The Flesh and the Spirit

When good and I lived in Michigan. We had about 1/2 acre of ground and that most of it was long and one day when I woke up and looked at my lawn to my chagrin, I realize that we had been invaded by moles causing tremendous damage on the lawn.

Jesus says that men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil while moles loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil everywhere living on my property denies my permission eating at my expense. Paying note rent, a tall and causing tremendous damage very quickly.

I regarded them as enemies. You know, as we follow Jesus Christ. We have three enemies. The Bible says one is the world. Jim says that friendship with the world is enmity with God, so the world is.

There may second delay, the devil is our enemy. Peter tells us he goes around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. But there is 1/3 enemy an enemy that were going to think of today and then in May, which is very insidious. It is an anime within what we call that kind of enemy we call that anime a traitor. We call that kind of anime a mole fighting against us.

Very clever, very devious and in the Bible it is called the flesh in some translations of the Bible, such as the new international version. It is called the sinful nature. I think rather better. The flashes we have in the translation we're using here in Calgary. The English standard version. It is true we are following Jesus Christ always told us in our previous study of Romans will no longer in the flesh. We are no longer in the flashes that is true, but still sinful desires in us, that is, while saying no longer reigns in us. Sin does remain. But how do we as followers of Jesus deal with the flesh. These fleshly desires. This traitor within the gates this mole as it were. These sinful passions policyholders that the law and legalism are not the answers but rather God has done a wonderful thing about a gracious thing thing I something that I'm not sure if we really understand file a really thank God for and that is this the dog gives in his grace, his people, those who are saved by his grace he gives us a supernatural resource which is much more powerful than the flesh or fleshly desires and in Romans chapter 8 that were studying. Paul is going to make it clear that once we were dominated by the flesh, but no as those who love Christ, we are to be dominated as it were, by the spirit we live no longer in the flesh no longer is our lives lived in the Flyers but as Paul is going to say in a passage today it is a life lived in the spirits things are different. Let's learn about this different way of living as we send and breather passage which is found in Romans chapter 8 versus five through 13. Let stand and read this together for those who live according to the flash set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit for to set the mind on the flashes that but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace for the mind that is set on the flash is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, I'm not in the flesh but in the spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

But if Christ is in you. Although the body is dead because of sin this Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flash to live according to the flesh foot if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but live by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live in the tremendous passage of Scripture Romans chapter 8 versus five through 13 we see from this passage. First of all, that the unbeliever lives according to the flesh. What Paul is saying in verses five through eight. The unbeliever pursues the things of the flesh.

All of us without exception ball is made this very clear are born in the flesh. We are born in Adam.

He told us and asked for an Romans five verse 12 our thoughts or values are mine set out in visions or goals and pleasures are for those who are in the flesh are largely temporal focused on ourselves, self-centered, self absorbed, self-indulgent self pleasing.

That's the flesh and Paula said the flash in the unbeliever is hostile to God that you notice is read verse seven for the mind that is sent on the flash is hostile to God is very strong as is the enemy of God, for it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot. That is the unbeliever. Although many would not admit this. The unbeliever in their heart is rebelling against God wants to live life, not according to the law of God, but wants to live life according to our own pleasures. We want to make ourselves. God, the very center of her life, put ourselves on the throne do what we want.

Follow our own desires her own feelings make ourselves little kings and queens is aware, we may think were free, but we and factored in the grip of sin by ourselves. We are unable to please God. This is what it means to live according to the flesh left ourselves not only do we not seek to please God.

We don't even want to part from the grace of God than what all spiritually lying in the just as a mole is living in the darkness, spiritually blind in the flash were spiritually dead. If we don't want to hear the voice of God when we do we rig out rebel against it or we close our years to the truth of God were spiritually dead in our trespasses and their sins and self-help self-discovery.

Self recovery will not work. We cannot we cannot. Paul is very very clear on this. We cannot save ourselves. This is why the good news of the gospel is so brilliant that God in his love sends into our world into our darkness into our sin.

He sends his Savior a supernatural delimiter you need and I need the power of Almighty God in our life. We marveled at the power of the hurricanes enjoy 450 miles Bancorp power all of our armies. All of our resources. All of our nuclear armament. All of the education of ingenuity and technology of man the Lord will combine cannot solve that one hurricane nothing we can do small small, almost infinitesimal example of the prelude of God in a small part of this globe that we call outs and a small part of it, just outside North Carolina. This hurricane comes and we have an Almighty God, who in the beginning, spoke the heavens and the earth into being, who is greater than the storm who creates the sun in a sense, who rides upon the storm. Although the part of the hurricane was a this small compared with the power of God available to us. Didn't Paul begin this wonderful epistle by telling us that the gospel is want except power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes that God's power is so great in salvation.

