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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Baby Talk

April 30, 2025 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - Baby Talk
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Faith #Faithfulness #ServantofGod #Disciples #Religion #Attitude #WordofGod #Righteousness #Dr.RobertJeffress #RobertJeffress #Discipline #CarnalMind #1John3

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Baby Talk | April 30, 2025
  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] from the pulpit
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  • Of the first baptist church of dallas, texas,
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  • This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Hi, i'm robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory".
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  • As our children are growing up,
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  • It's charming to hear them
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  • String their first sentences together,
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  • But the opposite is not charming at all,
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  • And in a spiritual sense,
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  • That's the behavior we find
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  • In first corinthians chapter three.
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  • Today we're going to look at the certainty, the cause,
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  • The characteristics, and the consequences
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  • Of what paul calls the carnal christian.
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  • My message is titled "baby talk"
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  • On today's edition of "pathway to victory".
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • [announcer] think about a child in your life
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  • Who needs to put their faith in jesus.
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  • How do you explain the gospel to them
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  • In a way they can understand?
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  • In "the gift the gospel for children",
  • 00:01:03.987 --> 00:01:06.356
  • Dr. robert jeffress presents the gospel message
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  • In a way that's clear and engaging.
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  • The book also includes a salvation prayer
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  • For you to pray with your child or grandchild.
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  • Give your child the most important gift they'll ever receive
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  • The opportunity to begin a relationship with jesus christ.
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  • Request your copy of "the gift" at ptv.org.
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  • ♪ music ♪
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  • Whenever you have people
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  • Who should be grown spiritually
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  • And yet they act like spiritual babies,
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  • The result is tragic,
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  • Not only for the individual christian,
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  • But for the church as well.
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  • And it's the problem of spiritually retarded people
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  • In the church that paul addresses in the passage
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  • We're going to look at tonight.
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  • If you have your bibles,
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  • I want you to turn to first corinthians three
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  • As paul engages in some straight talk about babies.
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  • I call it "baby talk".
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  • First corinthians chapter three.
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  • Remember last time in first corinthians two,
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  • Paul was answering the question,
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  • "why is it that intelligent people reject the gospel,"
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  • And paul is explaining that,
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  • "god's wisdom is foolishness to man,
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  • "and man's wisdom is foolishness to god."
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  • He said, "spiritual truth cannot be
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  • "comprehended by mere intellect."
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  • The natural man, the man apart from christ,
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  • Cannot understand the things of god.
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  • And paul talks about the natural man,
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  • That is the person who does not have
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  • The holy spirit of god to teach him.
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  • He is an unbeliever.
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  • And then paul says, on the other hand,
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  • The spiritual man understands all things.
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  • There's the natural man, the unsaved person.
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  • There is the spiritual man, the christian.
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  • But now when we get to chapter three,
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  • Paul is going to divide that category
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  • Of saved people into two subsets.
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  • He says the spiritual person
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  • They are really two kinds of christians.
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  • There is the spiritually mature believer,
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  • And then there is the carnal christian.
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  • The carnal christian is the believer who is saved,
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  • But he is a slave to his old desires, his old habits,
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  • His old way of life.
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  • Paul refers to him as a "fleshly believer".
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  • He is a slave to his old way of life
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  • Because he never grows beyond the baby stage as a christian.
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  • His carnality is manifested in two ways.
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  • First of all, through his actions.
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  • That is, he engages in behavior still as a christian,
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  • That more characterizes a non-christian.
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  • Not only does he resemble a non-christian in his actions,
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  • But also in his attitudes.
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  • As william barclay writes,
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  • "his interests and aims do not go
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  • "beyond his earthly and physical life.
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  • "everything about his existence is centered in this world."
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  • Do you know christians like that?
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  • When you look at them and the way they behave,
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  • There's no difference between them and a nonbeliever,
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  • And when you look at their attitudes,
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  • They are like those of unbelievers.
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  • These are people who cannot maintain
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  • Any spiritual discipline in their life.
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  • They have no interest in reading the bible.
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  • No interest in praying.
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  • They've never won anybody to christ.
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  • Coming to church is a chore for them.
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  • Not only that, they are very,
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  • Very self-centered in their attitude.
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  • Just like a baby, they can only think of themselves.
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  • Beyond that, they throw temper tantrums in the church
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  • Whenever they don't get their way.
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  • When something doesn't go to suit them,
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  • They're the first ones to threaten,
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  • "well, i'm leaving the church
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  • "if i can't have it my way."
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  • They are carnal.
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  • They are fleshly.
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  • Well, tonight we're going to look
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  • At what paul says about the carnal christian.
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  • Paul has a strong word of rebuke
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  • For the first church at corinth
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  • And for the first baptist church in dallas,
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  • Because the carnal christian is not acceptable before god.
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  • And specifically tonight we're going to look at
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  • The certainty of carnal christians.
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  • We're going to talk about the cause of carnal christians.
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  • We're going to look at the characteristics
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  • Of carnal christians,
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  • And then finally next week,
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  • The consequences of living as a carnal christian.
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  • First of all, let's look at the certainty,
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  • The reality of carnal christians.
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  • You know, it's been my experience
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  • That christians go to one of two extremes
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  • When it comes to this whole subject of carnal christians,
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  • Christians who are saved,
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  • But they act like unbelievers
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  • In their actions and their attitudes.
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  • One extreme is to deny the existence of carnality,
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  • To deny there's any such thing as a carnal christian.
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  • There are some people who would say,
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  • "you know, unless christ is in control
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  • "of every part of your life,
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  • "the truth is you really are not saved."
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  • They refuse to accept the idea that genuine christians
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  • Can fall into sin or any extended period of sin.
