Set your mind: flesh or spirit

Good Morning and welcome again to CCC

I always love hymn sunday but was so happy this morning was hymn sunday

i absolutely love camp and ministering to those kiddos and seeing friends made over the years

but it is a long week late nights early mornings and walking everywhere i hit about 43,000 steps for the week.......playing music most of the week....teaching a bible study twice a day.....and preaching on Friday

on top of that you have the emotional and spiritual exhaustion.......the stories these kids have

the situations that they are in

the pain the experience

is a lot.....we have kids from as far north as Lee’s Summit to southeast as Springfiled and Nixa and places in between

there are kids there who look forward to it all year long to kids whose parents forced them to be there and every spot in between the two

it is a lot

i absolutely love it but it takes it’s toll on you and it takes a few days to bounce back

You notice behind me is bare....it is all in the back of my truck and some guys are going to help me bring it back in after service.....however Monday when I loaded up i found a broken monitor cable that needs to be replaced and I want to take my time putting things back this week to clean up the stage this morning.....that was all part of the plan since we were going to the ballgame tonight but the field is too wet to play so the game is postponed....as soon as the announce a make up night I will announce it here.....the plan was to put the equipment back up here over the week as this stage was a mess with chords etc.....we also found a broken monitor cable on monday when we loaded up......so in talking to the worship team and the leaders we feel it is best to not have worship night even thought the game is cancelled to allow time to get things put back neatly and correctly as I need to order speaker cables to replace the broken cable.....worship night will resume on June 28

Let’s Pray

This morning we are continuing the thought we began last week. No condemnation in Christ Jesus

Jesus paid our legal penalty and offers that forgiveness to any who will take it

This week and next is really a two part miniseries within the Romans series

What we start today we will finish next week

Romans 8:3-8

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Romans 8:3–8 “For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 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. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

This morning I want to teach or highlight 4 truths we find in this passage.

1. The Law Could Never Deliver Us From Sin’s Penalty

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We have looked at this but I wanted to spend a few moments here again this morning. All the law could do is point out our sin

point out our need for punishment

condemn us

the law simply pointed to something better to come

Acts 13:38-39

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Acts 13:38–39 “Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and by him everyone who believes is freed from everything from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”

Through Jesus anyone who believes on Jesus

anyone who believes in Jesus is set free

free from what?

Free from what the law of Moses couldn't set them free from

sin’s penalty.....death and eternal separation from God in hell

because of your sin you are guilty of breaking the whole law

only a perfectly lived life could be saved under the law

you and I are not perfect....I am far from perfect...if you will recall in Romans 6 where we are told we ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

We are all guilty of sin therefore deserving of the penalty of sin....which the law of Moses could only point out but failed to set us free from

While we are speaking about the law that brings us to Truth #2

2. The Ceremonial Law Is Fulfilled

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The law could never delivers us from sin’s penalty and part of the OT law is Fulfilled by Jesus

There were essentially two types of law given in the Old Testament

Moral Law and Ceremonial Law

Moral Law is God’s character.....this is still in effect today

10 commandments

how to love and worship God

how to love one another

Jesus said that the law is summed up in Love God with all that you are and all that you have and love others the same way

Ceremonial laws were the sacrifices....the rules of worship in the Tabernacle....etc....these were all fulfilled in Jesus as the perfect sacrifice

Colossians 2:13-14

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Colossians 2:13–14 “And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.”

Jesus cancelled your legal debt and the demands that came with that legal debt...where did those come from....that law

your sin required punishment...legally binding punishment which Jesus took for you

He paid it with His blood that was shed for you and me

that blood then covers your sins making you as if you have never sinned

This is so important that you believe and understand and hold on to this truth

Hebrews 10:10

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Hebrews 10:10 “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

you are sanctified by Jesus’ offering once and for all

Sanctify in the Greek means to make holy, i.e. (ceremonially) purify or consecrate; (mentally) to venerate:—hallow, be holy, sanctify.

The ceremonial law is Fulfilled because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice that God accepted once for all.....you no longer strive to be made holy by the law but you ARE made holy by Jesus

How

II Corinthians 5:21

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2 Corinthians 5:21 “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”

Jesus became your sin

Jesus became my sin

Jesus became the sin of the whole world, past present and future

why

to allow us to become the righteousness of God

to make us holy in Him

Freedom

but as with all freedom it comes with responsibility

That responsibility is what we will keep looking at throughout Romans and we will begin to dissect that responsibility the rest of our time together this morning

Romans 8:4-5

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Romans 8:4–5 “in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 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.”

3. Set Your Mind

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Greek verb meaning to exercise the mind, entertain, have a sentiment or opinion, disposed , set your affection on

This describes the outlook or perspective that drives you life

set your affection on is where your devotion truly lies.......many make this devotion crystal clear on Saturday nights......you choose to go somewhere or do something that gets you so worn out and tired you can’t make it to church Sunday morning or if you do make it to church you get nothing out of it because you are so tired and distracted you miss Jesus

maybe you decided to go golfing or a kids tournament or something on a Sunday......this fall some may choose a Chiefs game over church......your devotion is worldly not Jesus

you have set your mind

you have set your affections on the world and will reap what you sow

Where is your affection

what do you value

what do you find important

what really matters to you

your lifestyle is determined by what you set your mind on and to

Scripture here gives us an either or

a this or that

a very clear decision must be made

what do you set your mind to

4. Set Your Mind On Flesh Or Set Your Mind On Spirit

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I Corinthians 2:14

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1 Corinthians 2:14 “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.”

