Sermon Tone Analysis
Overall tone of the sermon
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Anger
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Disgust
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Fear
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Joy
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Sadness
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Language Tone
Analytical
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Confident
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Tentative
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Openness
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Conscientiousness
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Extraversion
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Agreeableness
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Introduction
Big Idea: Keep in step with the Spirit and kick the works of the flesh
So I have found that my mind can go to some pretty dark places.
I have this reoccurring fantasy when I am driving that I have telekinetic powers.
As you know, people have a tendency to drive like idiots.
So I fantasize in the midst of someone cutting me off or generally driving like an idiot, that I can simply push their car with my mind right off the road and into the median or a light pole or some such.
Sometimes those passions result in actions.
Laying on the horn.
Yelling at the other drivers.
Riding their bumper.
Where do these actions and passions come from?
They certainly don’t come from following Jesus.
In fact, I would say that the longer I have followed Jesus, the less I have acted on those passions.
In the past I have chased people down in my truck.
But these thoughts, actions, and desires are inconsistent with following Jesus.
There are times where I feel like my passions are totally in sync with what God is doing, and then others where I completely backtrack and relapse into old behaviors.
D
Does that happen to you? Do you find yourself defaulting back to old behaviors that you know are inconsistent with following Jesus?
Do old passions creep in and mess things up in your life?
And if you are a Christian, it’s not that you are thrilled you are doing these things right?
Often we are disgusted with where our minds go and what our hands do.
So what on earth is going on?
So far in this letter to the Galatians we have been examining living by faith in Christ, contrasted with living under the law.
We know that we cannot be saved by works and we know that we cannot earn God’s approval through our efforts but Christ’s.
But we also know that following Jesus requires a new way of living.
Last week we saw that doing whatever we want is not and option.
We have been called into a life of freedom to love others.
But at the same time, we just don’t want to do it.
There is this inner war going on inside of every true follower of Jesus.
In our text today, Paul explains the cause of this war, and what we can do to fight against these desires that continue to rear their ugly head.
The War of the Spirit
Galatians 5:16-
There is a war inside of every Christian, between the Spirit and the flesh
What is the Spirit?
What is the flesh?
Who we are by natural birth
Sinners by inheritance
Sinners by practice
What is the Spirit?
Who we are by new birth
A new nature
A new tenant
The desires of both parties are contradictory
The flesh has desires for you that are the opposite of the Spirit
Illustration - like having a bad room mate
This war can be frustrating
The intensity of this internal conflict is unique to the Christian.
There are massive irreconcilable differences between the two.
There is at every hour of the day a violent civil war raging inside of ever follower of Jesus.
It is easy for us to get into a defeated mentality when you constantly struggle with this inner battle.
You can feel like a schizophrenic!
Why can’t I every seem to escape my struggles?
The very fact you feel the turmoil is a sign that the Spirit is at work.
If you are led by the Spirit you are not under the law
Paul is going to give ethical instructions and does not want to confuse life with the Spirit with life under the law
Christians are called to lead a godly life, which comes not as a result of living under the but by being led by God’s Spirit.
To help us in our quest to lead godly lives Paul will describe what it looks like to live by the flesh and by the Spirit.
The Works of the Flesh
Galatians 5:19-
The works of the flesh are obvious
Sexual Sins
Sexual Immorality
Unlawful sexual acts (adultery, sex with someone you aren’t married to)
Impurity
The state of being sexually unclean or unnatural.
(incest, homosexuality)
Sensuality
Unbridled sexual perversion, complete lack of limits, restraint, decency
Religious Sins
Idolatry
The worship of things
Sorcery/Witchcraft
Referred to drugs taken during occultic practices, to worship demons and practice black magic.
Often included drugs used for abortion or sacrificing infants and children.
Social Sins
Enmity/hatred
Anything that is the opposite of love
Strife/Discord
Anything rooted in a contentious temper.
A love for fighting.
Jealousy
Hating others because you want what they have
Fits of anger/rage
Losing your temper
Rivalries/Selfish Ambition
Self serving and seeking.
Climbing over others to get what you want.
ion
Dissensions
Egging others on.
Desire to get others to fight.
Divisions/factions
Embracing controversial position/doctrines to divide people.
Envy
Lacking contentment with what you have and always desiring what others have.
Sins of excess
Drunkenness
Abusing alcohol.
You could include drugs here too.
Orgies/Carousing
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