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Handling the Holidays!
Gal 5:16-25 Part 2
I.Introduction –
A.Let’s finish what we began last week!
B.The Review needs to be thorough BECAUSE that’s where our commands are!
C.When we get to 5:19-23, I’m NOT going to DEFINE the meaning of each word in these lists – they’re obvious, and we know our sins
D.We’ll SPEND our TIME WITH HOW to APPLY this!
E.One VERSE KEYS this Letter – where we MUST START before we can UNDERSTAND the APPLICATION in Gal 5
II.Brainless Galatians! (Gal 3:3)
Galatians 3:3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?
A.“Are you so foolish?” – ARE YOU BRAINLESS?
1.Literally = “without mind/thought” = BRAINLESS
B.“Having begun by the Spirit” (Gal 3:3)
1.Our Christian life began THROUGH the Holy Spirit
a)Convicted of sin
b)Brought to repentance
c)Saving Faith was energized by the Holy Spirit
C.are you now being perfected by the flesh?
1.“perfected” = brought to completion / “sanctified”
2.“by the flesh?”
a)ARE YOU NOW BEING SANCTIFIED, BROUGHT TO SPIRITUAL COMPLETION BY THE FLESH?
b)“flesh” = sarx.
(1)unredeemed nature, fallenness, unredeemed humanity.
(2)flesh=the DOOR that the world uses to reach us.
(3)NOW the Flesh CONTINUALLY battle your REDEEMED SOUL
1 Pe 2:11 Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts, which wage war against the soul.
(4)The Flesh even FIGHTS The Holy Spirit (v.17)
c)As a Christian, YOUR ULTIMATE VICTORY OVER THE FLESH IS a Certainty
d)UNTIL THAT TIME, YOUR Fight WITH THE FLESH IS a Certainty ALSO!
D.WHAT PAUL IS SAYING IN Gal 3:3:
1.Christian Living NOT based onHuman effort
2.Human effortDOES NOT accomplish the supernatural.
3.Paul says to Remember: our salvation was a working of the Holy Spirit in its initiation
4.Therefore, our spiritual live must be a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit!
5.We must live by the power of the Spirit!
6.One of the most serious MISTAKES Christians make is to try to “get sanctified”, “to grow spiritually,” without the Holy Spirit!
a)USING False, worthless human solutions that replace the MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT –
7.Quote: We MUST MOVE IN THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT IF WE TRY TO OFFER HUMAN SOLUTIONS TO SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS.WE GROW MORE LIKE THE WORLD THAN LIKE Jesus CHRIST
III.Command for all Christians (Gal 5:16)
A.Questions:
1.How do weLive our Spiritual lives?
2.How do we “get perfected/sanctified” by the Holy Spirit instead of by the flesh?
B.TURN TO GAL 5:16 and LET’S read v.16-25
Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21 envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
C.The Command: Galatians 5:16
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
1.= basic, baseline, fundamental truth for all Christian living!
2.“But I say” …
a)In v.13-15 Paul says
(1)YOU WERE CALLED TO FREEDOM!
(2)IN Jesus Christ YOU DON’T HAVE TO KEEP THE WHOLE MOSAIC LAW TO “OBEY” GOD
(3)THE OT SAINT LIVED FOR GOD OUT OF LOVE AND OBEDIENCE TO THE MOSAIC LAW
(4)IN CHRIST, THE NT SAINT IS FREE
(5)NOT FREE TO DISOBEY
(6)FREE TO OBEY GOD
b)HOW DO WE DO THAT?
(1) OUT OF LOVE LIKE THE OT SAINT AND Gal 5:16
c)The “But I say…” is in contrast to Gal 5:15…
Ga 5:15 But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.
(1)Paul: “Instead of biting/devouring one another, I SAY”
3.walk by the Spirit
a)“walk” = continuous command
(1)Christian life =one step at a time.
(a)People want the BIG FIX!
