Worship on the Third Sunday after Pentecost
10:00 am June 29, 2025
Minister: Rev. Brad Childs
Music Director: Binu Kapadia Guest pianist: Kimberly McMann
Vocalist: Lynn Vaughan Welcoming Elder: Darlene Eerkes
Children’s Time: Brad Reader: Jan Ray Moncada
We gather to worship God
Music Prelude
Greeting
L: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
P: and also with you
Lighting of the Christ candle
Welcome and announcements
Preparation for worship
Call to worship:
L: It is good to give thanks to God;
P: Let us sing praises to God’s holy name!
L: We will declare God’s steadfast love in the morning,
P: And God’s faithfulness night after night.
L: Let us make a joyful noise in our worship!
P: For God is good and we know God’s blessings.
L: Let us worship God with grateful hearts;
P: We will give God thanks in our prayers and praise.
Opening praise: I give you my heart
Prayers of approach and confession
Loyal and bountiful God,
You made our minds to grow smarter.
You made our hearts to love more.
You made our voices to sing your praises forever.
We come to worship you happily,
Looking to Jesus for help and direction.
Fill us with your Holy Spirit
So that we show the good qualities you want from us.
Help us worship you truly,
And follow Jesus’ example..
Loyal and bountiful God,
You ask us to follow you, no matter what.
But we often choose to stay where we are.
You give us new chances,
Yet, we often repeat the same choices based on our own wants.
We make excuses to avoid changing.
Please forgive us, God.
Clean us with your forgiveness,
And give us energy to serve you, even when it’s tough
Assurance of God’s forgiveness
Through Jesus, we become a new creation; the old life is gone and the new life begins! Know that God loves you and forgives you. Don’t be scared to start fresh!
We listen for the voice of God
Children’s time
Story
The Lord’s Prayer (535)
Song: This is a story full of love (504: vss 1,2,5,6)
Scripture: Galatians 5:1,13-25
Message: Freedom in the Spirit: Breaking the Yoke
Have you ever felt trapped by a set of rules or expectations? Like you’re constantly trying to measure up, but never quite succeeding? That’s what it’s like to live under a “yoke” of legalism, where faith becomes a burden instead of a liberation. According to the Apostle Paul, Christians are supposed to live “yoke-free”. We are called to break free from that yoke and experience the true freedom God offers – a freedom not just from rules, but for a life of love, joy, and purpose.
When we talk about freedom here, it’s not just about escaping legalism—those religious rules and ordinances that were imposed from outside. Instead, it refers to the positive, essential spiritual liberty that God desires for each person. This liberty isn’t just some kind of freedom to do whatever we want; it’s the freedom that God purposes for all people, a freedom that is rooted in the renewal and relationship we have with Him.
Romans 8:2 reminds us that this freedom must be morally qualified. True freedom means acting responsibly—using our liberty to serve others, rather than simply indulging in self-interest or selfish desires. This points us toward love—care for others—as the natural and fitting fruit of faith in Christ.
In the context of Galatians, we see that Paul is addressing conflicts within the congregation, likely caused by the influence of Judaizing teachers who imposed strict religious rules. These disputes threaten to destroy their fellowship. The conflict in Galatia wasn’t just theological; it was deeply personal. People were arguing, judging, and even breaking fellowship over these issues. Paul knew this infighting was destroying their community. That’s why he emphasized that Christian freedom should lead to love—a love that seeks the well-being of others.
The trap is thinking we can earn God’s favour by following rules. However, Paul suggests that instead of focusing on external regulations, we’re directed to the internal transformation that occurs when we’re connected to Jesus. He contrasts “works of the flesh” (selfish desires) with the “fruit of the Spirit” (qualities that naturally flow from a life lived in relationship with God).
