We will begin a four-week series today leading up to the glorious resurrection Sunday when we will look at God’s new temple. Week one we will look at the old nature, things as they used to be. Then we will look at the difference between reformation and transformation. Reformation is not what God is looking for. He is looking to transform. Then we will look at the new creation we have been made into. Finally, we will look at God’s new temple.
Week One: The old nature I Corinthians 6:9-12
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
I. Signs of the old nature
A. Fornication – sexual conduct between unmarried
B. Idol worship – putting anything above God
C. Adultery marriage infidelity
D. Effeminate – men acting like women
E. Abusers of self – homosexual
F. Thieves – taking from someone else that which does not belong to you
G. Covetous – wanting things that belong to another
H. Revilers – angry troublemakers
I. Drunker – over 70 verses in Bible warn against alcohol
Consumption
J. Extortion – taking from others by deception
K. Being controlled by anything – food, fashion, drink, entertain
II. Remedy – John 3:6-7
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
Romans 3:23 . For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us
Romans 10:8-13 – 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
A. Conviction – must see yourself as a sinner in need of a saviour
Luke 18:11-14 – The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 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. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.
B. Rejection of the old life – Repentance
Luke 13:3 I tell
you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise
perish.
Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye
shall all likewise perish.
C. Acceptance of the Gift of God –
John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
D. Faith in Christ and Christ alone –
His death, His burial, His resurrection and His soon coming again.
