Living in Freedom: The Duality of Body and Spirit

 

Summary

In our journey of faith, we are reminded of the profound truth that while we are spiritually seated with Christ in heavenly places, our mortal bodies still contend with the presence of sin. This duality reflects the reality that although our old self has been crucified with Christ, sin continues to exert its influence over our physical bodies. This is akin to the Israelites' experience in Canaan, where they had to contend with remaining nations despite having been delivered from Egypt. Similarly, we are spiritually delivered, yet our bodies await full redemption.

The body itself is not inherently sinful; rather, it is the misuse of our natural instincts that leads to sin. Jesus Christ, in His humanity, shared our bodily instincts yet remained sinless, demonstrating that the body can be a vessel of righteousness. The challenge lies in ensuring that our instincts do not dominate us, but are kept in their rightful place, serving God's purposes.

The ultimate goal of salvation is complete deliverance from sin, including its effects on our bodies. While we await the full redemption of our bodies, we are called to live in a manner that reflects the life of Christ, even in our earthly existence. This involves resisting the tyranny of sin and living as citizens of heaven, looking forward to the day when our bodies will be glorified.

The Apostle Paul emphasizes that our old self has been crucified with Christ, freeing us from the slavery of sin. We are no longer bound to serve sin, but are called to live in the freedom and righteousness that Christ has secured for us. This understanding should empower us to resist sin's influence in our bodies and live as instruments of righteousness.

Key Takeaways:

- Our spiritual reality in Christ is that we are seated with Him in heavenly places, yet our bodies still contend with sin. This duality reflects the ongoing struggle between our redeemed spirit and our mortal flesh, reminding us of the need for vigilance and reliance on God's grace. [26:06]

- The body is not inherently sinful; it is the misuse of our natural instincts that leads to sin. Jesus Christ, in His humanity, shared our bodily instincts yet remained sinless, demonstrating that the body can be a vessel of righteousness. [29:31]

- Salvation aims to deliver us from sin's tyranny, including its effects on our bodies. While we await full redemption, we are called to live in a manner that reflects the life of Christ, resisting sin's influence and living as citizens of heaven. [35:37]

- Our old self has been crucified with Christ, freeing us from the slavery of sin. This understanding empowers us to resist sin's influence in our bodies and live as instruments of righteousness, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel. [39:31]

- The ultimate goal of salvation is complete deliverance from sin, including the glorification of our bodies. This hope should inspire us to live in the freedom and righteousness that Christ has secured for us, anticipating the day when our bodies will be fully redeemed. [48:47]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[25:50] - Our Position in Christ
[26:38] - The Body and Sin
[27:13] - Old Testament Parallel
[28:00] - The Nature of the Body
[29:31] - Jesus' Humanity
[30:45] - Misuse of Instincts
[32:43] - Sin's Influence on the Body
[34:49] - The Object of Salvation
[36:08] - Living Like Christ
[37:13] - Our Heavenly Citizenship
[38:41] - Future Glorification
[39:31] - Freedom from Sin's Slavery
[42:39] - Distinction Between Old Man and Body of Sin
[46:56] - Heidelberg Catechism
[49:06] - Final Emancipation from Sin

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 6:6-7 - "For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin."
2. Philippians 3:20-21 - "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body."

Observation Questions:
1. According to the sermon, what is the duality that believers experience in their spiritual and physical lives? [26:06]
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between our natural instincts and sin? [30:16]
3. What Old Testament parallel is drawn in the sermon to illustrate the struggle with sin in our bodies? [27:13]
4. What does the sermon say about the ultimate goal of salvation concerning our bodies? [35:37]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being "seated with Christ in heavenly places" influence a believer's daily life and struggles with sin? [26:06]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' humanity serves as a model for how we should view our bodies and instincts? [29:31]
3. What does the sermon imply about the role of vigilance and reliance on God's grace in overcoming the influence of sin in our bodies? [26:06]
4. How does the sermon interpret the Apostle Paul's teaching on the crucifixion of our old self with Christ? [39:31]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt the tension between your spiritual identity in Christ and the influence of sin in your body. How did you respond, and what might you do differently now? [26:06]
2. Consider your natural instincts. Are there any that tend to dominate your life in a way that leads to sin? How can you bring these under control to serve God's purposes? [30:16]
3. The sermon mentions living as citizens of heaven. What practical steps can you take this week to live more like a citizen of heaven in your daily interactions? [37:13]
4. How can the understanding that your old self has been crucified with Christ empower you to resist sin's influence in your life today? [39:31]
5. What specific actions can you take to reflect the life of Christ in your earthly existence while awaiting the full redemption of your body? [35:37]
6. Identify an area in your life where you feel enslaved by sin. What steps can you take to experience the freedom and righteousness that Christ has secured for you? [40:12]
7. How does the hope of future glorification of your body inspire you to live in the freedom and righteousness that Christ has secured for you now? [48:47]

Devotional

Day 1: The Duality of Our Spiritual and Mortal Existence
In our spiritual journey, we are reminded that while we are seated with Christ in heavenly places, our mortal bodies still contend with the presence of sin. This duality reflects the ongoing struggle between our redeemed spirit and our mortal flesh, necessitating vigilance and reliance on God's grace. Just as the Israelites had to contend with remaining nations in Canaan despite their deliverance from Egypt, we too are spiritually delivered but await the full redemption of our bodies. This reality calls us to live with an awareness of our spiritual position in Christ, even as we navigate the challenges of our earthly existence. [26:06]

Ephesians 2:6-7 (ESV): "And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: In what ways can you remind yourself daily of your spiritual position in Christ, even as you face the struggles of your earthly life?


