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A Spiritual Autopsy Fall from Grace Die spiritually Christian Rom. 6:11 - dead unto sin - alive unto God Eph. 2:1 - made alive - were dead in sin John 3:5 - Born again of water and spirit Christian Fall from Grace Can die spiritually - 1 Tim. 1:19-20 “shipwreck of their faith” Sardis - Rev. 3:1 “reputation of being alive but you are dead” 1 Tim. 5:6 “…lives in pleasure is dead while she lives…” Die spiritually

Benefits of a Spiritual Autopsy Death Leaves its marks - Postmortem examination = cause of death Three benefits of an autopsy: 1. What caused death 2. Damage done to body 3. What can be learned to prevent death Benefits of a Spiritual Autopsy What caused the death Damage done to the soul How to avoid the same fate

Thick Skulled Cure Open eyes and ears A Spiritual Autopsy “without understanding” Rom. 1:31 Matt. 13:13-15 - parable Matt. 13:19 - Devil snatches 2 Tim.3:7 - “ever learning” Reading - 1 Tim.4:13 Pray - James 1:5 Matt. 5:6 - hunger and thirst Open eyes and ears A Spiritual Autopsy

Worn Jawbone Cure Acute verbosity Eccl. 3:7 “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” Prov.10:19 “In the multitude of words that wanteth not sin” Eccl. 5:2 “Be not rash with thy mouth” Jas.1:19 “swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath”

Worn Nasal bone Cure Be busy doing good Busybodies - 2 Thes.3:11 1 Tim. 5:13-14 Not idle household Symptoms of Gossip Busybodies - 2 Thes.3:11 Becomes a talebearer Prov. 20:19 “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets…”

Broken Neck Cure Looking back grudges sins good world Phil. 3:13 “forgetting those things which are behind” Paul’s example: “I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:14

Stooped Shoulders Cure Two causes: Fail to bear burdens Phil.2:4 Gal. 6:2 Fail to take up cross Luke 9:23 Mark 8:34-35 Hard work 1 Tim. 4:8 “…but godliness is profitable unto all things,…” A Spiritual Autopsy

Broken Cure Arm Humble himself Patting self on back “God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” Jas.4:6 Patting self on back “think too highly of himself” Rom. 12:3 Luke 18:11-14 Pharisee

Weak Backbone Cure Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Gospel armor - Eph.6:11-17 Not stedfast ~ but moveable 1 Cor. 15:58 Want to be in the number But not willing to work

Stiff Cure Knee Joints A Spiritual Autopsy Bow to God while it would help Romans 14:11 “…every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.” Had not been bent in prayer Ceased to pray instead of “Pray without ceasing” 1 Thes. 5:17 A Spiritual Autopsy

Ugly Cure Feet Bones Abused by disuse Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.” Use feet for what they were intended ! Dragging their feet Unaccustomed to swift action Abused by disuse

Double Jointedness Cure Caused by a lack of faith. “Increase our faith” Luke 17:5 Romans 10:17 “faith comes by hearing” Not stable Eph. 4:14 “carried about with every wind of doctrine” “A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:8 A Spiritual Autopsy

The Valley Of Dry Bones Ezekiel 37 God restored life

God can restore life Told Sardis: Rev. 3:3 Remember Hold fast Repent “Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 2 ESV

Nelson Chapel Church of Christ 5039 Six Mile Road Maryville, Tn. 37803 www.nelsonchapelchurchofchrist.org February 3, 2019 Sermon by Arthur Pigman 2705 Druid Hill Dr. Maryville, Tn. 37804 art65ann@gmail.com CCL11325562