Taking Care of Your Spirit
INTRODUCTION.
A. At the center of every person lies a spirit. James says, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26) When you take the spirit away, the body is dead.
B. So often our spirit becomes lost in the carnal activities of this world. We cease to give thought or consideration to the needs of our spirit.
C. Although we would like to think that our spirit has the greatest influence over our actions and thoughts, reality says there are times when the outward man possesses the greatest influence.
D. It is the purpose of this lesson to consider the needs of your spirit and how you should go about providing those needs.
E. Read 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.
I. THE SPIRITUAL SIDE OF MAN POSSESSES THE GREATEST NEED.
A. The carnal man (physical body) returns to the earth while the spirit returns to God. Solomon wrote, “Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7, NKJV)
B. The spirit will exist forever, either in heaven or in hell. (Matthew 25:31-46)
C. Since the spirit will exist forever, bearing the consequences of the life lived here on this earth, we should realize the importance of providing our spirit with everything it needs.
II. OUR SPIRIT MUST BE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD. (Galatians 5:16-26)
A. We are to walk in the Spirit or in the path taught by the Holy Spirit through the Word. Walking on this path will help to prevent us from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh. (vs 16)
B. We are to be led by the Spirit. In order to walk in the path laid down by the Spirit, one must be willing to be led by the Spirit. Too often, we possess the attitude of self-leadership rather than allowing ourselves to be led by the Spirit. (vs 18)
C. When a person is led by the Spirit, walking in the Spirit, he will obey God’s law. By obeying God’s law, this person will bear the fruit of one being guided by the Spirit. (vs 22-23)
D. Realizing that we are Christ’s, having “crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (vs 24, NKJV), we must live and walk in the Spirit. (vs 25)
III. OUR SPIRIT (INWARD MAN) MUST BE RENEWED DAY BY DAY.
A. This renewing of our spirit is essential to our not giving up. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
B. This renewing is essential to comprehending the full magnitude of the love of Christ. (Ephesians 3:14-19)
C. This renewing of the spirit does not come by way of miraculous intervention, but rather, through one’s faithfulness to studying God’s word, to prayer, and to assembling with the saints. (2 Corinthians 4:7-16)
1. A faithful Christian has the excellence of the power of God as his treasure. (vs 7)
2. A faithful Christian will carry about in his body the dying of the Lord Jesus so that the life of Jesus will be manifested in his body. (vs 10,11)
3. A faithful Christian will have the spirit of faith, knowing that God will raise him up. (vs 13,14)
4. A faithful Christian will always be thankful to God for His grace. (vs 15)
5. Those things mentioned above aids a Christian in the renewing of his mind.
CONCLUSION.
A. Let us all commit the safety of our spirit into the hands of God.
B. Does the safety of your spirit carry the importance it should?
C. Are you allowing your spirit to be led by the Spirit of the Lord?
D. Is your spirit being renewed day by day?
E. The life of the faithful child of God will answer the above questions with a definite, “Yes!” However, if you are not serving God to the best of your ability, thereby not living a faithful life unto Him, then please put the safety of your spirit into the hands of God today by following His instructions for the renewing of your spirit.
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Taking Care of Your Spirit – December 7, 2003 – File #: 1157 - Faithfulness
by John Duvall - Preached in Lawton, OK