1 00:00:00,440 –> 00:00:05,400 Please open your Bibles at Galatians and chapter 5. 2 00:00:05,400 –> 00:00:08,800 Over these weeks we have been trying to strengthen 3 00:00:08,800 –> 00:00:11,680 our grip on the gospel by studying 4 00:00:11,680 –> 00:00:15,360 this marvelous letter of Galatians, 5 00:00:15,360 –> 00:00:18,160 and we’ve been learning that the lesson 6 00:00:18,160 –> 00:00:20,080 or message of Galatians really is about 7 00:00:20,080 –> 00:00:22,280 the Sufficiency of Jesus Christ. 8 00:00:22,280 –> 00:00:23,680 He is all that you need, 9 00:00:23,680 –> 00:00:25,879 not only for the forgiveness of your sins, 10 00:00:25,879 –> 00:00:29,200 not only for your ultimate entrance into Heaven, 11 00:00:29,280 –> 00:00:34,020 but for every challenge that you face in your life today. 12 00:00:34,020 –> 00:00:37,000 We’ve seen that the gospel is not simply 13 00:00:37,000 –> 00:00:40,520 the death of Jesus for me on the cross, 14 00:00:40,520 –> 00:00:43,279 but it is also the life of Jesus in me, 15 00:00:43,279 –> 00:00:46,480 by the Holy Spirit, that’s the gospel. 16 00:00:46,480 –> 00:00:48,119 And we tried to summarize it together 17 00:00:48,119 –> 00:00:53,119 by saying it’s grace and it’s life and it’s for the world. 18 00:00:53,360 –> 00:00:55,400 Now in these last chapters of Galatians, 19 00:00:55,400 –> 00:00:57,580 Paul draws two great conclusions 20 00:00:57,599 –> 00:01:00,779 by way of application of the gospel. 21 00:01:00,779 –> 00:01:04,059 The first is our freedom in Christ, 22 00:01:04,059 –> 00:01:07,680 and the second is the fruit that comes from Christ. 23 00:01:07,680 –> 00:01:10,419 Freedom that flows from the gospel 24 00:01:10,419 –> 00:01:15,040 and fruit that grows from the gospel. 25 00:01:15,040 –> 00:01:16,959 Well last week we looked at the marvelous truth 26 00:01:16,959 –> 00:01:19,180 of our freedom in Christ. 27 00:01:19,180 –> 00:01:22,739 You were slaves, Paul says, but now you are sons. 28 00:01:22,739 –> 00:01:25,519 And the reason for this amazing transformation 29 00:01:25,559 –> 00:01:29,199 that has taken place already in Jesus Christ 30 00:01:29,199 –> 00:01:31,860 is that first, God sent his son into the world. 31 00:01:31,860 –> 00:01:33,040 There’s Christmas. 32 00:01:33,040 –> 00:01:35,459 God sent his son into the world. 33 00:01:36,540 –> 00:01:40,379 But not only that, he has sent his spirit into our hearts. 34 00:01:40,379 –> 00:01:43,620 That’s how it comes to us today. 35 00:01:43,620 –> 00:01:48,480 So you are free, Paul says, and so don’t lose your freedom. 36 00:01:49,680 –> 00:01:53,480 Now, some folks, in Paul’s day, as indeed today, 37 00:01:53,559 –> 00:01:54,919 were really terribly worried 38 00:01:54,919 –> 00:01:58,199 about this idea of Christian freedom. 39 00:01:58,199 –> 00:01:59,599 And thinking about it, 40 00:01:59,599 –> 00:02:03,639 it isn’t difficult to understand why that would be. 41 00:02:03,639 –> 00:02:07,480 After all, if we are forgiven freely by the grace of God 42 00:02:07,480 –> 00:02:09,440 through the death of Christ 43 00:02:09,440 –> 00:02:13,240 and our entrance into heaven is already assured 44 00:02:13,240 –> 00:02:16,440 and it does not depend on our works, 45 00:02:16,440 –> 00:02:17,639 then the obvious question is, 46 00:02:17,639 –> 00:02:19,300 now, what motivation, therefore, 47 00:02:19,300 –> 00:02:22,220 is there to live an authentic Christian life? 48 00:02:24,419 –> 00:02:29,419 So suppose that you’re taking a high school class 49 00:02:29,820 –> 00:02:33,320 on let’s say calculus, just for fun. 50 00:02:35,000 –> 00:02:36,300 And on the first morning, 51 00:02:36,300 –> 00:02:38,660 if you imagine yourself taking the position of a student 52 00:02:38,660 –> 00:02:41,460 going into the first morning of a new class on calculus, 53 00:02:41,460 –> 00:02:43,139 the teacher gets up in front of the class 54 00:02:43,139 –> 00:02:45,820 and he says no, I have some good news for you today. 55 00:02:46,940 –> 00:02:49,820 The outcome of your final examination on calculus 56 00:02:49,820 –> 00:02:51,100 is already secure. 57 00:02:51,940 –> 00:02:55,139 Everyone of you will pass this class with flying colors, 58 00:02:55,139 –> 00:02:56,899 in fact you will all get an A. 59 00:02:57,000 –> 00:03:00,179 The A will be my gift to you. 60 00:03:00,740 –> 00:03:04,020 It will not depend on your works in any degree. 61 00:03:04,020 –> 00:03:06,479 It will be freely given 62 00:03:06,479 –> 00:03:09,740 and I can promise you, I give you my word, 63 00:03:09,740 –> 00:03:12,380 it is already secure. 64 00:03:13,699 –> 00:03:14,940 Now how much work do you think 65 00:03:14,940 –> 00:03:17,259 these students are going to do in that class during the year? 66 00:03:18,619 –> 00:03:20,380 Absolutely none right? 67 00:03:21,179 –> 00:03:26,460 Pencils down, ipod is on. 68 00:03:26,460 –> 00:03:29,300 Why? Because there’s no incentive, 69 00:03:29,300 –> 00:03:31,600 the outcome’s already known. 70 00:03:31,600 –> 00:03:34,619 Now, you see, that was exactly the issue 71 00:03:34,619 –> 00:03:36,940 for the false teachers in Galatia. 72 00:03:36,940 –> 00:03:37,880 You see they were saying, 73 00:03:37,880 –> 00:03:40,559 if you teach that your sins are forgiven, 74 00:03:40,559 –> 00:03:41,679 that heaven is secure, 75 00:03:41,679 –> 00:03:42,979 it’s by grace alone, 76 00:03:42,979 –> 00:03:44,619 and does not depend on works, 77 00:03:44,619 –> 00:03:45,940 then all you’re doing is 78 00:03:45,940 –> 00:03:49,639 that you’re inviting people to indulge the flesh. 79 00:03:49,979 –> 00:03:52,539 People will put no effort whatsoever 80 00:03:52,539 –> 00:03:54,639 into their Christian lives on that basis. 81 00:03:54,639 –> 00:03:55,899 It will just be like a student 82 00:03:55,899 –> 00:03:59,300 who already knows the outcomes of their calculus class, 83 00:03:59,300 –> 00:04:00,839 and so the false teacher said, 84 00:04:00,839 –> 00:04:02,440 there is only one solution. 85 00:04:03,339 –> 00:04:04,380 Law. 86 00:04:05,419 –> 00:04:06,919 You have to lay it out there. 87 00:04:08,619 –> 00:04:09,639 And that was their message. 88 00:04:09,639 –> 00:04:12,860 Christ forgives your sins against the law. 89 00:04:12,860 –> 00:04:16,260 Now you are to go and fulfill the law, 90 00:04:16,260 –> 00:04:19,040 and so let’s get started with all being circumcised. 91 00:04:19,079 –> 00:04:20,239 That was their message, 92 00:04:22,040 –> 00:04:24,160 and you can see their point. 93 00:04:25,679 –> 00:04:29,519 They were convinced that there are only two alternatives, 94 00:04:29,519 –> 00:04:33,179 keeping the law or indulging the flesh. 95 00:04:36,480 –> 00:04:38,880 Now Paul says to them something quite different, 96 00:04:38,880 –> 00:04:40,299 and I want us to see it clearly 97 00:04:40,299 –> 00:04:42,880 as it comes out in the scripture this morning. 98 00:04:42,880 –> 00:04:45,160 He’s saying, no, no, no, you are free. 99 00:04:45,700 –> 00:04:50,359 Don’t lose your freedom either by returning to the law 100 00:04:50,359 –> 00:04:52,579 or by indulging the flesh. 101 00:04:52,579 –> 00:04:55,299 You say, well, if we’re not to do either of these two things 102 00:04:55,299 –> 00:04:56,500 which the false teachers thought 103 00:04:56,500 –> 00:04:59,299 were the only alternatives, what then are we to do? 104 00:04:59,299 –> 00:05:01,200 Chapter five and verse 16. 105 00:05:01,200 –> 00:05:02,540 Do you see it right there? 