You are spiritually dead if your mind is set upon the flesh

God’s Word and God’s ways are folly

they are foolishness to those who set their mind to the flesh

where does God’s Word stand in you

i know the Bible says this but I am going to do that or believe that....how can God expect me to carry out His will He is God

i will tell you how...upon salvation He moves in....you are indwelled with the Holy Spirit....God in Spirit lives inside of you and empowers you to do His will and believe and live and carry out the Bible

This is so serious.....it is not just words.....it matters eternally

Galatians 6:7-8

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Galatians 6:7–8 “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 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.”

I want to spend some time here because this is truth

the principal....the truth of sowing and reaping affects every aspect of life

Look at how Galatians 6:7 starts do not be deceived

why would Paul write do not be deceived?

because people

Christians were being deceived

the fact is people even Christians are still being deceived

today many in all walks of society claim all you have to do to get to heaven is to be a good person

the problem is Jesus says no one is good except the Father!!!!

the world teaches karma

what comes around goes around

God says that we can’t even tell or know what will happen in the next second let alone control life or decide what is karma and what is not

satan wants us to be deceived

Paul goes even further in vs 7 God is not mocked

believing or saying or teaching anything different than what God has said is mocking God

You will reap what you sow

there is no other way

there is no other truth

you reap what you sow

mocking God never works out good for you by the way

this is so important

you reap what you sow

so many of our problems in life are a direct result of reaping what we sow

for so long I sowed to drunkenness and debauchery....porn....lust.....and I have reaped many heartaches and troubles from that sowing

and if I had not repented and confessed of those things I would have reaped death....spiritual death and eternity in hell because of what I sowed

Many times you sow to sin

you sow to the flesh

you set your mind on the flesh when you sow to the flesh

and therefore you are reaping consequences today from that sowing

how do you sow

words you speak

thoughts you think

actions you take

if you sow sin you will reap death without Jesus.....with Jesus you will reap consequences for that sin unless God decides to show grace and remove them

I want to give you an example of this

what about marriage

you will reap what you sow in your marriage

if you sow negative thoughts

if you sow negative comments

if you look for and speak about everything wrong in and with your spouse

if you criticize

if you fight

if you argue

if you have to have your way

you are sowing to the flesh and you will reap a marriage in trouble that may even lead to divorce as a result but

if you sow to the Spirit by speaking praise and affirmation

if you decide to express gratitude

if you decide to look for their strengths

if you decide to look to not have your way

if you will die to your pride

then you will reap a loving strong God first marriage

you reap whatever you sow

God says divorce is not a true option for Christians....adultery is the only spiritually acceptable reason for divorce but God is the God of forgiveness and reconciliation so He wants to restore your marriage

Follow His ways......sow to His ways.....live by His Word and see what you reap!!!!!!

back to this morning

if you sow to the flesh

set your mind on the flesh you will reap spiritual death

if you sow in the Spirit

if you set your mind on the Spirit you will reap eternal life

as I said this is truly a this or that thing

a either or choice

James 4:4

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James 4:4 “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”

Friendship....setting your mind on the flesh is enmity with God

This is so serious church

if we reject this truth we reject Christ Himself

Enmity

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Greek now hostility...reason for opposition....hatred

hatred toward and with God

Adulterous...why adulterous....because you belong to God

He bought you with the blood of Jesus and yet you love another

as a Christian you are Christ’s bride but friendship with the world is cheating on Him because you love the world

So how do we know

Galatians 5:19-21

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Galatians 5:19–21 “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 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.”

God gives us a very clear picture of what setting our mind on the worlds looks like

if you see the worldly fruits in your life you are setting your mind on the flesh

if they are present kill them

run from them

confess

repent and leave them far behind you

your fruits define and prove where your mind is set

flesh or Spirit

Galatians 5:22-23

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Galatians 5:22–23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

Spiritual fruit produces by the Holy Spirit in and through Christians

it is not a question of will it be produced because God is God and will always do what He says....these are the fruit of the Spirit what God produces

the questions is do you see them in your life

if you claim to be Christian but do not see these fruits your mind is not set upon the flesh

you are quenching the Spirit at best and not saved at worse

what is your fruit saying to you

the question is do you care enough to be a fruit inspector in your life

Romans 8:8

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Romans 8:8 “Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”

if you are in the flesh you cannot please God

I dont care what you do

what you say

how holy you appear on the outside

if inside you are in the flesh you cannot please God

Galatians 5:24-25

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Galatians 5:24–25 “And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.”

Truth repeated in the Bible

the question is not whether this is true but the question is what are you going to do with it this morning

accept it

be changed by it

take this time to reflect and respond to God in confession and repentance

or

rejected

stay the same

use this time to maybe look holy but further separate yourself from God

the time is now

this is the time for you to inspect your fruits based upon scripture

now is your time

invitation