Who Is Leading Your Life?

Who Is Leading Your Life?

gtcotr/ws043003

Key Scripture: Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Something will be your guide

Something will be your governor

Something will be your god

Who or What is leading you?

Man was initially created in God’s likeness and image.

Genesis 2:7 God formed man of the dust of the ground, breathed into his body the breath of life and man became a living soul.

1 Thessalonians 5:23 ¶ And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When man rebelled against God and sinned, death entered in and now man is born, not of the spirit but of the flesh - born mortal - born to die.

The fleshly nature is prone to sin and serve the god and appetites of this present world.

Jesus paid for sin and made a way for man to be born again of the spirit of God.

Salvation gives new eternal life and sanctification to the spirit - We Are Saved.

Salvation allows a renewing process of sanctification of the soul - We Are Being Saved.

Salvation provides for a new body upon glorification with Christ - We Will Be Saved.

Romans 7 & 8

24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body (soma) of this death?

25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh (Sarx) the law of sin.

1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh (Sarx), but after the Spirit (Pneuma).

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

You Are A Triune Being

Who have you placed in control of your life?

I. The Carnal Man

Sarkikos

The Flesh

* Romans 8:

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

1 Corinthians 3:1-3

2 Corinthians 1:12

* 1 Peter 2:11 Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

A. Lust

* 1 John 2:

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

* James 1:13-15 tempted - drawn away of his own lust and enticed -

* Mark 4:18 sown among thorns - cares - deceitfulness - lust of other things

1. Self Love

2. Self Worship

3. Selfish

4. The god of self

* it’s all about me

* The flesh attempts to justify & validate itself by good works

* Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

B. Fear

* Isaiah 54:14-15 thou shalt not fear

* Luke 8:50 fear not, only believe and you shall be made whole

* Romans 8:15 you have not received the spirit of fear again unto bondage

* 1 John 4:18 fear has torment - perfect love casts out fear

* Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my Light … whom shall I fear? … afraid?

C. Darkness

1. Sin

* Hebrews 11:25 “… the pleasures of sin for a season.”

2. Evil

3. Wickedness

4. Uncleanness

* The results of a life lived in and led by the Carnal Man is revealed in Galatians 5:19-21

19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

II. The Natural Man

Psuchikos

The Soul Man

* 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

* 1 Corinthians 15

42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:

43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:

44 It is sown a natural (Psuchikos) body (Soma); it is raised a spiritual (pneumatikos) body (Soma). There is a natural (Psuchikos) body (Soma), and there is a spiritual (Pneumatikos) body (Soma).

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul (Psuche); the last Adam was made a quickening spirit (Pneuma).

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

A. The Makeup Of The Soul

1. The Mind

* Thoughts

* Knowledge

* Wisdom/Common Sense (James 3:15 sensual = psuchikos)

* Understanding

* Imagination

* Intellect

* Romans 8:7

* Romans 12:2

* Col 1:21

* Ephesians 2:3

* Ephesians 4:17

* 1 Peter 1:13

2. The Will

* Decisions

* Commitments

* Restraints

* Determination

* Purpose

* John 18:39 will ye that I release unto you

* 1 Corinthians 7:37 … he that hath power over his own will …

* 1 Peter 4:3 … the will of the heathen …

3. The Emotions

* Either fruits of the spirit

* Works of the flesh

Depending upon which man dominates & controls the soul

III. The Spiritual Man

Pneumatikos

The Spirit Man

Ephesians 3:16 The Inner Man

1 Peter 3:4 The Hidden Man of the Heart

* Romans 1:11

* 1 Corinthians 2:13-14

* 1 Corinthians 3:1

* 1 Corinthians 10:3

* 1 Corinthians 14:1 & 37

* 1 Corinthians 15:44-46

* Galatians 6:1

* 1 Peter 2:5

A. Light

* John 1:4 In Him was life and the life was the light of men.

* John 3:19-21

B. Life

* John 3:16 Everlasting Life

* John 6:48 The Bread of Life

* John 14:6 I Am The Life

* Romans 8:2 The Spirit of Life

C. Love

* 1 John 4:7-8 God is Love

By an act of your will, you decide who controls your life and future:

The Old Carnal Nature

motivated by lust, fear and darkness

The Intellectual Imaginations & Emotional Mandates

moved only by what you know or feel at that moment

The Spiritual Revelation

envisioned by eternal truth and godliness

Then the discipleship begins - we feed, support, defend and die for the one we choose.

Conclusion: Don’t be led by the flesh or the soul, but by the spirit.

* 2 Timothy 3:1-7

* Galatians 5:18

* Romans 8:14

Becoming The Person God Wants You To Be

Becoming The Person God Wants You To Be

gtcotr/ss042703

Turn to Romans 8

Key Scripture: Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

The Bible is the book of life

Scripture is sufficient to explain all creation

The Word is a guide to all knowledge & wisdom

The Word reproduces 30/60/100 fold Mark 4:20

It bears testimony to the Good, Acceptable and Perfect Will of God Romans 12:2

Allow me to give a 30 fold, initial, good understanding of how you can become more spiritual

I. Genesis 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

A. Body

B. Spirit

C. Soul

II. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A. Spirit - Pneuma

1. Romans 1:11 - Spiritual (Pneumatikos) gifts

2. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual (Pneumatikos) gifts brethern, I would not have you ignorant.