He can take the worst of sinners. Yes, people like you and me who have messed up who lived according to the flesh. In fact of being proud of the way we live.

I'm going to live the way I want rebel against God our parents and everyone else and live on life. But the plywood of God is so great that it can take the worst of sinners wash them in the blood of Christ and fit them for heaven and make them new men and new women in Christ. This is the wonder of the gospel, the Christian gospel that Jesus Christ is the only one who can deliver us again set us free. And when God in his grace sends his son into the world.

He does not come to condemn us as a little boy we used to sing in Sunday school. He did not come to judge the world.

He did not come to blame. He did not only come to seek it was to save. He came in when we call him Jesus. And when we call him Jesus. And when we call him Jesus. We call them by his name, what does Jesus mean Savior. He comes to save us to deliver us to give us this in your life to free us from this life of self-indulgence.

This life of darkness and Paula said here in verse six we could to set the mind on the flash is that he said in chapter 6, verse 23 the wages of sin is that this is why the Bible says you need a new beginning you need help from outside of yourself.

Yes, I understand your well educated and well disciplined person very accomplished. But all of that won't change this enemy within you the flesh you need while you need a spiritual birth because that which is of the flesh is flesh says Jesus the Nicodemus with averages of the Spirit is spirit. Nicodemus you will. You must be born again or you will not see you will not even enter the kingdom of God require a new birth, something which called in his grace through his Spirit does. Yes, the spiritual life and the spiritual that Paul is saying what we believe what we pursue has eternal consequences for Bob Wallace think this is the unbeliever living according to the flesh, but the follower of Jesus lives according to the spirit Christ followers we pursue we set our minds on the things of the spirit.

Verses five and six again for those who live according to the flash do they do, they set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the spirit to set the mind on the flash is what day but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 12 contrast between those who live according to the flash and those who live according to the spirit and when we receive Christ.

I'm not talking about some empty profession. But when we truly have a personal encounter with the living Christ that would been singing about in this resurrection power that are acquired later send when we come to the living Christ who invades our son who forgives our sins and who indwells us is a totally new spiritual orientation and mindset. Paul says that in second Corinthians 517 if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation the old is gone and the new has come. Things are different now. And because of that we see the world very very differently.

I love this quote by CS Lewis. Many of you know, it's a quite well.

He says I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because Brian and I see everything else.

We see the sun. Yes, but because the sun was so powerful we see everything else because the sun exists a follower of Christ sees everything totally else totally different because of the sun, not the SU and by the SON, things are different now. We've entered into a new kingdom. A new domain.

Paul is saying. Once you are blind, but now you see your dad and your alive again to new life. I graduated from University. My first job I went to work for a law firm. I know would know where to stay and the one of the partners of the law firm what I was, said the John until you get someplace I would stay in a time that had never been before.

Really, other than the interview he said that my mother will be quite happy for you to stay with her as she was an elderly widow and so I stayed with her for five weeks and she was a very, very godly woman elderly thy thoughts in my early 20s. Maybe she was nuzzled, not as I think she was, but very old woman and I member sitting at the supper table name was Mrs. Peterson. I said Mrs. Peterson, tell me how you came to Christ and she sat's big smile broke open will code the face. He said was wonderful should be broad topic and an island called Bryce a ways north of Scotland and one of the Shetland Islands small island called Bresee as a young woman I think in the late teens early 20s every weekday. She got on the ferry from my little island and went to the main island of the Shetland Islands, the time choleric away in the far north and she said she said the day after I came to Christ she said I could hardly believe it. She said I saw everything differently. I said what did you mean she said this is the CCP blue or and the sky. Probably the clouds and the rain were Shetland. She said everything was different and she realized that her eyes had been opened and she was looking at the very world God's creation through different eyes describe the sea, the birds that should not all of her life that something had happened was different. What happened God's love. It flooded our heart reminds me of the him we have another book by George Robinson heaven above is softer blue.

After learning the sweeter green something lives in every I Chrysler size have never seen birds with bladder songs overflow flowers with deeper beauty shine. Since I know as now I know I am his and he is mine. Listen, if it if you say you are a Christian and that hasn't made any difference in your life.

I have to ask you. You truly saved a few hours ago I said on this platform. Officiating at the wedding of a young couple who met here at Calvary and it would be inconceivable and totally heartbreaking to all of us. If they said well we know each other in love with each other doesn't really make any difference that we live senior planning unit in love.

