Dear brethren,

After the Feast of Tabernacles last fall, we began our new season of study of God's word, and its application in our lives.  The two main topics of our focus for this year are "The Fruit of the Spirit" and "Grace."  Both of these areas of study directly affect our lives every day, and ultimately our salvation. 

In addition to our Sabbath messages, the focus in our Men's Speaking Class and Bible Study, and in our Ladies Studies has been on the fruit of God's Spirit.  By "fruit" we understand that something good is produced in our lives over time, through the Holy Spirit that God gives to us.  That is, we grow in spiritual ways so that our character is improved, becoming more like that of our Father and Jesus Christ.  It has been very encouraging to see the growth in understanding and the examples of these aspects of God's character increasing in the congregations.  I cheer each of you onward in your personal study and progress.   

Let's now take another step in understanding.  We are also to "...grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18).  I've been studying this week to learn more of how these two subjects ("the fruit of the Spirit" and "grace") work in harmony to spiritually empower and transform our lives.  Each element of the fruit of God's Spirit is evidence of God's grace, a gift from God to each of us individually.  Through this study I've seen more clearly one of several important keys to this quality of spiritual growth in our lives.  This key is simple, but profound.  In order for us to grow in grace, we must show grace to others.  In order for the fruit of the Spirit to be produced in us, we must share the fruit of the Spirit with others.  This principle is shown in various ways, and summarized very well in 1 Peter 4:10, "As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."

In the sermon this Sabbath we'll consider some of the passages that can help us understand more fully this fascinating area of personal spiritual growth and service.  I plan to include a few "how to..." principles along the way.  I hope you find this message as interesting and edifying as I have in preparing it.       

Sincerely,

Roc Corbett