106 00:05:02,540 –> 00:05:04,600 Here’s Paul’s answer and it’s the very essence 107 00:05:04,600 –> 00:05:05,880 of the Christian life. 108 00:05:06,779 –> 00:05:08,619 Chapter five, verse 16. 109 00:05:08,619 –> 00:05:11,820 Live by the spirit. 110 00:05:11,820 –> 00:05:13,640 There’s the Christian life. 111 00:05:13,640 –> 00:05:15,119 And here we come right to the heart 112 00:05:15,119 –> 00:05:18,619 of the message of Galatians and indeed of the gospel itself. 113 00:05:18,619 –> 00:05:21,700 The gospel is Christ for me on the cross, 114 00:05:21,700 –> 00:05:25,239 Christ in me by the spirit. 115 00:05:25,239 –> 00:05:27,679 There is no gospel without the coming 116 00:05:27,679 –> 00:05:29,320 of the son of God into the world. 117 00:05:29,320 –> 00:05:31,040 There is no gospel without the coming 118 00:05:31,040 –> 00:05:35,000 of the spirit of God into your heart. 119 00:05:35,980 –> 00:05:38,079 And you see, the false teachers had grasped 120 00:05:38,079 –> 00:05:39,779 the death of Jesus for us 121 00:05:39,779 –> 00:05:43,359 but they certainly had not grasped the life of Jesus in us. 122 00:05:43,359 –> 00:05:45,079 And that is why they kept going back 123 00:05:45,079 –> 00:05:48,500 to the law and it’s still the case for many today. 124 00:05:49,720 –> 00:05:51,459 Now Paul says if you are a Christian, 125 00:05:51,459 –> 00:05:52,700 here’s the essence of the gospel, 126 00:05:52,700 –> 00:05:55,040 Christ lives in you. 127 00:05:55,040 –> 00:05:57,940 God has sent his spirit into your heart. 128 00:05:57,940 –> 00:06:00,279 This is foundational for what it actually means 129 00:06:00,279 –> 00:06:01,179 to be a Christian. 130 00:06:01,179 –> 00:06:03,000 Galatians chapter four and verse six, 131 00:06:03,000 –> 00:06:06,040 he’s sent his spirit into our hearts. 132 00:06:06,040 –> 00:06:11,040 Now if the spirit of Jesus lives in you, 133 00:06:11,600 –> 00:06:16,600 think about this, if the spirit of Jesus lives in you, 134 00:06:19,059 –> 00:06:21,940 what kind of life do you want to live? 135 00:06:24,880 –> 00:06:27,519 The spirit of Jesus lives within you. 136 00:06:28,799 –> 00:06:31,700 You see he answers that question right there in verse 16. 137 00:06:31,700 –> 00:06:35,399 If you live by the spirit, the spirit of Jesus within you, 138 00:06:35,399 –> 00:06:39,040 you will not indulge the flesh, 139 00:06:41,839 –> 00:06:43,140 that’s the Christian life. 140 00:06:44,239 –> 00:06:45,339 Now we’re therefore going to look at 141 00:06:45,339 –> 00:06:47,000 this very, very important subject 142 00:06:47,000 –> 00:06:49,299 of what it means to live by the spirit together. 143 00:06:49,299 –> 00:06:51,920 What does it mean to live by the spirit? 144 00:06:51,920 –> 00:06:55,660 How would you know if you are indeed living by the spirit? 145 00:06:55,660 –> 00:06:57,059 What are the marks of it? 146 00:06:57,059 –> 00:06:58,859 And it seems to me that Paul gives us 147 00:06:58,859 –> 00:07:00,239 three distinguishing marks 148 00:07:00,239 –> 00:07:02,579 of the person who lives by the spirit, 149 00:07:02,579 –> 00:07:05,739 and these are first, that he or she is waging war, 150 00:07:05,739 –> 00:07:09,619 second, bearing fruit, and third, sowing seed. 151 00:07:09,619 –> 00:07:12,079 These three together this morning. 152 00:07:12,079 –> 00:07:14,899 First, then, waging war, 153 00:07:14,899 –> 00:07:17,299 and here we’re introduced to the major conflict 154 00:07:17,299 –> 00:07:21,380 that continues in the life of every Christian believer. 155 00:07:21,380 –> 00:07:22,420 Verse 17. 156 00:07:23,399 –> 00:07:28,399 The sinful nature desires what is contrary to the spirit, 157 00:07:28,500 –> 00:07:31,040 and the spirit, that is the Holy Spirit, of course, 158 00:07:31,040 –> 00:07:32,399 notice it is capitalized, 159 00:07:32,399 –> 00:07:37,399 and the Holy Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. 160 00:07:37,480 –> 00:07:42,399 They are in conflicts with each other. 161 00:07:42,399 –> 00:07:43,980 And then the new international version 162 00:07:43,980 –> 00:07:47,739 uses the phrase here sinful nature throughout this passage. 163 00:07:47,739 –> 00:07:49,920 I’m going to use the older term this morning, 164 00:07:49,920 –> 00:07:51,559 the flesh, 165 00:07:51,559 –> 00:07:53,899 which I think actually is clearer 166 00:07:53,899 –> 00:07:56,579 and easier for us to understand. 167 00:07:56,579 –> 00:07:59,619 The flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, 168 00:07:59,619 –> 00:08:03,200 and the spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh, 169 00:08:03,200 –> 00:08:07,179 they are in conflict with each other. 170 00:08:07,700 –> 00:08:08,980 So notice that we’re being told 171 00:08:08,980 –> 00:08:11,820 that there is a fundamental conflict 172 00:08:11,820 –> 00:08:15,779 that goes on in the experience of every Christian believer. 173 00:08:15,779 –> 00:08:17,540 I hope you’re were encouraged to know that. 174 00:08:17,540 –> 00:08:18,500 I read that and I say, 175 00:08:18,500 –> 00:08:21,820 Oh, thankfully I’m normal. 176 00:08:21,820 –> 00:08:23,820 Because what I experienced is not different 177 00:08:23,820 –> 00:08:26,500 from what Paul says I’m going to experience, 178 00:08:26,500 –> 00:08:29,320 there will be this ongoing conflict. 179 00:08:29,320 –> 00:08:30,820 When you become a Christian, 180 00:08:30,820 –> 00:08:33,260 you become a new person in Christ. 181 00:08:33,260 –> 00:08:34,619 You are a new creation. 182 00:08:35,340 –> 00:08:38,059 But you do live this life in the body. 183 00:08:38,059 –> 00:08:39,460 Remember Galatians 2 20, 184 00:08:39,460 –> 00:08:41,500 I live this life by faith in the son of God. 185 00:08:41,500 –> 00:08:43,780 But I live this life in the body. 186 00:08:45,140 –> 00:08:46,539 And that’s the tension. 187 00:08:47,580 –> 00:08:51,780 Christ has come as the welcome invader of my life. 188 00:08:51,780 –> 00:08:54,979 He has taken command of my heart, 189 00:08:54,979 –> 00:08:58,380 but there is an active resistance movement 190 00:08:58,380 –> 00:09:00,299 that goes on within me 191 00:09:00,299 –> 00:09:02,380 and goes on within you too. 192 00:09:02,739 –> 00:09:04,500 There is within my flesh, 193 00:09:04,500 –> 00:09:07,260 that which will always resist 194 00:09:07,260 –> 00:09:11,919 the rule and the reign of Jesus Christ in my life. 195 00:09:11,919 –> 00:09:14,580 And Paul says that conflict will continue 196 00:09:14,580 –> 00:09:16,020 throughout the Christian life. 197 00:09:16,020 –> 00:09:19,679 That the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit 198 00:09:19,679 –> 00:09:22,460 and the spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh. 199 00:09:22,460 –> 00:09:24,659 They are in conflict with each other, 200 00:09:24,659 –> 00:09:27,619 that is the normal Christian life. 201 00:09:27,619 –> 00:09:29,200 And I think I’ve mentioned before, 202 00:09:29,200 –> 00:09:30,520 the story of the new Christian 203 00:09:30,520 –> 00:09:32,520 who was baptized by immersion 204 00:09:32,520 –> 00:09:35,119 and afterwards was so full of joy 205 00:09:35,119 –> 00:09:37,479 and said to the pastor with a glowing face, 206 00:09:37,479 –> 00:09:39,239 oh, it’s so wonderful, 207 00:09:39,239 –> 00:09:42,940 I’m not going to be struggling with temptation anymore. 208 00:09:42,940 –> 00:09:45,320 And the pastor said, for that blessing, 209 00:09:45,320 –> 00:09:49,799 I would have had to hold you under for a little longer. 