These aren’t qualities we can manufacture on our own. They are the byproduct of the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. We can’t create them, but we can nurture them. Think of it like an apple tree: you don’t have to try to make apples; if the tree is healthy and thriving, apples will naturally appear. As John 15:4-5 says, “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
The congregations in Galatia are at risk. They are on the verge of breaking apart. And really, this is not some old problem from long ago. How many churches today are being torn apart because people aren’t patient with each other or kind to one another? How many close because the people aren’t good to each other or loving? I’m reminded of an old minister from this congregation who once said something that has stuck with me. He said, “If we don’t care for our staff and our congregation, how can we even pretend to care for the world around us?” It’s a good point, and because of that, I’ve never been able to get it out of my head.
How many congregations die out because they lose their joy? How can a church be a light on a hill if it has no light? In Pentecostal circles, sometimes they refer to this as being a “dead church” (one with no real life in it). This is what Paul is talking about. Paul counters this threat by emphasizing that Christian freedom should produce the kind of love that seeks the well-being of others through benevolent action and mutual service.
This love is rooted equally in faith in Christ and manifests as a joyful, willing service to one another in liberty. This is the love that the Gospel gives us, one that overcomes division and fosters a sense of community.
In antiquity, the Greek Philosophers would often create what we call “vice lists”. These were short lists of unethical or immoral conduct used to promote ethical behaviours. At the time, especially among the Stoics and Epicureans, vice lists were a common shorthand for community expectations. Paul is well-read. In the scriptures, Peter pronounces a list of vices in 1 Peter 4:3. John of Patmos provides another in Revelation 21:8. And Paul gives us at least four different lists. One is in Romans 1, another in 1 Corinthians 6, one is in 2 Timothy and here in today’s reading, we have one more. However, much like in the works of Marcus Aurelius, some 100 years after Paul, the apostle also provides a list (not just of vices but also of virtues). It’s a virtue list. Rather than just a bunch of things to avoid, these are qualities to cultivate and develop. They are attributes the Christian community should embody as people, found in God’s grace. He calls them the “fruits of the Spirit”. These virtues are the fruits of the Spirit listed here: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
In verses 22 and 23, Paul makes clear that these fruits are works of the Holy Spirit, produced naturally within us when the Spirit is at work. They reflect the very nature of Christ Himself. They are the byproducts of Christian control—something we cannot produce simply by effort or rule-following, but only through connection with Jesus. As John 15:4-5 tells us, we must abide in Him, know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. Only then will these fruits grow in us and allow us to fulfill God’s primary law: to love God and to love our neighbours.
I read this little story on Wednesday. A woman had a dream that she wandered into a shop at the mall and found Jesus behind the counter. “You can have anything here that your heart desires”, he said. Astounded but pleased, the young woman asked, “I’ll take peace, joy, happiness, wisdom and freedom from fear”. Then she added, “Oh and not just for me, but for the whole earth too!”. In her dream, Jesus smiled widely and then responded. “I think you misunderstood me, dear child. We don’t have fruits here; only seeds”.
The fruit of the Spirit has to germinate and be cared for into being. It’s not just something you pick off the grocery store shelf. It has to be lived and loved into existence. The growth of these qualities isn’t about legalism or effort but about trust. Jesus said in Matthew 12:33-37 that a tree is judged by its fruit. And the most convincing evidence of the Gospel’s truth isn’t just words or arguments but the visible fruit of the Spirit in our lives. Interestingly, some circles try to set the fruit of the Spirit against the gifts of the Spirit, as if one is more important than the other. But a balanced believer embraces both. The gifts empower us to serve more effectively, and the fruits show the character Christ is shaping in us.
Paul’s address here is both about individual character and community life. Remember, he’s speaking to a congregation caught in squabbles and infighting. Of course, these are good qualities for everyone to possess in their own personal lives, but ultimately, the virtues he lists aren’t just personal goals—they are meant to be nurtured within the entire church community. They help us serve one another and love our neighbours. And they are the things that make a congregation what it’s meant to be.
