Keep in step with the Spirit (Part 1)
Notes
Transcript
Reading
Reading
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 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.
Sermon
Sermon
False teachers
by their fruit you shall know them
by the fruit of their words in others you shall know them
Responsibility as believers
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Called to freedom - no longer slaves to sin or to the Law
Not an opportunity for the flesh
abuse of freedom
salvery to our fallen nature
Through love serve one another
Greeks had 4 words for love
eros (sensual/passionate) - selfish, acquisitive, centripetal love
Phileo (friendship)
Storge (family loyalty)
Agape (unconditional) unselfish, self-giving, outgoing love
Paul uses Agape
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Love
darkness - absence of light
cold - absence of heat
evil - absense of Love
fear fills the void - leads to hate, loathing, etc
love enacted seeks to build up, edification
genuine worship and love of God is demonstrated in Love towards others
your neighbour
eaqsy to love that which is kind and loving towards us
this includes the sinner
as yourself
sin is the worship of oneself
this love for oneself should be replaced with the love for our neighbour
Quotes from Jesus
18 You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
abuse - slander, accusations, disapproval, fraud or violence
like wild animals tearing each other apart
devouring, destroying
like a fire - consumed, annihilated
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
Paul views this as the solution
Their violent conduct towards each comes from being guided by the lust of the flesh
instead, walk by the Spirit
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.
desires of the flesh are against the Spirit
desires of the Spirit are against the flesh
why? 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.
Walk in step with the Spirit
There is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit; and as many as are led by the spirit of God, they are the son’s of God. Romans 8:1-14
work of Flesh / Sin - tears others down
work of Spirit - builds others up
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
natural outcomes to our sinful nature
(first 3) beaches to God’s sexual laws
sex outside of the marriage between a man and a woman
Leviticus 18
parent - child or grandchild, including adults, or their partners
with step parents & inlaws
siblings, and half siblings, or their partners
with two individuals related to each other
homosexuality
animals
or as part of a religious ritual
20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,
(two) worship sins
anything that replaces God in the primary position in your life
sorcery Leviticus 21
witchcraft, voodoo, witch doctor
child sacrifices
mediums
fortune tellers
supernatural powers or experiences
desire of “gifts of the spirit” - supernatural powers or experiences
Marvel or DC characters
hypnosis / reframing spiritual experiences
drug enduced spiritual experiences
(next eight) sins against others
emnity / hostility contentious temper
strife / Quarrels - party divisions
jealousy - zeal, obsession or commitment against another
bursts of envy - aroused by position of good fortune of others
envious man has no desire to excel but is grieved at the excellence of others
fit of anger - unquenching fire, rage, uncontrollable anger
rivalries - selfish ambitions - unfair canvassing for office
dissensions - disunity & political revolt
one who creates 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.
drunken orgies - festivals of pagan gods, wild parties, drug abuse
characteristics from “culture” or “pagan worship” creaping into the church
do not enter the kingdom of heaven by works
actions bar ourselves, and distance us from the Grace of God and Holy Spirit
by your fruits you shall be known
fruits that show we are without the gift of Grace and the Holy Spirit
those in slavery are unable to show the true-born nature of the Children of God
warning for those who are impenitant or unrepentant
Amazing Grace