Rev. Thomas E. Walker

March, 7, 2004

“Back to The Basics” 

part 1

John 3:6

The theme of this book of John is to prove that Jesus is the son of God and that all who will believe will have eternal life. By believing in Jesus Christ the anointed one we live. John the apostle son of Zebedee brother of James who where called “the sons of Thunder” John is writing to new Christians and non-Christians about who Jesus Christ is he also brings out some unique things about the Gospel of Jesus Christ over ninety percent is unique. John has the burden to prove to the non-Christian and assure the new Christian that there is a different in the carnal and the Spiritual man. The idea of a Christian being carnal minded is a contradiction in it self, John takes us back to the basics.

Sometime it is good to go back to the basic or the beginning to learn or to understand something’s. Remember John starts out in chapter one with in the beginning; Why did he do this, there is one reason and one reason only to show that God established and order. So when we encounter those things that are from heaven we will know that they are from heaven and when we encounter those things form this world we will know that they are from this world.

Points:

1.     The problems of the flesh

2.     The promises of the flesh

3.     The power of denying the flesh

1.     The problems of the flesh

a)     FLESH

a)Scripture uses the term “flesh” to apply to the physical body of creatures, the essence of human existence, as well as the sinful nature of humans.

a)

b)    The flesh is Carnal meaning it is acceptable to sin

                                        I.      1a having the nature of flesh, i.e. under the control of the animal appetites.

                                     II.      1a1 governed by mere human nature not by the Spirit of God.

                                  III.      1a2 having its seat in the animal nature or aroused by the animal nature.

                                 IV.      1a3 human: with the included idea of depravity.

                                    V.      1b pertaining to the flesh.

                                 VI.      1b1 to the body: related to birth, linage, etc.

The promises of the flesh:

a)     Genesis 6:3
3 And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.

b)    Romans 7:18
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.

c)     Romans 7:25
25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

d)    1 Corinthians 15:50
50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

e)     Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

f)      Galatians 6:8
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

g)     1 John 2:16
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

3. The power of denying the flesh:

a.      It hard to “Just say no”

b.     Flesh is the container in witch life lives.

c.     Colossians 2:5
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.

d.     We are not able to resist the flesh but through Jesus Christ who has power over all things can save us form the lust of the flesh.

e.      We are weak in the flesh but made strong in the spirit of Jesus

f.       People seek all types of cures they get face lifts, tummy tucks…

g.     The flesh will fell every time it is temporal

h.     It has to surfer some things, that’s why Paul said that the suffering of the present time are not worthy to compare with the glory that shall be reveled in us.

i.        It take something very powerful to deny the flesh

j.        Flesh will cause marriages to break down

k.     Flesh will make a woman sell her body

l.        Flesh will cause a person to stop cooping and start doping 

m.   The make a child put a gun to their head and blow their brain out.

n.     But there is a cure, to be born of the Spirit of God

Calvary