Here Paul lists: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
- Love: There are three common words in Greek for Love. Eros is a passionate and romantic love. Philia is a love for family or a friend. However, here Paul uses Agape, representing an undefeatable benevolence—a kindness and goodwill that seeks the highest good for others, regardless of who they are or what they’ve done. Rather than a feeling, it is an action. It’s a giving love that asks for nothing in return and doesn’t consider worthiness. This is the kind of love that Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, which we hear quite often at weddings. It states, “Love is patient, kind, not envious or boastful, not proud or dishonouring, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeping no record of wrongs, rejoicing with the truth, always protecting, trusting, hoping, and persevering. And because this Agape is always selfless and is an act and not an emotion, if it is lived out, the bible tells it “it can never fail”. A congregation must represent this type of love to bear fruit.
- Joy: This isn’t just happiness, which can be fleeting. The joy mentioned here is more profound, rooted in God and coming from Him. According to Strong’s Greek Lexicon, the word chara encompasses gladness or a source of joy. This divine joy brings serenity and steadiness that is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in our relationship with God. Last week, I felt like a bit of a failure because we were walking through the mall as a family, and (I know they were joking, [though Maddie, I think, enjoys twisting the knife a bit more than most but), the kids were trying to think up high and lofty questions. And Maddie gave the old standby, “What is the purpose of life?” and hinted that human beings at times appear to be God’s playthings, as if God is a child in a sandbox with a bunch of toys. I know it probably goes in one ear and out the other, and it doesn’t help that I’m their father, but I have repeated the answer to this question countless times because I genuinely believe it’s the best answer to this question that has ever been given. It’s the first question and answer in the shorter catechism. Many people in this room probably memorized it for confirmation.
If you are a young person right now, this most likely sounds a little wild. However, many years ago, teenage kids in the Presbyterian Church would attend weekly meetings for between 2 and 3 years, where they would memorize a set of 196 different questions, along with their corresponding answers. When I do baptisms for young adults, there is only one catechism question I require people to read. It’s the only question I ask kids to learn when I do a baptism for a young person. It’s the first and in my mind the most critical question and answer among the lot. The question comes, “What is the chief end of man?” (In other words, what’s the purpose of life?) And the answer replies, “The chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever.” A congregation bearing together the fruits of the Spirit must be grounded in a life that is not based on rules but upon glorifying God and enjoying God forever. But is that how we live? Is that what people think of when they think of Christians? It should be, if we embody these fruits together. It should be.
- Peace: The Greek word eirēnē often refers to inner peace and to some extent forgiveness. After Peter and the other disciples abandoned Jesus to the cross and ran away, Jesus came and appeared to them in the upper room. And his first words to them were not, “Why did you abandon me?” He said, “Eirene [Peace], I give to you.” This peace is not just the absence of strife or war or argument within the congregation, but also a forgiveness. It’s prosperity through harmony, both internal and external. It also includes a trust that it will last forever, because God will bring about our salvation, both now and in the eternal future. It’s peace knowing that through forgiveness we will never be separated from Him or His Heavenly kingdom. It’s security for the soul itself. At almost every celebration of life service I do, I put these words as the call to worship. Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ prays for us. In Jesus Christ we are forgiven. Peace is the knowledge and faith that the only person worthy of judging us, wont.
- (Patience) or, probably better said, Forbearance: Often translated as patience, this word means much more. Most accurately, it refers to the ability to endure or tolerate something for a long time. The Greek words makrothumia and hupomone describe a person’s ability to endure difficult circumstances, persecution, or injustice without losing composure or seeking revenge. What is being talked about here is how well we act while we wait for God’s promises to unfold, knowing that someday they surely will. Instead of reacting in anger or bitterness, this virtue embodies restraint and hopeful endurance, much like God’s own attitude described in Exodus 34:6—”slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity.” A congregation that grows fruit and lives in harmony is a congregation that will long-suffer through trials, knowing how the story ends. It will wait for things to come, trusting and without anger or resentment. And even when a person “knows” they are right, they can still live in friendship and care because they have forbearance and are assured that all will be revealed in the end.
