KINDS OF PEOPLE ON EARTH (Part 2)
MEMORY VERSE: - “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.”
INTRODUCTION: - Every man is born natural; sinful in nature (Ps.51:5). Ever since sin entered into the world through Adam and Eve (Gen.3), every person is born with a selfish desire to go his or her own way and satisfy his or her own pleasures, even if it causes pain and suffering for others (Rom.5:12). This sinful behavior can be overcome only by accepting God’s forgiveness, provided by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins and by relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, who works through those who devote their lives in Christ.
LESSON OUTLINES
The Spiritual Man/Woman
This is a person who has been spiritually renewed and transformed through a personal faith in and relationship with Christ Jesus. Such a person has the Holy Spirit dwelling within (Rom.8:9, 11). This person is spiritually minded and understands the truth about what God has given and made available to all who receive the Spirit and His wisdom (1Corint.2:11-13) and he or she lives by the leading of the Holy Spirit (Rom.8:4-17, Gal.5:16-26). Individuals who are guided by the Spirit of God have yielded their lives to Jesus Christ and His leadership, and they strive daily to follow Him with the help and power of the Holy Spirit who lives in and through them (1Corint.6:19; 2Tim.1:14). As a result, they are able to resist ungodly and destructive desires and passions; and to overcome the influence of their sinful nature (Rom.8:13-14).
How To Become A Spiritual Man/Woman
Every Spiritual man/woman was once a natural man living in sin and fulfilling the lust thereof. But, there must be a turning point at which he or she turns from sin to God for forgiveness and transformation. It is very important to know that this turning point is not in change of religion or change of Church denomination or being given a title or recognition in the Church or being incorporated into the Church workforce. The turning point is rather in:
Acknowledgment of one’s sinfulness and depravity and the need to be saved or delivered from sin (Ps.51:3).
Confession of sin to God, with penitence and sobriety (Ps.51:4; Prov.28:13). You don’t need to necessarily confess your sin to any man; be it clergy or laity. The confession must be done whole heartedly to God.
Forsaking of the sinful ways and turning to God for mercy (Prov.28:13)
Accepting by faith the forgiveness and salvation, which God provide through His son; Jesus Christ (Jh.3:3,5,7), he or she is then “born again and spiritually renewed” (Rom.12:2)
Surrendering totally his or her life to Christ, such that he/she becomes a new person spiritually (2Corint.5:17). The Holy Spirit then comes in to dwell in such a person and transforms him/her from inside out, giving him/her a new nature that is filled to overflowing with the life of God (2Pt.1:4). Such a person is made right with God through faith in Christ (Phil.3:9), who gave His own life to pay the penalty for our sins (Gal.2:20-21).
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
Those who accept God’s forgiveness and by faith yield their lives to Jesus are “born again” (John3:3-8), and completely renewed from inside out. Through the creative command of God, they are transformed spiritually. The cease to be natural, they have become spiritual.
QUESTIONS
Describe a Spiritual man/woman How can one become spiritual person?