ROM-143-151018 - length: 50:33 - taught on Oct, 18 2015
Class Outline:
Welcome To
BARAH MINISTRIES
a Christian Church
Rory Clark
Pastor-Teacher
Good Morning!
Welcome to Barah Ministries…a worldwide Christian Church based in Mesa, AZ…my name is Pastor Rory Clark.
What is the holy life the Christian is expected to live? What is the life “in the Spirit?” Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verses 17 to 32…first Paul talks about the lifestyle believers in Christ must avoid…
So this I (Paul) say, and affirm together with the Lord, that you believers in Christ walk no longer just as the Gentiles also walk, in the futility of their mind…
In other words, don’t make up your own rules…
…(because those “in the flesh” are) being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart…
Those in the flesh do not concern themselves with the things of God, and in fact “bow up” against Him…enmity…
…and those “in the flesh” … having become callous, have given themselves over to (the slaughter) … to sensuality for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.
Paul is saying to believers…separate yourselves COMPLETELY from this lifestyle…not even one dalliance…
But you believers in Christ did not learn Christ in this way…
We didn’t learn about Christ in the way of sensuality…
…if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in union with Him, just as truth is in Jesus…
Believers were taught in the sphere of grace and truth.
…that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the influence of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit…
Lust is deceitful…it promises joy and then doesn’t provide it.
…and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind…
No more futility…“I’ve got a new attitude!”
…and instead put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and in the holiness of the truth.
We are to be holy as our Father is holy.
Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger…
Righteous anger is anger against sin.
…and do not give the devil an opportunity.
He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need.
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.
Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Welcome to a place where we are learning to live the holy lifestyle.
MUSIC AND REFLECTION
Be Occupied with the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ
Enjoy the Singing of His Praises
FLAWLESS
MercyMe
The opening song is FLAWLESS sung by MercyMe.
OPENING PRAYER
Let us pray...
We’re grateful Heavenly Father for the privilege of studying the absolute truth...the Word of God…
Thank you for always providing a divine way out of every human situation…
Father, Your grace is always sufficient for us. There is always a back door to escape every temptation, and You will never let us be tested beyond our strength to endure…but sometimes we want the perceived pleasure of slavery more than we want the certain victory of freedom.
Protect us from our lustful cravings…let the Holy Spirit master the flesh in us…help us to reject sinful desires at the point of decision.
We ask this through the power of God the Holy Spirit...in Christ’s name... Amen.
TODAY’S STUDY
Closed Mindedness Isn’t Always Bad
Recently I have begun to contemplate if I am closed-minded. I have concluded that I am. Thus the title of today’s lesson…closed mindedness isn’t always bad. Why? Well, of course, because if I am doing it, it can’t be bad, right? J
I was thinking…I grew up in an area where I was always uncomfortable… always on guard…always afraid that I was not going to get home alive… always in terror that I was going to be killed…always thinking that the worst was going to happen. In my dreams I was being chased, and I never was able to evade or to fight those who were chasing me. If I began a dream, and I ended up in a place where the bad guys were, I always knew it wasn’t going to work out for me. I could run, but I couldn’t hide…they were going to catch me and it was not going to be good for me.
Then I grew up. As I grew I lived in safer places. Eventually I learned to let my guard down. Eventually I began to feel safe. I began to feel so safe, that now, when I am in a neighborhood where I feel threatened, I almost feel like I am somehow better than the people who live there. I feel closed minded.
These thoughts came to me as I watched a new movie that’s out called. “SICARIO.” It’s an American crime thriller about an idealistic FBI agent who is introduced to the real inner workings of the drug cartels in Mexico. I was thinking that I wouldn't last five minutes among drug lords and those who work for them. I don’t fit. They would know I didn't fit immediately, and I would be dead within minutes. They’d know, because I would be closed minded against their lifestyle and their methods of operation, and they would be able to “smell it” on me.
It’s the same for believers in Christ. The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to live the holy life. If we are to live the holy life, as believers in Christ, we are to have complete separation from the unholy life. We are to be closed minded against it. Closed-mindedness isn’t always bad. Are you closed minded against the unholy life? Or do you think it is okay to dip yourself in the holy life every once in a while (read that many times daily) and then come running back to God’s forgiveness and grace? It’s an interesting topic for today’s lesson.
In just a few minutes, Deacon Denny Goodall is going to take the offering.
THE OFFERING
Deacon Denny Goodall
He always has some very interesting things to say, so please don't “fast forward!”
We appreciate your gifts. Because the Lord provides you with a way to be generous, you get a chance to give of your treasure so that others can benefit. There is no greater expression of the UNconditional love of God than giving. We appreciate the sacrifice you make to keep the doors of Barah Ministries open, making available a place where people can hear the Word of God taught free of charge. Let’s welcome up Deacon Denny Goodall to take the offering.
BARAH MINISTRIES FINANCIAL POLICY
We are sanctioned by God to charge for anything we provide so you can worship God. God expects you to provide wages for your Pastor and support for the ministry to the tune of a double portion!
BARAH MINISTRIES FINANCIAL POLICY
First Timothy, Chapter 5, Verses 17 and 18 say…
The elders (Pastors) who rule well are to be considered worthy of double
honor (compensation), especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
For the Scripture says, … “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
BARAH MINISTRIES FINANCIAL POLICY
We choose not to charge for the things we provide so as to reflect God’s grace, not as a matter of benevolence. We invite you to help yourself to bibles, to music, to books, to pamphlets, to anything that would help you, a family member, or a friend learn about God. Therefore, no price appears on any material from Barah Ministries so that anyone who wants to learn about God can do so free of charge.
