80 likes | 264 Views
IF WE ARE THE BODY. “…those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal.5:24-25 . O, be careful little EYES …. Instruction to “Keep your eye good” (Mt.6:22-23)
E N D
IF WE ARE THE BODY “…those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Gal.5:24-25
O, be careful little EYES… • Instruction to “Keep your eye good” (Mt.6:22-23) • Guard what we allow our eyes to look upon • Remember there is such a thing as “lust of the eyes” • 1Jn.2:16 -lust of the eyes is not of God • Takes many forms • Forbidden fruit (Gen.3:5-7) • “Lot lifted his eyes and saw…” (Gen.13:10-13) • “from the roof he saw a woman bathing…”(2Sam11:1-5) • Prov.23:26-28 Beware of harlotry • Remember the days of the Judges (Judg.21:25)
O, be careful little EARS… • Hearing -important from the 1st command of God • Gen.2:15-17; 3:1-5 pleasing, deceptive words • Things we hear impact our thinking • Consider righteous Lot (2Pet.2:7-8) • How many have fallen by enticing speech (Prov.7:21-27) • Psa.119:11, 105 • Guard what we allow our EARS to HEAR • Heb.2:1; 3:7-12,15; 4:7 emphasis on hearing • Prov.19:27 ; 29:18
O, be careful little LIPS… • Our words are a reflection of our heart –Mt.15:11,17-20 • Our speech bears fruit –Mt.12:33-37 • Ears that hear evil things speak evil things • Careless words condemn • Tongue cannot be tamed without help from God –Jam.3:8 • Learn way of Christ to speak Christ-like -Eph.4:20-ff • Importance of Sound Speech –Col.3:17 • Would our speech change if Christ was with us? • Remember Ananias & Sapphira –Acts 5 ; Rev.21:8 • Problem with Euphemisms • Prov.21:23
O, be careful little HANDS… • Our actions are a reflection of our heart –Jn.14:15 • Consider a Priest, Levite, & Samaritan –Lk.10:25-37 • To be unconcerned, uncaring is sinful (Jam.4:17) • A dead faith (Jam.2:14-17) • Must involve ourselves in lives of others • 1Jn.3:17-18 ; Eph.2:10 ; Titus 2:14 • Not enough just to abhor evil –Rom.12:9 • Must avoid works of the flesh –Gal.5:19-25
O, be careful little FEET… • Instruction to avoid bad company -1Cor.15:33 • Example of Israel -1 Cor.10:1-12 • Influence of Evil –Gen.19 • 2Pet.2:7-8 oppressed, tormented “Abstain from all appearance of evil” 1Thess5:22 “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 2Tim.2:19
IF WE ARE THE BODY • Let us be encouraged by the Scriptures we have heard today: • If you are not yet a member of the body of Christ, be encouraged to obey the gospel now. • Regardless of how morally pure you are now, you have fallen short of God’s expectations in some way • If you are a Christian, be encouraged to become more like Christ in every aspect of you life.