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  • But there's another extreme,
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  • And frankly it's the extreme that most christians go to
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  • When it comes to the subject of carnality.
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  • They don't deny carnality.
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  • Instead, they embrace carnality.
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  • They, yes, accept the fact that there's
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  • Such a thing as being a carnal fleshly christian,
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  • And they are committed to being one themselves.
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  • They think it is an acceptable thing to live
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  • As an unbeliever lives.
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  • They make their profession of faith in christ
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  • At six or seven or eight years of age early in life,
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  • And once they get their free ticket to heaven,
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  • They live however they choose to live
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  • And somehow they think everything's okay
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  • Between them and god.
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  • What does paul or john say about this idea
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  • That you can go through your entire christian life
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  • And sin continually and disobey god?
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  • Is there any allowance for that in scripture?
  • 00:07:03.546 --> 00:07:06.215
  • Is there any allowance for somebody
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  • Who makes a profession of faith,
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  • And then never has any fruit in his life?
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  • Never has any desire to follow after god?
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  • Absolutely not.
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  • Anybody who is saying that he is saved
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  • But has no fruit whatsoever,
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  • Is a false deceived unbeliever.
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  • That's exactly what john says here
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  • In chapter three verses seven to nine,
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  • "little children, make sure no one deceives you.
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  • "the one who practices righteousness
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  • "is righteous, just as god is righteous,
  • 00:07:37.680 --> 00:07:40.683
  • "but the one who practices sin is of the devil.
  • 00:07:40.683 --> 00:07:44.120
  • "for the devil has sinned from the beginning.
  • 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:46.556
  • "the son of god appeared for this purpose
  • 00:07:46.556 --> 00:07:48.991
  • "to destroy the works of the devil.
  • 00:07:48.991 --> 00:07:51.561
  • "no one who is born of god practices sin,
  • 00:07:51.561 --> 00:07:56.933
  • "because god's seed abides in him,
  • 00:07:57.667 --> 00:07:59.902
  • "and he cannot sin
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  • "because he is born of god."
  • 00:08:01.571 --> 00:08:03.940
  • Could that be anymore clear?
  • 00:08:03.940 --> 00:08:06.008
  • Now is it saying that a christian will never ever sin?
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  • No, the verb tense here is a continual sinning,
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  • But what he is saying is it's not
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  • That a christian never slips and sins,
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  • But it is not his way of life.
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  • He does not practice sin.
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  • A true believer will be characterized
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  • Not by unrighteousness, but as righteousness.
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  • And so with that in mind,
  • 00:08:28.598 --> 00:08:30.099
  • Paul had a very strong word
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  • To those who would say,
  • 00:08:32.868 --> 00:08:34.270
  • "okay, i'm just one of those carnal christians."
  • 00:08:34.270 --> 00:08:37.340
  • Remember bill bright's book years ago,
  • 00:08:37.340 --> 00:08:39.175
  • "the spirit-filled life"
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  • And it had the three kinds of life.
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  • You'd be the natural man, the unsaved man,
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  • And then you'd be the carnal christian.
  • 00:08:46.182 --> 00:08:49.819
  • And then there was the spiritual christian,
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  • Where christ was on the throne.
  • 00:08:51.787 --> 00:08:53.255
  • I appreciated that booklet.
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  • It taught me a lot of things.
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  • The downside of that booklet
  • 00:08:56.359 --> 00:08:57.827
  • Is it gave christians the idea
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  • That carnality was an acceptable state.
  • 00:09:00.029 --> 00:09:03.032
  • "you know, i think if i'm going to
  • 00:09:03.032 --> 00:09:04.834
  • "choose one of these three circles,
  • 00:09:04.834 --> 00:09:06.268
  • "i think i'll choose carnality,
  • 00:09:06.268 --> 00:09:08.270
  • "because after all,
  • 00:09:08.270 --> 00:09:09.605
  • "it means i get to go to heaven when i die,
  • 00:09:09.605 --> 00:09:10.873
  • "and i can have all the fun i want here on earth
  • 00:09:10.873 --> 00:09:12.408
  • "at the same time.
  • 00:09:12.408 --> 00:09:13.643
  • "i think i'll choose that circle."
  • 00:09:13.643 --> 00:09:15.511
  • "no," the word of god says.
  • 00:09:15.511 --> 00:09:18.481
  • If you choose to remain carnal all of your life,
  • 00:09:18.481 --> 00:09:21.984
  • It's evidence that you are not truly a believer.
  • 00:09:21.984 --> 00:09:25.655
  • And that's why paul says in chapter three, verse one,
  • 00:09:25.655 --> 00:09:28.791
  • A strong word of rebuke to carnal christians,
  • 00:09:28.791 --> 00:09:31.661
  • "and i, brethren, could not speak to you as spiritual men,
  • 00:09:31.661 --> 00:09:36.332
  • "but as to men of the flesh, as to infants in christ."
  • 00:09:36.332 --> 00:09:41.003
  • He addresses them in verse one as brethren, "adelphos".
  • 00:09:41.003 --> 00:09:44.740
  • It means from the same womb.
  • 00:09:44.740 --> 00:09:47.510
  • He acknowledged that these corinthians
  • 00:09:47.510 --> 00:09:49.345
  • By and large, were believers.
  • 00:09:49.345 --> 00:09:50.980
  • Most of them were believers,
  • 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:53.249
  • But notice how he describes them.
  • 00:09:53.249 --> 00:09:55.418
  • He said, "you're not a spiritual man."
  • 00:09:55.418 --> 00:09:57.219
  • He uses two phrases to describe them.
  • 00:09:57.219 --> 00:09:59.522
  • First of all, he calls them "men of the flesh."
  • 00:09:59.522 --> 00:10:03.693
  • That's the first description of a carnal christian.
