Sermon Notes 16 November 2025

Series: Fruit That Lasts – Living the Spirit-Filled Life
Week 3 – Fruit Over Feelings: Seeing and Doing What the Father Does
Pastor Ryan Perry Sermon 16 November 2025
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Series Theme

• The Holy Spirit doesn’t just give power—He grows the life of Jesus in us.
• Power without character is dangerous; gifts without growth are hollow.
• Discipleship isn’t information—it’s formation:
• Christ-likeness, shaped by the Spirit as we stay rooted in Christ.

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Discipleship is not emotional inspiration but disciplined imitation — seeing what the Father is doing and doing it through the power of the Spirit.

John 5:19 (ESV) – “The Son can do nothing of His own accord, but only what He sees the Father doing.”

Honoring Our Heroes – Today we honor our veterans and first responders — men and women who live by courage, conviction, and community.

1. The Call to See and Do –  John 5:19

• Jesus didn’t act on impulse; He moved by imitation.
• Discipleship begins with seeing what God is doing and joining Him in it.
• When we see His compassion, we show compassion.
• When we see His mercy, we extend mercy.

2. Enlisted in the Mission –  2 Timothy 2:3–4

• “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
• Following Jesus means living with focus and purpose.
• The cross is our enlistment signature — daily obedience replaces self-rule.

3. Training for Godliness –  1 Timothy 4:8

• “Bodily training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things.”
• Physical training strengthens the body; spiritual training strengthens the spirit — and what’s strengthened in the spirit endures forever.
• We grow strong together. A lone soldier is a target; a unit is a force.

4. Gifts, Authority, and Kingdom Order

• Every soldier has a role; every believer has a spiritual gift — a divine assignment for the good of the whole.
• We are under authority so that we can act in authority.
• True authority flows from submission to Christ.

• The Kingdom isn’t a democracy — it’s a theocracy ruled by a perfect King.
• We don’t elect Jesus; we submit to Him.
• We don’t vote on the mission; we obey it.

• Our Commander doesn’t send us to battle alone. He leads from the front.
• He took the cross before He ever asked us to take ours.
• He leads from a cross of courage, not a throne of comfort.

5. Obedience Through Love –  
John 14:23

• “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.”
• Obedience is not legalism; it’s love in action.
• The Word you obey today becomes the fruit you bear tomorrow.

 Matthew 7:16

• “You will recognize them by their fruits.”
• The Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control — the visible evidence of an obedient heart.

6. The Brotherhood and Sisterhood of Faith –  Galatians 6:2

• “Carry one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
• The Church is a spiritual platoon on mission — not a crowd of individuals, but a Kingdom family united in purpose, growing and fighting together in faith.

ALTAR CALL
“Discipleship is God’s daily enlistment call.
Today, Christ isn’t calling you to comfort but to commitment —
not just to believe, but to belong.”
Come forward and say:
“Lord, I see what You’re doing, and I will do it.”

Closing Benediction
“May the God who called you to this mission keep you faithful in the fight, steadfast in the Spirit, and bound together in love — until the Commander of Heaven returns and says,
‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’”

Sermon Reflection Questions

1. How is the Holy Spirit inviting you to join the work God is already doing around you?
2. Where in your life have you been reacting from emotion rather than following God’s direction?
3. What step of obedience do you sense God calling you to take this week?
4. What role has God assigned you in His Kingdom mission?
5. How can you strengthen the brotherhood and sisterhood of faith this week?
6. Who in your church family might need you to “cover their six” in prayer or encouragement?
7. How can you help someone feel that they belong in the family of faith?
8. Where have you seen God’s character reproduced in your actions?

Verses

• John 5:19
• 2 Timothy 2:3–4
• 1 Timothy 4:8
• John 14:23
• Matthew 7:16
• Galatians 6:2