BARAH MINISTRIES FINANCIAL POLICY
Even though the materials are free of charge, they are not free of cost. We appreciate the much needed financial support you provide so we can continue to share the Word of God with the hearers God brings to listen. Please be generous in your support of God’s work through this ministry.
OFFERING VERSE
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps…
OFFERING
FLIGHT OF THE EAGLE
Dave McClure, Instrumental
TODAY’S STUDY
Closed Mindedness Isn’t Always Bad
In the next few verses of this first passage in Romans, Chapter 8…we learn the natural orientation of each creature who has chosen sides in the Creator Creature-Conflict…“in the flesh” and “in the Spirit” are on opposite sides of the fence…Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 5…
For unbelievers, who are walking ACCORDING TO THE FLESH, occupy their beings (their minds) with the things of the flesh…but believers in Christ, who are walking ACCORDING TO THE (power of the) SPIRIT, occupy their beings (and their minds) with the things of the (Person of the) Spirit.
Maybe now when we hear the terms “in the flesh” and “in the Spirit” we will realize that we are actually talking about people…real people with real lives and with real faces…people who are important to us. And maybe we won’t glaze over when we hear the terms…and maybe we won’t just be self-focused when we hear the terms… “I got mine” … but maybe we will realize that real people count on us to be real with them.
It can be as real as this story…Luke, Chapter 16, Verses 19 to 31…
“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day.”
LUK 16: 20
“And there was a poor man named Lazarus who laid at his gate, covered with sores…”
“…and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table (which he never received); besides, even the dogs were coming and licking Lazarus’ sores.”
“Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom (Paradise); and the rich man also died and was buried.”
“In Hades the rich man lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.”
“And the rich man cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’”
“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.’”
LUK 16: 26
“And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’”
“And the rich man said, ‘Then I beg you, father Abraham, that you send Lazarus to my father’s house—‘”
“…for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’”
“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’”
“But the rich man said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent (they will have a change of mind about a relationships with the Lord Jesus Christ)!’”
“But Abraham said to the rich man, ‘If your brothers do not listen to Moses and the Prophets (through the Scriptures), they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Now just replace the term “the rich man” with the name of one of your best friends or with one of your least favorite family members. Do you want them to be “in the flesh?”
What is the mindset of those who are “in the flesh” versus those who are “in the Spirit?” Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 6…
For the MIND OF THE FLESH is set on the second death, but the MIND OF THE SPIRIT is set on the resurrection life and peace…
The mind of the flesh is not people…it’s a lifestyle…those involved in the “finer things of this life.” <THE DONALD TRUMP LIFESTYLE>
The mind of the Spirit is a lifestyle as well…a lifestyle spent orienting to God and His Word…<THE SMALL CHURCH PASTOR LIFESTYLE>
Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 7…the perfect description of the unbeliever…
…because the MIND OF THE FLESH is hostile toward God (that is, completely consumed with enmity); for the MIND OF THE FLESH does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so…
The “I Hate God” lifestyle…the “I’m mad at God” lifestyle…the “I want to set the rules for God to follow” lifestyle.
Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 8…
…and those who are IN THE FLESH (unbelievers) cannot please God.
Now the focus of this last few verses in the first passage of Romans, Chapter 8 shifts to the believer in Christ…
Romans, Chapter 8, Verse 9…
However, you BELIEVERS IN CHRIST ARE NOT IN THE FLESH but YOU ARE IN THE SPIRIT, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you (and of course it does). But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ (and unbelievers don’t), that one (the unbeliever…the unregenerate one) does not belong to Christ.
IF CHRIST IS IN YOU, (and He is for believers in Christ) though the body is dead because of sin (indwelling), yet THE SPIRIT IS ALIVE because of righteousness (imputed).
But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you (and
He does for believers in Christ), He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according
to the flesh—
…for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if you are living by the Spirit YOU ARE PUTTING TO DEATH THE DEEDS OF THE BODY, you will live.
The lifestyle of those who are “in the flesh” is hard. The lifestyle of those who are “in the Spirit” is easy...almost boring.
Here’s the thing…if you were living the lifestyle of a member of a drug cartel…you would be terrified…and you would know quite quickly that this was not the lifestyle for you. Isn’t it the same thing that happens when you indulge in the lusts of the flesh? Don’t you know that it is not the lifestyle for you? Would your lifestyle choices, inwardly and outwardly, stand the test of being published on the front page of the most famous newspaper in the world. Would your thoughts and actions reflect the Lord Jesus Christ?
Well…some would and some wouldn’t.
Just know that the Lord isn’t interested in the contradiction. There is sinful state…there is a holy state. All the Lord wants from you is ALL. He wants you to spend ALL your time in a holy state…that boring, wonderful, uncomplicated life. I invite you to be closed-minded against that lifestyle.
…that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the influence of the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit…
It’s what the Lord wants for you.
When the Lord Jesus Christ
Promises Salvation, It’s a Guarantee!
For I am not ashamed of the gospel message, for the gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
My soul waits in silence for the Lord only; from Him is my salvation.
‘And it shall be that everyone who calls on the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ will be saved.’
The Lord Jesus Christ is not slow about His promise of salvation, as some accuse Him of, but is patient toward you (all mankind), not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance (a change of mind about a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ).
CLOSING SONG
ALL BECAUSE YOU WANTED TO
June Murphy
CLOSING PRAYER
Let us pray...
THANKS- INTERCESSION-PETITION
We ask these things through the power of God the Holy Spirit, in Christ’s name, Amen.
Thanks for coming!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for listening!
www.barahministries.com
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