Scripture: Galatians 5. 16-26
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.
Sermon Outline
I. The Nature of the Fight
“… against … against … opposed …”
II. Our Part in the Fight
A. Put to ________
“… not gratify … crucified …”
B. Bring to ________
“… walk by the Spirit … led by the Spirit … live by the Spirit …
keep in the step with the Spirit …”
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us … If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” – I John 1. 8,10; 2.1-2
Sermon Quotes & References
“There is a vast quantity of religion in the world that is not genuine Christianity. It may satisfy sleepy consciences; but it is not good money. There are multitudes of men & women who go to churches every Sunday, and call themselves Christians. They proudly bear the name “Christian” while they live. They are married in a Christian marriage-service. They are dutiful in public disciplines. But you never see any “fight” about their religion! Of spiritual strife & exertion & conflict & self-denial & watching & warring they know literally nothing at all. They rarely quarrel with their sin. Such Christianity may satisfy man, and those who say anything against it may be thought very hard & uncharitable; but it certainly is not the Christianity of the Bible. It is not the religion that the Lord Jesus founded, and His Apostles preached. True Christianity is ‘a fight.’” – JC Ryle, Holiness
“They who are effectually called & regenerated, having a new heart & a new spirit created in them, are further sanctified, really & personally, through the virtue of Christ’s death & resurrection, by his Word & Spirit dwelling in them; the dominion of the whole body of sin is destroyed & the several lusts thereof are more & more weakened & mortified & they more & more quickened & strengthened, in all saving graces, to the practice of true holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.
This sanctification is throughout in the whole person, yet imperfect in this life; there abides still some remnants of corruption in every part, from which arises a continual & irreconcilable war, the flesh lusting against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh. In which war, although the remaining corruption for a time may much prevail, yet, through the continual supply of strength from the sanctifying Spirit of Christ, the regenerate part does overcome; & so the saints grow in grace, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” – Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 13, “Of Sanctification”