Proper 9
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Cycle A, THIRD EDITION
Proper 9 (C, E)
14th Sunday In Ordinary Time (RC)
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Revised Common Genesis 24:34--38, Romans 7:15--25a Matthew 11:16--19,
42--49, 58--67 25--30
Roman Catholic Zechariah 9:--9--10 Romans 8:9, 11--13 Matthew 11:25--30
Episcopal Zechariah 9:9--12 Romans 7:21-8:6 Matthew 11:25--30
THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
Isaac marries Rebecca. Abraham, being very old, was anxious to get Isaac a wife before he died, a wife from his own people. He sent a trusted servant to go back to his homeland to look for a wife. The servant succeeded in getting Rebecca, daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham's brother, Nahor. When Rebecca arrived, it was love at first sight.
Lesson 1: Zechariah 9:9--10 (RC); Zechariah 9:9--12 (E)
Jerusalem is promised that her king is coming to bring peace to the nations.
Lesson 2: Romans 7:15--25a (C); Romans 7:21-8:6 (E)
Christ delivers Paul from the raging war between the carnal and spiritual selves. A Christian has a dual nature: a carnal and spiritual nature which are in conflict with each other. It results in one's doing what one does not want to do and vice versa. This struggle between good and evil continues to the point where one exclaims, "Wretched man that I am." It is not a matter of a good higher nature and a lower evil nature. The whole person is in need of redemption, not only the lower self. The only solution is the redemption of the whole body of Christ from the body of death. For this Paul gives thanks.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:9, 11--13 (RC)
Living in the Spirit.
Gospel: Matthew 11:16--19, 25--30 (C); Matthew 11:25--30 (RC, E)
They who put on the yoke of Christ will receive rest for their souls. This pericope is in sharp contrast to Jesus' earlier teachings about the price of discipleship and to his harsh warnings to cities that rejected him. The passage is warm, intimate, and consoling. He thanks the Father for revealing the truth to his "babes," his simple unlearned disciples. His reference to God as Father indicates his unity with his Father whom alone knows him and whom he knows alone. Though tough demands are made on the disciples, Jesus promises rest to those heavily burdened if they will take his yoke upon them, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 45:10--17 (C) - "The people will praise you forever and ever" (v. 17).
Psalm 145:1--2, 13b--21 (RC, E) - "I will extol thee, my God and my King" (v. 1a).
Prayer Of The Day
"God of glory, Father of love, peace comes from you alone. Send us as peacemakers and witnesses to your kingdom, and fill our hearts with joy in your promises of salvation."
Hymn Of The Day
"Peace To Soothe Our Bitter Woes"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Matthew 11:16--19, 25--30 (C); Matthew 11:25--30 (RC, E)
1. Thanks (v. 25). Jesus thanks God for hiding from the "wise" - the scribes and Pharisees who are the religious leaders, the theologians of the day, the Bible scholars. Give the truth to the professionals and the truth might be lost as they spin their theories and add exceptions and conditions ad infinitum. The truth would lose its simplicity and purity. The professionals would make the truth so sophisticated and conditional that the plain person could not understand it. Jesus thanks God that he revealed the truth to "babes" who would be plain and simple in giving it to people who could understand and accept it.
2. Knowledge of God (v. 27). Jesus frankly and flatly says he has everything of God and knows everything about God. And he alone has this truth - "no one knows except...." Here is a man making a claim that leads us to say he is insane or divine. Which is it? A Christian is one who says the latter. Jesus can say this because he shares the deity. If he alone knows the Father, he alone can reveal the Father to us. Why then do we look to philosophy and/or theology and/or religion for truth beyond what we have in Christ?
3. A new religion (vv. 28--30). Jesus invites us to leave an old religion for a new one, his religion. It is not a religion of Jesus but about Jesus. His religion gives rest from a religion of law, duty, and obligation - a religion of works to be saved. As the object of our worship, he is gentle and humble. Our commitment to him is easy and light because our service to him is voluntary ("Come"). His yoke is "easy," because it fits us perfectly. This should save our religion from being a bore or a burden. Instead, the Christian religion is one of joy.
Lesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
1. Blessed (v. 34). Abraham's servant told Rebecca's brother, Laban, that God blessed his master with wealth: gold, silver, animals, lands, and slaves. He recognized that God was the giver of this affluence. It was not due to mental ability nor hard and long physical work. When one recognizes the giver, one can be thankful by giving God the credit and glory.
2. Also (v. 46). Rebecca was a girl who went the second mile in helping people. The test of character was not only her willingness to give the servant a drink but also his ten camels. This was quite a task for a woman to carry this much water from a spring. Generosity and hospitality are marks of a sterling character. Jesus once asked, "What do you do more than others?"
3. Worshiped (v. 48). This was no ordinary servant of Abraham. He also was a servant of God. He felt that God had led him to Rebecca, and when his mission was a success, he bowed his head and worshiped God for his good guidance. Worship depends on the worship of the One we worship. When we realize the goodness, greatness, and grace of God, we instinctively worship him.
Lesson 1: Zechariah 9:9--10 (RC); Zechariah 9:9--12 (E)
1. Rejoice (v. 9). What is there to rejoice about? Can we rejoice over the shortage of energy, the arms race, the pollution of the earth, the racial unrest, and political corruption? God gives Israel reason to rejoice - a world ruler is coming in peace for the peace of the world. If we could have world peace, a world government of justice, a ruler of compassion, we would have reason to shout with joy. Has this King not come in Jesus? Christians should be a celebrating people.
2. The King (vv. 9--10). Here is a King who is different, the difference between God and man. With each new human king, our hopes for a better world shine brightly, only years later to become dim with disappointment. A new king does not necessarily bring better conditions. The king of the pericope is different - humble, peaceful, victorious, and universal. When the world accepts this king as its one and only king, the world will enjoy peace.
Lesson 2: Romans 7:15--25a (C); Romans 7:21-8:6 (E)
1. Understanding self (v. 15). It is good and comforting to know Paul was human as we are. He confesses he did not understand why he did certain things which he did not want to do. We can say, "Paul, join the crowd!" This reminds us of the doctrine that as Christians we are both saints and sinners and that the two are ever in conflict until death. The Christian life is one of inner conflict, struggle between the lower and higher selves, between the old and the new Adam, between the law of the body and the law of the mind.
2. Cause (vv. 17, 23). What makes us do the wrong thing when we want to do the right thing? It is the law of sin, the power of evil that possesses the flesh. It is the unregenerated part of us that desires evil. While the Law in itself is good, the Law shows us the wrong we do. This calls for a continual battle against temptation and the evil force that still lives in a Christian.
3. Deliverance (v. 24). If a Christian has not only a dual but a duel nature, the conflict that persists leads to despair of self. The victim of this civil war cries out in despair, "Wretched man that I am!" Is there no end, no way out? Paul found the solution in Christ for whom he gives thanks for the deliverance. Christ is our peace who brings together the two warring selves into one integrated, harmonious person.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Matthew 11:25--30
1. How To Be A Christian And Enjoy It! 11:28--30
Need: Most people do not enjoy their religion, for many religions deal with solemnity, seriousness, duty, denial, rules, and responsibility. None of these is joyous. They need to see that Christianity is a happy faith. Christians should be ever--rejoicing. The Christian faith should involve pleasure and fun. The Jews of Jesus' day had a burdensome religion - "All who labor and are heavy laden." Christ offers a religion of joy and freedom.
Outline: You can enjoy your Christian faith because -
a. It is voluntary - "Come" - v. 28.
b. It is restful - "Rest" - vv. 28, 29.
c. It is easy - "Yoke is easy" - v. 30.
2. Christ--appeal. 11:27--30
Need: Often today we say that a person has "sex--appeal." About Jesus we could say he has "Christ--appeal." What is there about Jesus that draws people to him? How can we account for the fact that one billion people in our time call him Lord? What makes people forsake all to follow him? In this text, we see why billions have responded to his "Come."
Outline: Why Jesus appeals to people.
a. What he has - everything! - v. 27.
b. What he is like - "gentle, lowly" - v. 29.
c. What he gives - "rest," "easy yoke," "light burden" - vv. 29, 30.
3. Are We Too Educated? 11:25
Need: Are we too educated to accept Christ? This was the problem in Jesus' day. In this text Jesus thanks God that he did not reveal the truth to the "wise" - the scribes, Pharisees, and religious leaders. These were the scholars and theologians of the day. God gave the truth to the "babes" - plain, ordinary fishermen, publicans, and sinners. They were unread and uneducated, just simple people who were open to the truth.