210 00:09:52,820 –> 00:09:56,479 And that is true, the struggle against sin 211 00:09:56,500 –> 00:10:01,239 which, remains rooted within our flesh, 212 00:10:01,239 –> 00:10:04,799 continues throughout the entire Christian life. 213 00:10:04,799 –> 00:10:07,400 And seeing this clearly in the Bible 214 00:10:07,400 –> 00:10:08,840 really is wonderfully helpful 215 00:10:08,840 –> 00:10:11,640 because it does tell you that you are normal. 216 00:10:11,640 –> 00:10:14,599 The normal Christian life, 217 00:10:14,599 –> 00:10:17,760 is one of sustained warfare 218 00:10:17,760 –> 00:10:21,640 against the ongoing resistance of my flesh 219 00:10:21,640 –> 00:10:24,059 to the rule of Jesus Christ in my life. 220 00:10:24,059 –> 00:10:26,179 If you can get hold of that, it will help you. 221 00:10:26,299 –> 00:10:27,479 It has certainly helped me. 222 00:10:27,479 –> 00:10:29,520 That the normal Christian life 223 00:10:29,520 –> 00:10:32,700 is one of sustained warfare 224 00:10:32,700 –> 00:10:36,580 against the ongoing resistance of my flesh 225 00:10:36,580 –> 00:10:40,859 to the rule of Christ in my life. 226 00:10:40,859 –> 00:10:41,880 So here’s the bad news. 227 00:10:41,880 –> 00:10:43,200 We have to begin with the bad news. 228 00:10:43,200 –> 00:10:45,219 The continuing presence of sin 229 00:10:45,219 –> 00:10:47,539 in the life of a believer. 230 00:10:47,539 –> 00:10:51,559 The flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit. 231 00:10:51,559 –> 00:10:53,559 In my flesh, the Bible says, 232 00:10:53,559 –> 00:10:55,940 dwells no good. 233 00:10:56,299 –> 00:10:57,119 Thing. 234 00:10:59,820 –> 00:11:02,960 Now, if we give the flesh what it wants, 235 00:11:04,059 –> 00:11:05,299 what will it produce? 236 00:11:06,679 –> 00:11:09,260 Well, Paul tells us in verse 19. 237 00:11:09,260 –> 00:11:12,039 The acts of the sinful nature. 238 00:11:12,039 –> 00:11:13,179 Give the flesh what it wants. 239 00:11:13,179 –> 00:11:15,380 Here’s what it will produce. 240 00:11:15,380 –> 00:11:16,219 It’s obvious. 241 00:11:16,219 –> 00:11:18,739 He says, sexual immorality, 242 00:11:18,739 –> 00:11:20,299 impurity, 243 00:11:20,299 –> 00:11:21,859 debauchery, 244 00:11:21,859 –> 00:11:22,700 idolatry, 245 00:11:22,700 –> 00:11:23,520 and witchcraft. 246 00:11:23,520 –> 00:11:24,359 Hatred, 247 00:11:24,359 –> 00:11:25,179 discord, 248 00:11:25,179 –> 00:11:26,020 jealousy. 249 00:11:26,840 –> 00:11:28,760 Selfish ambition, 250 00:11:28,760 –> 00:11:30,280 dissensions, 251 00:11:30,280 –> 00:11:31,719 factions, 252 00:11:31,719 –> 00:11:33,520 and envy, 253 00:11:33,520 –> 00:11:34,440 drunkenness, 254 00:11:34,440 –> 00:11:35,440 orgies, 255 00:11:36,400 –> 00:11:37,359 and the like. 256 00:11:37,359 –> 00:11:39,719 That’s a pretty diverse list, don’t you think? 257 00:11:41,320 –> 00:11:42,539 So the obvious question is 258 00:11:42,539 –> 00:11:44,580 what do all these things have in common? 259 00:11:47,599 –> 00:11:50,380 And there’s one very clear answer to that. 260 00:11:50,380 –> 00:11:51,419 Self. 261 00:11:52,919 –> 00:11:54,200 I hadn’t noticed this before, 262 00:11:54,219 –> 00:11:57,440 but found it very clearly in a comment by C.K. Barrett, 263 00:11:57,440 –> 00:11:58,679 and I’d like to quote this to you 264 00:11:58,679 –> 00:12:00,840 because I found it so helpful. 265 00:12:00,840 –> 00:12:02,659 He says this, 266 00:12:02,659 –> 00:12:05,880 the sexual sins stand first in the list 267 00:12:05,880 –> 00:12:07,919 because they are the clearest examples 268 00:12:07,919 –> 00:12:09,200 of a man or a woman 269 00:12:09,200 –> 00:12:11,359 exploiting for his own indulgence 270 00:12:11,359 –> 00:12:15,780 another’s person and at its most sensitive point. 271 00:12:17,280 –> 00:12:18,380 But idolatry, 272 00:12:18,380 –> 00:12:19,840 sorcery, 273 00:12:19,840 –> 00:12:20,859 enmities, 274 00:12:20,859 –> 00:12:21,700 strife, 275 00:12:21,700 –> 00:12:22,520 jealousies, 276 00:12:22,520 –> 00:12:23,400 wrath, 277 00:12:23,479 –> 00:12:24,859 factions, 278 00:12:24,859 –> 00:12:26,239 divisions, 279 00:12:26,239 –> 00:12:27,760 party spirit, 280 00:12:27,760 –> 00:12:28,799 envyings, 281 00:12:28,799 –> 00:12:32,440 these too are works of the flesh 282 00:12:32,440 –> 00:12:36,000 and church history has been and is littered with them. 283 00:12:37,099 –> 00:12:41,140 They are not all carnal sins, he says, 284 00:12:41,140 –> 00:12:44,380 but they are all self-centered sins. 285 00:12:45,479 –> 00:12:50,460 They underline the fact that sin is egocentricity 286 00:12:50,539 –> 00:12:54,080 and the flesh is man’s innate tendency 287 00:12:54,080 –> 00:12:55,580 to egocentricity. 288 00:12:56,820 –> 00:12:59,559 Then he quotes from Shakespeare, the play, Richard III, 289 00:12:59,559 –> 00:13:01,080 where Shakespeare has this line, 290 00:13:01,080 –> 00:13:03,500 Richard loves Richard. 291 00:13:04,359 –> 00:13:06,520 That is, I am I. 292 00:13:08,020 –> 00:13:11,200 Self love is bound up with self-awareness 293 00:13:11,200 –> 00:13:12,900 and personality. 294 00:13:12,900 –> 00:13:15,299 Of ourselves we cannot escape it 295 00:13:15,299 –> 00:13:18,580 and Paul says that those who practice such things 296 00:13:18,580 –> 00:13:22,080 will not inherit the kingdom of God, verse 21. 297 00:13:23,020 –> 00:13:25,700 Of course not, Barrett says. 298 00:13:25,700 –> 00:13:30,659 They are not heirs because they do not belong to Christ 299 00:13:30,659 –> 00:13:33,140 and they do not belong to Christ 300 00:13:34,280 –> 00:13:37,340 because they insist on belonging to themselves. 301 00:13:39,859 –> 00:13:41,460 You see what he’s saying? 302 00:13:41,460 –> 00:13:45,619 That there are many diverse works 303 00:13:45,619 –> 00:13:48,500 that come from the flesh but they have one thing in common, 304 00:13:48,520 –> 00:13:51,960 they are a manifestation of the rule of self 305 00:13:54,359 –> 00:13:58,500 and a life that is a manifestation of the rule of self 306 00:13:58,500 –> 00:14:00,580 is self-evidently a manifestation 307 00:14:00,580 –> 00:14:02,500 of the absence of the rule of Christ 308 00:14:04,780 –> 00:14:07,700 which is why Paul says not if you’ve ever done 309 00:14:07,700 –> 00:14:09,799 any of these things, you won’t inherit the kingdom of God, 310 00:14:09,799 –> 00:14:13,020 he doesn’t say that but he says if you live like this, 311 00:14:13,020 –> 00:14:16,460 that’s where your life is, don’t think you’re a Christian. 312 00:14:18,539 –> 00:14:20,739 They cannot belong to Christ because they insist 313 00:14:21,679 –> 00:14:24,039 on belonging to themselves, Barrett says. 314 00:14:26,880 –> 00:14:31,099 Now, I find this diversity of the list 315 00:14:31,099 –> 00:14:33,979 to be profoundly challenging as I’ve tried 316 00:14:33,979 –> 00:14:35,539 to think about it and pray about it 317 00:14:35,539 –> 00:14:37,099 in relation to my own life 318 00:14:40,140 –> 00:14:44,820 because you see, sin will always try and establish itself 319 00:14:44,820 –> 00:14:47,419 at the weakest point of your life. 320 00:14:49,500 –> 00:14:53,299 Some of these sins you might not be in great danger of, 321 00:14:53,299 –> 00:14:55,260 though if anyone thinks he stands, 322 00:14:55,260 –> 00:14:57,059 let him take heed lest he fall, 323 00:14:58,580 –> 00:15:00,500 but it’s worth looking at the list 324 00:15:00,500 –> 00:15:03,020 and say to which one might I be most vulnerable? 