Sunday Service - “Healthy Things Grow” Part 5

In part five of “Healthy Things Grow,” titled “The Fruit of a Healthy Life,” Senior Pastor Travis Tullis helps us understand from Galatians 5:16–25, 1 Corinthians 6:19, Romans 8:9, and Matthew 7:16 that everything that grows is not necessarily healthy. Jesus declares, “Ye shall know them by their fruits.” Therefore, spiritual health is not measured by titles, gifts, traditions, church activity, or busyness, but by the fruit our lives consistently produce.

Healthy fruit begins with surrender and walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:16 teaches that when we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh. The flesh represents our fallen, self-ruled nature that resists God. Therefore, we must mortify the flesh through daily surrender, prayer, repentance, obedience to God’s Word, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:24 reminds us that those belonging to Christ have crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts.

As a result, our surrender to Jesus connects us with the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we cannot manufacture spiritual growth or earn salvation through works; we serve because we are saved. According to 1 Corinthians 6:19, our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, while Romans 8:9 reminds us that the Spirit of God dwells within those who belong to Christ. As we remain connected to Jesus and walk with His Spirit, He renews our minds, redirects our desires, and strengthens our obedience.

Ultimately, as we surrender to the Holy Spirit and remain connected to Christ, He produces fruit in our lives that is manifested through love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

Thank you, Senior Pastor Tullis, for leading us forward and higher together and reminding us to be fruitful image bearers through pure hearts, healthy relationships, renewed minds, healthy habits, and healthy living abiding fruit.