Renovation of the Heart Session 9: Transformation of our Body

Introduction What do our bodies have to do with a class on renovating our heart? The Body is the vehicle of our “inner man.” – Choices are made in our will/heart but they are executed in the real world by our bodies. – This “outer man” reveals our “inner man” through what it does. “By their fruit you will recognize them.” (Matt 7:20) It also has significant influence on what our “inner man” becomes. – “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.” (James 3:6)

Bodily Inclinations Romans 7: “So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

Bodily Inclinations Colossians 3:5-7 5 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.”

Bodily Inclinations 1 John 2:16 15 “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.”

Bodily Inclinations Sinful man lives according to the desires of the flesh The Body becomes aligned with the sinful “inner man.” Sinful reactions with the body become “automatic” (Programmed responses).

Bad Posture 1.Bodily pleasure as center of the life – Sensual desires become priority in life – Bodily instincts drive life (If it feels good do it) – Certain bodily desires become a “necessity.” (Addictions) 2.Worship of the Body – Personal value determined by body (looks, size, age, health, ability) – Obsession with youth, superficiality and sexuality How have you seen these 2 things in our culture?

Redemption of the Body Colossians 3: “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

Redemption of the Body Romans 6: “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”

Transformation of the Body Correcting the bad posture of the body – After we come to Christ our bodies still possess the bad posture (instincts, program, desires) – Habits are not easily broken – Addictions are even harder to break – As Christians we must transform not only the mind and heart but also all the members of our body

Transformation of the Body A distraught soul has negative effects on the body. How have you seen the soul affect the body and the vice versa? – Stress – Anxiety – Anger – Discomfort

Transformation of the Body Romans 12:1-2 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Transformation of the Body 1 Corinthians 6: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

Steps to Transform the Body 1.Submit your body to Christ – Prayer (Sacrifice Ceremony—Rom 12:1) – Fasting 2.Enjoy Godly pleasures – Bodily pleasure have been created by God to be used in their proper place 3.Do not misuse you body – Indulgence – Using it for intimidation, manipulation, or advantage – Overwork 4.Properly care for your body – Proper nourishment and exercise – Get proper rest and sleep – Bring back the Sabbath rest