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Devoted To Christ

Devoted To Christ. Text: II Cor. 2:11; 11:2-3 Scripture Reading: I Cor. 6:13-20. Intro. II Cor. 11:2-3 2 . For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin.

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Devoted To Christ

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  1. Devoted To Christ Text: II Cor. 2:11; 11:2-3 Scripture Reading: I Cor. 6:13-20

  2. Intro II Cor. 11:2-3 2. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. The choice of the Christian is to be devoted to Christ or be deceived by Satan! • In studying the schemes of the devil one quickly realizes • one of his best used strategies is deceit! • Gen. 3:1-6: Deceived Eve • I Chr. 21:1: Deceived David • Is. 5:20: Deceived people then and now! • I Cor. 9:27: Possibility to become “disqualified” • I Cor. 10:12: “Take Heed!” Devoted To Christ

  3. Intro • God’s people need to know: • Satan’s power is deceit – II Cor. 2:11 • I Cor. 6:13-20: Saints are “members of Christ” and are to flee “immorality!” II Cor. 2:11 11. so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. • Satan’s power is to destroy – I Pet. 5:8 • I Cor. 6:13-20: Immorality joins one to Satan; sins against own body! I Pet. 5:8 8. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. When we devote ourselves to Christ we will be armed with truth and can overcome the deceptions of the devil! Devoted To Christ

  4. Engaged to Christ II Cor. 11:2: For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. • Paul used the figure of “engagement” (betrothal) to • emphasize the necessity (importance) of God’s people • being loyal to Christ • Mt. 1:18-19: When Mary was betrothed to Joseph he was already called her husband. • God’s word often uses the figure of marriage to • demonstrate the relationship of God to His people • Hos. 2:2, 19-20; 4:12-13: Israel committed “adultery” against God! • Jer. 3:6-10: Israel & Judah committed adultery against God! • Rom. 7:1-4: Old Law done away with, joined to Christ now! • Eph. 5:22-32: Marriage defines the relationship of the church to Christ Devoted To Christ

  5. Engaged to Christ II Cor. 11:2: For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. • Saints are betrothed (engaged) to Deity! (Christ) – • Warrior-Bride (Eph. 6:10-18) • Jewish tradition of engagements: Bridegroom left to build a house then would return to bring bride home at undisclosed time. Bride had to be ready! • Mt. 25:1-13: Parable of the Ten Virgins demonstrates this readiness in relation to Christ’s 2nd Coming. • Jn. 14:1-6: Jesus used this figure of the bridegroom to tell His disciples He was leaving to prepare a home and would come to get them. When He returns He will present the church (like a bride) to His Father as a pure virgin! Devoted To Christ

  6. The Devil’s Desire II Cor. 2:11:so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. • Paul warned the Corinthians of the “schemes” of the devil • Schemes (devices): Evil plans and evil purposes. • Satan is the saint’s adversary (I Pet. 5:8). • Called the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4). I Tim. 2:14: Eve was deceived (thoughts influenced by Satan) II Cor. 11:3: Satan desired to influence the minds of the Corinthians II Cor. 10:3-5 (Acts 5:1-5) 3. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4. for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, Devoted To Christ

  7. The Devil’s Desire II Cor. 2:11:so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. • Gnostics allowed themselves to be deceived by Satan; • they believed they could be saints and yet do anything • they wanted with their bodies; that the physical did not • matter • Rev. 2:20-23: Christ condemned the church at Thyatira for having members who were doing just that. • I Cor. 6:15-20: The physical body and the sins it can commit do matter (6:18)! We can make ourselves one with immorality (6:13) Our bodies belong to Christ (engaged) and we become one with Him when we devote ourselves to Him! (I Cor. 6:17) Satan seeks to deceive and to devour! Devoted To Christ

  8. Overcome Satan with Devotion to Christ II Cor. 11:3:But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. “Simplicity and purity”: opposite of double-mindedness (Js. 1:8; 4:8) • If every thought is brought into obedience to Christ, we • will be secure from Satan’s lies • II Cor. 10:5: Christ is to be Lord of our minds and our bodies! • Col. 3:1-3: Must set our minds on Christ, seated at right hand of God • Satan wants saints to split their devotion: • “Be a fair-weather Christian” – Mt. 13:20-21: Need strength in adversity! • “Be a Sunday-only Christian” – Rom. 12:1-2: Our lives to be service to God • “Eat, drink, be merry” – I Cor. 15:32-34: Must know God! • “Be a pew-warmer Christian” – I Cor. 15:58: Saints are to be active! Devoted To Christ

  9. Overcome Satan with Devotion to Christ II Cor. 11:3:But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. We understand the devotion & loyalty we are to have towards our spouses: Mind & body As Christians we are to be wholly devoted to Christ: Mind (II Cor. 10:5) and Body (I Cor. 6:19-20) We are betrothed to Christ so we ought to be wholly devoted to Him! Devoted To Christ

  10. Conclusion We will be either devoted to (controlled by) Christ or Satan (Mt. 6:24; 12:30) Christ’s love for man was such He died for the church – Eph. 5:23, 25 Our devotion to Christ should be such that we would remain faithful till death! (Rev. 2:10) The devil desires our devotion (wittingly or unwittingly) and will stop at nothing to get it Js. 4:7-8 7. Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Devoted To Christ

  11. Conclusion • Saints have special relationship to God • Sons of God – Rom. 8:16 • Brothers and sisters, and fellow heirs of Christ – Rom. 8:17 • Fiancé (as the church) of Christ – II Cor. 11:2; Rev. 19:7-9 (Betrothed to Deity!) God’s people (Christ’s betrothed – “Fiancés”) can and must be devoted to Christ! Devoted To Christ

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