Sermon Tone Analysis

Since We Have Been Raised

All of this is centered on the transformed heart and mind.

If we have not been raised with Christ, then what is occurring is mere behavioral modification.

Transformation can only occur in the hands of the One who created us.

The Old Nature

Paul begins with sins that we all kind of shrug off as not describing us, but then he follows with the everyday sins that none of us get to shy away from.

Paul speaks about sins of sexual/covetous nature and sins of anger/control.

Sins of sexual/covetous nature consume the mind.

Sins of anger/control consume the heart.

Often times in the Christian life as we identify our sttruggles in these areas, we seek to do battle to deter our behavior.

We pit sin against sin to overcome our struggles.

We pit self-righteousness against lust and control/maniulation against fear and anxiety.

The problem is that the outcome remains the same, sin wins.

Jesus’ desire is to put to death these things.

There is a real violent/ruthless aspect to the way that Christ desires to deal with sin in our lives.

Jesus wants to put sin to death in your life.

He does not desire to get it under control.

We do that often, we address sin until it is better managed.

But when we are tired, frustrated or just caught off guard, sin erupts like a volcano and we realized that we are beaten yet again.

This is not the new life that Christ has for us.

It is not about not doing this, it is about allowing Christ to reign.

Let Christ be Lord over your sin.

Stop clinging to these things.

Intentionally pursue the truth.

Intentionally pursue Christ.

Intentionally remove yourself from lustful situations.

Intentionally put off the old self.

Be as One

Finally, because we have all died in Christ and been raised anew in Him and He has made us one body and one people, we should not view others as less than ourselves for Christ is in all and is all sufficient for all inadequacies.

To condemn another is to condemn Christ, when an elderly is ignored, Christ is ignored.

When a teen is stifled, Christ is stifled.