Walk of Repentance Lesson 9 Overcoming Life Dominating Problems Introduction: As I looked at this lesson over the Christmas Holidays, I immediately sensed that the Holy Spirit wanted me to park on our memory verse. I was moved by the title of this week s lesson in light of this week s memory verse. Why would we be encouraged to remember Galatians 5: 23 and study such problems as Anger, Fear, Worry, Depression, Laziness, and Apathy? Besides; these are things that women worry about right? These are puberty or adolescent issues.right? When we become men, these things are suppose to be dominate..right? After all, if these were not present we d be bored as men.right? We men don t fear these problems (or do we?), we fight these things (or do we?)..right? So for these last couple of weeks, I ve waiting and seeking God s leading on tonight s message. Then the light went on!! You see, this year the Lord laid on my heart: Zech 14:20-21 20 In that day "HOLINESS TO THE LORD" [HOLY TO THE LORD NIV] shall be engraved on the bells of the horses. The pots in the LORD 's house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yes, every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be holiness to the LORD of hosts [HOLY TO THE LORD, ALMIGHT NIV]. * Everyone who sacrifices shall come and take them and cook in them. In that day there shall no longer be a Canaanite (*denotes unclean, dishonest, or morally impure person) in the house of the LORD of hosts [ house of the LORD Almighty NIV]. NKJV My resolve this year is to inscribe on my heart: Holy to the Lord. In order to that, God took me to Galatians 5: 17-25. Gal 5:16-25 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, * fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, * drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24
And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. NKJV In this passage, God has given me a few words to share with the men of Calvary Chapel Chino Hills. For our topic tonight is centered on what I d like to call the Christian Soldier s Creed or the Calvary Chapel Chino Hills Men s Ministry Creed of Victory. Men of God at CCCH overcome life dominating problems because: WE FIGHT! WE DIE! WE LIVE! Let s look at each of these individual components of our new creed: 1. We fight the effects sins that are caused by the lust of the flesh. 2. We die to the affects of sins that are caused by the lust of the flesh. 3. We live to be in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. 4. Application: Sin becomes terminal!!! In each of our points tonight we want to answer these same three questions: What, Who and Why? If I were to summarize this passage; I d say that it is all about the good guy-bad guy, Comedy-Tragedy, positive-negative, ying-yang, God-Satan, actionreaction (Newton s third law of motion) or what I call the law of communication dynamics in a marriage your action causes a reaction from your mate! There is this thing called contrary or opposition. The spiritual life as a Christian is about how we deal with Mr. or Mrs. Contrariness (addictions, behaviors, attitudes, me, my ego, etc). If we are going to be victorious as Men of God (And we will), then we are going to have to fight, die and live!!! 1. We fight the effects sins that are caused by the lust of the flesh. Vs. 17a Gal 5:17-18 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 1 NKJV A. What are we fighting? Do you know the weakness the take you down? Gal 5:16-17 The Answer: is Flesh against Spirit 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; NKJV Rom 7:15-16 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 1 NIV Rom 7:23
23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. NKJV B. Who is fighting? Gal 5:17c The Answer: You and I. We are in the battle not on the sideline looking!! so that you do not do the things that you wish. 1 NKJV Rom 7:17-18 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. c NIV 1 Cor 9:26-27 Paul said he is a fighter, the battle is enemy is against him. He is not on the sidelines preaching!! 26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. NKJV C. Why are we fighting: Galatians 5: 17b Answer: There is Opposition in God s Temple!! and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things you wish Rom 7:19-20 Answer: To avoid the failure to thrive diagnosis!! 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. NKJV 2. We die to the affects of sins that are caused by the lust of the flesh. Vs. 24 Gal 5:24-25 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 2 NKJV A. What things should be slain? Answer: Passions and Desires 1. Affections or passions. Greek: panthema. Definition: powerful or compelling emotion or feeling. Strong sexual desire, lust. Rom 7:5 5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. NKJV 2. Desire: Greek: Epithumia. Definition: To expression a wish to obtain, a longing, a craving.
1 Thess 4:3-6 ** This is what I desire to follow the will of God which is sanctification. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 NKJV B. Who should die? Answer: Those who are Christ s. Gal 5:24 24 And those who are [belong to] Christ's NKJV Jer 1:4-5 those who are called by God 4 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying: 5 "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." NKJV Mark 9:41 those who belong to Christ 41 For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. NKJV John 10:27-30 Those who know (because they love) Jesus. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. NKJV C. Why have we crucified the flesh? Answer: That are Christ s. Greek: (Huperekperissou) means to cause someone to overflow with something; to be present in abundance. In this case, we should be willing to die because we are filled to overflowing with Jesus. 2 Cor 5:17-18 When we are in Christ, we have a new lifestyle 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 1 NKJV Gal 2:20-21 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 2 NKJV Phil 4:13 When we are in Christ, we have the strength need to die to the flesh. 13 I can do all things through Christ * who strengthens me. NKJV Phil 4:7 When we are in Christ we have unique peace in the midst of trials 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. NKJV
3. We live to be in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:25-26 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 2 NKJV A. What is our compelling reason to live? Answer: The fact that our living is in the Spirit. The phrase: in the Spirit is one word in the Greek. That word is Pneumati. Use 25 times in the Bible and 17 of those refer to the Holy Spirit: Eph 6:17-18 Praying in the Spirit 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints NKJV Phil 3:2-3 Worship in the Spirit 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, * rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, NKJV Col 1:7-8 Colossian church loved one another in the Spirit 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit. NKJV 1 Tim 3:16 Christ was Justified in the Spirit 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God * was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory. NKJV Revelation: John was able to prophesize in the Spirit (1:10), Saw visions of the Jesus, The Lamb on the Throne (4:12), Judgements against Babylon (17:3), and carried to the New Jerusalem (21:10). B. Who does the living? Answer: We do. Acts 17:28 We then can live!! 28 for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' NKJV Eph 1:7-8 We can experience true Redemption 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, NKJV
Eph 1:11-12 We are made joint heirs and we are chosen by Him 1 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 1 NKJV C. Why do we live? Answer: For God s Glory!! 1 Cor 10:31-32 Do all for His Glory!! 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 3 NKJV 1 Peter 2:12 The enemy has no choice but to give God the glory, for your obedience resulting in good works. 12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. NKJV John 11:4 God is glorified in EVERYHING when we live to HIM!! 4 When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." NKJV 4. Application: We are Fighters following our Men s ministry creed!! Eph 6:12-14 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 1 NIV We are the walking Dead (to sin) Rom 7:24-25 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of 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 the law of sin. NKJV We are good fruit to others because we are ALIVE in Chirst Don t Stop with Jesus, but Go with Jesus!!... Because Jesus is LOVE. LIVES IN ME I will chose to Love
Because Jesus is Joy LIVES IN ME I will live with Joy.. Because Jesus is Peace GUARDS ME. I will embrace Peace Because Jesus is Longsuffering. TOWARDS ME. I will practice Patience Because Jesus is Kindness SHOWN TO ME. I will practice Kindness Because Jesus is Goodness.. GIVEN TO ME.. I will demonstrate Goodness Because Jesus is Faithfulness ALWAYS WITH ME I will practice Faithfulness Because Jesus is Gentleness TOWARDS ME. I will practice Gentleness Because Jesus is Self-Control SHOWN FOR ME. I will practice Self-Control We don t just grow our fruit We give our fruit away for the Glory of God!!