Sermon Central
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"Walk This Way!"
Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: After we are Born Again we have two ways we can live our lives. We can live for the flesh or we can yield daily and Walk by the Holy Spirit. Being led daily by the Holy Spirit is the way to the greatest happiness and joy (not trouble free) with Jesus.
“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.”
