To Be Spiritual

November 6, 2011

Introduction

            This morning, we ask the question,  Are you spiritual?  Why be Spiritual?  What difference does it make?

Body

I.       Why Be Spiritual?

(Rom 8:5-6 NKJV)  For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. {6} For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

A.    What is it to be “Carnally minded”?

Σάρξ  sarx   Thayer Definition:

2c) the sensuous nature of man, “the animal nature”

2c1) without any suggestion of depravity

2c2) the animal nature with cravings which incite to sin

B.     We are to Seek things that are above

(Col 3:1-2 NKJV)  If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. {2} Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

II.    We are buried with Him in baptism.

(Col 2:12 NKJV)  buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.

A.    We are raised with Christ.

(Rom 6:4 NKJV)  Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

B.     Seek those things which are above.

Seeking involves effort.

It involves discipline.

It involves desire.

III. Don’t let our human side pull us down

(Rom 13:13-14 NASB)  Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy. {14} But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

A.    Be spiritually minded

(Rom 8:6 NKJV) {6} For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

1.      Think on these things.

(Phil 4:8 KJV)  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,  whatsoever things are honest,  whatsoever things are just,  whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2.      These thoughts remind me of the First Psalm

(Psa 1 NKJV)  Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; {2} But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.  {3} He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. {4} The ungodly are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind drives away.  {5} Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. {6} For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the ungodly shall perish.

B.     Only the Spiritual please God

(Rom 8:7-8 NKJV)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. {8} So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

1.      The Spirit of God must dwell in us.

(Rom 8:9 NKJV)  But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.

2.      The Spirit is life

(Rom 8:10 NKJV)  And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

3.      God’s Spirit gives life

(Rom 8:11 NKJV)  But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.

IV.  We must live by the Spirit

Rom 8:12-13 NKJV)  Therefore, brethren, we are debtors; not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. {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.

A.     “You will die if you live according to the flesh.”

(Rom 8:13 NKJV) For if you live according to the flesh you will die;

B.     It goes back to the Garden of Eden

(Gen 3:4-5 NKJV)  Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. {5} "For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

1.      "You will not surely die.”

a.      Let’s check physically!

b.      His heart continued to beat for many years.

c.       Even so, man began to die, and, of course, was sick before he died.

V.    Our days are numbered!

(Psa 90:10 KJV)  The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

(Psa 90:10 NIV)  The length of our days is seventy years-- or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away.

A.    In another sense they died that day

(Gen 3:22-24 NKJV)  Then the LORD God said, "Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever“ . . .

B.     Paradise Lost!

(Gen 3:22-24 NKJV) {23} therefore the LORD God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. {24} So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

VI. In another sense they died that day

A.    They lost the close communion that they had had with God.

B.     They were in the process of dying from that day on.

C.    Sin had caused man to hide himself from God.

1.      Sin separates us from God

(Gen 3:9-10 NKJV)  Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, "Where are you?" {10} So he said, "I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself."

VII.          Paradise Restored

(John 3:16 NKJV)  "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

A.    We must be led by the Spirit

(Rom 8:14-15 NKJV)  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father."

B.     We are children of God

(Rom 8:16-17 NKJV)  The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, {17} and if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

VIII.       Paradise Lost or Restored

A.    Paul was asked:

(Acts 22:16 NKJV)  'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'