325 00:15:05,000 –> 00:15:09,900 In what way would self-life most likely manifest itself 326 00:15:09,900 –> 00:15:11,700 in its ugliness in me? 327 00:15:14,739 –> 00:15:16,799 You see, sin will always try 328 00:15:17,200 –> 00:15:19,260 and then establish itself 329 00:15:19,260 –> 00:15:21,400 at the weakest point of your life. 330 00:15:21,400 –> 00:15:24,359 It’s like water trying to find its way 331 00:15:24,359 –> 00:15:26,500 into the basement when the snow thaws, 332 00:15:26,500 –> 00:15:27,979 you know that deal? 333 00:15:27,979 –> 00:15:31,960 The water’s there and it looks to find the crack 334 00:15:31,960 –> 00:15:34,159 in your basement, as it were, in your wall, 335 00:15:34,159 –> 00:15:36,880 and it will find the weakest point. 336 00:15:39,320 –> 00:15:42,119 Now, your weakest point might depend 337 00:15:42,119 –> 00:15:44,599 somewhat on your personality, your experience, 338 00:15:44,599 –> 00:15:47,359 your temperament, your age, your state of health, 339 00:15:47,359 –> 00:15:48,900 your position in life. 340 00:15:50,400 –> 00:15:52,479 Some are tempted more through laziness, 341 00:15:52,479 –> 00:15:53,799 others through ambition. 342 00:15:54,880 –> 00:15:57,780 Some through sexual sins, 343 00:15:57,780 –> 00:16:00,500 some through conversational sins, 344 00:16:00,500 –> 00:16:02,460 gossip, backbiting, and so forth. 345 00:16:03,739 –> 00:16:07,119 Some through competitive sins, 346 00:16:07,119 –> 00:16:09,179 envy, jealousy and so forth. 347 00:16:09,700 –> 00:16:13,359 The bad news is that the root of this sin, 348 00:16:13,359 –> 00:16:18,619 the root of the works of the flesh in whatever form, 349 00:16:18,619 –> 00:16:20,219 still lies within us. 350 00:16:21,460 –> 00:16:23,960 The bad news is the continuing presence of sin 351 00:16:23,960 –> 00:16:25,780 in the life of a Christian believer. 352 00:16:25,780 –> 00:16:30,780 The flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit 353 00:16:30,960 –> 00:16:32,619 that is true of my flesh 354 00:16:32,619 –> 00:16:35,280 and it is true of your flesh too. 355 00:16:36,460 –> 00:16:37,520 That’s the bad news. 356 00:16:40,020 –> 00:16:41,919 Now the good news. 357 00:16:41,919 –> 00:16:43,280 I was reading this to my wife last night. 358 00:16:43,280 –> 00:16:45,659 She said, get to the good news, quick, will you? 359 00:16:47,380 –> 00:16:49,260 Here’s the good news. 360 00:16:49,260 –> 00:16:52,260 The bad news is the continuing presence of sin 361 00:16:52,260 –> 00:16:53,700 in the life of a Christian believer. 362 00:16:53,700 –> 00:16:56,020 The good news is the continuing presence of the spirit 363 00:16:56,020 –> 00:16:57,059 in the life of a believer. 364 00:16:57,059 –> 00:16:59,059 Isn’t that good news? 365 00:16:59,059 –> 00:17:02,099 The spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh. 366 00:17:02,099 –> 00:17:03,520 There’s the good news. 367 00:17:04,540 –> 00:17:08,099 That means, because the spirit lives within you, 368 00:17:08,119 –> 00:17:11,979 that you are not at the mercy of the flesh. 369 00:17:11,979 –> 00:17:13,920 The spirit is active within you. 370 00:17:13,920 –> 00:17:18,020 He desires what is contrary to the flesh. 371 00:17:19,420 –> 00:17:22,060 Now you can see, as we begin to think about this verse, 372 00:17:22,060 –> 00:17:24,020 how it really sets up an understanding 373 00:17:24,020 –> 00:17:26,040 of our experience of the Christian life. 374 00:17:26,040 –> 00:17:28,199 There’s the continuing presence of sin 375 00:17:28,199 –> 00:17:31,680 rooted within our flesh that goes on throughout 376 00:17:31,680 –> 00:17:33,859 the life and experience of a Christian, 377 00:17:33,859 –> 00:17:36,699 always producing this fresh temptation 378 00:17:36,699 –> 00:17:38,140 that we need to contend with. 379 00:17:38,140 –> 00:17:40,260 And at the same time in the mercy of God, 380 00:17:40,260 –> 00:17:43,239 the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit, 381 00:17:43,239 –> 00:17:44,540 guaranteeing therefore 382 00:17:44,540 –> 00:17:47,040 that there’s going to be an ongoing conflict, 383 00:17:47,040 –> 00:17:49,780 which will be the normal experience of the Christian life 384 00:17:49,780 –> 00:17:53,060 until the day I enter the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. 385 00:17:53,060 –> 00:17:55,780 And that conflict will be waging war 386 00:17:55,780 –> 00:17:59,000 by the spirit against the flesh. 387 00:18:01,660 –> 00:18:03,660 Thank God for the presence of the spirit. 388 00:18:06,699 –> 00:18:08,079 Someone said to me recently, 389 00:18:09,239 –> 00:18:12,939 Pastor, I have these terrible thoughts that come to me, 390 00:18:15,000 –> 00:18:16,500 and I hate them. 391 00:18:18,380 –> 00:18:19,219 And I said, 392 00:18:19,219 –> 00:18:23,859 thank God the fact that you hate them 393 00:18:23,859 –> 00:18:25,880 is the evidence of the spirit in your life. 394 00:18:27,020 –> 00:18:29,859 The spirit desires what is contrary to the flesh, 395 00:18:30,239 –> 00:18:35,280 your hatred of the flesh 396 00:18:35,280 –> 00:18:38,420 is the guarantee of the presence 397 00:18:38,420 –> 00:18:39,739 of the spirit in your life. 398 00:18:39,739 –> 00:18:40,699 Thank God for it. 399 00:18:42,420 –> 00:18:43,739 Okay, we have this conflict. 400 00:18:43,739 –> 00:18:46,119 what is our responsibility in this conflict? 401 00:18:46,119 –> 00:18:46,959 What are we to do? 402 00:18:46,959 –> 00:18:48,979 How are we to wage this war? 403 00:18:48,979 –> 00:18:50,339 Look at verse 24, 404 00:18:50,339 –> 00:18:52,420 it’s very, very clear here. 405 00:18:52,420 –> 00:18:54,819 Those who belong to Christ 406 00:18:54,819 –> 00:18:58,680 have crucified the sinful nature 407 00:18:58,719 –> 00:19:01,760 with its passions and its desires. 408 00:19:01,760 –> 00:19:02,939 Those who belong to Christ, 409 00:19:02,939 –> 00:19:06,699 verse 24, have crucified the sinful nature 410 00:19:06,699 –> 00:19:09,020 with its passions and with its desires. 411 00:19:09,020 –> 00:19:10,920 Now, let me ask you a question 412 00:19:10,920 –> 00:19:12,680 and please give me an answer. 413 00:19:13,540 –> 00:19:14,579 Crucifixion, 414 00:19:15,459 –> 00:19:19,000 was it a fast death or a slow death? 415 00:19:19,000 –> 00:19:20,319 Answer? 416 00:19:20,319 –> 00:19:21,640 Slow death. 417 00:19:21,640 –> 00:19:22,699 Very clear answer. 418 00:19:24,400 –> 00:19:27,699 Crucifixion is a slow death. 419 00:19:29,380 –> 00:19:30,819 So when Paul says, 420 00:19:30,819 –> 00:19:34,199 we have crucified the flesh, 421 00:19:34,199 –> 00:19:36,979 he means that it is dying, 422 00:19:36,979 –> 00:19:38,439 not that it is dead. 423 00:19:40,500 –> 00:19:44,319 It causes us plenty of trouble even on the way out. 424 00:19:45,599 –> 00:19:48,060 By the way, this is not the same point 425 00:19:48,060 –> 00:19:50,119 as Paul is making in Romans chapter six 426 00:19:50,119 –> 00:19:51,560 which is another thing that we perhaps 427 00:19:51,560 –> 00:19:53,040 we’ll deal with on another occasion. 428 00:19:53,040 –> 00:19:57,040 He’s talking here about our act of crucifying the flesh 429 00:19:57,180 –> 00:19:58,839 and it is a slow death. 430 00:19:58,839 –> 00:19:59,780 It is dying. 431 00:19:59,780 –> 00:20:02,859 It is not dead and it causes us plenty of trouble 432 00:20:02,859 –> 00:20:03,900 on the way out. 433 00:20:05,040 –> 00:20:08,260 Now, I’ve found great help from a Christian writer 434 00:20:08,260 –> 00:20:10,760 of an earlier generation, John Brown, 435 00:20:10,760 –> 00:20:13,079 who puts it like this, he says, 436 00:20:13,079 –> 00:20:18,079 crucifixion produced death, not suddenly, but gradually. 