#5 Emnity

Notes

In this sermon from Redeemer's "Flesh and Fruit" series, Pastor Aidan delves into the destructive work of enmity—our natural hostility toward others and God that fuels conflicts from petty grudges to global wars and genocides. Drawing from Scripture like Ephesians 2 and Romans 5, he exposes how this sinful impulse permeates everyday life and defies God's commands, yet finds ultimate resolution in the gospel: Christ's blood breaks down dividing walls, unites enemies as one in Him, and reconciles us to God through faith alone. A powerful call to embrace peace with man and God, culminating in a reflective Lord's Supper invitation.

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 

 The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2025), Ga 5:16–26.