Outline: Are we too educated?
a. The handicap of the learned and sophisticated - "wise."
b. The openness of simple people - "babes."
4. Time To Trade In Your Old Religion. 11:28--30
Need: If we are holding to a religion that is not truly Christian, we need to trade it in on a better one. Jesus considered the people to be laboring under the heavy burden of their religion of ceremonialism and legalism. He invited them to come to him for a new and better religion.
Outline: It is time to trade in your old religion.
a. Trade in your legalism for freedom.
b. Trade in your hard for an easy yoke of commitment.
c. Trade in your heavy for a light burden.
Lesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
How To Find The Right Mate
Need: About half of the marriages today end in divorce and many others end in separation or are unhappy. The partners of a failed marriage probably claim that they made a mistake in their choice of a life--mate. Some may have been too young to make the choice. Many divorcees remarry. Will they make a better choice? Statistics reveal that second marriages have a higher rate of failure than first marriages. In this Lesson, we see what constitutes a wise choice.
Outline: How to find the right one to marry or remarry -
a. Have common background and interests - vv. 37--38.
b. Seek guidance in prayer - vv. 42, 48.
c. Test for good character - v. 44.
d. A heart and mind's desire - v. 45.
Lesson 1: Zechariah 9:9--10 (RC); Zechariah 9:9--12 (E)
Reason To Rejoice! 9:9--10
Need: People are for the most part truly unhappy. This is also true with church members. In recent years, the emphasis in the church as been "Celebrate," but it has been halfhearted. If anyone has reason to rejoice, it is the Christian. Though Zechariah spoke to another age and gave it reason to rejoice, his reasons are still valid for Christians, only more so!
Outline: Christian, rejoice because -
a. Your king is coming to you - v. 9.
b. Your king comes to bring you peace - v. 10.
c. Your king has a universal kingdom - v. 10.
Lesson 2: Romans 7:15--25a (C); Romans 7:21-8:6 (E)
1. What The Hell's Wrong With Me? 7:15--25a
Need: "Wretched man that I am!" This is how Paul put it. Today the expression is, "What the hell's wrong with me?" Each person experiences this despair with himself. Each of us has a civil war within. We have a dual nature. We are torn between our higher and lower selves. Like Paul, we often do not understand why we do certain things. This sermon is needed to help people understand themselves and the conflict within them.
Outline: What is wrong with us?
a. We do what we don't want to do - v. 15.
Reason: The power of sin - vv. 17, 18, 20.
b. We don't do what we want to do - v. 15.
Reason: Our better selves want to do right - v. 22.
2. Victory Over Yourself. 7:24--25
Need: We may have inner turmoil to the point that we consider ourselves as "wretched." We are torn between conflicting desires and natures. We may be able to understand all this, but what is the solution? Can a person get peace of mind and heart? This sermon has as its objective the showing of how Christians can gain victory over themselves by faith in Christ.
Outline: You can conquer yourself -
a. By denial of your lower self.
b. By affirming your higher self.
c. By faith in Christ's deliverance.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:9, 11--13 (RC)
Human Or Christian? 8:9, 11--13
Need: Today much is being said and written about what it means to be human. For some the height of attainment is to be human. In this pericope Paul has a different opinion of human nature. The RSV translates our lower nature as "flesh," but the GNB uses "flesh" as "human nature." According to Paul human nature is under the power of sin and each person is the victim of original sin. If we live according to human nature, we sin and will die in our sin. In contrast, Christians have the Spirit of Christ and live according to the Spirit. People confront the decision to live according to their human nature or according to the Spirit. Their decision is a matter of life or death.
Outline: Which shall it be: human or Christian?
a. Life as a human - vv. 9, 12, 13.
1. Results in wicked living - v. 12.
2. Results in death - v. 13.
b. Life as a Christian - vv. 9, 11, 13.