How can you say you love someone and continue to live as you did before you make that person know we know in the human realm of your brother fallen in love life changes the wise in your heart is reflected you you you see and think of like differently, how much more when our hearts are flooded with the love of God that we have different affections, different desires, different priorities, different goals. Life is different for those who are living according to the spirit, or could it be that some of you have just embraced a superficial cultural Christianity. The short time.

Some of you know not to far from here.

The Panthers are going to be planning the bangles right. I hope they do well while attendance is down a little bit rights now just think of this. I spoke to somebody yesterday who said they were going to the Panthers game, going to church were going to the Panthers game with your and I said tell me .0 amend this guy. He he he likes the Panthers is unaware of the shirt is where the And the leasehold day is all reinstated to this game and and he's going be leaving here very early to go. I said, rightly so. Island you got to get the atmosphere of the thing. He's an authentic panther fan but you know there are people who wear the panther shirt where the panther May go to an occasional game meal of the Super Bowl parties like being with friends and finds that they have no real interest in the game you ever wonder how people can pay a fortune for ticket watch on TV you think these empty seats. Some guys buying a hot dog when they're doing up the best play the game or some guy during the game he he's talking he's not really focus on the game. No, this interest is in wearing the shirt he likes the environment of the Panthers but is not really interested in the game of football. I think some some of us are like that with her Christian faith. Outwardly, we say has signed a follower of Christ and then assigns. We enjoyed being with Christians in the sense we enjoy coming to church tablets to really love Christ don't fall into the trap of thinking that you can live like the world and still claim to be an authentic follower of Christ. No one has called high potency. But as you grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Is this true you find this, that your spiritual desires and loves become stronger and stronger.

Now you love to read this book. The Scriptures you love to pray. You love to fellowship with your brothers and sisters in Christ.

Once she regarded coming to church is a bit of a chore.

Someone says said to me was 945 minutes kind of early, as I leave you in the wee hours partying and getting drunk and then is a bit tough to get up at 945 to worship God as a positive stop and when church was canceled last week. First time you said hallelujah it was then how will you know church usage on those not people like that, on,, I've been on the block a few times, but things are different is not lipolysis to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. Now for the true follower of Christ.

Worship is a priority. Where does the spiritual desires come from or not from the flash, but from this I would delight then is to please God showed mind Jacob that was married yesterday is the lights is to please his wife. It's not that sure is not a chore that he's going to spend time with her know he loves her so much that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. Paul says, set your minds on the things of the spirit, but you notice the two contrasts seven and eight. Those who are hostile to God and those who please God. The flash in the spirit. The results of the flash restlessness, selfishness, turmoil, despair, and eventually death the believer. Paul says life and peace, not just future eternal life.

That's true, but life now is changed how we see life our priorities in life was important in life is change and peace therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter 5 verse one and Paul is saying here something magnificent authentic followers of Christ didn't go out by the spirit. Verse nine you, however, notice that are not in the flash but in the spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you other words, if you are a true believer. Anyone who does not have the spirit of Christ doesn't belong to him. But if Christ is in you. Although the body is dead because of sin this Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his credit, who dwells in you is this marvelous that the spirit of God dwells in us. There are those who teach, I believe falsely that after we come to Christ. After some time, there is a second work of grace whereby things are changed from think we can reach a stage of sinless perfection. I've met a few people over the years who've claimed to be perfect. Not just dead people of people looked on them definitively gives this type of traffic to be talking about the same guy that I know this cranky old guy but I've met people who claim you can reach a stage of sinless perfection. Spurgeon tells a story of a man in his congregation was that in Haranguing and trying to argue with Spurgeon that if you really lived in the strategy could reach this stage of sinless perfection.

Spurgeon said I got tired of speaking to him. So one time when the man was arguing with Spurgeon, Spurgeon said I delivered listed on these foods in mind are very angry with them and said something he shouldn't of, and then Spurgeon says that he argued just like the rest of us so if you come this morning to the front and claim to be sinless tub, sinless perfection, but to stand on your foods and will see what happens. No we are not talking about sinless perfection as we live in the spirit. The flash is still that we still love them all with all of the temptations. Others think that the answer here is to receive the baptism of the Spirit. The initial inevitable sign of which is speaking in tongues, then you were told your power for living, then you have victory over this and when you're baptized by the spirit and speaking tongues. Several policy what is Paul saying here all authentic followers of Jesus are indwelt by the spirit look at verse nine. Look at the Pro nine previously. He said we always talked on the third person any talks in the second person verse nine you wonderful you with this Paul say first Corinthians 6 verse 19. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you. You have from God, you're not your own for your blog with a price. So glorify God in your body is wonderful that when Gord saves us not only does he forgive your sins. The Holy Spirit indwells you I'm indwelt by the Holy Spirit. If you're a true believer. You are indwelt by the power unit indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

And that gives you this new power children. You have a birthday or Christmas and you got this wonderful present your content and that was the very thing you wanted but there were no batteries given of the experience I had when is a report in the batteries in those days was sure which I think my mom or my dad was so sorry there's no batteries.

