Message Title: Love in a Self-Centered World
Date: October 4, 2020

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2. What it's not:
Never self-oriented, "what's in it for me?"

How do we express this fruit?

--Your roots determine your fruit.

If we want different fruit in our lives, we have to examine where are roots are being placed.

--Our roots need to be rooted in the love of God!

--Our task: dare to believe this is not only true, but that it is the truest thing about us.

Conclusion
Love is the fruit bearing evidence of our relationship with God.

--If we are rooted in God's love for us, God's love will flow out of us.
-----Love small

-----Love sacrificially

Pressure reveals priorities. What has COVID pressure revealed in you?

PCC BENEDICTION
May you jump into the arms of Jesus and may He push out into the world. May you be healed as you participate in the healing of others. Not because you must, but because you may. This is why we were born!

BEYOND SUNDAY
The Essentials 9-week series will focus on what it means to reflect the character of Jesus. Each week, we will wrestle with one of the essential characteristics of Jesus with the hope of it bearing fruit in our lives as we become more dependent on the Spirit to lead us. This week our focus is on the first fruit of the Spirit - love.

1. In his message on Sunday, Gary, our lead pastor, talked about OREOs having a consistent and good brand recognition, regardless of the different ways they make them. How do you feel Christians are doing in having a consistent and good brand recognition in all their different expressions in the world?

2. When it comes to having a consistent & good Christian brand that reflects Jesus, what does Paul, the author, say to his audience about how their brand should represent themselves? Read Galatians 5:16-26. Why is reflecting Jesus’ characteristics so important and how does it relate to Jesus’ desire declared in John 13:34-35?

3. In order to be one who reflects the fruit of the Spirit, we must realize there is a battle going on that hinders it. Reflect on Galatians 5:16-23. Who are the opposing sides? When does this battle start and end? How aware are you of this battle inside of you? How willing are you to fight to reflect the essentials of Jesus’ character on a scale of (not interested) 1 to 5 (passionate)?

4. Christopher J.H. Wright says in Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit, “Fruit takes time; character takes time.” Consistency is the key to making changes in any area of our lives. When we want spiritual changes, like developing the fruits of the Spirit, we also need consistency. Over time, this involves having consistency in experiencing God’s love, meditating on His Word (Bible), praying, being in accountable relationships and depending on the Spirit of God. Review Galatians 5:16,25 / John 15:5. If the Spirit is our power source or super power for change, how do you hear and be guided by the Spirit? Or is this a new concept to you?

5. A key line in the Sunday message shared from the book Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit was the following: Love is the (fruit bearing) evidence of our relationship with God. This is a profound and convicting statement. How does this make you feel about yourself, your relationship with God and your ability to reflect this essential trait of Jesus? Fill in the blank: If I am not plugged into our super-power (Holy Spirit), the essential fruit of love that God wants me to reflect in my life, will look _________.

6. Reflect on Ephesian 5:1-2. If walking in the way of love of Jesus comes in the form of small and big sacrifices from us toward others, who and how is God calling you to love? And how will you let the Spirit of God guide you?

Series Daily Prayer: “Heavenly Father, I pray that this day I may live in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self- control.” --John Stott (1921-2011), evangelist and scholar

Actions & Resources
--Make space for God this week. Declare the prayer daily.
--Ask God how you can show sacrificial love to someone.
--Memorize The Fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5;22-23
--Read Chapter 1 in Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit by Christopher J.H.Wright
--Join a 9-week Group: Cultivating The Essentials (Men, Women, Coed) - see below
--Join a House Church -- see below

For PCC's Fiscal Year:
June 1, 2020 through May 31, 2021:

Giving Update
Goal: $4,072,337
Giving to Date: $944,193
Still Needed: $3,128,184