Cornerstone Church January 3, 2016
“Walk This Way”
Galatians 5:16-25
“A boy from the country was going to the city to get a job. Before he left, his mother said, ‘Son, I want you to promise me that you will go to church on Sunday.’ So he promised, and went to the city. He worked the first week, became acquainted with some of the fellows there, and made some new friends. On the weekend his new friends invited him to go horseback riding with them on Sunday. He remembered his promise to his mother and he said, “Sorry, fellas, I can’t do it.’ But they continued to pressure him and after a while he agreed to go. Sunday morning came, and they began their horseback ride. Around 11:00, they rode into the city and as they were passing the church, bells announcing the services began to ring. Our boy could see his parents walking into their little church in the country. He remembered his promise to his mother but he just kept on riding. The bells grew fainter. When they got to the edge of town, the boy stopped and said, ‘Fellows, I come from a Christian family. My mother asked me to promise her I’d be in church today. I have noticed as we have been riding that the bells are getting fainter and fainter. If we ride anymore, I won’t be able to hear the bells. I’m going back while I can still hear them.’”
Jerry Vines, GOSPEL OF MARK, pg. 62
The boy made a wise decision!
Christmas Bells have faded and hopefully all the “angels got their wings!”
We rang in the New Year!
I considered speaking from Philippians 3.
The message would easily fit “forgetting what happened in 2015 and forging ahead with new vitality in 2016.”
Phil. 3:13b-14 NIV “…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
There are important truths we cannot forget!
Like the Boy in the story we do not want to forget what in means to be saved and our being connected with Christ.
The Tuesday Men’s Bible Study has been going through The Book of Galatians.
* When I came to Galatians 5 a light bulb lit up!
* I gained a renewed insight as to why over the years I have observed individuals either drifting away from being connected to a local assembly of the Body of Christ (a church) or ruined their walk with Christ. They are caught in an undertow or riptide!
People make decisions for Christ.
* We want them to attend Church (which is good).
* Along the way people start to think Christianity is about coming to church to sing 4 -5 songs, hear a message (often from and through a very flawed person), apply that message and come back next week!
* Somewhere growth ceases:
o I go to a Christian School so I’m Safe!
o I’m attending a Christian College (I go to chapel every day) – I’m Safe!
o I’ve been walking with the LORD for 20, 30, and 40 years or more I don’t need to read my Bible any more – I’m Safe!
What did Jesus say to the woman caught in Adultery?
Did Jesus say, “You are forgiven; keep on living like you were or any way you like?”
“Go, and Sin no more”
I know there are problems with that text. But elsewhere in the Word of God Jesus tells others to Go and Sin no more!
GOD CALLS US TO HOLINESS!
Why? Because He is Holy!
“BE HOLY FOR I AM HOLY!”
Being Born Again (Born from Above) by God is just the beginning!
We call that Justification!
Once justified (declared righteous or not guilty) we grow in Christ which we call sanctification!
* Have been Sanctified (past tense: conversion, set free from sin’s power)
* Are being Sanctified (present tense: daily living, overcoming sin)
* Will be Sanctified (future tense: glorification, totally free from sin)
We are called daily to the battle!
We are called daily to take off our old garments (old nature) to pursue Christlikeness (new nature).
WALK AND LED BY THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:16-18
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not
carry out the desire of the flesh.
Gal. 5:16
Walk (Greek - peripateo) = “to walk around” “continuous daily walk”
Lifestyle - “To live one’s life by the Spirit”
Enoch walked with God (Genesis 5:24
Noah walked with God (Genesis 6:9)
The early disciples were called “Followers of the Way” (Acts 22:4, Acts 24:14)
This is also a command! It is a choice to daily walk by the Spirit!
“Let your conduct be directed by the Spirit”
F.F. Bruce
“…the desire of the flesh.”
Lusts
Passion
Literally: “Over-Desire” “Inordinate desire” “All-controlling drive”
Even our “over-desires” for good things are wrong (of the flesh) when we put them above or in a place more important than God to us! I need this to be happy (Jesus isn’t enough)!
By flesh does Paul mean the thin veneer covering our bones? No
Flesh (Greek – Sarx) = the sin-desiring old nature
“For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.”
Gal. 5:17
Slaying the Dragon – It is mortally wounded but not dead
John Piper – “Walk by the Spirit” www.desiringGod.org/messages/walk-by-the-spirit
As the dragon is dying it can still reach out and claw you, bite you or scorch you with its fire.
The old nature (the flesh) was mortally wounded when you were born again (born from above) which Jesus accomplished on the Cross.
Only by yielding and living empowered lives by the Holy Spirit can the dragon of our own depraved heart be completely overcome and slain!
The solution is Surrender!
* If you surrender to the flesh and live for the flesh the Holy Spirit is not controlling you.
* If you surrender to the Holy Spirit and live yielded to the Holy Spirit the flesh is not controlling you!
“…Paul helps us see that our real problem is not the whitecap of behavior visible above the water; the real problem is the massive dark iceberg of depravity beneath the surface.”
John Piper – www.desiringGod.org/messages/walk-by-the-spirit
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.”
Gal. 5:18
Led = “to lead” “to guide” “to direct”
What were we freed from? Our former life of sin!
What were we freed for? A new life of righteousness!
