August 9, 2026 Welcome to Trinity!
Basic Theme: In Galatians 5:22-23, Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit as the visible evidence of a life led by the Holy Spirit rather than the flesh. This four-week series pairs the nine fruits to help our congregation understand, embrace, and cultivate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We’ ll explore how these qualities aren’ t achieved by willpower alone but grow as we surrender to the Spirit’ s work. Through biblical teaching and practical steps, we’ ll learn to abide in Christ, yielding our lives to His transforming power so that our character reflects Jesus and impacts our relationships, workplaces, and witness in a fruitless world.
Sermon Snapshot( Key Points):
Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, highlighting love and joy as foundational. Drawing from John 15, we discover that remaining in Christ’ s love through obedience produces complete joy. These aren’ t emotions we muster up but supernatural fruit born from union with Jesus. The Holy Spirit pours God’ s love into our hearts and fills us with joy unspeakable. This week, we’ ll examine barriers to love and joy and how abiding in the Vine enables us to bear this fruit abundantly for God’ s glory and our good.
So What?
In what areas of life am I attempting to generate love or joy through my own strength rather than abiding in Christ? How might my relationships change if I allowed the Spirit to produce greater love in me? What circumstances or attitudes are robbing me of joy, and how can I surrender them to the Holy Spirit?
Do This!
This week, serve someone with an unexpected act of selfless love expressing joy that reflects God’ s love for you.
Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23; John 15:9-11( NIV)
22
“ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and selfcontrol. Against such things there is no law.”
9
“ As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’ s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
11:11am Service Information:
Opening Music: So Much
Life. Church Worship
Cathedral
Cageless Birds Make Room The Church Will Sing / E. Smith
Communion Song: Oh, How I Love Jesus arr. Selah
Closing Song: Let God Come In
Cageless Birds Bill Maetschke, Praise Team Leader