Grace-Based Decision Making

Scripture Reading | Philemon

Introduction

Sermon

Initial judgment - Walk after the Spirit - Rom 8

You are led by the Spirit - Rom. 8

Be led of the Spirit and not the flesh - Galatians 5:18 “But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

Need the renewed mind - Romans 12

Taught, study, learn, believe

Think - do

Philemon 6 “that the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”

3. Judgment & Love - Philippians 1:9–11 “And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.”

Works of the flesh vs. Fruit of the Spirit

Sin & righteousness

Carnal & spiritual - 2 Cor. 6; Php 4 (contentment); 1 Tim. 6 (money)

Earthly & Heavenly - Col. 3:1; James 3:13-18

Darkness & Light - Rom. 13; Eph. 5

4. Prove the Will of God - Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Discernment of the spiritual situation - Galatians 6:1–2 “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”

Discernment of the spiritual provision - Ephesians 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Exercise spiritual judgment - 2 Corinthians 2:9–11 “For to this end also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be obedient in all things. To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Think - do - Philippians 4:8–9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Walk in the Spirit - Galatians 5:16–18 “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 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. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”

Lawful vs Expedient;

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”

Excellent Php. 1

Php. 2

Conclusion

Philemon, Paul, Onesimus

Decisions