Living By The Spirit

A lot of Christians have had a powerful moment with God… and then Monday hits. Life happens. Pressure builds. And suddenly we’re trying to produce spiritual fruit through sheer effort, perfectionism, or performance. From Galatians 5, we learn that the Christian life isn’t about trying harder to be good, it’s about surrendering to the Holy Spirit, following His leading, and letting true fruit grow from the inside out.

Key Takeaways:

Live Surrendered Surrender is a choice. It means letting the Spirit lead—even when His desires challenge yours. The question becomes: What’s driving you? Fear? Approval? Habit? Wounds? Or the Spirit?
Live Sensitive Living by the Spirit means learning His “yes” and “no.” Listening for His prompting, conviction, restraint, and direction—and responding quickly when He speaks.
Live Serving Fruit is evidence, not effort. It’s not just for you—it’s for others. The fruit of the Spirit shows up relationally: under pressure, in conflict, and in real life. If the Spirit leads your life, people benefit.

You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to stay submitted. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just visit you—He wants to lead you.

Series: Fresh Wind

Date: January 25, 2026

The Holy Spirit

Message Notes

Galatians 5:22–25 (NLT) — 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

Galatians 5:17 (NLT) — 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

Three Ways To Produce True Spiritual Fruit

1. Live Surrendered

Surrender is a CHOICE.
What surrender looks like:
1. Waiting when you want to go.
2. Leaving when you want to stay.
3. Speaking when you want to be quiet.
Acknowledge that SOMETHING is driving you.
1. Desire
2. Fear
3. Wounds
4. Approval
5. Habit

2. Live Sensitive

Follow the Spirit’s leading
1. Galatians 5:25 (NLT) — 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
2. Listen
3. Pay attention
4. Live with a yes
Conviction
1. Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's conviction.
2. When you really begin to pay attention to the Holy Spirit, some things that used to be okay for you will be challenged.
3. You have to respond to His conviction; there is another person living with you now.
Direction
1. Galatians 5:18 "But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law"
2. “When Paul says ‘led by the Spirit,’ he uses a word that means to be guided or carried along, not driven by rules or forced by fear. It’s the language of relationship, not regulation.”
3. He’s taking you somewhere, leading.
  1. Practically
    1. Decision making, choices, career.
  2. Relationally
    1. Friendships, relationships, partnership.
  3. Spiritually
    1. Burden to pray, share your faith, pray for someone, etc.

3. Live Serving

Fruit is evidence, not effort!
Fruit is enjoyed by you, experienced by others - FOR OTHERS
Fruit shows up relationally.
If the Spirit leads your life, people benefit!

Someone to Lean On

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill

Pt. 2

Focus on the Promise!

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill

Pt. 3

The Holy Spirit: The Indwelling and the Baptism

Pastor Joakim Lundqvist

Pt. 4

Living By The Spirit

Pastor Jonathan Stockstill