In Galatians 5, Paul tells his readers that they were called to be free. We are not, however, to use our freedom to indulge the sinful nature, but to instead serve one another in love (v13). It’s in this context that he speaks about the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are the atributes we should expect to see in people who have been saved by grace. We expect to see them not only because real Christians make an effort to show this fruit (in keeping with God’s commands) but also simply because when the Spirit is working in us, we cannot avoid showing it.

When Paul speaks of ‘love’ at the start of the list, what does he mean? Is he talking about romantic feelings or sentamentality? Is he saying Christians should be the greatests celebrators of Valentine’s Day?

BLESSED BEYOND REASON Peter Smit, 09-11-4

Sermon 1 of a series on Ephesians (Series title – “Ephesians: Portraits of the living church”

Text – Ephesians 1:1-14

Reading – Acts 19

Paul’s letter to the Ephesians is a portrait of the living church.

It captures the church in all its differing aspects of beauty and power. More importantly it helps us see the head of the church, God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.