Communication
Sermon
by Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
1 Cor. 6 : 19-20
Reference Text 1 Cor. 6:19-20 "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of GOD, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify GOD in your body, and in your spirit, which are GOD's."
1 Cor. 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own, You were bought with a price [purchased with a preciousness and paid for, made His own]. So then, honor God {and} bring glory to Him in your body."
GOD is all powerful and present everywhere at once. Now the Holy Spirit lives in all those who have received the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Lord, Master, and Savior. They've been born again or born from above (by the Supernatural Power of the Holy Sprit). Is your Temple(your body) that you say contains GOD great and wonderful. King Soloman said in 2 Chron. 2:9 "Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great." 2 Chron. 2:9 "To prepare for me timber in abundance, for the house I am about to build shall be great and wonderful." Soloman was referring to the Temple (the House of GOD). Here is a question for you today: How can any person say the Holy Spirit dwelleth in them, if they practice (as their way of living, their lifestyle) fornicaton, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, sodomy, theft, covetousness, drunkeness, revelry, or extortion? If any of these things be in you and you be in love and desire the practice or lifestyle of such things, don't ever say the Spirit of GOD(Holy Spirit) dwells or lives in you. For those things are not truth but a lie. The Holy Spirit comes to deliver all who receive the Lord Jesus Christ from all that is a lie and to guide them into all truth. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. John 16:13 "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come."
John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce {and} declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]."
Listen to this quote from Charles H. Spurgeon "The regenerate life is incompatible with sin, and gives the believer a hatred for sin in every shape, and an unceasing desire to resist it."
Listen to this quote from Jonathan Edwards "It is therefore exceedingly absurd for any to pretend that they have a good heart while they live a wicked life, or do not bring forth the fruit(or actions) of universal holiness in their practice. Men that live in ways of sin, and yet flatter themselves that they shall go to Heaven, expecting to be received hereafter as holy persons, without a holy practice, act as though they expected to make a fool of their Judge (the Lord Jesus).‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: As much as to say, Do not deceive yourselves with an expectation of reaping life everlasting hereafter, if you do not sow to the Spirit here; it is in vain to think that God will be made a fool of by you."
First, if you would examine yourselves, begin with your public life. Are you dishonest? Can you thieve? Can you swear? Are you given to drunkenness, uncleanness, blasphemy, taking God's name in vain, and violation of his holy day? Make short work with yourself; there will be no need to go into any further tests. "He that doeth these things, hath no inheritance in the kingdom of God." You are reprobate; the wrath of God abideth on you. Your state is fearful; you are accursed now, and except you repent you must be accursed for ever. (Charles H. Spurgeon)
Well then who are we to be if we claim the Spirit of GOD(Holy Spirit) dwells or lives in us:
1. Obedient to His Guidance
Well what does the word guidance means; Webster defines it as 1) Direction or advice as to a decision or course of action. 2) The act of guiding or showing the way. 3) The act of setting or holding a course.
The Bible Teaches us that we are in a constant, continual battle/war for our souls. Satan never takes time off or gives up any soul without an all out war. 2 Cor. 10:5-6 "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Cor. 10:5-6 "[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments {and} theories {and} reasonings and every proud {and} lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought {and} purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission {and} obedience [as a church] are fully secured {and} complete."
Satan tempts with thoughts, ideas, and suggestions that initially seem harmless to the body, but eventually will have a devastating result. The Holy Spirit will always guide us into truth and never into error. What is Truth? Only GOD's Word. GOD says, Heaven and Earth may pass away but my Word stands, endures, last forever. Lets stop trying to water down or dilute the Word of GOD. Lets stop trying to change and update it to fit our times. As if we can tell GOD that we know what's best for ourselves. He (the Holy Spirit) will always testify of the Lord Jesus Christ and make things available to us that are His.
1 Peter 1:13-17 "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear."
1 Peter 1:13-17 "So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly {and} unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel]. But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct {and} manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short]."
This passage of scripture sums it up, the Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit calls us out of darkness into holiness through Him.
2. Empowered by His Presence
What do we mean by the word presence, well Webster defines it as 1) The state of being present; current existence. 2) The immediate proximity of someone or something. 3) An invisible spiritual being felt to be nearby. 4) The impression that something is present.
A clear cut evidence of receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit is power (miraculous power; a miracle itself). 1 Cor. 4:20 "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." The Holy Spirit now comes to dwell or live in all who obey GOD. The same Spirit referred to in Gen. 1:2 "And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters."
Gen. 1:2 "The earth was without form and an empty waste, and darkness was upon the face of the very great deep. The Spirit of God was moving (hovering, brooding) over the face of the waters."
Our carnal or fleshly mind is not subject to the Law of GOD.
Rom. 8:6-9 "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
Rom. 8:6-9 "Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. [That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please {or} satisfy God, {or} be acceptable to Him. But you are not living the life of the flesh, you are living the life of the Spirit, if the [Holy] Spirit of God [really] dwells within you [directs and controls you]. But if anyone does not possess the [Holy] Spirit of Christ, he is none of His [he does not belong to Christ, is not truly a child of God]."
Rom. 8:13 "For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live."
Rom. 8:13 "For if you live according to [the dictates of] the flesh, you will surely die. But if through the power of the [Holy] Spirit you are [habitually] putting to death (making extinct, deadening) the [evil] deeds prompted by the body, you shall [really and genuinely] live forever."
