Introduction:

A. Context our lesson comes from (Romans 8:5-8):

1. To be carnal is to be fleshly.
2. Those carnal [fleshly] lusts we are to be avoiding: I Peter 2:11
3. I Peter 4:2

B. If we be in Christ we should not longer have carnal minds and carnally motivated actions:

1. Romans 6:6-7
2. Romans 8:12-13
3. Romans 12:2
4. II Corinthians 5:17
5. Galatians 5:16-17
6. Ephesians 4:21-24
7. Colossians 3:6-10

I. The Carnal Mind Excuses Us from Serving God

A. Proverbs 12:15

1. Proverbs 19:3
2. Proverbs 28:26

B. I can’t ______________________, because… (THE FOLLOWING EXAMPLES ARE ACTUALLY QUOTES from 'Christians')

1. ...Attend services faithfully, because I can’t sit that long (can watch a two hour movie will sitting), get off of work (can for dinner with someone special), I am too sick for worship (but, not to get my hair done), etc.

a. We are commanded not to forsake the assembling of the saints (Hebrews 10:25).
b. Unfaithful attendance (missing Bible class, sleeping in, etc.) is also a matter of commitment to God:

i. Matthew 6:33
ii. Colossians 3:1-3
iii. Matthew 22:36-37

c. Unfaithful attendance is also a matter of a lack of commitment to the brethren: Hebrews 10:24
d. HOW CAN ANYONE JUSTIFY FAILING TO WORSHIP THE ALMIGHTY?? (John 4:24).
e. How can you expect God to be with you when you forsake Him?

i. Deuteronomy 31:16-17
ii. Azariah meets Asa: II Chronicles 15:2
iii. II Chronicles 24:20

2. ...Give as I ought to, because I have bills to pay…

a. You’ve prospered: I Corinthians 16:1-2
b. II Corinthians 8:9; 9:6-7

3. ...Study like I should, because time is too short:

a. John 5:39
b. Matthew 4:4
c. II Timothy 2:15; Romans 10:11; 17

4. ...Help my brethren who are in sin with a visit or a call, because they won’t listen, I don’t have time, bla, bla, blaaa:

a. Proverbs 27:5
b. Galatians 6:1-2
c. Revelation 3:19

5. ...I can’t confess my sins and ask for help of my brethren, because I will be embarrassed, they will think less of me: Proverbs 16:18
6. ...I don’t want to socialize with my brethren, because we have nothing in common, we don’t get along: Acts 2:44-46
7. ...The other excuses you make, you know better than me…  STOP THEM

C. That carnal mind of EXCUSES says, “ALL IS WELL WITH MY SOUL”:

1. Luke 12:16-21
2. I Thessalonians 5:3

II. The Carnal Mind Says We Can Do Things That Are of the World

A. Things of the world ARE NOT of God:

1. John 15:19
2. John 17:14
3. James 4:4
4. I John 2:15-17

B. Carnal thinking says go ahead and sin, but God says you will pay the consequences:

1. I Corinthians 6:9-11
2. Galatians 5:19-21
3. Ephesians 5:1-6
4. I Peter 4:1-3
5. Revelation 21:8; cf. Proverbs 6:16-19

III. The Carnal Mind is Not, and CAN NOT be Subject to God’s Laws (Romans 8:7)

A. The carnal mind brings for carnal actions: Romans 8:5

1. Romans 6:16
2. Galatians 6:8
3. Things of the flesh are sin, and sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2).

B. The carnal mind says “I DO NOT HAVE TO LISTEN TO HIM, I’M NOT CHANGING ONE BIT”: (II Chronicles 26:14-16, Proverbs 1:30-31, Jeremiah 5:11-14; 21-25, and Ezekiel 33:30-33).

1. WE MUST REPENT: Psalms 119:59

a. Proverbs 28:13
b. Lamentations 3:40
c. Acts 17:30
d. Acts 20:21
e. II Peter 3:9

2. The evidence of change is our fruits:

a. Matthew 3:8
b. Acts 26:20

3. God will punish in the end, but the CHURCH has commanded action to take as well: II Thessalonians 3:6

Conclusion:

A. The carnal mind will say “HE’S NOT TALKING TO ME, THIS LESSON IS ABOUT SOMEONE ELSE”.

1. God’s word speaks to all of us (Romans 1:16).
2. He is talking to you.

B. Romans 13:12-14
C. Are you really in Christ???  Galatians 5:24

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© 2005 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.