Living in the Spirit Galatians 5:16-25 Galatians 5:16-25   OBJECTIVE: It is my desire to show how we can live in the power and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:16–26 (ESV) — 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

“Only he who believes is obedient and Only he who is obedient believes” Bonheoffer ~~~~~~~~“Only he who believes is obedient and Only he who is obedient believes” Bonheoffer  

The battle that is taking place in your life is vicious. Life is more difficult when you do not follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. Are you able to save yourself? Are you able to live Godly by yourself?   ~~~The battle that is taking place in your life is vicious. ~~~~Life is more difficult when you do not follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. ~~~~ Are you able to save yourself? ~~~~~~~ Are you able to live Godly by yourself?

A person cannot live the Christian life by his own resources any more than he could have saved himself by his own resources.

I . The Command But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (5:16) Bible study, prayer, worship, witnessing, and certain behavior standards are commanded of believers and are essential to faithful Christian living Spirituality cannot be measured by how often or how intensely we are involved in such things. ~~~But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. (5:16)   Contrasting themes in Galatians Law—Only shows us what sin it, does not save us Galatians 3:24 (ESV) So then, the law was our guardian (tutor) until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 2. Grace—We must have Grace of God in Jesus a. The law cannot save b. Only the Jesus can save and only the Holy Spirit guides him in life ~~~~Bible study, prayer, worship, witnessing, and certain behavior standards are commanded of believers and are essential to faithful Christian living, ~~~~~~~~ spirituality cannot be measured by how often or how intensely we are involved in such things. 4. These are not measures of spirituality-That is legalism 5. All a believe needs to live godly is the Holy Spirit Romans 8:9 (ESV) You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 6. The Holy Spirit uses these to help bring growth 7. Walk by the Spirit-present, continual, regular, habitual way of life. 8. Walking-Going from present to where you ought to be. 9. Human will and actions do play a part in godly living “Only he who believes is obedient and Only he who is obedient believes” Bonheoffer

Power for Christian living is entirely from the Holy Spirit In Salvation, man’s will is active and calls for commitment In Sanctification-Growth in the Christian life, Man’s will is active and calls for commitment. 1. In Salvation, man’s will is active and calls for commitment 2. In Sanctification-Growth in the Christian life, Man’s will is active and calls for commitment. 3. We do not just sit idly by and let the Spirit work.

We do not just sit idly by and let the Spirit work. Divine / Human Cooperative “God will not do what I can do, He will only do what I cannot do.” The desires of the flesh do not have to win. ~~~Divine / Human Cooperative ~~~“God will not do what I can do, He will only do what I cannot do.” ~~~~~~~The desires of the flesh do not have to win

The Conflict v. 17-18  Galatians 5:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. ~~~~~~~~~Galatians 5:17–18 (ESV) — 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.   A. Not simply passive surrender 1. Spirit led life is a life of conflict a. Combating the Flesh-the old man, continual effort to seduce the believer. b. Flesh and Spirit are continually at odds

A believer can accomplish nothing for the Lord in his own power, on the other hand, the Spirit can accomplish little through a believer apart from the believer’s submission and commitment

The Contrast 5:19-25 Products of life of the Flesh Products of life of the Spirit Galatians 5:19–23 (ESV) — 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.   ~~~Products of life of the Flesh ~~~~~~~Products of life of the Spirit

The Deeds of the Flesh Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV) — 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Definition—sinful desires of unredeemed humanness ~~~~Galatians 5:19–21 (ESV) — 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.   ~~~~~~~~Definition—sinful desires of unredeemed humanness

Man’s basic problem is not what is outside but what is within him. Mark 7:20–23 (ESV) — 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” Man is either basically good or basically evil. ~~~Mark 7:20–23 (ESV) — 20 And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” ~~~~~~~Man is either basically good or basically evil.

What do we know about the works of the flesh (3 Categories) Sex Religion Human relationships a. Sex   1. immorality—Pornea a. illicit sexual activity b. Any Sexual sin 2. Impurity-Uncleanness-Infected, morally and ceremonial 3. Sensuality-unrestrained sexual indulgences 50 shades of Gray, Pornography, Some of the fiction books. Video, etc. b. Religion 1. Idolatry-sin of worshipping man-made images 2. Sorcery-Pharmakeia-Mood and mind altering drugs to create havoc 3. Witchcraft and the like c. Human relationships 1. Enmities-Hateful attitudes usually resulting in strife 2. Jealousy-Form of anger and hateful resentment by coveting 3. Outbursts of anger 4. Disputes, dissensions, factions, and envyings 5. Drunkenness and carousing

Those who practice these shall not inherit the kingdom of God Practice-ongoing actions, continual habitual practice Not the occasional actions Even though they are not habitually doing such evils, Paul calls on saints to walk in the Spirit so that they do not even do them occasionally. Practice-ongoing actions, continual habitual practice Not the occasional actions   1 Corinthians 6:9–10 (ESV) — 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Even though they are not habitually doing such evils, Paul calls on saints to walk in the Spirit so that they do not even do them occasionally.

The Fruit of the Spirit 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.  Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV) — 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

IV. The Conquest 5:24-26 Galatians 5:24–26 (ESV) — 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. Have crucified the flesh-Crucifixion means execution Passions and desires The flesh is defeated forever Galatians 5:24–26 (ESV) — 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.   A. Have crucified the flesh-Crucifixion means execution B. Passions and desires 1. Passions-affections 2. Desires wants-leads to inescapable bondage a. Like a chicken with its head cut off Continues to flop around until the last nerve is stilled 3. The Flesh is defeated forever

Envying one another Provoking one another Don’t be conceited Envying one another Provoking one another A. Envying one another   B. Provoking one another

“Only he who believes is obedient and Only he who is obedient believes” Bonheoffer This is how we walk by the Spirit.