Cpr For A Healthy Walk Part 2 Series

Chico Alliance Church

“CPR for a Healthy Walk" Part 2

INTRODUCTION

Paul identifies an internal war between the flesh and the spirit for control of the soul.

Are we living on a spiritual plane or a fleshly plane? Is God our primary focus or our fleshly appetites? Is our mind set on the things above or the things on the earth? We are spiritual beings. God created us to function from a spiritual base not a fleshly base. He in-tended the spirit to be the motivational base from which we see and live life. For the most part, most people live life from a flesh base. Most people are motivated and driven by the flesh. The flesh has become so intensified in a sensual world that it does not even seem like a fight anymore. How do we restore a spiritual focus? How doe we establish the spirit as the primary motivational force in our life? It is not all that complicated. Galatians is quite clear and simple on this matter.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

The messages over the next several weeks are of utmost importance. They address the core of the Christ life. They are not intended to just be heard but lived. You are responsible to respond to the truth God gives you.

Can we honestly say that the very focus of our life is on the eternal?

Can we honestly say that we are following the admonition of Colossians 3?

Keep seeking the things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God . Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth. for you have died and you life is hidden with Christ in God.

We must first recognize our vast need for renewal.

We must come to the place where we cry to God in our desperate need for his life.

We must come to the end of our search for life anywhere else but Him.

We must cry out for a revived heart that beats for and with His life.

If we are to lay hold of the eternal life and work out the salvation God has already worked into our life, we must fervently know and do these things.

Continually cleave to and cultivate a dynamic relationship with Christ.

Persistently pursue meaningful connection with the community of saints.

Resolutely resist the world, the flesh and the devil.

I. Continually cleave to Christ and cultivate Dynamic Relationship

A. Humbly Submit and cling to Christ

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7

So often relationship with God is something we see as merely a part of our life.

Like belonging to a club or organization or the Rock Club.

We perceive Christianity as a special added feature for our enjoyment and peace of mind. Club meetings are on Sunday where we meet with other club members and pay our dues. Further involvement is not required but optional. If the program is good we may even in-vite others to join the club. Any other expectations is viewed as intrusive and oppressive. Although we would not care to admit a Christianity like that, our very lifestyle demon-strates that to sometimes be the case. We make decisions on the basis of how it affects us not the kingdom. We avoid the denial of self part and the taking up the cross part and the adopting His agenda part. We prefer to see Jesus, or even the Holy Spirit as OUR helper and comforter in time of need. As long as things are going fine, He is just on call to bail us out of trouble. If things don’t go our way, our devotion to Him becomes strained. As long as we see Christianity as any other religion or club rather than an absolute necessity and all-encompassing commitment, we will forever struggle to keep the flesh subdued. We will not lay hold, in this life, the eternal life so abundantly offered through relationship with the Eternal One. Christ cannot be considered part of our life, He is our life. He alone is the way the truth AND the life! You may have made such a commitment but slowly wrestled the reigns of your life back from Him.

Paul demonstrate such a commitment. Paul was confident that God would reveal any deviation from such a commitment.

Humbly submit and cling to Christ