THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS
JULY 10TH, 2005
WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
I. Paul describes the results of abusing
Christian Liberty:
A.
Biting and devouring one another is an obvious result of Christian
Liberty abuse.
1.
When the emphasis is on serving ourselves instead of serving others,
there is division
and strife: (James 4:1-3).
2. The emphasis on serving self, in
the name of Christian Liberty, is nothing more than selfishness in disguise.
B.
Being “consumed one of another” is the end result of constant biting and
devouring.
1. When the modern definition
of Christian Liberty is adopted by Christians, no one wins.
2. The Christian life was never
intended to be lived in selfishness, defended Biblically; it is a selfless
faith, based on loving others above self.
- “Every marriage should have one wedding
and two funerals.”
C. To those contemporary Christians
who defend everything, and oppose nothing, the Apostle Paul wrote these words:
I Corinthians 8: 9 and 12.
1.
The Lord Jesus is always at the center.
2.
All of us should strive to be Biblicists, not secularists.
II. The Nature of Spirituality (16)
A.
We are commanded to “Walk in the Spirit.”
1.
A walk is slower than a run.
2.
There is no spiritual microwave that will make you spiritually strong in
just a few minutes.
3.
It is the nature of Biblical spirituality to
grow with time, and mature with age and consistency.
B.
The Bible commands us to “walk”, and shows that we are known by our
walk:
1.
We are to walk humbly (Ephesians 4:1).
2.
We are to walk differently than unsaved people (Ephesians 4:17).
3.
We are to walk in love for others (Ephesians 5:2)
4.
We are to walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8).
5.
We are to walk circumspectly (Ephesians 5:15).
C.
Our “walk” is to be “in the Spirit.”
1.
We are not to grieve the Holy Spirit by mistreating fellow Christians
(Ephesians 4:30).
2.
We are not to quench the Holy Spirit by refusing to allow the Holy
Spirit to direct us (I Thessalonians 5:19).
3.
We are to be filled with Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18).
D.
The result of Holy Spirit leading is “....and ye shall NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh (16).
1.
The word “flesh” refers to the sinful tendencies of our human natures;
(mind, will, emotions bodies).
2.
Walking in the Spirit prevents living for self.
III. Christian Liberty cannot be properly
understood apart from two primary principles:
A.
The basis of Christian Liberty is: “Thou shalt
love thy neighbor as thyself.” (14)
B.
The means by which Christian
Liberty is practiced is: “Walk in the Spirit.....” (16).
C.
It is the combination of these two principles that is overlooked in the
modern definitions of Christian Liberty that permeate the purpose-driven,
seeker sensitive churches of our day.
Next Sunday: “The Flesh versus the Spirit”