This magnificent car or truck or something else and you admire it, but there's no parlor, there's no batteries.

Can we say reverently the Holy Spirit is the battery the guard when he saves you he doesn't say now you know when the Holy Spirit until sometime later know he gives you all of the spiritual blessings in Christ the power of the Holy Spirit and we receive the Holy Spirit. Not after we were are saved but in some so-called second work of grace we receive the Holy Spirit. At the moment of conversion that is if you are truly saved you are indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

You have the spirit of God the spirit of Christ is the same as the authentic Christianity is not just of adopting certain behavioral changes not just quitting on the shirt like that, like the hypocritical plans are fine and looking the part. Now authentic Christianity is a relationship with God. It's one of belonging verse nine Paul says you out in the spirit verses nine and 11. The spirit dwells in you. I am his and he is mine.

I am in Christ and Christ the spirit of Christ is in me. I just think of this as this is mind blowing. I think to realize this was the Lord Jesus indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Yes, everything needed the same Holy Spirit who indwelt our Lord Jesus Christ.

During his incarnation is the same Holy Spirit who indwells you and me can you imagine that God doesn't give you some little limitation doesn't just give you a little bit of power you are St. Paul, so that you can live this life according to the spirit so that you can be different so you can stop living in the flash and live now in the spirit. Paul says now you will receive.

If you truly believe you receive the very spirit of Christ.

So every authentic believer in Jesus Christ as indwelt by the Spirit were all baptized by the Spirit into the one body. Paul says in first Corinthians 1213 but not every believer is filled with the spirit that over with me a few chapters to Ephesians.

When we see this Ephesians 5 was some confusion on this.

Sometimes I think Ephesians 5 verse 13, verse 18. Rather, Paul says, don't get drunk with wine to hear that some of you get drunk with wine, maybe with beer, whiskey, whatever. This that's the flesh you hear the word of God to you.

Don't get drunk all you can control it.

Can you not really do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery.

But while be filled with the spirit you say how do we know of. What a fun filled with the spirit world to be filled with us, but it is to be controlled by the spirit as you moment by moment depend on the spirit what the consequences of being filled and the spirit here in Ephesians 5, speaking in tongues.

No. Is addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with all of your hard to say without that's for the praise team not to musical I'm with you on that is not talking about some special musical talents is as it should, that we belong to Christ. Want to worship God want to praise God with all of her being yes music is part of that peer of the sounds the word of God. Spiritual song singing and making melody to the Lord with all your heart, you can this morning and you're one of these guys are just fans like this. Yes, we see from a peer. I'm not much of a singer.

I don't know how I got one that was too old to new singing and making melody to the Lord in your heart heart to phrase verse 20 giving thanks always and for everything to God the father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you are thankful person. Not one of the characteristics of our age. Is it what is me me me, what are you doing for me know the one who is filled with the spirit lives a life of thankfulness to God as one convicting verse 21 submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. You see when you don't and you will know the people I have to work with you and your maybe even worse than they are an attitude of want of submission.

Humble attitude. The opposite of arrogance and self-will, which is the flesh.

This is the feeling of this, but it results in a fruitful life which overflows in blessing to others. But back to Romans eight attends running others.

Much, much more is in the frantic followers of Christ. Verse 11 will start will participate in the resurrection of life. Verse 11. If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. All of us are rapidly aging. Take a look at limited rights of Christ doesn't return during a lifetime. Every single one of us will die for Christ these volleys as his body was created by God. Paul is telling us something marvelous as Christ was raised from the dead soul. Our mortal bodies, this body will be raised from the dead through the life that is given in the submitted who dwells in us for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ Jesus. All should be made to live in this valley Holy Spirit to who indwells me is the guarantee of the spiritual resurrection that the same power that raised our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead is the same power which will raise you and me. If you're a follower of Christ from the dead.

Douglas Moo writes the spirit's life-giving power is not circumscribed by the most by the mortality of the body but overcomes and transforms that mortality into the immortality of eternal life, and of resurrected body wonderful is this was all of her life miserable.

