Opposites

Posted by Dave Stone

Three texts for this week:

• Revelation 17:1-6
• Proverbs 7:1-27
• Luke 15:11-24

RELATE

What has most surprised you from the Revelation series and why?
Help people consider how the truths presented make a difference in the way they live their lives. Also helpful to identify new revelations about God as He reveals Himself in Revelation.

REVIEW

Share any truth, application or idea from the sermon that challenged or confused you.
Use this as an opportunity to have people share “tidbits”.  It is also a good time to review the Scripture (actually open your Bibles) and review the outline.

What is the meaning of “the flesh” in the sermon? In what ways are the Spirit and the flesh opposites? Give at least three examples of how the flesh corrupts a person’s life.
Here you want to capture the idea that “the flesh” and the Spirit are at war in our lives. The things we do determine which one is victorious.

Identify the soul-messages (the words that resonate deeply in heart of the young man) in Proverbs 7:14-20. How does “the world” uses these messages to seduce us to unfaithfulness?
Soul-messages include:

• I want you; you are valuable to me (Proverbs 7:13, 15)
• I’ve spared no expense for you (Proverbs 7:16-17)
• I love you (Proverbs 7:18) (note it only lasts for a short time–till morning)
  
• This is safe (Proverbs 7:19-20)
  

The world uses these messages to seduce us to unfaithfulness by using the same messages (and promise the same result) as God’s messages. However, the world’s soul-messages entice us to disobey God to obtain the promised results.

The Revelation harlot is not selling sex. What is she selling?
There’s probably a range of ideas here…some ideas might be:

• the world’s system meets all our needs
• the world’s system cares about us, and thus, we can trust it (her)
• the world’s system is really interested in our best
• a false worldview
  

DIG

We know that God loves us in spite of the fact that we’re unworthy. Read the verses below. What words illustrate God’s great love for us and/or motivate us to live a life worthy of God’s love?

• John 3:16-18
• Mark 15:34
• Romans 5:7-8
• Romans 8:32
• Romans 8:35-38

APPLICATION

This sermon dealt with contrasts. How do you deal with this contrast: being called to live perfectly, as Jesus did, and yet still having sin in your life?
Help your people by discussing that “the flesh” and the Spirit are at war. The way to deal with it is to do battle. Use the resources God has given us to wage war (seek forgiveness when we fail, read Scripture, pray, engage in spiritual warfare, “buffet” our bodies, put sin to death-Colossians 3). Our HOPE should ultimately be in the righteousness of Christ. God is more interested in us fighting the war than in us winning individual battles. Remember that our present state of salvation is sanctification.

Think about question #3 in review. What soul-message is God whispering to you as a believer to move you to faithfulness?
Our hope is that people will be personal about what they think God is telling them right now. Realize that it is God’s delight to offer a way of redemption by helping us live faithful lives in the power of the Holy Spirit.