1. Results in having God's Spirit - v. 9.
2. Results in good living - v. 13.
3. Results in life - vv. 11, 13.
14th Sunday In Ordinary Time (RC)
Seventh Sunday After Pentecost
Revised Common Genesis 24:34--38, Romans 7:15--25a Matthew 11:16--19,
42--49, 58--67 25--30
Roman Catholic Zechariah 9:--9--10 Romans 8:9, 11--13 Matthew 11:25--30
Episcopal Zechariah 9:9--12 Romans 7:21-8:6 Matthew 11:25--30
THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
Isaac marries Rebecca. Abraham, being very old, was anxious to get Isaac a wife before he died, a wife from his own people. He sent a trusted servant to go back to his homeland to look for a wife. The servant succeeded in getting Rebecca, daughter of Bethuel, who was the son of Abraham's brother, Nahor. When Rebecca arrived, it was love at first sight.
Lesson 1: Zechariah 9:9--10 (RC); Zechariah 9:9--12 (E)
Jerusalem is promised that her king is coming to bring peace to the nations.
Lesson 2: Romans 7:15--25a (C); Romans 7:21-8:6 (E)
Christ delivers Paul from the raging war between the carnal and spiritual selves. A Christian has a dual nature: a carnal and spiritual nature which are in conflict with each other. It results in one's doing what one does not want to do and vice versa. This struggle between good and evil continues to the point where one exclaims, "Wretched man that I am." It is not a matter of a good higher nature and a lower evil nature. The whole person is in need of redemption, not only the lower self. The only solution is the redemption of the whole body of Christ from the body of death. For this Paul gives thanks.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:9, 11--13 (RC)
Living in the Spirit.
Gospel: Matthew 11:16--19, 25--30 (C); Matthew 11:25--30 (RC, E)
They who put on the yoke of Christ will receive rest for their souls. This pericope is in sharp contrast to Jesus' earlier teachings about the price of discipleship and to his harsh warnings to cities that rejected him. The passage is warm, intimate, and consoling. He thanks the Father for revealing the truth to his "babes," his simple unlearned disciples. His reference to God as Father indicates his unity with his Father whom alone knows him and whom he knows alone. Though tough demands are made on the disciples, Jesus promises rest to those heavily burdened if they will take his yoke upon them, for his yoke is easy and his burden is light.
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 45:10--17 (C) - "The people will praise you forever and ever" (v. 17).
Psalm 145:1--2, 13b--21 (RC, E) - "I will extol thee, my God and my King" (v. 1a).
Prayer Of The Day
"God of glory, Father of love, peace comes from you alone. Send us as peacemakers and witnesses to your kingdom, and fill our hearts with joy in your promises of salvation."
Hymn Of The Day
"Peace To Soothe Our Bitter Woes"
THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS
Gospel: Matthew 11:16--19, 25--30 (C); Matthew 11:25--30 (RC, E)
1. Thanks (v. 25). Jesus thanks God for hiding from the "wise" - the scribes and Pharisees who are the religious leaders, the theologians of the day, the Bible scholars. Give the truth to the professionals and the truth might be lost as they spin their theories and add exceptions and conditions ad infinitum. The truth would lose its simplicity and purity. The professionals would make the truth so sophisticated and conditional that the plain person could not understand it. Jesus thanks God that he revealed the truth to "babes" who would be plain and simple in giving it to people who could understand and accept it.
2. Knowledge of God (v. 27). Jesus frankly and flatly says he has everything of God and knows everything about God. And he alone has this truth - "no one knows except...." Here is a man making a claim that leads us to say he is insane or divine. Which is it? A Christian is one who says the latter. Jesus can say this because he shares the deity. If he alone knows the Father, he alone can reveal the Father to us. Why then do we look to philosophy and/or theology and/or religion for truth beyond what we have in Christ?
3. A new religion (vv. 28--30). Jesus invites us to leave an old religion for a new one, his religion. It is not a religion of Jesus but about Jesus. His religion gives rest from a religion of law, duty, and obligation - a religion of works to be saved. As the object of our worship, he is gentle and humble. Our commitment to him is easy and light because our service to him is voluntary ("Come"). His yoke is "easy," because it fits us perfectly. This should save our religion from being a bore or a burden. Instead, the Christian religion is one of joy.
Lesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
1. Blessed (v. 34). Abraham's servant told Rebecca's brother, Laban, that God blessed his master with wealth: gold, silver, animals, lands, and slaves. He recognized that God was the giver of this affluence. It was not due to mental ability nor hard and long physical work. When one recognizes the giver, one can be thankful by giving God the credit and glory.
