We have been briefly discussing how the seedbed of the fruit of the Spirit is New Testament church life. Of course, another main seedbed of this fruit is family life. This is why both of these, church life and family life, are under such an assault in our times. However, it is during these times...

Before we study the fruit of the Spirit and into much more about our inheritance in the Promised Land, we must first prepare the ground for the seed so that it can bear fruit, which is what we have been doing for the last few weeks. The good soil for that seed is the church. Church life, with all...

As we have studied in II Corinthians 9:8-10, it should be the goal of every Christian to have: 1) all grace, abounding 2) all sufficiency, in everything 3) an abundance for every good deed 4) our seed multiplying so that we have even more for sowing Take this personally. This is the state of normal...

As we continue our study of the Promised Land, we want to be more specific about what the promises of God are for us. Just what does a “land of milk and honey” mean for us as Christians? It is a place of prosperity and blessing, which is to be enjoyed with thanksgiving. However, if we have truly...

One reason why we spent so many weeks examining the works of the flesh before doing this study is because our carnal, selfish nature must be dealt with before we can be entrusted with the true riches of the kingdom. Some of this is dealt with as we learn to handle earthly riches. Even so, we are...

As we have discussed, Israel was not just called out of bondage, but into the glorious freedom of God and into a new land of promised prosperity and blessing. Likewise, we are not just called out of this world, or this present evil age, but we are called to the kingdom of God. It, too, is a place...

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Galatians 5:13-14). Before we begin to examine the...

Now it came about when they had finished circumcising all the nation, that they remained in their places in the camp until they were healed. Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you." So the name of that place is called Gilgal to this day. While the...

Briefly reviewing what we have covered earlier in this study, after Paul recited the experiences of Israel in the wilderness, we read: “Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (I Corinthians 10:11). This...

The last of the works of the flesh that Paul lists in Galatians 5 is “carousing.” This is more than just joking around. The Greek word that is translated implies being loud and foolish. The carnal nature is prone to being self-centered and likes to be the center of attention. The more we let the...