Spirits in the Material World

-------------------  _{by Bro. Mark Householder}  ------------------

 

 

Introduction:

 

Too often, mankind is fixed on the temporal, the material, the physical.  We concentrate on material wealth, physical pleasures & desires.  we need to realize that we are truly S. in the Mtl. world.

 

Body:

 

1) Man falls in love with what he can sense.

                            Love of $ is the root of all evil.

                            Love of self, adoration of the body, pride

                            Love of sex

                            Lust of the eye, “ the flesh, pride of life.

 

2) Man is thus separated from God

 

                            $ is the root of all forms of evil

                            No other gods before me

                            10 Commandments

                            Fashioned unto themselves an idol.  Not for God.  Not spiritual.

                            Our struggle is of a sp. nature.

 

3) To revert back to God, we must live spiritually.

 

                            Acceeptable worship

 

40. Acceptable Worship

1. Must be in Spirit and in Truth - Jn 4:23-24, IPe 2:5-6, Ro 12:2.

2. Upon the first day of the week -

3. Not the same as the Sabbath.

 

                            God wants us to live spiritually!

 

 

17. Works

1. Kinds of Works:

1. Works of the flesh - Gal 5:19-21.

2. Our own works - Ac 7:41, IITi 1:9.

3. Works of the law of Moses - Gal 2:16.

4. Works of obedience - Ac 10:34-35, Lk 6:46, Jn 6:29.  See also "Obedience”.

See also Jas 2:14-17, 19, 24, 26, Jn 12:42, Gal 5:6, Ac 10:34-35, Mt 7:21, Heb 5:9.

 

 

 

4. Prodigal Son - Lk 15:11-31.  See also “O.S.A.S.”

 

Luke 15:7  “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

 

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

“¹³ Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:  Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  ¹⁴ For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”

 

Remember that Jesus said “If ye love me ye will keep my commands.”

 

                            Read the inspired author’s comments:

 

                            Must have the sp. of Chr.

                            How to get that sp.

 

Luke 18:13  “And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

 

Conclusion

 

You must:  Hear - Ro. 10:17, Mt. 7:24-27.

                            Believe - Heb. 11:6, Mk. 16:15-16.

                            *But not by faith only, which would be a dead faith - Jas. 2:24, Jn. 12:42.

                            Repent - Ac. 2:38, Ac. 17:30, Lk. 13:3.

                            Submit to baptism - Ac. 2:38, All conversions in the Bible include this!

                            Live a righteous life/remain faithful - Rev. 2:10, Ro. 8:1-17.