2. Also (v. 46). Rebecca was a girl who went the second mile in helping people. The test of character was not only her willingness to give the servant a drink but also his ten camels. This was quite a task for a woman to carry this much water from a spring. Generosity and hospitality are marks of a sterling character. Jesus once asked, "What do you do more than others?"
3. Worshiped (v. 48). This was no ordinary servant of Abraham. He also was a servant of God. He felt that God had led him to Rebecca, and when his mission was a success, he bowed his head and worshiped God for his good guidance. Worship depends on the worship of the One we worship. When we realize the goodness, greatness, and grace of God, we instinctively worship him.
Lesson 1: Zechariah 9:9--10 (RC); Zechariah 9:9--12 (E)
1. Rejoice (v. 9). What is there to rejoice about? Can we rejoice over the shortage of energy, the arms race, the pollution of the earth, the racial unrest, and political corruption? God gives Israel reason to rejoice - a world ruler is coming in peace for the peace of the world. If we could have world peace, a world government of justice, a ruler of compassion, we would have reason to shout with joy. Has this King not come in Jesus? Christians should be a celebrating people.
2. The King (vv. 9--10). Here is a King who is different, the difference between God and man. With each new human king, our hopes for a better world shine brightly, only years later to become dim with disappointment. A new king does not necessarily bring better conditions. The king of the pericope is different - humble, peaceful, victorious, and universal. When the world accepts this king as its one and only king, the world will enjoy peace.
Lesson 2: Romans 7:15--25a (C); Romans 7:21-8:6 (E)
1. Understanding self (v. 15). It is good and comforting to know Paul was human as we are. He confesses he did not understand why he did certain things which he did not want to do. We can say, "Paul, join the crowd!" This reminds us of the doctrine that as Christians we are both saints and sinners and that the two are ever in conflict until death. The Christian life is one of inner conflict, struggle between the lower and higher selves, between the old and the new Adam, between the law of the body and the law of the mind.
2. Cause (vv. 17, 23). What makes us do the wrong thing when we want to do the right thing? It is the law of sin, the power of evil that possesses the flesh. It is the unregenerated part of us that desires evil. While the Law in itself is good, the Law shows us the wrong we do. This calls for a continual battle against temptation and the evil force that still lives in a Christian.
3. Deliverance (v. 24). If a Christian has not only a dual but a duel nature, the conflict that persists leads to despair of self. The victim of this civil war cries out in despair, "Wretched man that I am!" Is there no end, no way out? Paul found the solution in Christ for whom he gives thanks for the deliverance. Christ is our peace who brings together the two warring selves into one integrated, harmonious person.
PREACHING POSSIBILITIES
Gospel: Matthew 11:25--30
1. How To Be A Christian And Enjoy It! 11:28--30
Need: Most people do not enjoy their religion, for many religions deal with solemnity, seriousness, duty, denial, rules, and responsibility. None of these is joyous. They need to see that Christianity is a happy faith. Christians should be ever--rejoicing. The Christian faith should involve pleasure and fun. The Jews of Jesus' day had a burdensome religion - "All who labor and are heavy laden." Christ offers a religion of joy and freedom.
Outline: You can enjoy your Christian faith because -
a. It is voluntary - "Come" - v. 28.
b. It is restful - "Rest" - vv. 28, 29.
c. It is easy - "Yoke is easy" - v. 30.
2. Christ--appeal. 11:27--30
Need: Often today we say that a person has "sex--appeal." About Jesus we could say he has "Christ--appeal." What is there about Jesus that draws people to him? How can we account for the fact that one billion people in our time call him Lord? What makes people forsake all to follow him? In this text, we see why billions have responded to his "Come."
Outline: Why Jesus appeals to people.
a. What he has - everything! - v. 27.
b. What he is like - "gentle, lowly" - v. 29.
c. What he gives - "rest," "easy yoke," "light burden" - vv. 29, 30.
3. Are We Too Educated? 11:25
Need: Are we too educated to accept Christ? This was the problem in Jesus' day. In this text Jesus thanks God that he did not reveal the truth to the "wise" - the scribes, Pharisees, and religious leaders. These were the scholars and theologians of the day. God gave the truth to the "babes" - plain, ordinary fishermen, publicans, and sinners. They were unread and uneducated, just simple people who were open to the truth.