It would be winter this world be like for heart yes you say aches and pains and get all the right leg is getting a little tough. I understand that but my dear brother and sister in Christ. This spirit in new guarantees this future resurrection. The presence of the Spirit in our mortal bodies is a guarantee of the future bodily resurrection doesn't Paul say in Philippians 3 that Christ will turn that God will transform our lowly bodies to be like his glorious body. That's why were concerned with the physical body was a dozen mother what happens when a guy really this is about is God-given. This very body is going to be raised from the dead and the proof of that is that the Spirit of God dwells in us not to quickly verses 12 and 13. We who follow Christ to defeat the flesh by depending on the spirit.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flash to live according to the flesh. Can you do that for if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. So then vast wealth. Here are the practical implications of living according to the spirit. It will what you want me to do. John follow verses 12 and 13 that's what you're to do so, then no, you're not free from the temptations through your fleshly desires. They're not eradicated you're never going to reach on this planet.

This state of sinless perfection know you will continue to be tempted world. The devil, the flesh, but in the wonderful pulses listen you doing all the flesh anything. Why would you cater to the flash and Lisa rebellion and dad don't listen to the flash. I understand your tempted live each day in the spirit and defeat sin because the Holy Spirit who indwells you is far more powerful than your fleshly desires. Whether you to do. Verse 13 put to death the deeds of the body you want to follow Jesus. He says what deny self. This is hard work, with deeds of the body in your flesh to be put to death. You know what to do with them today put to death the deeds of your body deal decisively and ruthlessly lay with sin. Peter says in first Peter 211 beloved, he said, abstain from fleshly lasts which wage war against your soul. Fleshly lasts same root as the word SAARC/you got these fleshly loss and then wage warning there waging war against your soul. Know what you do to an enemy sit down and have a cup of tea as it will give them a bit by bit know when I see these moles I think I get rid of these things. These are my anime. His not too easy to get rid of them iPhones put the deeds why it is so easy on yourself why you so self-indulgent, why do you make these excuses and say everyone else does this, and well, I'm a young person in our own I'm a senior Obama millennial around this around that stop that nonsense put to dead the deeds of your body that is something that you must do. Paul says in chapter 13 verse 14. Make no provision for the flesh. Don't invite the flash to your dinner party don't entertain the flash when that thought comes when not temptation, but does the ruthless Jesus says if your eye offend you pluck it out if you're hand offends you, cut it off. Yes, using hyperbole, but to show deal with sin ruthlessly and decisively be killing sin or it will kill remember the mold. Remember the treated within the gates.

The flesh wants to destroy your children. It poses as a friend. We are called to please God left us is that all of this for us this minute indwells us and to pursue the spirit of this life of of peace, a life of joy, a life of blessing to others. If you pursue you put your mind on the things of the flash, there may be some temporary pleasure but it will lead you to disaster your regular life you'll ruin your life and the life of those around you with as we conclude some of you have never yet surrendered to Christ you're wearing that panther uniform is aware, but you're not in the fanfic follower of Christ is a John who gave reality. I'm tired of this pretense. I'm tired of this cultural Christianity. I want reality.

It begins at the foot of the cross and the wonderful weave across the ceiling reminder that it begins at the foot of the cross was to come with the burden of your said look to your Lord Jesus Christ, who left you, and you gave himself for your Savior and then this fairytale. And while you and give you this power. This is why the Bible says that God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have ever lasting life. We trust the Savior.

I'm going to pray and as I pray I'm going to ask those who are involved in the ESL program English with a second language you want to commission them or when the pray for them. Not sure where the R what are you ESL workers on their you're here. Can you send a police you say what is ESL English as a second language is why I teach Southerners about chalk, but we have many many people coming to Charlotte who don't know English and these this wonderful team with the of the time and resources not only in teaching English, but pointing them to Christ. I'm in the pray for them.

In the pray for all of us that we truly would live according to the spirit of the father, under God, thank you for your grace. Thank you for the spirit. What is of the flesh is flesh for that which is of the Spirit is spirit. Help us to live according to the spirit and some here, I've never yet surrendered their lives to Christ open their eyes locked bring them to the cross, humbled, and they cried out for salvation and reality and for these ESL workers are brothers and sisters in Christ, thank you for your calling on their lives and pray that you will bless them. Thank you for the many opportunities they have not only to teach English, but to open your word and to point them to point these students to saving faith in Jesus Christ, my stepfather, and may we have more and more workers a little more students as we display and proclaim our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask in his name, a man