New Year - New You! #1 Flesh vs. Fruit
2026 is a new year and our challenge is to be more like Jesus and less like the person we currently are. This is what the fruit of the Spirit is all about...not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking cl
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Grace Church holds a Meet & Greet for those who are newer to Grace Church on the 4th Sunday of each month following the service in CJ's coffee shop. It is a great opportunity to meet the staff and leadership of Grace Church and learn a little more about the church. It also gives us an opportunity to learn a little about you! Contact Leslie Booher if you have any questions ([email protected]).
Pick up a Harmony Study booklet on Sunday after church!
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Our Bible Reading Plan for 2026 is a study of the life and ministry of Christ using the harmony of the gospels. The printed booklet, ready for pick up on Sunday, lists all the passages to be studied for the week along with 4 questions you can answer in your personal study or with your H.O.M.E. Group.
Because this is a harmony of the gospels plan, you may want to use a harmony book (for example: The NIV Harmony of the Gospels by Robert L. Thomas and Stanley N. Gundry) but this is not essential to participate in the study.
We are very excited to dig deeply into the Word, to take our time to apply it to our lives and share the life-changing lessons and insights God has revealed to us during our time with Him. If you have any questions, contact Lisa Sterkenburg ([email protected]).
Sunday, January 25th - Ariana Dykhouse
Tuesday, January 27th - Hezakhaia Hunt
Friday, January 30th - Chris Webster
Tuesday, January 27th - Hezakhaia Hunt
Friday, January 30th - Chris Webster
Cards
Today we begin a new series that will run the next 10 weeks called New Year - New You.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
With the start of a New Year, many people think they are to tackle the Christian life like every other area of life; with personal resolutions and determined effort. But Scripture reveals something different. The Christian life is dependent upon God transforming our life and not just our whims, wishes, and willpower.
Paul wrote to the Corinthian church and explained to them that a fundamental change had taken place at the moment of their conversion.
2 Corinthians 5:17 [NLT]
2 Corinthians 3:18b [NLT]
The desired result is to become like Him and the divine process is conducted by God's Spirit over a period of time.
2 Corinthians 5:17 [NLT]
2 Corinthians 3:18b [NLT]
The desired result is to become like Him and the divine process is conducted by God's Spirit over a period of time.
2 Corinthians 5:17
BSB
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!
BSB
2 Corinthians 3:18
BSB
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
BSB
Many people are confused about this principle of transformation.
We've lived for decades following the sinful desires of our old nature. So while salvation has brought a new nature, we are still influenced by the habits, attitudes, and thinking patterns we've developed throughout our life.
We've lived for decades following the sinful desires of our old nature. So while salvation has brought a new nature, we are still influenced by the habits, attitudes, and thinking patterns we've developed throughout our life.
Paul wrote to another group of new believers in a letter called Galatians. They were trying to live their new life by human effort, following a bunch of rules and expending great energy by their self-effort. Paul reminded them that salvation came by faith alone, not self-effort.
Galatians 5:16 - the Apostle Paul refers to the lifestyle of unbelievers as the "desires", "acts", or "works" of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17-18 - he states that the lifestyle of the unsaved is contrary to the Spirit and that the followers of Christ are to live differently.
Galatians 5:19-21 - Paul identifies a long list of unflattering, corrupt, and evil behaviors and attitudes.
Galatians 5:16 - the Apostle Paul refers to the lifestyle of unbelievers as the "desires", "acts", or "works" of the flesh.
Galatians 5:17-18 - he states that the lifestyle of the unsaved is contrary to the Spirit and that the followers of Christ are to live differently.
Galatians 5:19-21 - Paul identifies a long list of unflattering, corrupt, and evil behaviors and attitudes.
Galatians 5:16-21
BSB
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery;
20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions,
21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
BSB
Many of these habits and attitudes are so ingrained into our lifestyle and thinking patterns, that many people who are new or immature Christians just default to them.
We have to ask ourselves if that is really how we want to live our lives.
This new year would you like to live differently? Have a different attitude, different reactions to the people and events around you, and a different power source than just you?
We have to ask ourselves if that is really how we want to live our lives.
This new year would you like to live differently? Have a different attitude, different reactions to the people and events around you, and a different power source than just you?
In contrast to the desires of the flesh, Paul went on in Galatians 5:22-23 to give a good picture of the transformation the Holy Spirit wants to produce in a believer's life.
Galatians 5:22-23
BSB
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
BSB
Each of the next nine weeks, we will study one aspect of the Fruit of the Spirit.
2026 is a New Year and God would like to see a New You. To be more like His Son Jesus and less like the person you currently are. This is what the Fruit of the Spirit is all about. Not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking closely with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25
2026 is a New Year and God would like to see a New You. To be more like His Son Jesus and less like the person you currently are. This is what the Fruit of the Spirit is all about. Not perfection, but progress. It's about what naturally begins to grow in us when we are walking closely with the Holy Spirit.
Galatians 5:24-25
Galatians 5:24-25
BSB
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us walk in step with the Spirit.
BSB
1. The fruit of the Spirit is singular, but it shows up in multiple ways.
2. The fruit of the Spirit can be seen and experienced by others.
3. The fruit of the Spirit takes time and has various seasons of growth.
4. The fruit of the Spirit can be hindered by our own resistance.
Ephesians 4:30 - Grieving the Holy Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Quenching the Holy Spirit
Ephesians 4:30 - Grieving the Holy Spirit
1 Thessalonians 5:19 - Quenching the Holy Spirit
5. The fruit of the Spirit is to Honor God and to Help Others.