437 00:20:20,680 –> 00:20:24,000 True Christians do not succeed 438 00:20:24,000 –> 00:20:28,119 in completely destroying the flesh in this life. 439 00:20:29,140 –> 00:20:32,319 But they have fixed it to the cross 440 00:20:32,319 –> 00:20:37,119 and they are determined to keep it there till it expires. 441 00:20:39,060 –> 00:20:40,079 If we use this picture, 442 00:20:40,079 –> 00:20:44,280 it’s going through this slow death, fixed to the cross. 443 00:20:45,300 –> 00:20:48,819 Luther, who always writes with great color, of course, 444 00:20:48,819 –> 00:20:53,819 says this, Christ’s people nail their flesh to the cross. 445 00:20:54,319 –> 00:20:58,219 So that although the flesh be still alive, 446 00:20:58,219 –> 00:21:00,680 notice that, although it be still alive, 447 00:21:00,680 –> 00:21:02,780 it cannot perform that which it would do 448 00:21:02,780 –> 00:21:07,400 because it is bound hand and foot and nailed to the cross. 449 00:21:09,040 –> 00:21:09,939 We’re talking, in other words, 450 00:21:09,939 –> 00:21:13,020 here about a policy of zero tolerance for the flesh. 451 00:21:13,020 –> 00:21:14,380 Give it no quarter. 452 00:21:14,380 –> 00:21:17,760 You have to be merciless to the works of the flesh 453 00:21:17,760 –> 00:21:19,119 and to crucify them. 454 00:21:20,319 –> 00:21:21,880 Now of course, your flesh, my flesh, 455 00:21:21,880 –> 00:21:23,859 will not take this lying down. 456 00:21:24,520 –> 00:21:26,380 The flesh will be kicking and screaming 457 00:21:26,380 –> 00:21:28,300 all the way to the cross, 458 00:21:28,300 –> 00:21:30,400 and even when it is nailed to the cross, 459 00:21:30,400 –> 00:21:33,380 it will be shouting temptations from the cross, 460 00:21:33,380 –> 00:21:36,199 and it will be telling you even from its fixed position 461 00:21:36,199 –> 00:21:37,760 that it is still your master 462 00:21:37,760 –> 00:21:39,739 and that you need to do what it says. 463 00:21:42,800 –> 00:21:44,040 I have to tell you, I’m amazed 464 00:21:44,040 –> 00:21:49,040 how many Christian believers have been duped by the flesh 465 00:21:50,839 –> 00:21:53,920 and believe what the flesh says. 466 00:21:55,000 –> 00:21:58,880 There are many in church world 467 00:21:58,880 –> 00:22:03,540 who are deeply and strongly convinced 468 00:22:03,540 –> 00:22:07,140 that they cannot deal with their own flesh. 469 00:22:08,420 –> 00:22:09,280 They believe that. 470 00:22:11,660 –> 00:22:14,219 And maybe it’s a mark of our therapeutic culture 471 00:22:14,219 –> 00:22:16,380 in which every sin is given a new name 472 00:22:16,380 –> 00:22:18,319 and reclassified as a condition. 473 00:22:18,319 –> 00:22:19,619 But I have to say to you 474 00:22:20,540 –> 00:22:25,540 that if you say you cannot crucify the flesh, 475 00:22:26,020 –> 00:22:28,319 you do not believe the gospel. 476 00:22:30,260 –> 00:22:32,119 And we have to grapple with that. 477 00:22:33,260 –> 00:22:35,819 It’s no use saying we have believed the gospel 478 00:22:35,819 –> 00:22:38,099 and then denying it by the back door. 479 00:22:39,459 –> 00:22:43,560 Those who belong to Christ 480 00:22:43,560 –> 00:22:46,540 have crucified the flesh. 481 00:22:47,500 –> 00:22:48,500 Believe it. 482 00:22:50,300 –> 00:22:54,040 There’s a gospel, the gospel. 483 00:22:56,739 –> 00:22:59,380 If you are a Christian the spirit of God lives in you 484 00:22:59,380 –> 00:23:02,180 and that means that you have the ability 485 00:23:02,180 –> 00:23:03,560 to wage this warfare. 486 00:23:04,640 –> 00:23:09,140 It will be a struggle all of your life 487 00:23:09,140 –> 00:23:12,339 and, you know, some of you are now wanting to say, 488 00:23:12,339 –> 00:23:14,660 pastor, you have no idea how hard it is for me. 489 00:23:14,660 –> 00:23:16,959 Yeah, I do have an idea how hard it is for you 490 00:23:16,959 –> 00:23:19,420 because it’s hard for me, too, it’s a warfare! 491 00:23:19,420 –> 00:23:20,520 It’s a struggle! 492 00:23:21,719 –> 00:23:23,459 But don’t deny the gospel by saying 493 00:23:23,459 –> 00:23:25,160 that you can not deal with the flesh 494 00:23:25,160 –> 00:23:27,040 if the spirit lives within you. 495 00:23:30,479 –> 00:23:32,099 The way that you know true Christians 496 00:23:32,099 –> 00:23:34,739 is that they are the ones who are waging this warfare 497 00:23:37,239 –> 00:23:38,339 against the flesh. 498 00:23:40,140 –> 00:23:41,199 Live by the spirit. 499 00:23:41,199 –> 00:23:42,260 How do you know you’re doing that? 500 00:23:42,260 –> 00:23:44,839 What does it look like to live by the spirit? 501 00:23:44,839 –> 00:23:46,819 Which is the very heart of the Christian life. 502 00:23:46,819 –> 00:23:48,319 Well, Paul says, number one, 503 00:23:48,319 –> 00:23:50,160 it’s about waging war against the flesh. 504 00:23:50,160 –> 00:23:52,339 Because this conflict exists within you, 505 00:23:53,520 –> 00:23:55,420 and your calling by the spirit 506 00:23:56,219 –> 00:23:58,579 is that you should crucify the flesh. 507 00:23:59,459 –> 00:24:01,000 Secondly, and more briefly, 508 00:24:01,000 –> 00:24:03,500 it’s waging war, it’s bearing fruit. 509 00:24:04,859 –> 00:24:08,540 But the fruit, verse 22, of the Spirit, 510 00:24:08,540 –> 00:24:11,180 is beautiful and well-known verse, 511 00:24:11,180 –> 00:24:15,880 is love and it’s joy and peace 512 00:24:16,699 –> 00:24:19,079 and patience and kindness and goodness 513 00:24:19,079 –> 00:24:23,920 and faithfulness and gentleness and self-control. 514 00:24:25,619 –> 00:24:27,459 Nine beautiful qualities. 515 00:24:28,380 –> 00:24:30,319 And let’s ask the obvious question again, 516 00:24:30,319 –> 00:24:32,000 what do they have in common then, 517 00:24:32,000 –> 00:24:35,079 especially since fruit is described as singular? 518 00:24:35,079 –> 00:24:36,280 Notice that, by the way, 519 00:24:36,280 –> 00:24:39,359 works of the flesh are plural, any of the above. 520 00:24:40,560 –> 00:24:44,280 Fruit of the Spirit is singular, all of the above. 521 00:24:45,079 –> 00:24:50,079 What do these nine beautiful virtues have in common? 522 00:24:50,400 –> 00:24:52,339 They are the character of Jesus. 523 00:24:53,239 –> 00:24:54,699 And you see, the fruit of the Spirit 524 00:24:54,699 –> 00:24:55,619 is simply this, isn’t it? 525 00:24:55,619 –> 00:24:57,920 It is the character of Jesus in you, 526 00:24:57,920 –> 00:24:59,260 it is fruit which means 527 00:24:59,260 –> 00:25:02,699 it will be produced increasingly over time, 528 00:25:04,260 –> 00:25:06,920 and it will be the result of the presence 529 00:25:06,920 –> 00:25:09,520 of the Lord Jesus, the life of the Lord Jesus 530 00:25:09,520 –> 00:25:11,339 by the Holy Spirit within you. 531 00:25:11,859 –> 00:25:16,859 The flesh produces works, the Spirit produces fruit, 532 00:25:18,060 –> 00:25:19,800 fruit grows, it comes from within. 533 00:25:19,800 –> 00:25:21,420 It is not manufactured. 534 00:25:22,300 –> 00:25:24,900 It is not somehow externally tied on. 535 00:25:25,760 –> 00:25:28,479 And notice that it is the fruit of the Spirit. 536 00:25:28,479 –> 00:25:29,660 This is so beautiful. 537 00:25:30,359 –> 00:25:33,660 And it’s not, if we put this in context, 538 00:25:33,660 –> 00:25:35,239 you see, with Paul’s argument, 539 00:25:35,239 –> 00:25:37,339 this comes not from the law, 540 00:25:37,339 –> 00:25:38,979 but it comes from the Spirit. 