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Lust of the Flesh, Lust of the Eyes, Pride of Life
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe half-time show of the recent Superbowl exemplifies the lust of the flesh and the eyes, and the pride of life. Each choice we make changes our brains.
Works of the Flesh
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe works of the flesh are a constant challenge for Christians, as they stem from human nature, which is often apart from God and influenced by the desires of the flesh. These works, listed in Galatians 5:19-21, include adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery (pharmakeia), hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. They manifest as habitual behaviors or acts of rebellion that can exclude one from the Kingdom of God if not repented of. The flesh, from the Greek word sarx, encompasses human thoughts, feelings, desires, and activities, typically uninfluenced by God's Spirit, driving us toward gratification and corruption. To combat these tendencies, Paul advises in Galatians 5:16 to walk in the Spirit, ensuring that one does not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. This requires conducting life under the influence of God's Spirit, filling one's existence with divine guidance to leave no room for fleshly desires. In Galatians 5:24, Paul emphasizes that those who belong to Christ must crucify the flesh with its passions and desires, a process as intense and agonizing as Christ's sacrifice, demanding hard work, trials, pain, and an incredible force of will to resist temptation. Similarly, in Colossians 3:5, believers are urged to put to death earthly members such as fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry, shedding the old man and adopting the new. The battle between flesh and Spirit is a daily decision, as they are diametrically opposed, with no common ground. If one sows to the flesh, corruption is reaped, but sowing to the Spirit yields everlasting life, as stated in Galatians 6:7-8. By living according to the Spirit, the law loses its power over us, as there is no transgression to condemn. The ultimate goal is to so internalize God's way that the flesh no longer tempts, a painful and extreme fight against the very nature that has guided us, requiring everything we have to overcome.
Evil Desires
Sermonette byAll the medieval 'seven deadly sins' could be categorized as a facet of lust. God designed us to have proper desires, just as His desires are always proper.
It's Important to God Too (Part Two)
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughGod does not do things uselessly, and certainly does not need our physical goods. Being a living sacrifice produces successful living.
Principled Living (Part Two): Conquering Sin
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist warns that we must do everything possible to annihilate sin - surgically going right to the heart or mind: the level of thought and imagination.
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe most formidable foe in our spiritual battle is the flesh. We must mortify, slay, and crucify the flesh, enduring suffering as Jesus Christ exemplified.
Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur pilgrimage to the Kingdom will not be easy; we will suffer fatigue from difficult battles with serious consequences. We fight the world, Satan, and our flesh.
Warfare!
Sermon by John O. ReidWe must don the whole armor of God, using His spiritual weapons to bring every thought into obedience to Christ, destroying the enemy's footholds.
The Christian Paradox (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe have two conflicting natures: a downward-pulling carnal nature versus a divine nature imparted by God's Holy Spirit, continually at odds, seen in Romans 7.
The Most Dangerous Battlefront
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe most dangerous battle at hand is against our own flesh, where we least expect treachery and where we have become the most complacent.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasEven though individuals do not necessarily practice spiritual fasting for physical reasons, the physical benefits supply types that teach us spiritual things.
To Live, We Must Die
'Ready Answer' by Bill OnisickHow many of us go through life with our noses to the grindstone? Real life comes as a result of giving our own.
Are You Fighting the Good Fight?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMainstream Christianity espouses the pernicious doctrine of, 'Let go and let God,'" which releases us from any obligation to overcome and build character.
Troubling the Household of God
Sermon by Mark SchindlerIf we allow the old, carnal man to dictate how we speak or make other decisions, we will trouble the household of God and inherit nothing but the wind.
Four Views of Christ (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.
God Works in Mysterious Ways (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGod has providentially given us trials to build character, proving beyond a doubt that we believe Him and have a burning desire to be at one with Him.
Sin (Part Four)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTrue Christianity is no cakewalk into eternal life, but a life and death struggle against our flesh, the world, and a most formidable spirit adversary.
God's Test Act
Sermon by John O. ReidJesus, Joseph, David, and Abraham all endured considerable trials before they qualified for their offices. We must make our calling and election sure.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Ten): Cultivating the Fruit of Self Control
Sermon by David F. MaasIt is impossible to cultivate self-control unless one uses God's Spirit to reprogram the desires of the heart from self-centeredness to submission to God.
Five Teachings of Grace
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughProtestantism unthinkingly presents grace as "free." However, Scripture shows that God expects a great deal of effort from us once we receive it—it is costly.