- Kindness: I’m sure you’ve deduced this already, but here, kindness isn’t just about being nice to people. It’s acting for the good of others without expecting anything in return. It involves being adaptable and mellow. In Greek, they often referred to old wine as chrestos, which literally means smooth and mellow. The longer the wine rested, the older it got the more the flavour mellowed. In a figurative sense, the word was also used at times to describe an elder – people with age and wisdom and a gentle approach. Have you ever noticed this in your own life? Have you witnessed someone mellow with age. There is a calmness to this sort of kindness. That’s what this fruit of the Spirit is. Rather than harshly demanding that others change to suit us, a believer’s kindness seeks to become flexible and responsive to others’ needs, showing wisdom and maturity. I’m working on this one. I’ve been far too ridgid in the past.
- Goodness: This quality emphasizes moral excellence—living with virtue, integrity, and a genuine joy in doing what is right. It’s about having a heart that seeks to embody what is right. However, it’s not just a personal morality, such as righteousness. It’s an active virtue that cultivates the good of the community as a whole and above self, through the demonstration of consistent moral character. I am reminded of a retired minister I knew in Vancouver. He came to the congregation when they were very broken. The music director had held the majority of the power in the congregation and made everything divisive. And when he decided to leave to spent a lot of time building himself up and putting other people down. When he finally left, he took the choir and their families with him and started his own congregation. It broke the church to pieces. When this new minister arrived, his job was much like that of a medic trying to help heal wounds. When I asked him how he dealt with those early and difficult years, he told me in his rather sweet Irish accent: “Brad, I just loved them.” And then he repeated it, “I just loved them”. That’s more advice I will never forget. Goodness isn’t just about being moral, it’s about putting your time and focus where it truly belongs. If I can do half of what he did, I’ll die proud.
- Faithfulness: Faithfulness is a trait that combines trust and reliability. It describes both our trustworthiness and our trust in God. Faithfulness entails a commitment to the congregation, loyalty, and an unwavering belief. This is what the author of Hebrews exemplified in Hebrews 12:2, when it speaks of fixing our eyes on Jesus as being “the author and perfecter of our faith,” who endured the cross for the sake of what was to come. It’s easy to give up on a church or complain about the inevitable “politics” that come with any organization. As the old saying goes, “This Church would be perfect if it weren’t for all these people”. People mess up. But the faithful live in hope and stay to see things through. This “faithfulness” Paul speaks of is a devotion to God but also to the local church, even when things don’t go your way (and they often don’t when we live in community). The fruit of the Spirit is a kind of sticktoitiveness. It’s taking the high ground without complaint and a lot of trust that (as 1 Philippians says), “He who began a good work in us will continue his work until his work in us is finished”.
- Gentleness: Being gentle is based on finding a balance between strength and meekness in the biblical sense. It is a virtue whereby you do not exert yourself just because you can. It means relinquishing power that you might otherwise wield to get your way. And it’s also a disposition that is calm, even-tempered, and unpretentious. It operates through faith and tends to seek peace and understanding rather than dominance or aggression. It preserves harmony and shows respect for others. And when you have the ability to force change but work with gentleness instead, you bear this fruit.
- Self-Control: Lastly, self-control (enkrateia) involves mastery over our thoughts and actions. It’s not just about resisting temptation but about living with discipline and strength—control in all areas of life. This virtue reflects an inner strength that stems from trusting in God’s power at work within us.
This is not just about willpower, but is about NOT living “according to the flesh” as Paul stated at the beginning of this section. Yes, it is about avoiding the things on Paul’s vice list. But more than anything else, it’s about living according to the Spirit’s leading. And it’s about not being mastered by something other than God. As that great prophet once said, “You gotta serve somebody”. But I would add to that – You only have to serve just One somebody to do life right. This is about controlling one’s impulses, finding inner strength, and it’s an ever-evolving and ongoing practice.
…..
When all these qualities are present and active, they provide a perfect picture of how the church, as a community, should function. It’s easy to say that the bible teaches us to love our neighbour as ourselves. However, truth be told, “love” is a loaded term that can mean many things to different people. Stalkers think they “love” their victims. They don’t. Here, the bible also teaches us exactly what “love” looks like within the walls of a congregation, and it’s not always easy. Here is where the bible describes love between fellow Christians. The fruits of the Spirit show us how to love our neighbour as ourselves and how to not just attend a church, but be the Church.
