Here's the outline:
Roots and Fruits
Roots and Fruits
(Mentone
Seventh-day Adventist
Church
7/14/2007)
1.
God
is spiritual
A.
John 4:24
B.
His
requirements are spiritual. (MB 46.3)
C.
Romans 7:6
2.
True
obedience includes the spirit
A.
Matthew
5:20
B.
How
righteous can a Pharisee get?
1)
Philippians
3:6
C.
Actions vs.
attitudes
1)
Do
not kill – Do not be angry
2)
Do
not commit adultery – Do not lust
D.
More than
merely outward compliance, obedience primarily matter of thoughts/
feelings.
3.
Closer
look at lust
A.
James
1:14-15
B.
In every
temptation and sin, lust is a key ingredient.
C.
Epithumia
– desire, craving, longing, especially for
what is forbidden (Strong’s Greek Dictionary)
D.
Romans 7:7
4.
What’s
the big deal about coveting?
A.
Keeping/breaking
done only in thoughts/feelings.
B.
God’s
requirements reach down to innermost desires.
5.
Paul’s
experience
A.
Philippians
3:6
B.
1
Corinthians 15:9
C.
1 Timothy
1:15
D.
Romans 7:9
6.
The
saints’ experience
A.
Revelation
14:12
B.
Romans
8:4-5
7.
The
nature of God’s law
A.
Matthew
22:37-40
B.
Romans
13:10
C.
The law is
simply the enunciation of the principle of love.
(MB 46.2)
1)
More
than just loving actions.
2)
More
than just loving choices.
D.
1 John 4:8
- God is love.
1)
Love
is a state of existence.
E.
More
than merely what we do,
God’s law primarily about what
we are.
8.
Are WE
love?
A.
If not, God
has it covered.
B.
Hebrews
10:16
1)
New
Covenant = keeping the law in our minds and hearts, thoughts and
feelings.
C.
2
Corinthians 5:17
D.
More than
merely modifying our behavior, God promises to transform our natures.
(DA
172.1)
9.
Implementing
God’s law
A.
State
1)
Except
for theocracies, the state has no business in legislating
God’s law.
2)
Example:
Nebuchadnezzar commanding all to worship God.
3)
It
can only control behavior.
B.
Employer
1)
Similar
to state.
2)
Even
denominational employment, only behavior management.
C.
Church
1)
Avoid
kingly power.
2)
Policies
enforcing “right” actions, without teaching
“right” principles.
3)
Romans
14:5
4)
Example:
Sing only from the hymnal.
D.
Family
1)
Easier
to wield kingly power
a)
Parents
stand in the place of God to their young children. (AH 293.1)
b)
5th
Commandment
2)
Goal
is still the transformation of character.
3)
Some
focus on “good” behavior instead of Christlike
character.
4)
Example:
Say you’re sorry.
E.
Individual
1)
When
tempted, how do we react?
2)
Retaliate,
repress, redeem.
3)
Proverbs
23:7
4)
Right
thoughts and feelings is the standard.
10. Roots
and fruits
A.
What
defines a tree?
B.
Matthew
7:20
C.
Actions are
the fruits.
1)
Proverbs
20:11
D.
Character –
thoughts/feelings – is root.
1)
Proverbs
4:23
11. God’s
requirements?
A.
Healthy
roots -> good fruits.
B.
We must
understand God’s plan.
C.
Take care
of the roots, the fruits will show it.