  • 00:10:03.693 --> 00:10:06.529
  • He is a man of the flesh.
  • 00:10:06.529 --> 00:10:08.464
  • Well, what does that mean?
  • 00:10:08.464 --> 00:10:09.465
  • We're all of flesh.
  • 00:10:09.465 --> 00:10:11.200
  • Now when he's talking about being a fleshly christian,
  • 00:10:11.200 --> 00:10:14.570
  • He's talking about being a slave to your old nature.
  • 00:10:14.570 --> 00:10:19.108
  • In the bible, when the bible speaks of flesh, "sarkikos".
  • 00:10:19.108 --> 00:10:23.546
  • It's not talking about human flesh.
  • 00:10:23.546 --> 00:10:25.981
  • You see, the greeks believed that human flesh was evil.
  • 00:10:25.981 --> 00:10:28.651
  • They believed only that which was spiritual was good,
  • 00:10:28.651 --> 00:10:31.220
  • And anything that was material was evil,
  • 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:33.322
  • Which is why they had a hard time accepting
  • 00:10:33.322 --> 00:10:35.191
  • The incarnation of god in jesus christ.
  • 00:10:35.191 --> 00:10:38.494
  • Well, paul didn't fall into that greek trap of thinking
  • 00:10:38.494 --> 00:10:42.331
  • Flesh in and of itself is evil, but he said,
  • 00:10:42.331 --> 00:10:44.867
  • "our flesh is evil because it's been polluted with sin."
  • 00:10:44.867 --> 00:10:48.337
  • He's talking about the corrupt desires of the old man.
  • 00:10:48.337 --> 00:10:52.541
  • He uses it in the same way in galatians 5:16.
  • 00:10:52.541 --> 00:10:55.878
  • He said, "but i say walk by the spirit
  • 00:10:55.878 --> 00:10:58.514
  • "and you will not carry out
  • 00:10:58.514 --> 00:11:00.149
  • "the desire of the flesh."
  • 00:11:00.149 --> 00:11:02.251
  • We talked about that this morning.
  • 00:11:02.251 --> 00:11:03.753
  • The desire of the flesh is that corrupt desire we have
  • 00:11:03.753 --> 00:11:07.623
  • To satisfy legitimate needs in an illegitimate way.
  • 00:11:07.623 --> 00:11:11.961
  • Turn over to galatians five for a moment.
  • 00:11:12.828 --> 00:11:14.930
  • Look at verses 19 through 21.
  • 00:11:14.930 --> 00:11:17.233
  • Here's a great checklist for carnality, okay?
  • 00:11:17.233 --> 00:11:21.270
  • If you want to know if you are a carnal christian,
  • 00:11:21.270 --> 00:11:24.039
  • If you are a person of the flesh,
  • 00:11:24.039 --> 00:11:26.842
  • Just look at this checklist
  • 00:11:26.842 --> 00:11:28.310
  • And see if these words characterize you.
  • 00:11:28.310 --> 00:11:32.181
  • Galatians 5:16,
  • 00:11:32.548 --> 00:11:34.283
  • "but i say walk by the spirit,
  • 00:11:34.283 --> 00:11:36.552
  • "and you will not carryout the desire of the flesh."
  • 00:11:36.552 --> 00:11:39.455
  • Now skip down to verse 19.
  • 00:11:39.455 --> 00:11:41.257
  • "now, the deeds of the flesh are evident,
  • 00:11:41.257 --> 00:11:44.193
  • "which are: immorality."
  • 00:11:44.193 --> 00:11:47.196
  • That's an umbrella term.
  • 00:11:47.196 --> 00:11:48.430
  • It means pornography.
  • 00:11:48.430 --> 00:11:50.366
  • It can be pornography.
  • 00:11:50.366 --> 00:11:51.801
  • It can be lust.
  • 00:11:51.801 --> 00:11:53.402
  • It can be premarital sex.
  • 00:11:53.402 --> 00:11:55.871
  • It can be adultery.
  • 00:11:55.871 --> 00:11:57.973
  • "the deeds of the flesh are evident:
  • 00:11:57.973 --> 00:11:59.942
  • "immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry."
  • 00:11:59.942 --> 00:12:05.181
  • By the way, idolatry is not just bowing down
  • 00:12:06.081 --> 00:12:08.217
  • Before a six inch statue.
  • 00:12:08.217 --> 00:12:10.419
  • Idolatry is loving anyone
  • 00:12:10.419 --> 00:12:13.556
  • Or anything more than you love god.
  • 00:12:13.556 --> 00:12:15.891
  • That's what idolatry is, worshiping anything
  • 00:12:15.891 --> 00:12:18.794
  • Or anyone more than you love god.
  • 00:12:18.794 --> 00:12:21.497
  • "sorcery, enmities,"
  • 00:12:21.497 --> 00:12:23.499
  • That's hatred toward people.
  • 00:12:23.499 --> 00:12:25.100
  • "strife," can't get along with people.
  • 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:27.670
  • "jealousy, outbursts of anger,"
  • 00:12:27.670 --> 00:12:30.906
  • Can't control your temper,
  • 00:12:30.906 --> 00:12:32.575
  • "disputes, dissensions,"
  • 00:12:32.575 --> 00:12:35.044
  • "factions," dividing into groups,
  • 00:12:35.044 --> 00:12:38.013
  • "envying, drunkenness, carousing,
  • 00:12:38.013 --> 00:12:41.183
  • "and things like these,
  • 00:12:41.183 --> 00:12:42.418
  • "of which i forewarn you
  • 00:12:42.418 --> 00:12:44.019
  • "just as i have forewarned you,
  • 00:12:44.019 --> 00:12:46.121
  • "that those who practice such things
  • 00:12:46.121 --> 00:12:50.292
  • "will not inherit the kingdom of god."
