Galatians - The Battle Within | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

The Battle Within | Pastor Greg Ford Sermon | One Church Columbus

ICEBREAKER:

How did you see God move this last week?

Summary:

Pastor Greg Ford’s sermon at One Church discusses the internal struggle faced by every believer as described in Galatians 5:16-26. He emphasizes the ongoing battle between the desires of the flesh and the leading of the Holy Spirit. The sermon calls for believers to seek transformation through the Spirit, live according to God's Word, and engage in community accountability. Ultimately, Ford highlights that our faith should be expressed through love and that true freedom comes from yielding to the Spirit.

Key Points

  1. The Nature of the Battle: Understanding that all believers face an internal conflict between fleshly desires and spiritual aspirations.

  2. The Role of the Holy Spirit: Importance of yielding to the Holy Spirit to overcome the flesh and to develop a Christ-like character.

  3. Community and Accountability: The necessity of being part of a supportive community that encourages spiritual growth and provides accountability.

  4. Transformational Living: Emphasis on the importance of recognizing one’s pride, fear, and appetites and allowing the Spirit to transform these areas.

  5. Expression of Faith: True faith is expressed through love and service to others, reflecting Christ’s love.

    • Scripture References

    • Galatians 5:16-26 (NIV):

Conclusion:

Pastor Ford's message reminds us that the battle within is a reality for all believers. However, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can find victory over our fleshly desires. By actively participating in a community of faith and expressing our love through actions, we can reflect Christ's love and truly live according to His will.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How have you experienced the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in your own life?

  2. In what ways do you think being part of a community can help you grow in your spiritual walk?

  3. What specific fruits of the Spirit resonate with you, and how are you cultivating these in your life?

  4. How does understanding the conflict between flesh and Spirit help you deal with personal struggles?

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we come before you acknowledging the daily struggle between our desires and your will. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who guides and empowers us. Help us to walk in step with the Spirit, producing the fruit of love, joy, and peace in our lives. May we find strength in our community, supporting one another as we navigate our faith journey together. Transform our hearts and minds, helping us to surrender our fears, pride, and appetites to you. Allow us to express our faith through acts of love and service. We ask for your guidance and strength in this battle within. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

One Church