WORKS OF THE FLESH
Galatians 5:19-21
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are:”
Gal. 5:19a
Works or deeds (plural) of the Flesh
Instead of Made in America we stamp it: “Made with our own hands.”
Not just what activity or action to avoid.
Need to avoid wrong attitudes (selfish – non-Christlike attitudes)
“The ‘works’ of the flesh are the products of fallen human beings in their devising, cunning, and manufacturing (in the sense of ‘made with one’s own hands’) efforts at self-actualization. From the tower of Babel to modern totalitarianism, from Aaron’s Golden Calf to contemporary idols of money, sex and power…”
Timothy George quoted in “Galatians: A Fiery Response to A Struggling Church” pg. 130 by Carl P. Cosaert
“…immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Gal. 5:19b-21
Sexual Sins:
* Sex outside of marriage (premarital sex / living together)
* Sex outside of the God’s boundaries or parameters for marriage
* Improper sex within marriage (adultery / addiction to pornography)
Religious Sins:
* Idolatry / Occultism / False Religion / Materialism
Social Sins:
* Slander / Gossip / Grudges / Rage
Personal Sins: Destructive and addictive behaviors.
“…and things like these…”
Paul didn’t make an exhaustive list!
Again, many of these are not actions but improper attitudes of the heart!
Why don’t we let sin go? The products manufactured by the flesh?
We cling to sin like hoarders!
What do I horde and hold on to?
What are you hoarding and holding on to?
* Bitterness?
* Grudge?
* Anger?
* Envying?
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:22-23
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Gal. 5:22-23
Fruit of the Spirit (singular)
Fruit is what the Holy Spirit Produces in the life of a believer!
* The flesh demands!
* The Spirit produces fruit!
Any false religion or even an individual claiming to be a Christian (religious) and not “Born Again” is like going out into an orchard and finding a dead apple tree or peach tree and tying apples or peaches on its branches that you bought at the store or farmer’s market.
It looks like it has fruit but the tree is dead!
Jesus said: “I AM THE TRUE VINE”
* Jesus taught that only the true branches connected to the vine will bear fruit!
* The fruit is a product of the life of the vine!
Growth is not always immediately seen!
Have you ever watched a plant hoping to see it grow?
It is like watching water come to a boil!
How many have seen a plant growing by time-elapsed photography?
Now that is fascinating! You see the imperceptible growth accelerated!
However, if no fruit of the Spirit is ever produced in your life you need to ask yourself a serious question:
Am I Saved (Born from Above) by God?
Notice: I didn’t ask you if you claim to be a Christian or religious!
VITAL FOR VICTORY
Galatians 5:24
“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Gal. 5:24
When we think about the Holy Spirit we like to think about Spiritual Gifts, healings or the miraculous!
Every Child of God has a Spiritual Gift (Divine Enablement to serve in the Body of Christ).
God does heal.
But we tend to gloss over other important ministries of the Holy Spirit!
“And He (The Holy Spirit), when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment…” John 16:8 NASB
Here is proof:
* After you became a Christian was there ever a time where the music you used to listen to or movies or shows you used to watch began to bother you?
* Bad attitudes you used to have now convict you?
* What once motivated you and your priorities now redirected?
* What used to not bother you suddenly bother you leading you to repentance and crying out to God to be cleansed?
The searchlight of the Holy Spirit begins to reveal even the microscopic dust (sin) like the sun shining through a window and you see the dust particles in the air.
* Paul AD 54 – “Least of all Apostles” (1 Cor 15:9)
* Paul AD 61 – “Least of all Saints” (Eph. 3:8)
* Paul AD 65 – “Foremost of ALL SINNERS” (1 Tim 11:15)
The Holy Spirit was actively working in Paul’s Heart increasing and producing the Fruit of the Spirit in greater and greater measure!
* Crying out to be cleansed
* Crying out to be different
* Crying out for Victory!
“In a world where everything revolves around yourself – protect yourself, promote yourself, and take care of yourself – Jesus Says, ‘Crucify Yourself.’”
David Platt
LIVE AND WALK BY THE SPIRIT
Galatians 5:25
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
Gal. 5:25
Walk by the Spirit = “march in step us” “march in rank”
We are not called to place our lives on autopilot – Letting the Spirit fly the plane!
The Spirit is not our GPS – Turn right in 500’ Turn right in 500’
We actively, moment by moment keep in step with the Spirit
“If you walk by the Spirit, you will in no way, not a chance, absolutely not fulfill the desires of the flesh”
Todd Wilson, Galatians, pg. 198 Preaching the Word Commentary
“To be conscious of the Holy Spirit solves 90% of our problems”
Quote Jim Cymbala heard from a Conference Speaker, Spirit Rising, pg 100 by Jim Cymbala
Christ’s plan was to replace ‘me’ with ‘HIM’
through the Spirit’s presence.”
Spirit Rising, pg 100 by Jim Cymbala
I’m not asking you to make a New Year’s Resolution!
A war is raging!
* Lost Souls need to hear the gospel to be Born Again / Born from Above!
* Our Old Nature (the flesh) was given a moral wound but continues to fight thinking it can win!
We are called and compelled to Christlikeness!
I/ We need to seek to be:
* More like Christ today!
* More like Christ tomorrow!
* More like Christ in 2016
* More like Christ until I / die and go to be with HIM or until He returns!
