1. MAKE A DECISION (I Corinthians 2:14-15), (I Corinthians 3:1-3)
The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh.
a. Three Kinds of People
1. Natural
One who has not been spiritually renewed or born again
One who is still opposed to God, rejecting His standard, and is defying God
One who does not have the Holy Spirit living in them
One who lives under Satan’s rule and influence.
One who prefers friendship with the world and is enemies with God (James 4:4)
One who relies on their own human reasoning and is led by their emotions because they do not know God, how he works, and why
2. Spiritual
One who is spiritually renewed, transformed, through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ
One who has the Holy Spirit living within them. (Romans 8)
- One who lives under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
- One who submits themselves under Jesus Christ and His leadership.
-One who the Holy Spirit helps to overcome sinful nature
- Therefore, they are one who can resist ungodly, destructive, desires, and to overcome sinful influence.
- Jesus is sitting on the throne in their life.
3. Carnal
One who is a believer, but Jesus no longer has authority on the throne.
One who’s sin and rebellion does not completely have full control of them.
One who is spiritually immature and stagnant in their relationship with the Lord.
One who’s immaturity is expressed in jealousy and strife.
One who behaves in a worldly manner.
One who instead of consistently resisting the pull of their sinful nature, has allowed and has given into sinful behavior.
One who has become unconcerned or tolerant of immoral behavior in the church.
One who is in the process of compromising with the world’s beliefs and their own sinful nature. They have given the enemy a foothold/access point, and influence while still wanting to be part of God’s people.
B. The Shift from Natural to Spiritual
C. The Shift from Spiritual to Carnal
D. The Shift from Carnal to Spiritual
2. Count the Cost and Grow (Mark 8:34-38)
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
"We often speak of whether we are willing to “count the cost” of discipleship. But the real issue is not the costliness of following Jesus—it’s our willingness to follow him regardless of the cost” - Christy Gambrell
a. Deny Yourself
The Greek word ‘aparneomai’ means to deny connections with people.
Denial in the New Testament is the intentional disassociation from a relationship with a particular person.
Self-denial, then, is the intentional disowning of the self, or stepping away from relationship with the self as primary.
b. Take up Your Cross
c. Destroy the Flesh
Sinful nature and desires cannot be made good; they must be….
1. Put to Death Spiritually (Romans 6:6)
Romans 6
6 We know that our old self[a] was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
2. Overcome through the help of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:13)
Romans 8
13 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.
3. Self-discipline to avoid and resist sinful temptations (Galatians 5:16)
Galatians 5
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
4. Walk in agreement that Christians are set free from the power and control of sin (Romans 6:13)
Romans 6
13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.
5. Biblical Understanding of Grace
6. Practical
3. Share the Story
a. Testify to what He has done in your life (Revelation 12:11)
Revelation 12
11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.
b. Feel a burden for the lost (Romans 1:14-16)
Romans 1
14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,[a] both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.
The Righteous Shall Live by Faith 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Follow me and become fishers of men. (Matthew 4:19)
Matthew 4
19 And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
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