B. Soul - Psuche

1. 1Corinthians 2:14 14 But the natural man (psuchikos) receiveth not the things of the Spirit (Pneuma) of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually (Pneumatikos) discerned.

2. Sense Ruled

C. Body - Soma

1. Your earth suit

2. James 2:26 For as the body (Soma) without the spirit (Pneuma) is dead (nekros), so faith without works is dead also.

Note: We were created Spirit, Soul & Body and it is God’s hope that our Spirit, Soul and Body be preserved blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. So where is the problem?

Note: We were not created Spirit, Soul & Body - We were born Carnal. Born into sin. Born of man and by nature a child of wrath in need of redemption, salvation, regeneration, renewal and discipleship.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

III. Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh

A. Flesh - Sarx

1. 1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal (sarkikos): for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal (sarkikos), and walk as men?

B. Galatians 5:17 For the flesh (Sarx) lusteth against the Spirit (Pneuma), and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

IV. Romans 1:11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;

Note: We all need a pneumatikos gifting to stabilize our spiritual walk with Christ. Let’s take a look at:

V. The Apostle Paul’s Wisdom

A. Explain Romans 8

1 ¶ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

10 ¶ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 ¶ And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ;

B. Galatians 6:7-8

7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

8 For he that soweth to his flesh (Sarx) shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit (Pneuma) shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

VI. Four Things The Bible Tells Us To Do To Become More Spiritual

A. Make No Provision For The Flesh

* Romans 13:14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

B. Renew Your Mind With The Word Of God

* Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

C. Bring Your Body Under Control

* 1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

D. Feed Your Spirit Spiritual Things

* Conversation Spiritual Conversation - What you talk about

> Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

* Meditation Spiritual Meditation - What you think about

> Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

* Determination Spiritual Determination - What you do

> Colossians 3:17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

The Story

The Story

gtcotr/ss042003

Turn to John 18

I. The Betrayal & Arrest

John 18:2 And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

12 Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,

* Point # 38. What you are going through may not be punishment for your past but rather positioning for your future.

II. The Trial

John 18:13 ¶ And led him away to Annas first …

Annas - President of the Sanhedrim; Former High Priest (AD7 to AD25)

Caiaphas - The Jewish High Priest (AD27 through Pilate’s rule of Judea). Questions Jesus. During this time, Peter denies Christ once at the door and twice by the fire - Jesus is struck by the officer and told to submit to the High Priest questionings.

Pontius Pilate - The Appointed Roman Governor of Judea by Tiberius, (AD26), lived primarily in Caesarea, came to Jerusalem to maintain order during Passover. He interviewed Jesus privately and finding He was from the Galilee, sent him to Herod Antipas

Herod Antipas - Tetrarch of Galilee, vain & frivolous, earlier beheaded John the Baptist. His men stripped & mocked Jesus and sent Him back to Pilate wearing a Purple, regal robe.

Pontius Pilate - Hopes to release Jesus, but has no courage or convictions. Told by his wife to have nothing to do with Jesus. Attempts release by popular demand but fails and releases Barabbas instead. Allows Jewish leaders to incite crowd who call for crucifixion. Pilate washes his hands of the matter in public and sends Jesus to be scourged and later condemns Him to be crucified.

* Point # 179. It’s not what you are going through, but what you are going to that one must keep their eyes on.

III. The Scourging

John 18:1 ¶ Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.

2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

* Sometimes ungodly things do happen to Godly people

* It must have seemed so unfair at that moment - but from heavens eternal perspective, it was one of the most wonderful moments in history.

IV. The Condemnation & Procession

John 19:

12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar’s friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

16 ¶ Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.

17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

Matthew 27:32 And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

* Point # 195. The most important and profitable thing we ever encounter may at first seem like a terrible and unfair burden.

V. The Crucifixion

John 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

* Point # 170. God did not give His extra Son, but His Only Son …

* Point # 171. It cost Mary her firstborn child for God to save the world.

* Jesus gave His life for sinners on a foreign missions field … you could do no better!

* Point # 172. What price are we willing to pay to see the gospel go forward?

VI. The Death

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

* If the devil cannot defeat you then he often attempts to defeat someone whose defeat will defeat you

* Point # 89. The only thing you will regret when you get to heaven is that you did not go sooner.

* Point # 46. With your last breath you can confidently say that your greatest day is yet ahead.

VII. The Burial

John 19:40 Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.

42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

* Point # 44. If it’s bad God is not finished yet.

* Jesus’ mother may have taught Him that when you borrow something, always remember to give it back.

VIII. The Resurrection

John 20:1 ¶ The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.

* Point # 155. The army of God is not assembled to preserve where God has been and what God has done, but rather to pursue where God wants to go and what God wants to do.

IX. The Appearing

John 20:19 ¶ Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord.

* Point # 154. God does not first seek our permission before He upsets our plans.

X. The Commissioning

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.

* Point # 91. While people wait for a move of God, God waits for a move of people.

XI. The Empowering

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

* Point # 132 . The church is not a refrigerator to preserve ministries, traditions or ministers but an incubator to birth ministries

XII. The Reason

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

* Life is a Process … A Journey … an Adventure

* It’s not always all about you

* God has predetermined that everything will work out right in the life of a believer

* Point # 25. The journey is your friend.

Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

It was the journey that made the difference!