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2nd Retreat: The Great Makeover Session 3

1 November 2005

YAG RETREAT II
Session #3
Tuesday, 1 November 2005
2nd Morning Session
Theme: The Great Makeover
COMBATING MAN’S FALLEN NATURE
Key Texts- For Reference and Meditation

A. Man – Before the Fall

1. Genesis 1
2. Genesis 2

B. Man- After the Fall

1. Before Regeneration

a) Genesis 6

b) Psalm 14

c) Romans 1-2

2. After Regeneration

a) Romans 6

b) Romans 7

c) Colossians 3:10

d) Ephesians 4:24

C. THE HELP OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

1. Promise of the Holy Spirit John 14-16
2. Theological Appreciation of the Ministry of the Holy Spirit Romans 8

INTRODUCTION

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practise; but what I hate, that I do.

Romans 7:14-15

1. Change is Difficult
2. Simplistic measures will not work
3. A strong mindset is needed to see significant changes effected.

DIFFICULTIES IN THE CHANGE PROCESS EXPECTED BECAUSE OF MAN’S FALLEN NATURE

1. The Sin Principle

But sin, that it might appear sin, was producing death in me… so that sin… might become exceedingly sinful.

Romans 7:13

a) Some neglect the sin factor in considering “Change”

b) Others are not fully aware of the power of sin

c) The problem of the power of sin must be underscored

2. The Reign of Sin

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts

Romans 6:12

a) Sin is no mere act

b) Sin seeks to do no less than reign in our body

c) It demand obedience from the individual

3. The Extent of the Influence of sin

a) It has the power to seize every opportunity to create sin

But sin, taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire…

Romans 7:8

b) It has the power to deceive

But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it killed me

Romans 7:11

c) It has the power to reside within the believer

But now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me

Romans 7:17

d) It weakens the human will

To will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find

Romans 7:18

For the good that I will to do, I do not do; But the evil I will not to do, that I practice

e) The carnality of man

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin

Romans 7:14

f) It causes a person to be weak and inconsistent

For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.

Romans 7:15

DIFFICULTIES CAN BE OVERCOME BUT NOT WITHOUT TREMENDOUS BATTLE

1. Crucifying of the flesh

Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin

Romans 6:6

a) In principle

b) In practice

2. Walking in newness of Life

Even so we should walk in newness of life

Romans 6:4

a) There is newness of life

b) One must in the newness of life

3. Reckoning self dead to sin

Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord

Romans 6:11

a) Dead to sin

b) Alive to God

4. Presentation of self to God

Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God

Romans 6:13

a) Presentation of self as alive to God

b) Presentation of different faculties (members)

i) Body

ii) Mind

iii) Heart

iv) Spirit

RETREAT CHALLENGES

1. Knowing the difficulties that sin creates, are you still prepared to work at “changes” in your life?
2. What are you willing to do to win this battle against sin?
3. Can the defeats in your spiritual battle be due to the problem of underestimating the power of sin in your life?