(b)OR they want to be programmed to “automatically” obey
(c)Christian life= one-step at a time WALK
b)How are we to live? ONE STEP AT A TIME UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
(1)There is never a time when you just arrive and you are permanently spiritual / stop sinning
(2)BUT you Can overcome sin as a pattern of life by walking in the Spirit
(3)YOU CAN TAKE ALL OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE AND REDUCE IT TO THIS – WALK BY THE SPIRIT
(4)YOU CAN TAKE ALL OF THE COMMANDS OF THE NT AND REDUCE TO THIS!
(5)THE SUM OF IT ALL IS TO WALK BY THE SPIRIT!
4.Paul continues (V.16b) –if you walk by the Spirit - YOU WILL NOT CARRY OUT THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH!
a)“carry out” =to fulfill, to finish
b)“desires” = LUST (epithumea)
(1)= Controlling desire/over-desire/craving for forbidden
(2)WILLING to DISOBEY God TO GET IT!
5.Sooooo, Paul is starting a contrast here:
a)Walk by Spirit vs. Carrying out desires/lusts of the flesh
b)IF you walk by the Spirit YOU WILL NOT carry out the desires of the flesh
6.What’s the assumption here?
a)PAUL WANTS TO BE FAIR – THERE’S A CONFLICT
b)EASY PRINCIPLE TO ARTICULATE, IT’S NOT THAT EASY TO LIVE IT!
IV.Conflict in all Christians (Gal 5:17-23)
Galatians 5:17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
A.Conflict Defined: The flesh sets its desire against the Spirit and THE SPIRIT SETS ITS DESIRE AGAINST THE FLESH!
1.Desire = LUST (same word we just saw in v.16)
2.The flesh conceives and brings forth sin!
3.The Holy Spirit desires the things of God!
4.So, you become a Christian and the war is on!
B.This conflict was assumed in v.16
1.THE FLESH DESIRES THAT YOU
a)DISOBEY GOD
b)DOUBT / DISTRUST GOD
c)BECOME USELESS TO GOD!
d)FLESH DESIRES THAT YOU HAVE
(1)Relationship problems
(2)Marriage problems
(3)Family problems
(4)Anxiety, Fear, Pride, anger, bitterness, hatred, worry
e)THE FLESH DESIRES THAT YOU SIN
f)THE FLESH SETS ITS DESIRE AGAINST THE SPIRIT
g)IT WANTS EVERYTHING OPPOSITE FROM WHAT THE SPIRIT WANTS!
2.We must find some means to control the flesh.
a)SINCE ALL OF OUR PROBLEMSFOR WHICH WE SEEK SOLUTIONS IS ALL CAUSED BY THE FLESH
b)THEN THE SOLUTION TO EVERYTHING IS TO OVERCOME THE FLESH!
c)THE ONLY WAY TO OVERCOME THE FLESH IS TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT – GAL 5:16.
3.YOU CANNOT OFFER A HUMAN SOLUTION FOR A SPIRITUAL PROBLEM.
a)Spiritual answers are not found in psychology, self-help, methodology, etc.
b)Not human effort, good ideas, clever plans, systems
c)THE WAY TO OVERCOME THE DRIVING, COMPELLING, OVERWHELMING DESIRES OF THE FLESH IS TO WALK IN THE SPIRIT.
4.Gal 3:3 = COMING UP WITH SOME HUMAN SOLUTION TO YOUR PROBLEM IS NOT SCRIPTURAL – IT’S FOOLISH! – BRAINLESS for a Christian!
a)A Human Solution is just MORE of the FLESH
b)natural effort that is weak, helpless and sinful!
c)The FLESH is NOT GOING TO CONTROL the FLESH!
d)If I have a problem and I turn to anything on the human level, I am ADDING FUEL on the fire!
C.V.18 Paul – let me say v.16 ANOTHER WAY
Galatians 5:1818 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
1.“But if you are led by the Spirit” (ALMOST same as v.16)
a)Paul very directly says the Spirit is to lead
b)That means YOU ARE TO FOLLOW God’s WILL
2.Then “you are not under the Law.” = human effort
a)To be “operating” under the law is to be operating by works, by human effort.
b)ALL human effort is pointless when it’s trying to deal with the spiritual dimension.
