Crucify the Flesh
Victory over the Enemy • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
0 ratings
· 46 viewsNotes
Transcript
Handout
We have already seen two of our enemies:
The Devil…
The World…
Both of these fight against us from the outside.
But…
We have an enemy that fights us from the inside… our flesh!
Clinton Arnold defines the flesh as:
“the inner propensity or inclination to do evil. It is the part of our creatureliness tainted by the fall that remains with us until the day we die. The flesh is our continuing connection to this present evil age, which is destined to perish but against which we must struggle now.” — Clinton Arnold
The flesh is our fallen nature we inherit from Adam.
Here are a few verse that help us understand the flesh…
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.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
When a person lives according to their flesh,
they are making selfish decisions that gratify the desires of the flesh!
We must understand that as Christians,
the power of this indwelling sin has been broken.
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
This doesn’t mean the battle is over…
Our flesh still fights to control us,
but through the power of the Spirit we can overcome it.
Let’s take a look at how Paul describes the…
Crucified Flesh in Galatians
Crucified Flesh in Galatians
We see the battle between the flesh and the Spirit in Galatians 5:16—26.
We are going to read the whole passage to gain a picture of it.
Take out your Bible’s with me and let’s read.
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.
We can see that we have a battle going on inside of us.
It is a battle for holiness between our flesh, and the Holy Spirit.
At times it is a more intense battle than others,
but we always sense that it’s there.
Let’s look more closely at the…
The Flesh
The Flesh
We see that the flesh has longings and desires.
We have all experienced those desires in us,
at times they are so strong we don’t feel like we can resist them!
Following our flesh leads us to sin!
sexual sins…
sins of idolatry…
sins against others…
If you’re like me, as you read and heard that list of sin and you realized that,
even now, as a Christian, you are guilty of some of those sins.
You may have wondered at times if you’re truly saved.
Paul tells us…
Galatians 5:21 (ESV)
21 I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do (ESV footnote: “make a practice of doing”) such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
The idea is regularly participating in these sins without remorse/conviction from the Spirit.
Bill Cook
“Paul is not implying some form of Christian perfectionism. Rather, a person who habitually and intentionally engages in sinful behaviour without remorse or conviction of sin may very well not be a genuine Christian. Believers continue to battle sin throughout their lives.
Christians experience the Holy Spirit’s work of conviction and discipline when they know the remorse and disappointment of sinning against their Saviour. The thought is not that believers never commit a work of the flesh, but when they do, they are convicted by the Holy Spirit.” — Bill Cook
We have a battle going on inside of us,
on the one hand, our flesh is drawing us to sin,
but as Christians we are not left to fight in our own strength…
We have the…
Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit
The only way we can have victory over the flesh,
is through dependance on the Holy Spirit.
We remember this is where Adam and Eve failed…
they trusted in themselves, and wanted personal freedom.
To experience victory we must:
“walk by the Spirit” (v. 16)
“be led by the Spirit” (v. 18)
“live by the Spirit” (v. 25)
“keep in step with the Spirit” (v. 25)
This is not “letting go and letting God”
This is active work for the believer!
Through dependance on, and power from the Holy Spirit,
we are able to…
Crucify the Flesh
Crucify the Flesh
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Crucifixion brings up brutal imagery!
It was indescribably painful.
Criminals were killed by crucifixion because of heinous crimes.
We are to crucify our flesh!
This means we must take it seriously,
recognizing it is an act of rebellion against God,
and therefore be killing it!
The idea of crucifying our flesh is found in a few other passages as well…
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
How to crucify the flesh…
Acknowledge sin before the Lord
We need to learn to recognize our sin before God, as we…
Grow in understanding of His Word
Recognize sin against others
Need to discern when we’ve sinned against others.
Ask forgiveness
Confess our sins to God… receive His forgiveness through Christ.
Confess our sins to others (if necessary)
Examine/make changes
How do we need to change moving forward to avoid that same sin.
This shows we have an inward desire from the Holy Spirit to overcome it.
This may sound like a lot,
but it’s what’s necessary to CRUCIFY THE FLESH!
If we take it seriously:
God will be glorified… and
victory will come!
Something that is vital to understand as we strive for victory over our flesh is our…
Union with Christ
Union with Christ
Romans 6 tells us that our union with Christ is seen in the act of baptism.
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Our baptism therefore signifies that we have died to our old life,
and have been given new life through the Spirit!
Therefore Paul says…
11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
A key to victory over our flesh,
is recognizing that we are no longer enslaved to sin!
William Cook
“A believer’s death to sin does not mean that sin (the flesh) has been eradicated in the believer, or that one can live a sinless life. But “death to sin” does mean that the power of sin in the believer’s life has been broken. As believers come to understand the reality of their union with Christ, they are empowered to say no to sin and yes to God.” — William Cook
This is not because of any ability we have in our flesh,
but because of the power we have through the Holy Spirit,
because of our union with Christ.