  • 00:12:50.292 --> 00:12:55.264
  • Do any of these characteristics fit you?
  • 00:12:56.065 --> 00:12:59.702
  • If so, you may be a carnal christian,
  • 00:12:59.702 --> 00:13:02.571
  • A person of the flesh.
  • 00:13:02.571 --> 00:13:04.106
  • The second phrase he uses
  • 00:13:04.106 --> 00:13:05.641
  • To describe carnality is "babes in christ."
  • 00:13:05.641 --> 00:13:09.478
  • He said, "i couldn't speak to you as spiritual men,
  • 00:13:09.478 --> 00:13:11.480
  • "but as to men of the flesh as to infants,
  • 00:13:11.480 --> 00:13:13.983
  • "babes in christ."
  • 00:13:13.983 --> 00:13:16.018
  • Now, in our culture,
  • 00:13:16.018 --> 00:13:17.253
  • We think of babies as precious things.
  • 00:13:17.253 --> 00:13:20.990
  • Babies are cute and sweet and attractive
  • 00:13:20.990 --> 00:13:24.126
  • And appealing as long as they're babies,
  • 00:13:24.126 --> 00:13:28.631
  • (congregation laughing)
  • 00:13:28.631 --> 00:13:30.232
  • But you know when you have a person who is
  • 00:13:30.232 --> 00:13:33.602
  • 10 years old, or 20 years old, or 30 years old
  • 00:13:33.602 --> 00:13:37.740
  • Who acts like a one-year-old,
  • 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.842
  • There's nothing precious about that.
  • 00:13:39.842 --> 00:13:41.543
  • In fact, we use that term in our culture
  • 00:13:41.543 --> 00:13:44.046
  • To describe an adult who acts like a child
  • 00:13:44.046 --> 00:13:47.549
  • We call them retarded.
  • 00:13:47.549 --> 00:13:49.818
  • There are spiritually retarded people in the church,
  • 00:13:50.886 --> 00:13:55.057
  • People who have been saved 5 years, 10 years, 20 years,
  • 00:13:55.057 --> 00:13:58.827
  • 30 years, and yet they still act like one-year-olds.
  • 00:13:58.827 --> 00:14:03.999
  • They throw temper tantrums when they don't get their way,
  • 00:14:05.134 --> 00:14:06.702
  • Always threatening to leave,
  • 00:14:06.702 --> 00:14:08.871
  • Always intent on fulfilling their desires
  • 00:14:08.871 --> 00:14:11.941
  • And what they want regardless of the fallout
  • 00:14:11.941 --> 00:14:14.443
  • To other people.
  • 00:14:14.443 --> 00:14:16.045
  • That's what these corinthians were.
  • 00:14:16.045 --> 00:14:18.414
  • They were spiritually retarded.
  • 00:14:18.414 --> 00:14:21.684
  • What is it that causes a christian
  • 00:14:21.684 --> 00:14:23.419
  • To become spiritually retarded,
  • 00:14:23.419 --> 00:14:25.254
  • To remain as a babe in christ?
  • 00:14:25.254 --> 00:14:28.324
  • Paul tells us in verse two
  • 00:14:28.324 --> 00:14:30.092
  • The causes of a carnal christian
  • 00:14:30.092 --> 00:14:31.226
  • Is first of all it's a wrong diet.
  • 00:14:31.226 --> 00:14:33.429
  • Look at verse two.
  • 00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:34.797
  • He says, "i gave you milk to drink, not solid food
  • 00:14:34.797 --> 00:14:38.334
  • "for you are not able to receive it.
  • 00:14:38.334 --> 00:14:40.369
  • "indeed, even now you are not able."
  • 00:14:40.369 --> 00:14:43.706
  • In the bible, there are two categories of spiritual food,
  • 00:14:43.706 --> 00:14:47.109
  • And we all know food's important to grow,
  • 00:14:47.109 --> 00:14:48.944
  • But there are two categories of spiritual food in the bible:
  • 00:14:48.944 --> 00:14:51.714
  • One is milk and the other is meat.
  • 00:14:51.714 --> 00:14:54.583
  • And you say, "what's wrong with milk?"
  • 00:14:54.583 --> 00:14:55.918
  • There's nothing wrong with milk.
  • 00:14:55.918 --> 00:14:57.319
  • It's absolutely necessary.
  • 00:14:57.319 --> 00:14:59.088
  • I love milk,
  • 00:14:59.088 --> 00:15:00.990
  • But if you keep giving a person milk
  • 00:15:00.990 --> 00:15:03.592
  • And give them no meat,
  • 00:15:03.592 --> 00:15:04.893
  • They are not going to grow.
  • 00:15:04.893 --> 00:15:07.262
  • And that's what paul was saying here.
  • 00:15:07.262 --> 00:15:08.630
  • He said, "i couldn't give you meat.
  • 00:15:08.630 --> 00:15:10.666
  • "i could only give you milk."
  • 00:15:10.666 --> 00:15:12.968
  • What is the milk of the word?
  • 00:15:12.968 --> 00:15:15.504
  • When we talk about spiritual milk,
  • 00:15:15.504 --> 00:15:17.172
  • What are we talking about?
  • 00:15:17.172 --> 00:15:18.774
  • Hold your place here and turn over to hebrews chapter five.
  • 00:15:18.774 --> 00:15:20.743
  • We're all over the bible tonight, but i like that.
  • 00:15:20.743 --> 00:15:22.945
  • Hebrews chapter 5 beginning with verse 12,
  • 00:15:22.945 --> 00:15:26.048
  • The writer's going to tell us what spiritual milk is.
