What is your highest desire?

Ro 6:1    What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2  God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

7  For he that is dead is freed from sin.

8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:

9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him

Introduction:

1 Co 5:1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.

Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Are Christians supposed to be different than the world?

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

1. Different in perception and world views
2. Sees problems as opportunities
3. Has compassion on hurting people (Good Samaritan)
4. Sees the role of a servant for God being of the highest honor
5. Not looking for what can be gained but what can be given
6. Thinks in the terms of eternity (spiritually) not in the present (materialistic)
7. Is at peace with and happy with self
8. Strives to achieve the goal of the high calling of God and be better every day
9. Different in attitude

Pr 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

1 Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

1 Pet 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

III. Different in actions

Mt 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

1 Co 8:13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

Gal 6:1   Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2  Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

1. Different in desires

2 Co 4:18  While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal

Conclusion: A real Christian does not want to see how far away from God he can be, but rather how close he can be to Him

James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.