Outline: Are we too educated?
a. The handicap of the learned and sophisticated - "wise."
b. The openness of simple people - "babes."
4. Time To Trade In Your Old Religion. 11:28--30
Need: If we are holding to a religion that is not truly Christian, we need to trade it in on a better one. Jesus considered the people to be laboring under the heavy burden of their religion of ceremonialism and legalism. He invited them to come to him for a new and better religion.
Outline: It is time to trade in your old religion.
a. Trade in your legalism for freedom.
b. Trade in your hard for an easy yoke of commitment.
c. Trade in your heavy for a light burden.
Lesson 1: Genesis 24:34--38, 42--49, 58--67 (C)
How To Find The Right Mate
Need: About half of the marriages today end in divorce and many others end in separation or are unhappy. The partners of a failed marriage probably claim that they made a mistake in their choice of a life--mate. Some may have been too young to make the choice. Many divorcees remarry. Will they make a better choice? Statistics reveal that second marriages have a higher rate of failure than first marriages. In this Lesson, we see what constitutes a wise choice.
Outline: How to find the right one to marry or remarry -
a. Have common background and interests - vv. 37--38.
b. Seek guidance in prayer - vv. 42, 48.
c. Test for good character - v. 44.
d. A heart and mind's desire - v. 45.
Lesson 1: Zechariah 9:9--10 (RC); Zechariah 9:9--12 (E)
Reason To Rejoice! 9:9--10
Need: People are for the most part truly unhappy. This is also true with church members. In recent years, the emphasis in the church as been "Celebrate," but it has been halfhearted. If anyone has reason to rejoice, it is the Christian. Though Zechariah spoke to another age and gave it reason to rejoice, his reasons are still valid for Christians, only more so!
Outline: Christian, rejoice because -
a. Your king is coming to you - v. 9.
b. Your king comes to bring you peace - v. 10.
c. Your king has a universal kingdom - v. 10.
Lesson 2: Romans 7:15--25a (C); Romans 7:21-8:6 (E)
1. What The Hell's Wrong With Me? 7:15--25a
Need: "Wretched man that I am!" This is how Paul put it. Today the expression is, "What the hell's wrong with me?" Each person experiences this despair with himself. Each of us has a civil war within. We have a dual nature. We are torn between our higher and lower selves. Like Paul, we often do not understand why we do certain things. This sermon is needed to help people understand themselves and the conflict within them.
Outline: What is wrong with us?
a. We do what we don't want to do - v. 15.
Reason: The power of sin - vv. 17, 18, 20.
b. We don't do what we want to do - v. 15.
Reason: Our better selves want to do right - v. 22.
2. Victory Over Yourself. 7:24--25
Need: We may have inner turmoil to the point that we consider ourselves as "wretched." We are torn between conflicting desires and natures. We may be able to understand all this, but what is the solution? Can a person get peace of mind and heart? This sermon has as its objective the showing of how Christians can gain victory over themselves by faith in Christ.
Outline: You can conquer yourself -
a. By denial of your lower self.
b. By affirming your higher self.
c. By faith in Christ's deliverance.
Lesson 2: Romans 8:9, 11--13 (RC)
Human Or Christian? 8:9, 11--13
Need: Today much is being said and written about what it means to be human. For some the height of attainment is to be human. In this pericope Paul has a different opinion of human nature. The RSV translates our lower nature as "flesh," but the GNB uses "flesh" as "human nature." According to Paul human nature is under the power of sin and each person is the victim of original sin. If we live according to human nature, we sin and will die in our sin. In contrast, Christians have the Spirit of Christ and live according to the Spirit. People confront the decision to live according to their human nature or according to the Spirit. Their decision is a matter of life or death.
Outline: Which shall it be: human or Christian?
a. Life as a human - vv. 9, 12, 13.
1. Results in wicked living - v. 12.
2. Results in death - v. 13.
b. Life as a Christian - vv. 9, 11, 13.
1. Results in having God's Spirit - v. 9.
2. Results in good living - v. 13.
3. Results in life - vv. 11, 13.