  • 00:15:26.048 --> 00:15:29.651
  • He says, "for though by this time you ought to be teachers,
  • 00:15:29.651 --> 00:15:33.422
  • "you have need again for somebody to teach you
  • 00:15:33.422 --> 00:15:35.524
  • "the elementary principles of the oracles of god,
  • 00:15:35.524 --> 00:15:39.161
  • "and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
  • 00:15:39.161 --> 00:15:43.465
  • "for everyone who partakes only of milk
  • 00:15:43.465 --> 00:15:46.735
  • "is not accustomed to the word of righteousness,
  • 00:15:46.735 --> 00:15:49.805
  • "for he is an infant."
  • 00:15:49.805 --> 00:15:53.909
  • He goes on to say,
  • 00:15:54.343 --> 00:15:55.444
  • "but solid food is for the mature,
  • 00:15:55.444 --> 00:15:56.912
  • "who because of practice have their senses trained
  • 00:15:56.912 --> 00:15:59.481
  • "to discern good and evil."
  • 00:15:59.481 --> 00:16:01.984
  • Then he says, "therefore,
  • 00:16:01.984 --> 00:16:03.652
  • "leaving the elementary teaching about christ,
  • 00:16:03.652 --> 00:16:07.756
  • "let us press on to maturity.
  • 00:16:07.756 --> 00:16:10.192
  • "not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works
  • 00:16:10.192 --> 00:16:13.429
  • "and a faith toward god of instruction about washings,
  • 00:16:13.429 --> 00:16:17.066
  • "and laying on of hands, about the resurrection of the dead
  • 00:16:17.066 --> 00:16:19.301
  • "and eternal judgment.
  • 00:16:19.301 --> 00:16:20.536
  • "and this we will do if god permits."
  • 00:16:20.536 --> 00:16:23.505
  • The milk of the word, spiritual milk,
  • 00:16:23.505 --> 00:16:26.775
  • Is the elementary teachings about jesus christ.
  • 00:16:26.775 --> 00:16:31.146
  • The writer says those teachings about christ,
  • 00:16:31.146 --> 00:16:33.816
  • Who he is, what he did for us on the cross,
  • 00:16:33.816 --> 00:16:35.951
  • Those teachings are foundational.
  • 00:16:35.951 --> 00:16:38.053
  • Nothing wrong with being foundational.
  • 00:16:38.053 --> 00:16:40.155
  • They are foundational, but they are also elementary.
  • 00:16:40.155 --> 00:16:44.193
  • You cannot grow as a christian
  • 00:16:44.193 --> 00:16:46.662
  • As long as you keep going over those basic
  • 00:16:46.662 --> 00:16:49.565
  • Basic facts of the christian gospel.
  • 00:16:49.565 --> 00:16:52.000
  • There is a time when you have to go from milk to meat.
  • 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:56.338
  • When you go from the milk to the meat of god's word,
  • 00:16:56.338 --> 00:16:59.875
  • You will develop a taste for it,
  • 00:16:59.875 --> 00:17:02.077
  • Because the fact is, the more you read,
  • 00:17:02.077 --> 00:17:04.113
  • The more you want to read.
  • 00:17:04.113 --> 00:17:06.148
  • You know, there are many times
  • 00:17:06.148 --> 00:17:07.349
  • I don't feel like reading my bible.
  • 00:17:07.349 --> 00:17:08.917
  • That may shock some of you.
  • 00:17:08.917 --> 00:17:10.452
  • There are many times i'd rather watch a television program.
  • 00:17:10.452 --> 00:17:13.388
  • Other times i'd rather read a book or read a magazine.
  • 00:17:13.388 --> 00:17:16.692
  • But once i get into god's word,
  • 00:17:16.692 --> 00:17:19.228
  • That craving continues and continues and continues.
  • 00:17:19.228 --> 00:17:23.232
  • There are many of you tonight who are in danger of starving
  • 00:17:23.232 --> 00:17:25.868
  • To death spiritually because you've subsisted on the milk
  • 00:17:25.868 --> 00:17:30.606
  • And not the meat of the word.
  • 00:17:30.606 --> 00:17:32.274
  • There's a time we move from milk to meat.
  • 00:17:32.274 --> 00:17:35.844
  • Why could the corinthians only partake of milk?
  • 00:17:35.844 --> 00:17:38.180
  • There's a second problem,
  • 00:17:38.180 --> 00:17:39.248
  • And that was a lack of exercise.
  • 00:17:39.248 --> 00:17:41.517
  • Look at verse two.
  • 00:17:41.517 --> 00:17:43.018
  • Paul says, "i gave you milk to drink, not solid food,
  • 00:17:43.018 --> 00:17:46.555
  • "for you were not able to receive it.
  • 00:17:46.555 --> 00:17:49.525
  • "indeed, even now you're not able."
  • 00:17:49.525 --> 00:17:52.027
  • Moms, what happens if you try to feed
  • 00:17:52.027 --> 00:17:53.795
  • A t-bone steak to a six-month-old?
  • 00:17:53.795 --> 00:17:56.398
  • Doesn't work, does it?
  • 00:17:56.899 --> 00:17:58.534
  • The reason it doesn't work is that child's
  • 00:17:58.534 --> 00:18:01.069
  • Digestive system has not been fully developed.
  • 00:18:02.004 --> 00:18:05.574
  • Paul said, "as much as i wanted to give you meat,
  • 00:18:05.574 --> 00:18:07.843
  • "i couldn't do it because your digestive system
  • 00:18:07.843 --> 00:18:11.547
  • "wasn't well developed."
  • 00:18:11.547 --> 00:18:14.116
  • How do you develop your spiritual digestive system,
  • 00:18:14.116 --> 00:18:16.652
  • Your spiritual muscles?
  • 00:18:16.652 --> 00:18:18.287
  • Again, the writer of hebrews tells us two ways.
