INTRODUCTION

1. The Work of the Spirit of God with reference to Salvation

a) Regeneration Titus 3:5

b) Seal Ephesians 1:13

c) Guarantee Ephesians 1:14

2. The Work of the Holy Spirit with reference to our Sanctification

a) He teaches us how to be holy

b) He enables us to become holier

c) Invariably, He helps to cultivate Christian character

 

THE CHARACTER OF GOD APPRECIATED

1. Manifestation of love

“But God demonstrates His love toward us,

In that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8

2. Giver of Joy

“Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” John 16:24b

3. Peace

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you;

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

 

THE LONGSUFFERING OF GOD

1. Paul’s Salvation recounted and shared with Timothy

a) Confession of Paul

i) Blasphemer 1 Timothy 1:13a

ii) Persecutor 1 Timothy 1:13b

iii) Insolent man 1 Timothy 1:13c

iv) Unbelief 1 Timothy 1:13d

b) Salvation given to Paul

i) Exceedingly abundant grace 1 Timothy 1:14a

ii) With faith 1 Timothy 1:14b

iii) And love 1 Timothy 1:14c

iv) Obtained mercy 1 Timothy 1:16a

v) All longsuffering 1 Timothy 1:16b

2. The Longsuffering of God

a) The word “longsuffering” has the following nuances

i) Great tolerance

ii) Patience

iii) Endurance

b) Paul appreciated all the things that God had shown him

i) A cluster 1 Timothy 1:14-16

ii) Longsuffering is part of the cluster

 

PRAYING FOR THE CULTIVATION OF OUR CHARACTER
(Colossians 1:9-11)

1. Knowledge

“Filled with the knowledge of His will

In all wisdom and spiritual understanding” Colossians 1:9

a) Knowledge of God’s will

b) Wisdom

c) Spiritual understanding

2. Walking worthy

“That you may walk worthy of the Lord

Fully pleasing Him” Colossians 1:10a

a) Honouring the Lord

b) Fully pleasing Him

3. Fruitfulness

“Being fruitful in every good work” Colossians 1:10b

a) Fruitfulness

b) Every area of good work

4. Increasing in knowledge

“Increasing in the knowledge of God” Colossians 1:10c

a) Knowledge must not be stagnant

b) It must ever increase

5. Strength

“Strengthened with all might, according to His power” Colossians 1:11a

a) God’s power

b) Made mighty

6. Patience and longsuffering

“For all patience and longsuffering with joy” Colossians 1:11b

a) Patience (perseverance)

b) Longsuffering with joy

 

GOD’S CALLING

1. Walk worthy

“Walk worthy of the calling with which

You were called” Ephesians 4:1

a) Consciousness of Calling

b) Commitment to walk worthy

2. Features of this Walk highlighted:

a) Humility

“With all lowliness and gentleness” Ephesians 4:2a

b) Gentleness

c) Longsuffering

“With longsuffering, bearing with one another

In love” Ephesians 4:2b

 

CONCLUSION

1. Fruit Cluster

a) Love

b) Joy

c) Peace

d) Longsuffering

2. Challenge to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit

a) Praying

b) Practising each fruit taught

c) Power of the Lord to be sought