"Is that You Lord?" Pastor Dan Cravillion

Is That You Lord?

2014-11-23

Rom 8:1-4

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.  2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.“

Last week we learned to preach Gospel to ourselves & take our thoughts captive, but sometimes it is difficult to know what thoughts are of God, our sinful flesh, or even the enemy. 

• Not everything that sounds “godly” is the Holy Spirit. Mt 24:11, 4:5-7, Act 16:16-18

We need to put thoughts into few concise sentences & use scripture as filter/lens.

·      Is it sin?  Doe it line up with the Bible & is it used in proper context…not just IN the Bible?

o   If it’s not sin or unbiblical then continue discerning by these steps:

1. Specific or General

• The enemy’s condemnation is usually GENERAL. 
• Such as thinking you are a ‘Lousy Christian,  hypocrite, nothing good is happening in your life, nobody cares.”
• It’s usually feelings focused: EVERYTHING is wrong but you can’t put your finger on ANYTHING specific.
• Response: “If it’s you Lord, please show me exactly what I’ve done/wrong!”   
• Holy Spirit’s conviction is usually SPECIFIC. 

o   You lied, cursed, you need to take more responsibility with family.

2. Sometimes it may be specific but it’s till not the Holy Spirit….ask yourself “Who does this  thought sound like?’ 

• Enemy: accuses God, you & others & is works focused.
• Thinking “God is tyrant, He is a disapproving Father, unforgiving, angry judge.”
• “You just lied AGAIN & I’m done forgiving you for that sin.”
• Satan uses the law against you & likes to dwell on the past.
• Condemn: find fault with, adverse sentence, to judge against.

§  Jesus does not drive us by law but draws us with love.

• Holy Spirit: brings gentle discipline & loving conviction.
• Conviction: tell a fault, rebuke, convince. Heb 12:10-11, Jn 16:8     
•  “Forget the past!” your sin is forgiven & put away.

o   Grace is not undercut by obedience or doesn’t encourage apathy. 

§  Grace/gospel: “I’m accepted through Jesus, therefore I obey.”

§  Religion/law: “If I obey, I’m accepted.”

3. If the thoughts are specific & sound like God not it’s time to check the motive: What is the desired outcome?

·      Enemy’s condemnation: discouragement to drive us away from God and/or body of Christ, then lose heart & eventually give-up.

·      You lied again & I’m holy so don’t come back to Me until you get victory.

• Like a wolf: Satan separates a lamb from the Shepherd & flock & then destroys it.
• Isolates, you then feel lonely, hurt, rejected by others, & angry.
• Holy Spirit’s conviction … Encourages closer fellowship with Jesus and Christians and gives hope, reassurance of God’s love, forgiveness, & grace.

o   The focus: trust/rely on Christ’s willingness & power to save/keep you.

·      Conviction & condemnation like knives.  Is 1:18, Rom 5:1-2, 8:1, Jer 17:9

o   Condemnation ….a robbers knife randomly slashes & desires harm.

o   Conviction… a surgeon’s knife is precise with goal of healing.

In this season where joy & acceptance should be the norm, many experience feelings of inadequacy & condemnation.

·      Remember: feelings of condemnation are just that- feelings. It isn't the truth.

o   If you are a Christian, you are loved, accepted, & forgiven by the One who matters most….Jesus!