  • 00:18:18.287 --> 00:18:20.989
  • First of all, by our service to christ.
  • 00:18:20.989 --> 00:18:24.226
  • Flip back to hebrews 5:12.
  • 00:18:24.226 --> 00:18:26.528
  • Remember what he said?
  • 00:18:26.528 --> 00:18:27.996
  • The writer said, "for though
  • 00:18:27.996 --> 00:18:29.464
  • "by this time you ought to be teachers,
  • 00:18:29.464 --> 00:18:32.901
  • "you have need again for someone to teach you
  • 00:18:32.901 --> 00:18:35.437
  • "the elementary principles of the oracles of god,
  • 00:18:35.437 --> 00:18:38.807
  • "and you have come to need milk and not solid food."
  • 00:18:38.807 --> 00:18:43.212
  • The audience to whom the writer of hebrews was speaking
  • 00:18:43.212 --> 00:18:45.814
  • Were going backwards in their spiritual maturity.
  • 00:18:45.814 --> 00:18:48.517
  • He said to these people,
  • 00:18:48.517 --> 00:18:49.985
  • "you have been hearing the word of god
  • 00:18:49.985 --> 00:18:52.087
  • "over, and over, and over again.
  • 00:18:52.087 --> 00:18:53.722
  • "by this time, you ought to be teaching the words yourself,
  • 00:18:53.722 --> 00:18:57.926
  • "and yet you've become spiritually bloated.
  • 00:18:57.926 --> 00:19:00.462
  • "you've just taken in, and taken in, and taken in
  • 00:19:00.462 --> 00:19:02.998
  • "and gorged yourself on spiritual food,
  • 00:19:02.998 --> 00:19:05.834
  • "but you've never taught it to anyone else."
  • 00:19:05.834 --> 00:19:09.071
  • And so you're going backwards,
  • 00:19:09.071 --> 00:19:10.739
  • And now you're to the state where you are
  • 00:19:10.739 --> 00:19:12.474
  • So spiritually retarded you need milk again.
  • 00:19:12.474 --> 00:19:15.711
  • You need to start getting out the truth you've received.
  • 00:19:16.845 --> 00:19:21.016
  • Maybe by teaching a class, maybe by discipling a person,
  • 00:19:21.016 --> 00:19:24.519
  • Giving out what you're taking in because if you don't do it,
  • 00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:27.789
  • After a while your spiritual appetite will be dulled.
  • 00:19:27.789 --> 00:19:31.693
  • That's what he's talking about here.
  • 00:19:31.693 --> 00:19:33.295
  • One way we develop our spiritual muscles is through service.
  • 00:19:33.295 --> 00:19:37.099
  • The second way we do it is through obedience.
  • 00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:40.402
  • Look at verses 13 and 14 of hebrews 5.
  • 00:19:40.402 --> 00:19:43.071
  • "for everyone who partakes only of milk
  • 00:19:43.071 --> 00:19:46.408
  • "is not accustomed to the word of righteousness,
  • 00:19:46.408 --> 00:19:49.077
  • "for he is an infant.
  • 00:19:49.077 --> 00:19:51.280
  • "but solid food is for the mature,
  • 00:19:51.280 --> 00:19:54.883
  • "who because of practice,"
  • 00:19:54.883 --> 00:19:58.020
  • Underline that word,
  • 00:19:58.020 --> 00:19:59.488
  • "have their senses trained to discern good and evil."
  • 00:19:59.488 --> 00:20:04.559
  • You know, one way we develop our spiritual digestive system,
  • 00:20:05.727 --> 00:20:07.729
  • It's by practicing what we know to be true.
  • 00:20:07.729 --> 00:20:12.301
  • Again, if you are taking in truth from god's word
  • 00:20:12.301 --> 00:20:16.004
  • But not acting on that truth,
  • 00:20:16.004 --> 00:20:18.473
  • The result is going to be spiritual retardation.
  • 00:20:18.473 --> 00:20:22.110
  • The way we develop ourselves spiritually,
  • 00:20:22.110 --> 00:20:24.746
  • The way we develop our spiritual muscles,
  • 00:20:24.746 --> 00:20:27.115
  • Is by practicing what we know to be true
  • 00:20:27.115 --> 00:20:30.118
  • From the word of god.
  • 00:20:30.118 --> 00:20:31.553
  • One of my professors in the seminary
  • 00:20:32.321 --> 00:20:34.256
  • Said something i'll never forget.
  • 00:20:34.256 --> 00:20:35.824
  • He said, "nothing will cause more doubt
  • 00:20:35.824 --> 00:20:38.393
  • "in a christian's life
  • 00:20:38.393 --> 00:20:40.529
  • "than trafficking in unlived truth."
  • 00:20:40.529 --> 00:20:44.900
  • When you say things, when you sing hymns,
  • 00:20:45.767 --> 00:20:49.338
  • When you quote scripture verses
  • 00:20:49.338 --> 00:20:51.573
  • That really are not true in your own life,
  • 00:20:51.573 --> 00:20:54.576
  • The result can become spiritual apathy.
  • 00:20:55.444 --> 00:20:57.946
  • It dulls our appetite for the word of god.
  • 00:20:57.946 --> 00:21:01.016
  • That's what was happening here with these corinthians.
  • 00:21:01.016 --> 00:21:03.985
  • They had heard great teaching,
  • 00:21:03.985 --> 00:21:05.854
  • But they weren't serving god,
  • 00:21:05.854 --> 00:21:07.789
  • And they weren't obeying what they knew to be truth.
  • 00:21:07.789 --> 00:21:11.827
  • If there's one thought i want to leave you with,
  • 00:21:11.827 --> 00:21:13.362
  • It's a thought i actually want you to write down tonight.