Day 2: The Body as a Vessel of Righteousness
The body is not inherently sinful; it is the misuse of our natural instincts that leads to sin. Jesus Christ, in His humanity, shared our bodily instincts yet remained sinless, demonstrating that the body can be a vessel of righteousness. This understanding challenges us to ensure that our instincts do not dominate us but are kept in their rightful place, serving God's purposes. By following Christ's example, we can learn to use our bodies as instruments of righteousness, reflecting His holiness in our daily lives. [29:31]

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (ESV): "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."

Reflection: What natural instincts or desires do you find most challenging to control, and how can you submit them to God's purposes today?


Day 3: Living as Citizens of Heaven
Salvation aims to deliver us from sin's tyranny, including its effects on our bodies. While we await full redemption, we are called to live in a manner that reflects the life of Christ, resisting sin's influence and living as citizens of heaven. This involves a conscious effort to embody the values of God's kingdom in our daily actions and decisions, looking forward to the day when our bodies will be glorified. By living with this heavenly perspective, we can experience the freedom and righteousness that Christ has secured for us. [35:37]

Philippians 3:20-21 (ESV): "But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."

Reflection: How can you practically live out your heavenly citizenship in your interactions and decisions today?


Day 4: Freedom from the Slavery of Sin
Our old self has been crucified with Christ, freeing us from the slavery of sin. This understanding empowers us to resist sin's influence in our bodies and live as instruments of righteousness, reflecting the transformative power of the gospel. By embracing this freedom, we can break free from the patterns of sin that once held us captive and live in the newness of life that Christ offers. This calls for a daily commitment to align our actions with the righteousness that Christ has secured for us. [39:31]

Romans 6:6-7 (ESV): "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin."

Reflection: What specific sin or habit do you need to break free from, and how can you rely on Christ's power to overcome it today?


Day 5: The Hope of Full Redemption
The ultimate goal of salvation is complete deliverance from sin, including the glorification of our bodies. This hope should inspire us to live in the freedom and righteousness that Christ has secured for us, anticipating the day when our bodies will be fully redeemed. As we look forward to this future glorification, we are encouraged to persevere in our faith, knowing that our present struggles are temporary and that a glorious future awaits us. [48:47]

1 Corinthians 15:53-54 (ESV): "For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: 'Death is swallowed up in victory.'"

Reflection: How does the hope of future glorification influence your perspective on current challenges and struggles?

Quotes


I myself am already in Christ seated in the Heavenly places that's what I'm told about myself. I died with him I was buried with him I've risen with him I've ascended with him I am seated with him in the Heavenly places I am that's what he's been telling us the old man has gone I am no longer that man I am a new man in Christ Jesus that's the truth about me. [00:25:54]

The body is not yet delivered from the effects of sin and the fall but I am and so you see the Apostle is taking us from step to step and Stage to stage now I do trust that it's clear to everybody that I am not teaching that the body is essentially and inherently sinful that is not what I'm saying. [00:27:11]

Look at the Lord Jesus Christ he had a body now let us never forget that the Lord Jesus Christ in his body as a man had the same body as we have he had the same instincts every one of them if he hadn't he wouldn't have been a man let us remember that we are told that he was tempted in all points like as we are. [00:29:19]

The object of Salvation is this that we may be rid entirely and completely of sin and its effects Adam was once perfect there was no sin in him at all and Adam in his state of in was able to use these instincts in a natural in a normal manner without being sinful at all but because of his sin it all became unnatural. [00:34:43]

The object of Salvation is to Deliver Us from the whole tyranny of sin every part of it even the body itself is going to be emancipated and set free now then the Apostle says that you see the object is he says that the body of sin might be destroyed might be made inert might be annuled might be reduced to a condition of impotence. [00:35:37]

The Christian is no longer the slave of sin but unless he still often allows it to rule in his body it remains in his body and he allows it far too often to rule him and to govern him he shouldn't there's no excuse for him for doing so that's why the apostles has written this sixth chapter. [00:41:51]

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body that he should obey it in the lust thereof don't do it says Paul don't be a fool neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness Unto sin but yield yourselves unto God as those that are alive from the dead and you are members as instruments of unrighteousness as instruments of righteousness unto God. [00:42:59]

Our old man is crucified and buried with him that's better Abram Kyper must have forgotten the heidleberg catechism at that point our old man is crucified and buried with him that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh you see the heidleberg catechism is right it draws a distinction between The Old Man and the flesh. [00:46:53]

The old man is crucified and buried with him that so the corrupt inclinations of the flesh May no more reign in us the old man is not the flesh is not the corrupt nature the old men is the adamic nature the old human human it the flesh is the body of sin the body in which sin tends to tyrannize still. [00:47:42]

The way in other words to deal with sin in the body in the flesh is to realize the truth about yourself even now the truth of what is possible to you even with your body here and now but the final glorious truth of the glorification the final emancipation even of the body itself so that the all men will be entirely and perfectly and fully delivered. [00:48:34]

Oh God grant that all may see and know that that old man died with Christ was crucified with him died with him was buried with him and has risen again with him oh Lord enable us all to see clearly that we are at this moment seated in the Heavenly places in Christ Jesus help us to see it oh God so clearly. [00:49:49]

Help us to see it oh God so clearly that we shall no longer be afraid of Satan and of sin as once we were help us to see it so clearly that we shall resist the devil and he will flee from us help us to see that we ourselves are entirely out of the clutches of sin and evil that there is therefore no longer any condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus. [00:50:14]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from May 25, 2017. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?