Different Strokes For Spiritual Folks

Introduction

IT’S BEEN awhile now, but a popular television show aired years ago called Diff’rent Strokes. It was a rather funny show. It was about two little boys named Arnold and Willis. The boys’ mother had been the maid for a man named Mr. Drummond, but she died. Not wanting those boys to be left to meander and wander in the projects, he adopted them and brought them to live in his penthouse. The whole show revolved around these two boys from the projects trying to learn how to live in the penthouse. Much comedy surrounded them bringing old ways into a new environment. There was great entertainment in seeing Mr. Drummond try to educate these young men in the finer things of their new environment. The question of the show was whether or not you could take boys out of the projects, put them in the penthouse, and expect them to leave the projects behind. The whole show was about how difficult it is for people to get rid of old patterns once they have been established. When God found you and me, we were in the spiritual projects. He has now seated us in heavenly places. We are in the penthouse, but many of us have drug along with us a lot of the old patterns from the old neighborhood. Those patterns are called the flesh in the Bible. The flesh is not merely the body, but it is the body with its old patterns.

different strokes for different folks

Different ways of doing things are appropriate for different people.

This expression began life in the USA in the 1960s. The first person known to have used it is the boxer Muhammed Ali. Here's an example taken from the transcript of an interview he gave while preparing for his fight with Cleveland Williams in November 1966, in which he was explaining his boxing style:

"I don't have any [big] punch. I just hit a man so many times he wished I had a punch."

and, explaining his knock-out punches against Sonny Liston and Floyd Patterson, he said:

"I got different strokes for different folks."

Ali went on to win the fight which saw the first use of his famous Ali Shuffle.

In using 'different strokes for different folks' it may be that Ali was repeating existing street slang but, if so, there's no surviving record of the expression in print prior to his use of it. Given Ali's celebrated and inventive use of language it is likely that he coined the expression himself.

The expression soon became commonplace in the USA (although it is rarely used anywhere else in the English-speaking world). By 1974 it had become common enough for Volkswagen to use a version of it in an advert.

“Different Volks for Different Folks”

said to mean that people are different, and that some individuals or groups have different needs and wants from others

Transition To Body- Apostle Paul addressing the Different Strokes for Spiritual Folks

Romans 7:21–25 ESV

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Body

Holy Spirit Liberates Christian’s Consciousnesses- vv1-4

Romans 8:1–4 ESV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 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, 4 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.

consciousness- the quality or state of being aware especially of something within oneself

: the state or fact of being conscious of an external object, state, or fact=

: AWARENESS

especially : concern for some social or political cause

the state of being characterized by sensation, emotion, volition, and thought : MIND

Holy Spirit Regulates Christian’s Minds (vv5-8)

Romans 8:5–8 ESV

5 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. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 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. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Transformed with Renewed Minds

Romans 12:2 ESV

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Natural Person

1 Corinthians 2:14–16 ESV

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. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV

5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,

Holy Spirit Cohabitates Christian’s Bodies (vv9-11)

Romans 8:9–11 ESV

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

cohabitate- to live together as if married, usually without legal or religious sanction.

to live together in an intimate relationship.

to dwell with another or share the same place, as different species of animals.

Be Holy, For I Am Holy

1 Peter 1:13–16 ESV

13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

Bodies As Living Sacrifices

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Bodies As Temples Of The Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians 6:19–20 ESV

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Walking In The Holy Spirit (Crucify The Flesh)

Galatians 5:16–26 ESV

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.

Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

2 Corinthians 13:14 ESV

14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Revelation 3:19–20 ESV

19 Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

Holy Spirit Validates Christian’s Birthrights (vv12-17)

Romans 8:12–17 ESV

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Therefore God our father has a parental obligation to respond as well as give us an birthright- inheritance as heirs if we indeed share in his sufferings

Children Of God Born Of Water & the Holy Spirit

John 3:3 ESV

3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:5–8 ESV

5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

Not A Spirit of Slavery 2 Fall Back Into Fear

Romans 8:15 ESV

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 John 4:18–21 ESV

18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

Expand upon the concept of sharing and hence sharing in his sufferings

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Transition To Close

THE ENGINE of a car lies under the hood. The engine “dwells” there. Even when the car is stopped, not moving, or sitting on the lot, dwelling underneath the hood is an invisible power source. What is the engine there designed to do? It is designed to take the car somewhere. Only a fool would bother to push a perfectly brand-new automobile up a hill. There is no point in pushing something that has the power to carry you! Why would a person put forth effort to push a car that has the power to deliver them to their destination? Because we understand that concept, we don’t push our cars; we sit inside our cars and let the cars transport us. When the Spirit of God indwells the believer, and that believer has set his mind on Christ, he has the power to drive.

Romans 8:17 ESV

17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Close- Pouring Out of the Holy Spirit

The Helping Holy Spirit

Romans 8:26 ESV

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

The Counseling Holy Spirit

Romans 8:27 ESV

27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

All Things God Works For The Good

Romans 8:28–30 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Power of the Holy Spirit

Acts 1:5 ESV

5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:8 ESV

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Pouring Out the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:17–18 ESV

17 “ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18 even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

Our Weapons We Fight With

2 Corinthians 10:4–6 ESV

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. 5 We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 6 being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.

Our Struggle Is Not Against Flesh & Blood

Ephesians 6:12 ESV

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Ephesians 6:16–17 ESV

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Ephesians 6:18–21 ESV

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.