Paul concludes with a simple yet powerful statement: “Against such things, there is no law.” These virtues are universally good—they fulfill the law’s highest purpose, which is to love God and love others and they show us exactly how to do that.
Ultimately, the entire message invites us to embrace the freedom that the Spirit bestows upon us — a freedom rooted in love, guided by the fruits of the Spirit, and expressed in community through acts of service, kindness, and virtue. This freedom is not about doing what we please but about living out the way of Christ—believing in His Spirit and allowing Him to cultivate these qualities in us.
True freedom in Christ isn’t about doing whatever we want; it’s about allowing the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. It’s about walking in the Spirit, cultivating these fruits in our lives, and loving one another as Christ has loved us.
This is how we break the yoke of legalism and endless rules. It’s how we live in true freedom—by walking in the Spirit, loving one another, and allowing God’s virtues to shape us into the people He calls us to be. And it is how a congregation is intended to live together in peace and truly be a living church and a light on the hill for all to see.
And if I may be so bold, so far, in my life here with you, this is the congregation I’ve been with that best embodies the fruits. Maybe I’m just here at the right time. All congregations have struggles. But first, I praise you and thank you because He has clearly begun a good work in you. And second, I pray that we can all continue to stay connected to the vine, be a light on the hill, fulfill our purpose, truly “love” and nurture these fruits and allow God to build on the things God has already begun in us as He completes His work. Amen.
Song: Lord of all power (626)
We respond to serve God
Our time of giving
Prayers of the people
God of mystery and mercy,
God of our past and future,
We come to you with all our hopes, dreams, challenges, and blessings.
We bring everything on our hearts and minds to you today,
Thankful for the good things,
Seeking your comfort and strength,
Listening for your guidance.
God of purpose and promise,
Hear our prayers.
God of life and love,
You are with us in our lives when we need you most.
We pray today for everyone worried about their future,
And those facing challenges at work or home.
We think of those burdened by sickness or worry,
And those caring for people who need support.
Help us all face our fears and challenges with your love.
God of purpose and promise,
Hear our prayers.
God of courage and comfort,
When we struggle with any burden,
Your Spirit prays with us in deep ways no words can express.
We pray for those whose burdens seem too heavy:
For victims of violence or disaster, and their loved ones… (pause)
For refugees at risk in many places,
especially those who fled Ukraine and Palestine… (pause)
For those in despair and poverty in our community
and forgotten parts of your world… (pause)
Strengthen those facing challenges beyond their control,
And equip our leaders to support those in need.
God of purpose and promise,
Hear our prayers.
God of the world and its people,
We pray for our country and leaders as we prepare to celebrate Canada Day.
Help Canada be a force for justice and well-being.
Give our leaders wisdom and honesty to make good choices for everyone who lives here.
Open our eyes and hearts to serve each other.
Help us hear cries for justice around us
And guide us in fixing strained relationships.
God of purpose and promise,
Hear our prayers.
Song: Give me oil in my lamp (655)
Sending out with God’s blessing
Paul writes that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” Go out, filled with the Spirit and guided by the Spirit, to bear the fruit of the Spirit to all whom you meet, both today and everyday. Amen.
Music postlude
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Numbers in brackets after a song/hymn indicate that it is from the 1997 Book of Praise of the Presbyterian Church in Canada. Those and other songs are being used in accordance with the specifications of Dayspring’s licensing with One License (3095377) and CLC (A735555).
The Rev. Brad Childs retains the copyright (© 2025) on all original material in this service. As far as Brad Childs is aware, all of the material that has not been attributed to others is his own creation or is in the public domain. Unacknowledged use of copyrighted material is unintentional and will be corrected immediately upon notification being received.
Video recordings of the Sunday Worship messages can be found here on our YouTube Channel.