541 00:25:39,959 –> 00:25:42,060 If you ask how to get more love 542 00:25:42,060 –> 00:25:44,160 and how to get more joy, and how do you get more peace, 543 00:25:44,160 –> 00:25:47,260 how do you get more self-control in your life? 544 00:25:47,260 –> 00:25:49,140 The answer is not the law. 545 00:25:49,140 –> 00:25:51,079 The law can’t produce this fruit. 546 00:25:53,079 –> 00:25:56,140 See, the law can bring changes in behavior. 547 00:25:58,199 –> 00:26:00,040 The law can kind of hold you back 548 00:26:00,040 –> 00:26:03,579 from fear of consequences from doing things that are bad, 549 00:26:03,579 –> 00:26:06,959 but the law can never produce things that are good. 550 00:26:07,400 –> 00:26:10,459 That’s why Christ had to come into the world 551 00:26:10,459 –> 00:26:12,099 and why the spirit has to come into our hearts, 552 00:26:12,099 –> 00:26:13,699 because the law couldn’t do it. 553 00:26:13,699 –> 00:26:15,599 That’s Romans 8 in verse 3. 554 00:26:15,599 –> 00:26:19,540 See, that’s why virtue will never be produced 555 00:26:19,540 –> 00:26:22,380 by the imposition of authority. 556 00:26:23,699 –> 00:26:26,380 It can only be produced from the indwelling 557 00:26:26,380 –> 00:26:29,020 of the Holy Spirit of God. 558 00:26:31,239 –> 00:26:32,500 Suppose you had a garden. 559 00:26:33,479 –> 00:26:36,520 And in that garden, there is an apple tree. 560 00:26:37,800 –> 00:26:39,319 And you don’t like apples. 561 00:26:39,319 –> 00:26:40,680 In fact, you don’t want apples, 562 00:26:40,680 –> 00:26:42,680 but you really would like to havepears. 563 00:26:44,280 –> 00:26:46,239 So there are two ways in which you can do this. 564 00:26:46,239 –> 00:26:48,140 One way is that you can pull all the apples 565 00:26:48,140 –> 00:26:51,699 off the apple tree, go out to Jule and buy some pears, 566 00:26:51,699 –> 00:26:53,760 and stick them with tape onto the end 567 00:26:53,760 –> 00:26:55,459 of the branches of the apple tree. 568 00:26:57,560 –> 00:27:01,260 A better way would be to plant a pear tree. 569 00:27:02,260 –> 00:27:03,579 You see, that really is the difference 570 00:27:03,579 –> 00:27:05,199 between the law and the Spirit. 571 00:27:05,199 –> 00:27:08,099 The law is never going to produce this fruit 572 00:27:09,239 –> 00:27:14,239 and therefore those who simply have tried to copy a model 573 00:27:14,300 –> 00:27:17,459 or those who try to live the Christian life 574 00:27:17,459 –> 00:27:20,939 simply by submitting themselves to some authority, 575 00:27:20,939 –> 00:27:24,619 the just tell me what to do kind of Christian 576 00:27:24,619 –> 00:27:26,979 ends up being like a plastic flower 577 00:27:27,800 –> 00:27:31,640 because the Christian life can only be produced 578 00:27:31,640 –> 00:27:33,479 by the presence of the Holy Spirit, 579 00:27:33,479 –> 00:27:35,520 it’s not behavior modification. 580 00:27:36,640 –> 00:27:39,359 It’s not sticking pears on the ends 581 00:27:39,359 –> 00:27:41,060 of the twigs of apple trees. 582 00:27:42,180 –> 00:27:44,199 Bad tree produces bad fruit, Jesus says, 583 00:27:44,199 –> 00:27:46,439 but a good tree produces good fruit. 584 00:27:46,439 –> 00:27:48,000 I’m the vine, you’re the branches, 585 00:27:48,000 –> 00:27:50,300 remain in me and you will bear much fruit. 586 00:27:53,680 –> 00:27:55,719 See, the law cannot justify you. 587 00:27:55,739 –> 00:27:56,800 We all know that. 588 00:27:56,800 –> 00:27:58,119 But what Paul is getting at here 589 00:27:58,119 –> 00:28:00,300 is the law cannot sanctify you either. 590 00:28:00,300 –> 00:28:02,939 You’ll never become holy by the imposition of rules. 591 00:28:05,599 –> 00:28:08,619 You are justified by the death of Christ for you 592 00:28:08,619 –> 00:28:11,500 and you are sanctified by the life of Christ in you. 593 00:28:12,520 –> 00:28:13,739 That’s the Christian life. 594 00:28:14,859 –> 00:28:15,920 And the good news is that 595 00:28:15,920 –> 00:28:18,040 the Holy Spirit will produce good fruit. 596 00:28:18,040 –> 00:28:20,760 I am the vine and you are the branches, Jesus says, 597 00:28:20,760 –> 00:28:25,199 remain in me and you will produce much fruit. 598 00:28:25,920 –> 00:28:30,359 There is a peace and a rest that comes from this. 599 00:28:32,719 –> 00:28:35,180 So the fruitfulness then of your Christian life 600 00:28:35,180 –> 00:28:38,619 and of mine depends on our cultivating 601 00:28:38,619 –> 00:28:40,540 the life of the Spirit 602 00:28:40,540 –> 00:28:44,319 or as Paul says it here at the very end in verse 25, 603 00:28:44,319 –> 00:28:47,219 keeping in step with the Spirit. 604 00:28:48,359 –> 00:28:50,439 And that takes us to the last of these three 605 00:28:50,439 –> 00:28:53,439 distinguishing marks of a person who lives by the Spirit. 606 00:28:53,439 –> 00:28:56,040 The first was waging war. 607 00:28:56,040 –> 00:28:58,180 The second is bearing fruit. 608 00:28:59,060 –> 00:29:01,079 And the third is sowing seed. 609 00:29:01,079 –> 00:29:03,140 And I want just to move on here to chapter six, 610 00:29:03,140 –> 00:29:04,719 verses seven and eight 611 00:29:04,719 –> 00:29:07,900 where Paul really continues this description 612 00:29:07,900 –> 00:29:10,099 of what it means to live in the spirit. 613 00:29:10,099 –> 00:29:11,359 Chapter six, verse seven. 614 00:29:11,359 –> 00:29:13,219 Don’t be deceived. 615 00:29:13,219 –> 00:29:15,680 God cannot be mocked. 616 00:29:15,680 –> 00:29:19,359 A man reaps what he sows. 617 00:29:19,359 –> 00:29:22,520 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, 618 00:29:22,560 –> 00:29:26,800 his flesh, from that nature will reap destruction. 619 00:29:26,800 –> 00:29:29,479 And the one who sows to please the Spirit, 620 00:29:29,479 –> 00:29:33,800 from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 621 00:29:36,719 –> 00:29:38,219 Sowing to the Spirit, 622 00:29:39,119 –> 00:29:42,680 not sowing to the flesh. 623 00:29:44,160 –> 00:29:46,239 That’s Paul’s kind of recapitulation 624 00:29:46,239 –> 00:29:51,239 of what it means for us to pursue this life in the Spirit. 625 00:29:53,500 –> 00:29:57,640 The battle with the flesh will continue 626 00:29:57,640 –> 00:29:59,739 every day of your Christian life. 627 00:30:01,199 –> 00:30:03,439 You’ll never be done with it 628 00:30:03,439 –> 00:30:07,079 until you see the Lord Jesus Christ. 629 00:30:08,800 –> 00:30:11,839 You can’t get rid of the flesh, 630 00:30:13,040 –> 00:30:16,260 but you can weaken its position. 631 00:30:17,020 –> 00:30:22,020 Of all the things that I’ve tried to learn over the years, 632 00:30:22,140 –> 00:30:26,020 I think that insight has probably been the most helpful 633 00:30:26,020 –> 00:30:27,939 to me in terms of encouragement 634 00:30:27,939 –> 00:30:30,400 in the ongoing battle of the Christian life. 635 00:30:31,420 –> 00:30:33,359 If you think that you’re one day gonna get rid 636 00:30:33,359 –> 00:30:35,719 of particular temptations in your life 637 00:30:35,719 –> 00:30:39,160 and they’re no longer gonna be there, forget it, 638 00:30:39,160 –> 00:30:40,459 it’s not gonna happen. 639 00:30:41,900 –> 00:30:44,459 In fact, the scripture says it won’t happen. 640 00:30:47,140 –> 00:30:50,339 You will never be rid of the flesh 641 00:30:50,339 –> 00:30:52,119 or it’s pool within your life, 642 00:30:52,119 –> 00:30:54,760 though the forms of that pool may change over time, 643 00:30:56,099 –> 00:30:58,859 but you can weaken its position. 