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The Flessh and the Spirit

T B DENIS / 2022-02-27

1. As Christians, we enjoy wonderful freedom in Christ...

   1. There is freedom from the POWER of sin - Jn 8:31-32

   2. There is freedom from the Law of Moses - Ro 7:6

   3. There is freedom from the traditions of men - Ga 4:9

   4. We were made free from the slavery of sin. - Ro 6:16-18

2. It is truly the desire of Christ to set us free.  Ga 5:1

   1. GIVING IN TO the desires of the flesh WILL LEAD US TO A LIFE OF DESTRUCTION. - Ga 5:13

DISCUSSION

I - THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH ARE CONTRARY TO ONE ANOTHER 

1. They are in opposition against each other - Ga 5:17

II - IF WE ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT, WE ARE NOT UNDER THE LAW - Ga 5:18

1. In this passage, "the law" has primary reference to the "Law of Moses" -  Ga 4:21

   1. The purpose of the law was primarily two-fold:

      • To reveal sin - . Ga 3:19a; Ro 3:20

      • To condemn the sinner as guilty - Ro 3:19

   2. As we find in the book of James 2:10,

2. BUT THOSE WHO WALK IN THE SPIRIT ARE NOT UNDER THE CONDEMNATION OF THE LAW...

   1. Because obedience to the gospel revealed by the Spirit results in freedom

   2. There is Freedom from condemnation - Ro 8:1

   3. We have freedom from the law of sin of death - Ro 8:2; 6:17-18

3. And this is only made possible through the sacrifice of Christ! - Ro 8:3-4

III - WARNING: IF WE WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH,

1. WE WILL NOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD - Ga 5:19-21

2. IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH. Ro 8:5-6

IV - WE CAN OVERCOME THE LUST OF THE FLESH

1. BY BEARING THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT (Ga 5:22-23)

2. BECAUSE IN JESUS CHRIST, WE HAVE CRUCIFIED THE FLESH (Ga 5:24)

   1. Our old man was crucified with Him, that we might no longer be slaves of sin - Ro 6:1-6

   2. We died with Christ (in baptism) that we might be free from sin and live a new life with Him! - Ro 6:7-10

CONCLUSION.

Repeating his call that we need to Walk in the Spirit, Paul concludes: Ga 5:25-26

25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

1. WE OWE OUR SPIRITUAL LIVES TO THE HOLY SPIRIT!

   1. When we responded to the gospel of God's grace, we were renewed by the Holy Spirit - Tit 3:5

   2. It is the Spirit in us who gives us new life! - Ro 8:11-13

   3. The fullness of God lives in us through the Holy Spirit. (Eph 3:19)

2. The Spirit teaches us to be HUMBLE AND NOT CONCEITED Ga 5:26

   • There is nothing that we can contribute to the righteousness of God, except our effort to put his words into our deeds.

   • Our gifts, our talents, our strength, comfort, and encouragement comes from Him. There is nothing that we can boast about. It makes us humble.