Mor(ph)e Week 2 – David Nasser
Overview:
Paul, in chapter 2 of Ephesians, points out the obvious darkness of our existence outside of Christ. In fact, it’s worse than we thought, we were dead in our sin. Literally, dead men/women walking. Tonight we are going to drill down on what it means to be dead spiritually but alive physically. We are going to focus on the three areas that dominate our lives when we are not alive in Christ. The very serious implication of this truth is that there is no such thing as a third option. We are either alive or dead. We are either slave or free. “We are either possessed (owned) by the prince of the power of the air or (owned) by the Prince of Peace…who is actually the King of Kings!!”
This week: A trifecta of Domination:
The world: thoughts & opinions
The adversary: Do you believe he is real?
The flesh: us-On our own! There are times when we blame Satan for a sin that we did all on our own!
Affected but not owned
Verses:
Ephesians 2:1-3
“1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 In which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.”
1 Peter 5:8-9
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
John 8:44
“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.”
Romans 8:5-9
“For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.”
Galatians 5:24
“Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Quotes:
“If Satan convinces us that he is not real, then most of the battle is already won.”
“The apostle Paul is saying that those of us who are spiritually dead, anyone who has not been born again, all who has not been saved are dominated and directed by the urgings and the desires and the instincts of the world, the flesh and the devil. They’re not getting their marching orders from God. That’s for sure.” – Ligon Duncan
“You mean to tell me that if I don’t know Christ in my heart, I am totally under the control and the dominion of Satan? That is exactly right. He has every right and every reign to walk in and out of your life since he is the landlord of the property.” – Dr. Wayne Barber
“Satan is an imposter. He roars “like” a lion… Jesus however is THE LION OF JUDAH.”
Mor(ph)e: Worst and Better! “Paul gets an F in grammar but A in theology!” – Ray Steadman
Questions:
1) What does it look like to be awakened to everything we have through Christ? How does your life radically change when you live as someone awake?
2) What does it look like to be spiritually dead but physically alive? Discuss this based on personal experiences.
3) Do you mentally toe the line between who you ARE in Christ and who you WERE in sin? Does your life reflect complete ownership of Christ, even the way you see yourself?
4) What are the standards of the people of God? What should look different about us?
5) How have you seen the enemy come after you lately? Are you aware of his working? How can this group pray against the schemes of the enemy in your life?