644 00:30:58,859 –> 00:31:02,060 John Owen, the Puritan writer 645 00:31:02,060 –> 00:31:05,040 who was perhaps the most profound Christian writer 646 00:31:05,040 –> 00:31:08,219 and teacher on this subject in all of human history 647 00:31:08,219 –> 00:31:13,219 speaks about a habitual weakening of sin in your life. 648 00:31:14,819 –> 00:31:15,660 Is he understood well? 649 00:31:15,979 –> 00:31:17,420 You never get rid of the root, 650 00:31:17,420 –> 00:31:22,260 but what’s important is the habitual weakening 651 00:31:22,260 –> 00:31:23,239 of sin in your life. 652 00:31:23,239 –> 00:31:24,219 You can’t get rid of the flesh, 653 00:31:24,219 –> 00:31:26,459 but you can weaken its position. 654 00:31:28,300 –> 00:31:30,660 Now I find it helpful to think of it this way. 655 00:31:31,979 –> 00:31:35,859 Every time you say yes to the flesh, 656 00:31:35,859 –> 00:31:38,540 you strengthen its position in your life. 657 00:31:39,699 –> 00:31:41,859 So, every time you say yes to gossip 658 00:31:42,760 –> 00:31:46,459 or jealousy or hatred, 659 00:31:46,459 –> 00:31:47,900 every time you get drunk, 660 00:31:48,739 –> 00:31:50,540 every time you look at pornography, 661 00:31:51,420 –> 00:31:53,900 every time you take pleasure in a lewd joke, 662 00:31:53,900 –> 00:31:56,579 every time you say yes to the flesh, 663 00:31:56,579 –> 00:31:57,520 what happens? 664 00:31:57,520 –> 00:32:02,520 You increase its power in your life. 665 00:32:02,739 –> 00:32:04,339 It’s harder next time to say no. 666 00:32:05,719 –> 00:32:06,579 Why? 667 00:32:06,579 –> 00:32:08,339 Because you’re sowing to the flesh. 668 00:32:08,339 –> 00:32:09,680 That’s what Paul’s talking about here. 669 00:32:09,680 –> 00:32:11,479 You’re sowing to the flesh. 670 00:32:11,939 –> 00:32:13,239 So you’re gonna reap from it, 671 00:32:16,939 –> 00:32:19,599 and every time you say no to the flesh, 672 00:32:19,599 –> 00:32:21,719 guess what happens? 673 00:32:21,719 –> 00:32:26,520 You weaken its position in your life. 674 00:32:28,020 –> 00:32:31,199 Now, here’s the reality, and some of us know it well. 675 00:32:32,959 –> 00:32:35,199 If you have said yes to the flesh 676 00:32:35,199 –> 00:32:38,920 repeatedly in the same area over a long period of time, 677 00:32:38,920 –> 00:32:40,040 many years, 678 00:32:40,280 –> 00:32:42,760 you will be reaping the harvest now 679 00:32:42,760 –> 00:32:45,599 of finding that it has gained a grip in your life, 680 00:32:46,760 –> 00:32:48,760 and it will be causing great destruction, 681 00:32:49,699 –> 00:32:50,880 which is what Paul says here. 682 00:32:50,880 –> 00:32:52,359 A man reaps what he sows, 683 00:32:52,359 –> 00:32:54,160 and the one who sows to please the flesh 684 00:32:54,160 –> 00:32:56,119 from the flesh will reap destruction. 685 00:32:58,060 –> 00:33:01,640 If you have been sowing to the flesh over time, 686 00:33:02,640 –> 00:33:05,000 and have, therefore, allowed a particular sin 687 00:33:05,000 –> 00:33:08,079 to build a stronghold in your life, 688 00:33:08,979 –> 00:33:11,119 then, honestly, you need to hear 689 00:33:11,119 –> 00:33:13,719 the alarm bell ringing today, 690 00:33:15,160 –> 00:33:18,040 and it is not enough to say a quick prayer 691 00:33:18,040 –> 00:33:18,880 at the end of the service. 692 00:33:18,880 –> 00:33:20,400 Dear Lord, forgive me, and then I’ll carry on, 693 00:33:20,400 –> 00:33:22,160 as usual, for the rest of the week. 694 00:33:24,439 –> 00:33:26,400 You need to crucify the flesh, 695 00:33:26,400 –> 00:33:27,939 and it’s going to be more difficult now 696 00:33:27,939 –> 00:33:30,000 than it would have been 10, 20 years ago, 697 00:33:32,660 –> 00:33:37,199 but possible, because the Spirit of God lives within you. 698 00:33:39,060 –> 00:33:43,239 You need to start sowing to the Spirit. 699 00:33:43,239 –> 00:33:44,420 You’re never going to get out of this 700 00:33:44,420 –> 00:33:46,839 if you do not start cultivating the Word, 701 00:33:46,839 –> 00:33:49,839 and prayer, and fellowship, and good reading, 702 00:33:49,839 –> 00:33:54,060 and everything that enhances Christian life, and health. 703 00:33:54,060 –> 00:33:55,339 You’re not going to get out of this 704 00:33:55,339 –> 00:33:57,459 unless you take a total approach 705 00:33:59,400 –> 00:34:02,160 to ceasing sowing to the flesh, 706 00:34:02,160 –> 00:34:04,660 and starting sowing to the Spirit. 707 00:34:05,239 –> 00:34:07,319 And you need to do it now. 708 00:34:07,319 –> 00:34:08,739 Remember, the scripture says, 709 00:34:08,739 –> 00:34:13,060 if today you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. 710 00:34:15,620 –> 00:34:17,659 And the reason the scripture gives us that warning 711 00:34:17,659 –> 00:34:19,840 whenever we hear the alarm bell ringing 712 00:34:19,840 –> 00:34:24,360 through the scriptures is that the longer you leave it, 713 00:34:25,739 –> 00:34:27,459 the more difficult it will become, 714 00:34:28,520 –> 00:34:31,600 and you have left it too long already. 715 00:34:31,600 –> 00:34:33,600 It’s too long already. 716 00:34:36,719 –> 00:34:39,699 Let me give you a picture in these last moments. 717 00:34:40,979 –> 00:34:45,239 Two weeks after Karn and I were married, 718 00:34:45,239 –> 00:34:48,399 we moved into a house that was owned by the church 719 00:34:48,399 –> 00:34:50,320 that we served in London, 720 00:34:50,320 –> 00:34:54,340 ready to begin our new lives and our ministry together. 721 00:34:54,340 –> 00:34:57,479 The house had been empty for some time 722 00:34:57,479 –> 00:34:58,679 and when we arrived, 723 00:34:58,939 –> 00:35:02,000 the garden had become completely overgrown. 724 00:35:02,939 –> 00:35:04,340 Well the day after we arrived, 725 00:35:04,340 –> 00:35:06,620 we received a wonderful gift 726 00:35:06,620 –> 00:35:10,540 in that a group of around 20 high school students, 727 00:35:10,540 –> 00:35:12,439 together with one of the youth leaders, 728 00:35:12,439 –> 00:35:15,520 came round and they spent the entire day 729 00:35:15,520 –> 00:35:19,459 working in that garden, clearing it right throughout. 730 00:35:19,459 –> 00:35:22,860 We worked together and they did a magnificent job 731 00:35:22,860 –> 00:35:27,139 and by the end of the day there was not a weed in sight. 732 00:35:27,139 –> 00:35:28,620 It was superb. 733 00:35:31,540 –> 00:35:32,580 What we didn’t know 734 00:35:34,179 –> 00:35:37,860 was that the clay soil 735 00:35:39,419 –> 00:35:44,419 that is so dense in that part of the world 736 00:35:46,060 –> 00:35:49,159 was full of bindweed. 737 00:35:49,159 –> 00:35:51,159 Now count your blessings 738 00:35:51,159 –> 00:35:53,300 that you do not know what bindweed is, 739 00:35:53,820 –> 00:35:58,820 but it is a spindly creeping kind of a weed 740 00:36:00,100 –> 00:36:02,659 that grows with extraordinary speed. 741 00:36:02,659 –> 00:36:04,560 Unaided, it seems, 742 00:36:04,560 –> 00:36:06,500 wrapping itself around anything 743 00:36:06,500 –> 00:36:08,320 that can attach itself to. 744 00:36:08,320 –> 00:36:10,760 And in this clay that would come up in lumps 745 00:36:10,760 –> 00:36:11,979 and you would break the lumps 746 00:36:11,979 –> 00:36:13,239 and you would find this stuff 747 00:36:13,239 –> 00:36:15,060 right through the clay itself. 748 00:36:15,060 –> 00:36:18,340 A little piece of root, two inches long, 749 00:36:18,340 –> 00:36:20,580 could produce several feet of bindweed 750 00:36:20,620 –> 00:36:24,540 just by leaving it there for a period of time. 751 00:36:24,540 –> 00:36:26,699 And being so spindly, 752 00:36:26,699 –> 00:36:30,340 it was very easy to snap off the bindweed, 753 00:36:30,340 –> 00:36:33,300 though, it took a long time to disengage it 754 00:36:33,300 –> 00:36:35,800 from the roses around which it wrapped itself. 