3.Holy Spirit’s LEADS, WE FOLLOW, YIELD!
4.And the whole time the flesh fights, hinders.
V.Conflict Categorized and Contrasted (Gal 5:19-25)
A.V.19-22 Paul gives an open-ended list of the “deeds of the flesh” – a list of things that come from the flesh…
1.V.19:“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident”
a)Notice: These are NOT produced by
(1)Lack of self-esteem
(2)A tragic childhood
(3)A trauma in life.
b)Paul tells it like it is – they are deeds of the flesh!
2.What are they?
Galatians 5:19 Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, [SEXUAL BEHAVIOR] 20 idolatry, sorcery, [FALSE RELIGION] enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,21 envying, [RELATIONSHIP PROBLEMS] drunkenness, carousing, [DRINKING, PUBLIC ORGIES] and things like these, [NOT A FULL LIST! ]of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
3.Think about the problems of Christians
a)sexual behavior problems - walk by the spirit!
b)Idolatry (self-worship (Col 3:5-7) – walk by the Spirit!
c)Drugs (sorcery) – Walk by the spirit!
d)disputes… walk by the Spirit!
e)Marriage problems… walk by the Spirit!
f)Work conflicts… walk by the Spirit!
g)Strife: Don’t get along with people… walk by the Spirit!
h)Jealousy… walk by the Spirit!
i)Anger… walk by the Spirit!
j)Drinking… walk by the Spirit!
k)Envy… walk by the Spirit!
4.YOU CAN PUT IT ALL HERE! IT’S ALL THE FLESH!
5.AndNOTanexhaustivelist “and things like these” (v.21)
6.PAUL REALLY CLOSES THE DOOR ON THE SUBJECT AT THE END OF VERSE 21!
a)LOOK FOLKS, I’VE WARNED YOU
b)that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!
c)=THE PATTERNS OF AN UNSAVED PERSON
d)IF THEY ARE THE UNBROKEN PATTERNS OF YOUR LIFE THEN YOU AREN’T A CHRISTIAN!
7.BUT:
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
a)“fruit of the Spirit” = RESULTS PRODUCED by OBEDIENCE to God (walk by the Spirit)
(1)Therefore, WHO produces them? HOLY SPIRIT!
(2)Think about it –YOU CANNOT CREATE GODLY “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control!”
(3)ONLY the HOLY SPIRIT can
(4)YOU OBEY, HE PRODUCES
b)Christian life DOES NOT EQUAL “I need to love more, therefore I’m going to make myself be more loving”NO!
(1)Instead – “I’m going to OBEY MORE”
(a)Sacrifice more / Put others first
(b)Obey God when there is a need
(c)AND –
(i)I’m going to pray my way through it
(ii)Do it for the Lord’s Glory (not mine)
(iii)Ask for the strength to do it
(d)THEN, Holy Spirit produces true Godly love!
c)WE DON’T PRODUCE ANY of THESE THINGS because the HOLY SPIRIT is the POWER in our lives to produce them!
d)AND - THESE THINGS ARE BEYOND LAW!
(1)The Law can’t deal with these things!
(2)The Law relates to human effort – these relate to the power of the Spirit!
B.Let’s look at some more human problems
1.I’m not a loving person – WALK BY THE SPIRIT – THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE
2.I’m sad, depressed, not a joyful Christian…
3.I’m full of fear, not at peace…
4.I’m impatient, demanding, distracted…
5.My life is out-of-control…
C.Do you see how straight forward this is?
1.How did we ever get so messed up?
2.HOW DID WE FORGET GOD’S WAY AND GET INTO SELF-EFFORT?
D.IF ALL THE PROBLEMS IN OUR LIFE ARE PRODUCED BY THE FLESH
1.AND THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN OVERCOME THE FLESH IS THE SPIRIT THEN
2.IT SURE MAKES SENSE TO WALK BY THE SPIRIT!
VI.Conclusion for all Christians (Gal 5:24-25)
Galatians 5:24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
A.CRUCIFIED = past tense = the flesh has been put to death with its passions and desires.