  • 00:21:13.362 --> 00:21:16.765
  • Here's the summation of the whole thing.
  • 00:21:16.765 --> 00:21:19.368
  • Becoming a carnal christian is natural.
  • 00:21:19.368 --> 00:21:23.872
  • Becoming a carnal christian is natural.
  • 00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:27.776
  • Remaining a carnal christian is unacceptable.
  • 00:21:27.776 --> 00:21:33.548
  • What do i mean by that?
  • 00:21:34.049 --> 00:21:35.317
  • Becoming a carnal christian is natural.
  • 00:21:35.317 --> 00:21:38.186
  • What i mean is this.
  • 00:21:38.186 --> 00:21:40.055
  • The natural bias of this world
  • 00:21:40.055 --> 00:21:42.858
  • Will always pull every christian toward carnality.
  • 00:21:42.858 --> 00:21:46.428
  • We live in a sin-infected world.
  • 00:21:46.428 --> 00:21:48.663
  • We still have an old nature with us,
  • 00:21:48.663 --> 00:21:50.766
  • And if we don't take pains
  • 00:21:50.766 --> 00:21:53.235
  • To exercise discipline in our life,
  • 00:21:53.235 --> 00:21:56.004
  • If we don't discipline ourselves
  • 00:21:56.004 --> 00:21:57.906
  • To take in spiritual meat instead of milk,
  • 00:21:57.906 --> 00:22:00.609
  • If we don't discipline ourselves to serve christ,
  • 00:22:00.609 --> 00:22:04.312
  • To obey what we know to be true, if we just rock along,
  • 00:22:04.312 --> 00:22:08.216
  • The normal course of life will pull us toward carnality.
  • 00:22:08.216 --> 00:22:12.854
  • Becoming a carnal christian is natural,
  • 00:22:13.722 --> 00:22:16.425
  • But the second part of that statement
  • 00:22:16.425 --> 00:22:18.260
  • Remaining a carnal christian is unacceptable.
  • 00:22:18.260 --> 00:22:22.197
  • God loves you too much to allow you to remain
  • 00:22:23.131 --> 00:22:26.134
  • In a carnal state.
  • 00:22:26.134 --> 00:22:28.103
  • If you want to know what god thinks of carnal,
  • 00:22:28.103 --> 00:22:31.072
  • Lukewarm christians, remember his warning
  • 00:22:31.072 --> 00:22:33.442
  • To the church at laodicea in revelation 3:15-16?
  • 00:22:33.442 --> 00:22:37.913
  • He said, "i know your deeds
  • 00:22:37.913 --> 00:22:39.781
  • "that you are neither cold nor hot,
  • 00:22:39.781 --> 00:22:42.484
  • "but i wish that you were cold or hot.
  • 00:22:42.484 --> 00:22:44.920
  • "so because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold,
  • 00:22:44.920 --> 00:22:49.157
  • "i will literally vomit you out of my mouth."
  • 00:22:49.157 --> 00:22:53.795
  • That's what god thinks of carnality.
  • 00:22:54.563 --> 00:22:57.699
  • That's what he thinks of carnal christians.
  • 00:22:57.699 --> 00:23:02.537
  • The bible says, "for whom the lord loves he disciplines."
  • 00:23:03.705 --> 00:23:08.677
  • If you are a carnal christian tonight,
  • 00:23:08.677 --> 00:23:11.480
  • God's not going to allow you to remain in that state
  • 00:23:12.547 --> 00:23:14.349
  • Without bringing some serious intervention in your life.
  • 00:23:14.349 --> 00:23:18.386
  • ♪ music ♪
  • 00:23:18.386 --> 00:23:24.159
  • In the christian life,
  • 00:23:24.159 --> 00:23:25.427
  • There's no such thing as standing still.
  • 00:23:25.427 --> 00:23:28.330
  • We're either growing stronger,
  • 00:23:28.330 --> 00:23:30.131
  • Or we're slipping into carnality.
  • 00:23:30.131 --> 00:23:32.634
  • And paul's convicting letter to the christians
  • 00:23:32.634 --> 00:23:35.437
  • At corinth provide motivation to any of us
  • 00:23:35.437 --> 00:23:39.140
  • Who are ready to move forward in our relationship with god.
  • 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:43.612
  • Now in closing, i want to express my heartfelt gratitude
  • 00:23:43.612 --> 00:23:47.182
  • To those of you who make this ministry possible.
  • 00:23:47.182 --> 00:23:50.018
  • Recently, i received this encouraging note
  • 00:23:50.018 --> 00:23:52.387
  • From a friend who wrote,
  • 00:23:52.387 --> 00:23:54.122
  • "i am so glad i get to listen to 'pathway to victory'.
  • 00:23:54.122 --> 00:23:57.692
  • "because of this program, i accepted jesus,
  • 00:23:57.692 --> 00:24:00.562
  • "and now i listen every day.
  • 00:24:00.562 --> 00:24:02.898
  • "it has made me a better person."
  • 00:24:02.898 --> 00:24:06.001
  • That powerful testimony reminds us
  • 00:24:06.001 --> 00:24:08.537
  • Of the eternal impact of sharing god's truth.
  • 00:24:08.537 --> 00:24:12.507
  • Your faithful support allows us to reach countless people
  • 00:24:12.507 --> 00:24:16.011
  • Through television and radio with the life-changing message
  • 00:24:16.011 --> 00:24:20.081
  • Of jesus christ.
  • 00:24:20.081 --> 00:24:21.683
  • From small towns to major cities across america
  • 00:24:21.683 --> 00:24:25.053
  • And around the globe lives are being transformed
  • 00:24:25.053 --> 00:24:28.523
  • Because of your generosity.