755 00:36:35,800 –> 00:36:37,820 That was always a painful business. 756 00:36:39,300 –> 00:36:40,600 You could snap it off, 757 00:36:40,600 –> 00:36:43,399 but it was almost impossible to get at the root. 758 00:36:45,340 –> 00:36:47,320 The root multiplied underground 759 00:36:47,320 –> 00:36:51,060 and even the smallest piece of root 760 00:36:52,580 –> 00:36:54,139 proved to be very vigorous. 761 00:36:55,219 –> 00:36:58,120 Well, we grew roses in the front garden 762 00:36:58,120 –> 00:37:00,399 and they did really well. 763 00:37:00,399 –> 00:37:02,439 In fact, the garden really was rather 764 00:37:02,439 –> 00:37:04,719 beautiful for much of the time. 765 00:37:05,600 –> 00:37:07,739 But here was the problem that we always battled 766 00:37:07,739 –> 00:37:10,360 and we battled it for 16 years. 767 00:37:10,360 –> 00:37:13,780 That every year as the roses grew, 768 00:37:13,780 –> 00:37:16,260 the bindweed came up with them, 769 00:37:16,280 –> 00:37:20,260 coiling itself round just about every stem 770 00:37:20,260 –> 00:37:22,520 if we allowed it to get that far. 771 00:37:23,639 –> 00:37:25,780 So every year we battled the bindweed. 772 00:37:26,919 –> 00:37:29,560 We never got rid of its roots, 773 00:37:29,560 –> 00:37:30,820 but you know what? 774 00:37:30,820 –> 00:37:34,500 Over time, we did weaken its position. 775 00:37:38,560 –> 00:37:42,520 Though I have to say, sometimes through our neglect, 776 00:37:42,520 –> 00:37:44,860 it reestablished its strength. 777 00:37:47,020 –> 00:37:49,780 And then we had to mount a renewed 778 00:37:49,780 –> 00:37:52,379 and vigorous assault upon it. 779 00:37:54,139 –> 00:37:57,739 Now, I find that to be a helpful picture. 780 00:37:57,739 –> 00:37:59,379 I know someone’s gonna come up and tell me 781 00:37:59,379 –> 00:38:02,199 what I could’ve done about the bindweed after the service. 782 00:38:02,199 –> 00:38:04,620 So let me just confess, when I went back 783 00:38:04,620 –> 00:38:06,340 and saw our garden a few years ago, 784 00:38:06,340 –> 00:38:07,780 do you know what I found? 785 00:38:07,780 –> 00:38:09,620 That those who are living in the house now 786 00:38:09,620 –> 00:38:11,219 have covered the whole place with concrete. 787 00:38:11,219 –> 00:38:12,459 So there you go. 788 00:38:13,820 –> 00:38:15,260 Well, you know, 789 00:38:15,459 –> 00:38:17,580 one day there will be no more bindweed 790 00:38:17,580 –> 00:38:19,600 when we’re in the presence of Jesus, 791 00:38:19,600 –> 00:38:23,800 no more of the vigorous life of the flesh 792 00:38:23,800 –> 00:38:25,899 that desires what is contrary to the spirit. 793 00:38:25,899 –> 00:38:27,500 But take the analogy, 794 00:38:27,500 –> 00:38:29,739 until that day we will be battling the bindweed, 795 00:38:29,739 –> 00:38:31,459 we will be battling the flesh. 796 00:38:32,360 –> 00:38:35,060 And over time you will weaken its position 797 00:38:35,060 –> 00:38:38,560 by a sustained assault upon it and if you neglect it, 798 00:38:38,560 –> 00:38:42,459 you will find that it very quickly reestablishes 799 00:38:42,459 –> 00:38:43,300 its strength. 800 00:38:43,300 –> 00:38:44,540 That is our struggle with the flesh, 801 00:38:44,739 –> 00:38:46,780 because every victory over sin, 802 00:38:46,780 –> 00:38:48,100 thank God for it, 803 00:38:48,100 –> 00:38:50,320 every no to a temptation, 804 00:38:51,939 –> 00:38:56,060 weakens the power of sin in your life. 805 00:38:57,739 –> 00:38:59,659 And every capitulation to sin 806 00:38:59,659 –> 00:39:01,879 will increase its power in your life. 807 00:39:01,879 –> 00:39:04,179 Every yes to Christ, 808 00:39:04,179 –> 00:39:06,399 every yes to the Holy Spirit, 809 00:39:06,399 –> 00:39:09,260 even the yes that you will say in your heart to him 810 00:39:09,260 –> 00:39:11,500 by God’s grace right now 811 00:39:11,500 –> 00:39:13,620 weakens the power of sin. 812 00:39:15,540 –> 00:39:18,179 Every time you act in faith 813 00:39:18,179 –> 00:39:20,080 and release forgiveness 814 00:39:20,080 –> 00:39:22,560 and reach out in a work of kindness 815 00:39:22,560 –> 00:39:24,459 and of service and of compassion, 816 00:39:24,459 –> 00:39:27,500 it is deepening the work of the Spirit in your life. 817 00:39:27,500 –> 00:39:30,500 Every time you draw near to God in the Word, 818 00:39:30,500 –> 00:39:32,020 every time you draw near to him 819 00:39:32,020 –> 00:39:34,300 in worship and prayer and fellowship, 820 00:39:34,300 –> 00:39:38,000 ministry, it is strengthening the work of the Spirit. 821 00:39:38,000 –> 00:39:40,139 It is weakening the power of sin 822 00:39:40,139 –> 00:39:43,439 and holiness is a harvest. 823 00:39:45,439 –> 00:39:48,800 A harvest that is produced over time. 824 00:39:50,879 –> 00:39:52,639 And it depends on what you sow. 825 00:39:54,600 –> 00:39:57,199 So don’t sow to the flesh 826 00:39:59,320 –> 00:40:01,540 or from the flesh you will reap destruction. 827 00:40:03,379 –> 00:40:04,479 Sow to the Spirit 828 00:40:06,040 –> 00:40:07,080 and from the Spirit 829 00:40:08,959 –> 00:40:11,719 you will reap life. 830 00:40:12,639 –> 00:40:14,939 Sometimes you find just an old hymn 831 00:40:14,939 –> 00:40:18,860 that catches something very deep and profound. 832 00:40:18,860 –> 00:40:21,580 And I want just to read three verses from an old hymn here 833 00:40:21,580 –> 00:40:24,139 that you might like right now 834 00:40:24,139 –> 00:40:26,540 to make your prayer before the Lord. 835 00:40:27,620 –> 00:40:30,159 Oh, Jesus Christ. 836 00:40:30,159 –> 00:40:32,699 Grow thou in me 837 00:40:33,699 –> 00:40:36,320 till all things else recede. 838 00:40:37,620 –> 00:40:40,260 My heart be daily neater thee 839 00:40:40,939 –> 00:40:44,540 from sin be daily freed. 840 00:40:45,860 –> 00:40:48,020 More of thy glory let me see 841 00:40:48,020 –> 00:40:50,520 thou holy, wise and true 842 00:40:50,520 –> 00:40:53,899 I would thy living image be 843 00:40:53,899 –> 00:40:56,020 in joy and sorrow too. 844 00:40:57,300 –> 00:41:01,080 So make this poor self grow less and less 845 00:41:01,080 –> 00:41:03,360 be thou my life and aim. 846 00:41:04,419 –> 00:41:07,800 Make me daily through your grace 847 00:41:07,820 –> 00:41:10,699 more fit to bear your name. 848 00:41:12,659 –> 00:41:17,639 Father, thank you that you have sent 849 00:41:18,919 –> 00:41:21,219 your Son into the world 850 00:41:23,419 –> 00:41:26,379 and that you have sent your spirit 851 00:41:27,840 –> 00:41:29,320 into our hearts. 852 00:41:32,199 –> 00:41:36,520 Teach us daily to live by the Spirit 853 00:41:38,219 –> 00:41:39,399 in the true freedom 854 00:41:39,399 –> 00:41:41,860 that is the birthright of every Christian, 855 00:41:43,560 –> 00:41:45,040 that we may bear the fruit 856 00:41:45,040 –> 00:41:47,040 of those who wage war on the flesh 857 00:41:48,360 –> 00:41:50,239 and those who sow to the Spirit 858 00:41:51,639 –> 00:41:53,219 and find that on the last day 859 00:41:53,219 –> 00:41:58,179 there is the completion of an abundant harvest 860 00:41:58,179 –> 00:42:00,360 of your work and of your presence 861 00:42:00,360 –> 00:42:01,439 in our lives. 862 00:42:02,479 –> 00:42:05,719 Hear our prayers for these things we ask 863 00:42:05,719 –> 00:42:07,620 in Jesus’ name and God’s 864 00:42:07,620 –> 00:42:09,860 people said, amen.