THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS
JULY 17TH, 2005
THE TWO NATURES OF A
BELIEVER
I. A Christian has two believers (17).
A.
Before Adam sinned he had a nature in perfect communion with God.
1.
After Adam sinned he obtained a sin nature.
2. Adam became a sinful man, and all people
born after Adam inherited the sin nature from him.
B. At conversion, we became a partaker
of God’s nature (II Peter 1:4).
1.
In our text (17), the sin nature is called “the flesh.”
2.
God’s nature is called “the spirit.”
II. A Christian has two desires (17).
A.
Paul describes these two desires
as “contrary the one to the other.”
B. The new nature does not displace
the old nature, and the sin nature cannot pollute the new nature.
- Angels are fascinated by this mystery (I
Peter 1:12).
C.
“The flesh lusteth against the spirit,” and
this is the source of our struggles in the Christian life.
III. A Christian can be easily confused
(17).
A.
The flesh is so stubborn “that ye cannot do the things that ye would.”
B.
Living between these two natures can easily cause frustration and
confusion in our lives.
C.
The Apostle Paul confessed the same struggle in his life (Romans
7:15-23).
D.
Notice the constant reference to self (“I”) in those verses in Romans.
E.
A Christian cannot overcome the flesh in the power of the flesh.
IV. How can a Christian overcome the flesh
and live for God? (18)
A.
Being led by the Spirit means that the spiritual life becomes the
natural life for the Christian.
1.
A Christian cannot live a victorious Christian life by constantly
asking: Should I do this, or that?
2.
Paul states that we are to “be led of the Spirit.”
B. The Law, and the works of the Law,
cannot make us spiritual.
- “.....ye are not under the Law.”
1.
“The paradox is that the righteousness of the Law is achieved by freedom
from the Law through the dynamic ministry of the Spirit within the believer.”
(Robert Gromacki)
2.
The false teachers in Galatia were emphasizing holiness by keeping the
Law; Paul emphasizes the Spirit’s leading apart from the Law.
V. When a person is led by the Flesh it is
manifested in fleshly works. (19)
A.
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these.....”
1.
The word “manifest” means revealed, or on display.
2.
The identity of
your leader, (flesh or spirit), is revealed by the works in your
life.
B.
Each nature has its own outward characteristics.
1.
Before the specifics are discussed, we should pause and realize that the
outward man is a reflection of the inward man.
2.
Paul has now laid the ground-work for describing the details of our two
natures.
Conclusion: Which nature is leading you?