  • 00:24:28.523 --> 00:24:31.026
  • Thank you for standing with us,
  • 00:24:31.026 --> 00:24:32.827
  • As together we pierce the darkness
  • 00:24:32.827 --> 00:24:35.730
  • With the light of god's word.
  • 00:24:35.730 --> 00:24:37.566
  • Now please stay right there.
  • 00:24:37.566 --> 00:24:38.867
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
  • 00:24:38.867 --> 00:24:41.570
  • In just a moment.
  • 00:24:41.570 --> 00:24:43.438
  • The most important task
  • 00:24:43.939 --> 00:24:45.540
  • A parent or grandparent has in life
  • 00:24:45.540 --> 00:24:47.909
  • Is to lead their child or grandchild
  • 00:24:47.909 --> 00:24:49.945
  • To faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:24:49.945 --> 00:24:51.913
  • Yet, many don't know where to begin.
  • 00:24:51.913 --> 00:24:54.149
  • That's why i've written "the gift the gospel for children",
  • 00:24:54.149 --> 00:24:57.886
  • A beautifully illustrated book designed to help you
  • 00:24:57.886 --> 00:25:00.855
  • Share the gospel with the children you love.
  • 00:25:00.855 --> 00:25:03.959
  • [announcer] "the gift" provides a clear presentation
  • 00:25:03.959 --> 00:25:06.394
  • Of the gospel for your child or grandchild,
  • 00:25:06.394 --> 00:25:08.797
  • And makes sharing the life-changing message of jesus simple.
  • 00:25:08.797 --> 00:25:12.400
  • Plus, you'll receive an instructional dvd message
  • 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:15.170
  • From dr. jeffress that you can watch together
  • 00:25:15.170 --> 00:25:17.639
  • With your child.
  • 00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.907
  • You can give this book to your children
  • 00:25:18.907 --> 00:25:20.575
  • Or grandchildren to read on their own,
  • 00:25:20.575 --> 00:25:22.777
  • Or better yet, read it together
  • 00:25:22.777 --> 00:25:25.013
  • To begin a rewarding spiritual journey
  • 00:25:25.013 --> 00:25:27.949
  • That will shape their eternity.
  • 00:25:27.949 --> 00:25:30.118
  • At the end of my book,
  • 00:25:30.118 --> 00:25:31.286
  • I've included a prayer for salvation.
  • 00:25:31.286 --> 00:25:33.655
  • They can pray to trust in christ as their savior,
  • 00:25:33.655 --> 00:25:37.692
  • [announcer] help your child or grandchild
  • 00:25:37.692 --> 00:25:39.194
  • Make the decision to follow jesus christ.
  • 00:25:39.194 --> 00:25:41.963
  • Request "the gift" when you give a generous gift
  • 00:25:41.963 --> 00:25:44.733
  • To support the ministry of "pathway to victory",
  • 00:25:44.733 --> 00:25:47.535
  • And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
  • 00:25:47.535 --> 00:25:50.705
  • We'll also send you "straight answers to tough questions",
  • 00:25:50.705 --> 00:25:53.742
  • Chapters one through nine on both dvd and audio disc.
  • 00:25:53.742 --> 00:25:57.646
  • Thank you for partnering with "pathway to victory".
  • 00:25:57.646 --> 00:26:00.181
  • Together we're preaching the gospel
  • 00:26:00.181 --> 00:26:01.850
  • To as many people as possible
  • 00:26:01.850 --> 00:26:03.752
  • And equipping parents and grandparents
  • 00:26:03.752 --> 00:26:05.620
  • To lead the children they love
  • 00:26:05.620 --> 00:26:07.188
  • To faith in jesus christ.
  • 00:26:07.188 --> 00:26:11.793
  • At times we all feel nostalgic
  • 00:26:12.427 --> 00:26:14.596
  • For the days of our childhood,
  • 00:26:14.596 --> 00:26:16.798
  • Riding bikes with the neighborhood kids
  • 00:26:16.798 --> 00:26:19.100
  • Or playing baseball games in the park,
  • 00:26:19.100 --> 00:26:21.703
  • But just as every child needs to grow into an adult,
  • 00:26:21.703 --> 00:26:25.306
  • Every christian needs to mature
  • 00:26:25.306 --> 00:26:27.175
  • Past the stage of spiritual infancy.
  • 00:26:27.175 --> 00:26:30.712
  • Well, the bible says the non-christian's only desire
  • 00:26:30.712 --> 00:26:34.315
  • Is to please himself,
  • 00:26:34.315 --> 00:26:36.117
  • But when we become a christian,
  • 00:26:36.117 --> 00:26:37.585
  • God puts in each of us a new desire to please god.
  • 00:26:37.585 --> 00:26:41.856
  • So what happens when a christian chooses
  • 00:26:41.856 --> 00:26:44.159
  • To habitually follow his old set of desires?
  • 00:26:44.159 --> 00:26:48.229
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:26:48.229 --> 00:26:50.632
  • In our series "straight answers to tough questions".
  • 00:26:50.632 --> 00:26:55.336
  • That desire to please god as well as that old desire
  • 00:26:55.336 --> 00:26:58.773
  • To please ourself is constantly at war with one another,
  • 00:26:58.773 --> 00:27:03.678
  • Our new nature and our old nature.
  • 00:27:03.678 --> 00:27:06.414
  • But what happens when a christian chooses to regularly
  • 00:27:06.414 --> 00:27:10.885
  • And habitually follow his old set of desires?
  • 00:27:10.885 --> 00:27:15.557
  • [announcer] set your dvr and join us next time
  • 00:27:15.557 --> 00:27:17.625
  • For the message "growing up by growing strong"
  • 00:27:17.625 --> 00:27:21.029
  • Here on "pathway to victory".
  • 00:27:21.029 --> 00:27:21.029