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The Fruit of the Spirit is PEACE

Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit Pt. 3 / Presented by Pastor Carl Lodico

  • The fruit of the Spirit is a description of the Spirit of God

  • Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

    The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
  • Confusion of how we find peace is in our If Onlys: If only my circumstances were peaceful then I would have peace.

    Jesus promised that we could have peace in the midst of all the storms that defy peace.

  • Living in the eye of the storm = Abiding in Christ

  • Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

    You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.

  • John 15:5 (ESV) )

    I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

  • 1. Living in the eye of the storm means knowing that God is at work even though I may not see it right now.

  • Joshua 3:15-16 (ESV)

    As soon as those bearing the ark had come as far as the Jordan, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were dipped in the brink of the water (now the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest), 16 the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap very far away, at Adam…were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Jericho.

  • 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 (ESV

    Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

  • 2. Living in the eye of the storm means knowing the love of God is personal even though I may not feel it right now.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:24-29 (ESV)

    Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; 26 on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; 27 in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?

  • Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV)

    For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

  • Romans 5:1 (ESV)

    Therefore, we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

  • John 14:27 (ESV)

    Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

  • ICE BREAKER:

    What’s the worst weather storm you remember experiencing? Was it exciting or scary?

    Share about one of your biggest life storms you went through or are going through.

  • CONNECTING:


    1. Read the following verses and write down everything you learn about God’s peace.

    Psalm 85:8 Isaiah 9:6, 7; 53:5 John 14:27; 16:33 Romans 5:1-6; 14:17 Ephesians 2:14-15 Colossians 1:19-22 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Hebrews 13:20, 21

  • CONNECTING:


    2. Read the following account of peace that came to the disciples in the midst of a storm in Mark 4:35-41. Describe the storm. How is this similar to our storms?

    Describe the disciples. How are these responses like ours?

    Describe Jesus’ response. How does Jesus’ presence give us peace in our storms?

  • TAKE IT HOME or for discussion in your small group:

    1. From the following verses, describe what you can do to cultivate this fruit in your life.

    Psalm 119:165 Proverbs 3:1, 2 Isaiah 26:3; 32:17 Romans 8:6; 12:18-21 2 Corinthians 13:11 Ephesians 4:1-3; 6:13-17 Philippians 4:6, 7 Colossian 3:15-17 James 3:17, 18 1 Peter 3:10, 11 What has especially encouraged you? Challenged you?



    2. Think over the peace you have with God…with people…with circumstances.

    Where is peace missing? Why? How will you proceed now? Remember, while we cultivate this fruit by walking in the Spirit, He produces it in us! Make it your goal to walk obediently this week!

    3. Thank God for the aspects of His character you have seen revealed in this lesson.

    Ask God to bring you peace in the parts of your life where it is missing.

    Fruit of the Spirit / Personal Assessment

    Throughout this teaching series continue asking the following questions regarding the fruit of the Spirit.

    Week 1: Love
    • How tender is your heart towards God and other people?
    • Do you find yourself habitually engaging in acts of servanthood?
    • Do you ever have a critical, judgmental spirit in your heart?


    Week 2: Joy
    • What is your current “irritability factor?”
    • Are you more inclined to speak words of complaint or gratitude?
    • How often did you laugh this week?
    • How often did you laugh last week?
    • Are you able to choose Joy in times of frustration or difficulty?
    • Do you find yourself, even now, rationalizing your lack of Joy?


    Week 3: Peace
    • To what degree are your heart and mind at rest in God?
    • How consistently are you troubled or anxious?
    • Would people who know you describe you as being contented or discontented?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
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