You see receiving Christ in our Hearts through the filling and indwelling of the Holy Spirit means freedom, liberty, and deliverence in our mortal bodies. Listen to how Pastor Dr. Adrian Rogers put it "You see you have to get your want to fixed. I sin all I want to, because I don't want to. Because something happened in me when the Lord Jesus Christ saved me." That something is the power of His Spirit. His grace is sufficient to empower us to resist the devil, the world, and the flesh and make the devil flee. So earnestly ask yourself today if their is present in me a power (never present before) in my mortal body to resist those things which use to easily enslave me, ie. lust, fornication, pornography, vile language, hate, adultery, sexual perversion etc. For where the Spirit of GOD is present, there is supernatural power over the flesh, the world, and the devil. There is Liberty (Freedom)!!
3. Kept by His Peace
Well Webster defines peace as 1) The absence of mental stress or anxiety. 2) A state of tranquility or quiet. Holman's Bible Dictionary defines peace as a condition or sense of harmony, and well-being. However, the peace wrought by the Lord Jesus Christ through His Spirit runs far deeper than any man made definition. The Bible calls it the "peace that surpasses all understanding." Christ peace does not require circumstances to be favorable or pleasent. His peace is present through the Holy Spirit in the most terrible storms of life. His peace never leaves because Christ never leaves. He said in the Word of GOD, "I will never leave nor forsake you." This gives us rock solid assurance that no matter how difficult our trials or test may be, that the Holy Spirit will strengthen and comfort us through them all.
Let me give you some Scriptures:
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give {and} bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]"
John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace {and} confidence. In the world you have tribulation {and} trials {and} distress {and} frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]"
Col. 3:15 " And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful."
Col. 3:15 "And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ's] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always]."
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them."
Psalm 119:165 "Great peace have they who love Your law; nothing shall offend them {or} make them stumble."
Psalm 37:37 "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."
Psalm 37:37 "Mark the blameless man and behold the upright, for there is a happy end for the man of peace."
Is 26:3 "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."
Is 26:3 "You will guard him {and} keep him in perfect {and} constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, {and} hopes confidently in You."
4. Walking in Truth
What does our reference scripture say about our bodies? That our body does not belong to us. We were bought at a price. What was the price? The precious life and blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Verse 20 also says that we are to glorify GOD in our bodies. The word glorify comes from the greek word doxazo which means to honour and magnify. How are we to honour and magnify GOD in our bodies? This is where GOD lives, if you are Born Again.
We must exercise and eat good healthy foods. We are not to smoke cigarettes or take drugs or drink alcohal. We must not commit from fornication, adultery, homosexuality or any other vile sexual behavior outside of GOD's provision of marriage between one man and one woman. Man today is trying to redifine GOD's Moral Law's for Him. The Bible says Do not be deceived GOD is not Mocked. GOD is not in Heaven saying to man, lets make a deal, He is saying in my Word I've already given the deal. Accept it or reject it. We must seperate ourselves from all who deny the truth that the Lord Jesus taught and revealed in himself.
2 John 1:2 "For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever."
2 John 1:2 "Because of the Truth which lives {and} stays on in our hearts and will be with us forever:"
2 John 1:4 "I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father."
2 John 1:4 "I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking (living) in [the] Truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father [Himself]."
The reason for our love is that the truth lives in us. The truth gives people an inner desire to love. True Christians love each other because of the truth that they share.
Truth is more than what we know. Truth lives in us and it changes us. Truth becomes part of us and it will be in us always.
The truth is that we know the Lord Jesus Christ. We trust in him. We share the life that the Lord Jesus gives. He gives it to those who believe the gospel. This truth becomes part of us and it lives in us. This is the truth. Those who accept the Lord Jesus Christ have eternal life.
To live in the truth we must first believe in the truth. The truth is that Jesus Christ had come to earth as a man. He was God then, and he is always God. But he also became a man. He died for us so we could come to God through him. We must believe this and give our lives to him.
To live in the truth we must live our lives loyal to God’s truth. He shows us this truth in Jesus. To live in the truth is to obey God. We must do what he has shown to us. Truth is like a path along which we walk. We would not wander from a good path, so we must not neglect God’s commands.
Pastor's Quotes
Every man loves his own life, no man ever yet hated it; and we cannot be Christ's disciples if we do not love him better than our own lives, so as rather to have our lives embittered by cruel bondage, nay, and taken away by cruel deaths, than to dishonour Christ, or depart from any of his truths and ways. (Matthew Henry in the 1700's)
Listen to this quote from Jonathan Edwards "It is therefore exceedingly absurd for any to pretend that they have a good heart while they live a wicked life, or do not bring forth the fruit(or actions) of universal holiness in their practice. Men that live in ways of sin, and yet flatter themselves that they shall go to Heaven, expecting to be received hereafter as holy persons, without a holy practice, act as though they expected to make a fool of their Judge (the Lord Jesus).‘Be not deceived; God is not mocked: As much as to say, Do not deceive yourselves with an expectation of reaping life everlasting hereafter, if you do not sow to the Spirit here; it is in vain to think that God will be made a fool of by you."
If you would be saved you must by the aid of the Holy Spirit now renounce the bondage of Satan and come to Christ, saying, "Lord I am willing to give up all sin, it is not in my power to be perfect but I wish it were, make me perfect. There is not a sin I wish to keep; take all away; I present myself before thee. Wash me, make me clean. Do what thou wilt in me. I make no reserve, I make a full surrender of all to thee." And then you must give up to Christ all you are, and all you have by solemn indenture, signed and sealed by your own heart. (Charles H. Spurgeon)
The wonderful pleasure and delight which David took in the word of God (in Psalm 119:103); it was sweet to his taste, sweeter than honey. There is such a thing as a spiritual taste, an inward savour and relish of divine things, such an evidence of them to ourselves, by experience, as we cannot give to others. (Matthew Henry)
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