The Spiritual Man
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Intro
Text - John 3.6-8
Title - The Spiritual Man
Background
Background
Nicodemus came to Jesus to acknowledge His ministry
Jesus answered by showing him the importance of new birth
Main Point
Main Point
the new birth ushers us into the kingdom of God
the new birth also paves the way to our transformation from natural man to a spiritual man
however, becoming a spiritual man is not easy and automatic.
when the born again Christian is not careful and attentive to the moving and leading of the Holy Spirit, the result is a “carnal Christian”, not a spiritual man.
in 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the spiritual condition of the believers in Corinth
they are no longer natural men - they have been born again
yet, they are not spiritual men - they are carnal
The Spiritual Man - Described
The Spiritual Man - Described
The spiritual man is different from the natural man
The spiritual man is different from the natural man
the natural man is unconverted, unbelieving, by nature a child of wrath
the spiritual man is born of the Spirit, led by the Spirit,
The Spiritual man is different from the carnal man
The Spiritual man is different from the carnal man
the carnal man is a born again Christian who behave like the natural man
the carnal man is a baby Christian - behaves like the unconverted
1 Corinthians 3.1-3
the spiritual man is a mature Christian - one who is fully governed by the law of the Spirit of life in Christ.
The Spiritual Man - Characterized
The Spiritual Man - Characterized
The Spiritual Man is a spiritually discerning man
The Spiritual Man is a spiritually discerning man
14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.
discern - grk. ANAKRINO, to evaluate, to appraise
the natural man cannot evaluate the things of God
the spiritual man evaluates ALL things!
the natural man cannot evaluate the spiritual man
The Spiritual Man is a temple of God
The Spiritual Man is a temple of God
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
he acknowledges the presence of the Holy Spirit in him
he gives honor to the indwelling Holy Spirit
the carnal Christian does not care whether the Holy Spirit is in him or not
The Spiritual Man practices self-discipline
The Spiritual Man practices self-discipline
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
he sacrifices his needs for the sake of other people - 1 Cor 9.14-15
he makes himself a servant of all for their salvation - 1 Cor 9.19
he learns his lessons from others - 1 Cor 10.10-11
he examines himself - 1 Cor 11.28-29
the Spiritual Man is governed by love in his actions
the Spiritual Man is governed by love in his actions
9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
he pratices his gifts for edification
he practices his gifts by way of love
The Spiritual man submits to the commandments of the Lord
The Spiritual man submits to the commandments of the Lord
36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached?
37 If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord.
The Spiritual Man is a Heavenly Man!
The Spiritual Man is a Heavenly Man!
45 And so it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being.” The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.
47 The first man was of the earth, made of dust; the second Man is the Lord from heaven.
48 As was the man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly.
49 And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.
Summary
Summary
The Spiritual Man is a born again man or woman - begotten by God in His kingdom.
The Spiritual Man is a Mature man or woman - one who has outgrown carnality and has matured in character and spirit.
The Spiritual Man is a heavenly Man - destined to glory and to be glorified.
Conclusion
Conclusion
God desires that we become mature men and women in Christ.
God is most blessed when we act as mature believers, than when we behave as baby Christians.
God can best use us as spiritual men and women.