Paul compares
those who walk by the flesh, with
those who walk by the Spirit in Romans 8:5—9
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.
There are two kinds of people:
Those who live according to the flesh
they set their minds on the things of the flesh… and because of this
they cannot please God, in fact,
they are hostile to God because they don’t submit to God’s law… they CANNOT!
They do not belong to God,
so their fleshly living leads to their death!
2. Those who live according to the Spirit
they set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
It is only those who have the Spirit who can obey God’s Word,
and so please God.
They belong to God,
so their Spirit living leads to life and peace.
William Cook
“These are the only two categories of people. People live according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. Everyone is saved or lost, regenerate or unregenerate, headed to heaven or to hell.” — William Cook
Through our union with Christ by the Holy Spirit,
we can have victory over the flesh,
and obey God’s Word and so please God.
Another way to see the difference between living by the flesh and Spirit is…
Sowing and Reaping
Sowing and Reaping
8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Cook says it this way…
“We reap what we sow, we reap later than we sow, and we reap more than we sow.” — William Cook
Let’s imagine we are planting a garden, and plant a tomato plant.
What are we going to get?
Tomatoes!
When are the tomatoes going to be ready?
Later… a few months.
How many tomatoes are we going to get?
Lots!
This same principle applies to our lives.
If we fill our minds with lustful images…
If we allow our hearts to harbour a grudge and become bitter toward someone…
If we spend time with people who are a bad influence…
In all these things we are sowing to the flesh,
and will reap the harvest of that later,
and the fruit will increase over time!
Cook quotes John Stott…
“Some Christians sow to the flesh every day and wonder why they do not reap holiness.” — John Stott
If we want to grow closer with God, and overcome our flesh,
we need to sow seed that will grow that fruit:
praying throughout the day…
reading God’s Word…
memorizing God’s Word…
We cannot grow what we are not planting!
Paul also talks about our union with Christ in terms of…
Being with Christ
Being with Christ
As followers of Christ we are united with him through His Spirit.
Therefore, we should live in light of that union!
Paul, writing to the Colossians says…
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—
Paul is reminding them of the fact that they are no longer bound to the flesh,
and the things of this world…
so, he asks them, why are you living as if you are in bondage to them?
Paul goes on to say…
1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Live in the power and freedom you have in Christ!
You have died with Christ
You have been raised with Christ
Your life is hidden with Christ
You will appear with Christ
Since we have such an incredible hope through our union with Christ,
we should “seek/set our mind on the things that are above.”
That means we should live our earthly life in light of eternity!
Yes, but How?
Yes, but How?
How are we as believers to live this life setting our minds on the things that are above?
How is it possible?
Paul goes on to explain in Colossians 3.
First…
Out with the Old Self
Out with the Old Self
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.
7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.
8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices
Paul is drawing attention to the old way of the flesh…
that is the way you once walked, and had no issue with it,
but now that you are united with Christ,
you must put these things to death!
That was the old you!
Notice the harsh reality of what needs to happen…
the old way of living needs to be “put to death”
we must kill it!
This reminds us of crucifying the flesh as we remembered before.
Imagine the doctors found cancer in your leg,
and the only way to stop the spread was by amputating it.
You wouldn’t hesitate!
“When is the next operating room available?”
This is how we should deal with sin!
We know that it leads to the spread of sin in our lives,
so we must be diligent and active in our fight against it!
It’s not going to go away on it’s own, and it’s not going to go away easy,
but we have the power through Christ’s Spirit to bring in…
In with the New Self
In with the New Self
10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Through our union with Christ,
we can put on the new life.
These two different ways of living that Paul describes could not be more different!
Notice though, that WE must put on the new self.
We have the power through Christ,
but we play a role in becoming more holy, and more like Christ.
How do we become more like Christ?
By abiding in Him…
4 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. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
The only way we can overcome the flesh,
and bear godly fruit is by abiding in Jesus!
What does it mean to abide in Jesus?
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
Jesus loves us so much,
that he has given us His Word!
He has left us to figure it out on our own,
but has given us His instruction for how we are to live!
Here’s a new way of thinking of reading the Bible:
Every time you sit down and read the Bible,
you are abiding/lingering in Christ’s love for you...
you are saturating/immersing yourself with Christ’s love.
Donald Whitney’s illustration of a tea bag
God’s Word is like a tea bag being dipped into a cup of hot water.
If you don’t dip it in, what happens?
If you dip it one or two times, what happens?
If you allow it sit in the water for 2/3 minutes what happens?
Reading God’s Word is like that.
If you don’t read it, it can’t have any impact on you.
If you read a verse and then walk away, it will have very little effect on you.
But if you saturate your mind in it, studying it, meditating on it, memorizing it, it will completely change and transform how you look, taste, and smell!
And when you soak in the Bible,
you are soaking in Jesus’s love!