B.You say – wait a minute, if it’s dead then how’s it setting its desire against the Spirit?
1.Paul is saying, that POSITIONALLY, FACTUALLY, BEFORE GOD, THE FLESH IS DEAD – IT’S POWER IS BROKEN IN YOU.
2.PRACTICALLY – NOW THAT’S A DIFFERENT MATTER.
C.V.25 “If we live by the Spirit” = definition of a Christian = same as v.24 those who belong to Christ!
1.What a beautiful motivation!
2.“As those who belong to Christ Jesus”, “As those who live by the Holy Spirit of God”
3.CONSIDERING WHO YOU ARE, WHO IS IN YOU, WHO YOU BELONG TO –
4.FOR HEAVEN’S SAKE – LIVE LIKE IT!
5.WALK BY THE SPIRIT!
VII.Carrying Out the Command: WALK by the Spirit
A.W: Word of Christ richly dwell in you (Col 3:16, Eph 5:18)
Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
1. “richly” = abundantly
a)Really filled up!
b)Jammed full!
2.“dwell” = to be at home in and to influence for good
a)be at home
b)likes to be there / wants to be there
c)Not a stranger – at home in you
3.One author: When the word of Christ richly dwells in you they can cut you anywhere and you bleed Bible verses.
a)In other words, NO MATTER WHAT LIFE EXPERIENCE YOU FACE – YOU WILL RESPOND BIBLICALLY – I.E. ACCORDING TO THE WILL AND MIND OF GOD.
b)As Word controls your thinking, it controls your action
c)BIBLE is FULL of COMMANDS to be Knowledgeable
(1)In OT, Israel was destroyed for lack of knowledge
(2)Jesus Christ said over and over “Do you not know?”
(3)Epistles cover this extensively
4.Eph 5:18-19 are parallel verses to Col 3:16
Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;
a)Be filled with the Spirit = Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly –RESULTS ARE THE SAME, IDENTICAL!
b)As the word moves through your heart and mind it is that by which the Spirit of God directs your life.
c)WORD OF CHRIST AT HOME IN YOU IS “HANDLE” BY WHICH THE HOLY SPIRIT LEADS YOU!
5.DON’T YOU THINK THAT A PERSON WITH THE WORD DWELLING IN THEM, FILLED WITH THE SPIRIT IS GOING TO ENJOY THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT INSTEAD OF CARRYING OUT THE DESIRES OF THE FLESH?
6.LOOK AT THE RESULTS IN COL 3:16
Col 3:16…with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
a)BOTH COLAND EPHGO ON TO APPLYING THIS toHusbands, wives, parents, children, slaves
7.A OLD, CLEVER ACROSTIC FOR THE WORD:
a)HEED IT (Matt 13:9)
b)HANDLE IT (2 Tim 2:15)
c)HIDE IT (Ps 119:11)
d)HOLD IT FORTH (Phil 2:16)
8.DON’T BE A SUNDAY DINNER CHRISTIAN – YOU’D NEVER EAT ONE BIG MEAL ON SUNDAY…
B.A: Ask (Rom 8:26) = PRAY
Romans 8:26 In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;
1.ANOTHER KEY MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IS TO HELP US PRAY!
2.Keys to Prayer
a)Ask according to God’s will
1 John 5:14 This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
b)Ask so that God may be glorified in the Son
John 14:13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
c)Ask with Christ’s words abiding in you – ties to having the word dwell richly in you!
John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
(1)Abide = remain, stay around, dwell
3.Ask in Jesus’ name and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full! (Jn 16:24).
John 16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full.
4.As you spend time in the word and prayer communing with the living God, building an intimate relationship, learning His word, you are in a position where Holy Spirit can move you down the path walking as He wants you to walk.
C.L: Led by the Spirit (Gal 5:18) = YIELD
1.Let the Spirit Lead – I.e. We follow, We yield
Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
a)To be led by the Spirit, WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DO? YIELD YOUR WILL TO HIS!
2.Ask that God’s will be done!
Matthew 6:10‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.
3.Jesus gave His will over to God (Jn 5:30)