Equipped for Partnership

Power In the Blood Assembly
Sep 21
4 min read

Updated: Sep 23

This excerpt, drawn from a sermon by Rev. Dr. Eric Peters on "Equipped for Partnership" and referencing Galatians 5, emphasizes the distinction and purpose of the Gifts of the Spirit versus the Fruit of the Spirit. The core message is that believers are called to liberty, which should be expressed by serving one another through love, fulfilling the law, and resisting the destructive works of the flesh by choosing instead to walk in the Spirit. The text highlights that while spiritual gifts equip believers for ministry to others, the Fruit of the Spirit—qualities like love, joy, and peace—is the natural produce of Christ’s influence and provides the essential character needed to maintain the unity of the church family. Ultimately, developing this spiritual fruit is presented as necessary evidence of a genuine encounter with Jesus and a dependence on God, actively transforming believers to reflect Christ's nature in their interactions.

Galatians 5:13-26 13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. Keep in Step with the Spirit 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

God has provided us with everything we need to ensure we can fulfill all His expectations.

Modern Christianity is focused significantly on the gifts of the spirit but we must understand the purpose of both.

The fruit of the Spirit is the natural produce of his gracious inward influence, the spontaneous and inevitable result of his uniting us to Jesus Christ. Philip Graham Ryken

Gifts & Fruits of The Spirit in Partnership

Gifts equip us to be used by God to minister His power to others in the exercise of ministry. Be warned that not all gifts come from God so it is not a reliable indicator of one’s genuine connection with God. Matthew 7:22&23
The gifts are understandably more attractive as the appeal to the needy side of humanity but are temporal. However, fruit is not very appealing at it focuses on not giving or receiving but becoming something that our nature rejects.
Fruit equips us with the character necessary to facilitate our dealing with each other and maintaining the family of God.
The successful development of the fruit of the spirit forms in us the reflection of Christ.

1. Fruit is necessary for everyone regardless of position. John 15

2. Fruit is the what we produce that is evidence of our encounter with Jesus. Matthew 7:15-20

3. Fruit is an indication of where we are planted. Psalm 1

4. One fruit produces all these qualities.

5. Flesh produces actions that are consistent with its nature, Spirit produces a nature that produces fruit.

6. Fruit and works impact the people around us.

7. Fruit of the spirit is evidence of our dependency on God. John 15:5

Application

The objective of the fruit of the spirit is to produce in us qualities that will enhance and determine how we serve each other. Vs 13
2. Without fruit we can endanger and end the spiritual lives of each other. Vs 15
It is impossible for flesh and spirit to dwell at the same time in the same place. Vs 17
The spirit requires submission but the law requires servitude.
The works of the flesh are simultaneously self destructive, rebellious and self seeking.
The fruit of the Spirit changes us in preparation for the service of God to others.
The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of the life of the Spirit. Vs 25