304 – Good Versus Evil Desires

Illustrate: Sin: In the time it takes me to share this sermon

57 kids will run away from home. - 29 children will attempt suicide. - 22 girls under 19 years of age will receive an abortion. - 14 teenage girls will give birth to an illegitimate baby - 685 teens will use some form of illegal drug. - and I only preach about 30 minutes. SIN.

Sermon 304 – GOOD VERSUS EVIL DESIRES

EXAMINING THE POWER OF SIN

1. WHERE IS YOUR MIND?

~ (Rom 8:5) Those who live according to the (flesh) sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.

~Philip. 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Note: Sinful thoughts may pass through our minds as birds… but we don’t have to build a nest for it.

*** Proverbs 23:7a KJV - For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: --- Note: What are we thinking about… we are what we think in heart!!!

2. WHO ARE YOU PLEASING?

~ (Rom 8:8-9) Those controlled by the (flesh) sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the (flesh) sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.

Illustrate: HOW RIGHTEOUS ARE YOU?

Some folks think they are good really good people. Let’s suppose that a person on sins 3 times a day. A sin in the morning, a sin during the day and a sin at night. Sounds like a pretty good person! Let’s think for a moment. If that person is saved at 10 years old and dies at 80 years old that person will commit 76,650 sins in their lifetime! Imagine nearly 80,000 sins and this is from the life of a "good person." The truth is that all have sinned (more than we would really like to know) and all need Jesus.

3. WHAT ARE YOU OBLIGATED TO?

~ (Rom 8:12-14) Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the (flesh) sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the (flesh) sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the (flesh) sinful nature.

Illustrate SIN? Regarding sin, one observed:

Man calls it an accident, God calls it an abomination - Man calls it a blunder, God calls it a blindness - Man calls it a defect, God calls it a disease - Man calls it chance, God calls it a choice - Man calls it an error, God calls it enmity - Man calls it fascination, God calls it fatality - Man calls it an infirmity, God calls it iniquity - Man calls it luxury, God calls it leprosy - Man calls it liberty, God calls it lawlessness - Man calls it a trifle, God calls it a tragedy - Man calls it a mistake, God calls it madness - Man calls it a weakness, God calls it willfulness

~(Gal 5:16-25) So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the (flesh) sinful nature. For the (flesh) sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the (flesh) sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

Sin produces: -- The acts of the (flesh) sinful nature are obvious:

~ sexual immorality,

~ impurity and debauchery;

~ idolatry and witchcraft;

~ hatred,

~ discord,

~ jealousy,

~ fits of rage,

~ selfish ambition,

~ dissensions,

~ factions and envy;

~ drunkenness,

~ orgies, and the like.

I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

The Spirit produces -- But the fruit of the Spirit is

~ love,

~ joy,

~ peace,

~ patience,

~ kindness,

~ goodness,

~ faithfulness,

~ gentleness and

~ self-control.

Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the (flesh) sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Conclude: READ: Romans 7:21-25