance, and His transformative power.
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Let us eagerly desire the gifts of the Spirit, as 1 Corinthians 14:1 encourages us to do. The pursuit of spiritual gifts is not driven by self-interest but by a desire to serve and build up the body of Christ. As we actively engage with God, we position ourselves to receive and use these gifts for His glory.
Furthermore, let us actively cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Love, joy, peace, and all the other fruits are not mere ideals but living expressions of God’s presence within us. We can nurture these qualities through our interactions with others, through prayer, and through a continual surrender to the Holy Spirit’s work within us.
Here are some practical ways to actively seek encounters with God:
Dedicated Prayer – Set aside specific times for prayer, not just for your needs but to commune with God, listen to His voice, and seek His guidance.
Immerse in Scripture – Regularly engage with the Bible. Let the Word of God speak to your heart, providing wisdom, comfort, and direction.
Community Worship – Attend church services, join small groups, and engage in fellowship with other believers. Corporate worship can be a powerful source of encountering God.
Service and Acts of Love – Serve others with love and kindness. As you do, you become a conduit of God’s love, and encounters with Him can happen in the midst of serving.
Seek the Gifts – Ask the Holy Spirit to bestow spiritual gifts upon you, and then actively use them in ministry and service.
Let us rise to this call to action, actively engaging with God, eagerly pursuing spiritual gifts, and cultivating the beautiful fruit of the Spirit in our lives. In doing so, we become vessels through which God’s presence shines brightly, not only transforming us but also impacting the world around us. May our lives be living testimonies of encounters with our loving and gracious God.
Closing Thoughts…
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Before we bring our time together to a close, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your engagement and your desire to grow in your walk with Christ. It’s been a privilege to explore the theme of “Gifts and Fruit – The Outcome of Encountering God” with you today.
I want to leave you with a challenge and a blessing. The challenge is this: Pursue encounters with God with all your heart. Be intentional about seeking His presence, and be open to the transformative power of those encounters.
As we’ve discussed, they lead to a life marked by spiritual gifts and the beautiful fruit of the Spirit. Thank you for being part of our online congregation today. May you continue to walk in the light of God’s love and grace
And now, as we conclude, I offer you a final blessing:
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
May you go forth from this moment with a renewed passion to seek God’s presence in your life, knowing that He is always near, ready to encounter you, and lead you into a life of gifts and fruit.
Let us not be remiss in graciously thanking all of the Church Junction Foundation supporters with their prayers, evangelism efforts of faith in spreading the good news about ChurchJunction.com, providing personal testimonials of trust and encouragement, and especially the hard earned financial support we have received. Yes, it is the Body of Christ who makes all of this possible. Amen. God Bless you…
