Have I genuinely embraced spiritual maturity, or am I still living under the drives of spiritual infancy or willful carnality?

Dr. Lewis examines the essential difference between indwelling and control by the Holy Spirit, challenging believers to evaluate the authenticity of their faith. Using 1 Corinthians 3 and Romans 8, he differentiates between the “babe in Christ” (spiritually immature but growing) and the “carnal Christian” (willfully fleshly despite time invested in the faith). Through Scripture and a powerful personal testimony, he warns of the emotional emptiness—pain, numbness, and futility—that accompanies a spiritual walk dominated by the flesh. The message ends with a heartfelt appeal to pursue the “spiritual life”—marked by spiritual disciplines, transformation, and true peace—rather than settling for milk or stagnancy.

• I. Life in the Spirit vs. the Flesh (Romans 8:9–14)

  • Distinguishing believers by the presence of the Spirit.

  • The call to put sin to death and live as God’s children by the Spirit.

• II. Spiritual Infancy vs. Carnality (1 Corinthians 3:1–3)

  • Infants in Christ: Growing, learning, not yet spiritually mature.

  • Carnal Christians: Willfully controlled by the flesh, not progressing spiritually.

• III. The Inner Struggle: A Testimony

  • A young believer’s heartfelt confession of spiritual emptiness and conflict.

• IV. Maturity Through Discipline (Hebrews 5:12–14)

  • Moving from milk to meat requires practice, discipline, and spiritual training.

• V. Final Challenge (Romans 8:5–6)

  • Choosing between a mindset of the flesh (death) and a mindset of the Spirit (life and peace).

• True spiritual maturity is more than surviving—it’s being Spirit‑controlled, not just Spirit‑indwelt.

• Spiritual infancy is forgivable, but prolonged carnality reflects a serious choice of the flesh.

• Emotional and spiritual emptiness among believers can reveal deep internal conflict.

• God calls us to train our spiritual senses through disciplined practice and obedience.

• Peace, purpose, and transformation come when our minds are set on the Spirit, not the flesh.

• Romans 8:9–14 – Life in the Spirit vs. life in the flesh.

• 1 Corinthians 3:1–3 – The contrast between spiritual infancy and carnality.

• Hebrews 5:12–14 – The call to grow from spiritual milk to solid food.

• Romans 8:5–6 – The consequences of mindsets set on the flesh versus the Spirit.

Recorded 7/19/81

Have I truly experienced the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, or am I relying on tradition, emotion, or head knowledge to define my faith?

Summary

This message challenges believers to discern whether their faith is authentic by examining the presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives. While many claim Christianity by upbringing or verbal confession, true salvation is marked by the indwelling Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone illuminates Scripture, produces spiritual fruit, convicts of sin, and assures us of our relationship with God. Without Him, even the most disciplined religious life remains empty. Dr. Lewis concludes with a call to self-examination and surrender, emphasizing the Spirit-led life over rote religious practice.

• I. Introduction: Surface-Level Christianity

  • The Word of God cannot be fully grasped without the Spirit.

  • New believers often exhibit a spiritual hunger that signals true faith.

• II. A Testimony of Real Conversion

  • A man uninterested in church suddenly desires the Bible after salvation.

  • His hunger reflects the Holy Spirit’s work, not mere human curiosity.

• III. What Marks True Salvation?

  • Outward confession alone is not the biblical evidence of salvation.

  • Jesus did not trust all who claimed belief (John 2:23–25).

  • Nicodemus believed in Jesus but still lacked the Spirit (John 3:1–7).

• IV. The Holy Spirit: God’s Seal and Guide

  • The Spirit is God’s down payment and assurance of redemption (Ephesians 1:13–14).

  • The absence of the Spirit means one is not Christ’s (Romans 8:9).

  • The Spirit leads, confirms our adoption, and gives us intimacy with God (Romans 8:14–16).

• V. Counterfeit Faith Exposed

  • Cultural or passive faith can mimic genuine faith but lacks transformation.

  • True faith includes repentance, desire to know God, and fruit of the Spirit.

• VI. Academic Religion Without the Spirit

  • Even seminary or Bible teaching can become dead without the Spirit’s presence.

  • Intellectual pursuit does not equal spiritual transformation.

• VII. Final Call: Examine Yourselves

  • Paul calls believers to test whether they are truly in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5).

  • Signs of the Spirit include fruit, conviction, guidance, and internal witness.

• The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the clearest evidence of genuine salvation.

• Verbal confession or church involvement does not equal spiritual rebirth.

• Only the Spirit can bring Scripture to life and guide us into God's will.

• Intellectual knowledge without the Spirit leads to spiritual dryness and pride.

• Believers should regularly test their faith and examine whether spiritual fruit is evident.

• True Christian living flows from the Spirit, not performance or habit.

John 2:23–25 – Jesus did not entrust Himself to superficial believers.

John 3:1–7 – Nicodemus is told he must be born again by the Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13–14 – The Holy Spirit is the seal and pledge of our inheritance.

Romans 8:9 – Anyone without the Spirit does not belong to Christ.

Romans 8:14–16 – The Spirit leads and testifies that we are God’s children.

2 Corinthians 13:5 – Believers are commanded to examine themselves.

Galatians 5:22–23 – The fruit of the Spirit as the evidence of transformation.

1 Corinthians 2:10–16 – The Spirit reveals and interprets the deep things of God.

Recorded 6/28/81

Guiding Question What does it mean to "die to self," and why is it essential for experiencing the power of Christ in the Christian life?

Summary

This message centers on the theology of the cross—particularly the believer’s need to die to self in order to experience the resurrection life and power of Christ. Drawing from Paul’s letters to the Romans and Corinthians, the sermon emphasizes that surrender, not self-effort or religious performance, is the path to spiritual vitality. Through biblical exposition and a vivid personal story, Dr. Lewis argues that true Christian transformation occurs when we lay down our lives and live by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ.

Outline

I. The Theological Foundation (Romans 6:5–13)

• Believers are united with Christ in both His death and resurrection.

• “Consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God” (v. 11).

• Do not let sin reign in your mortal body; live free through Christ.

II. Paul’s Strategy in Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:1–5)

• Paul chose not to use clever speech or worldly philosophy.

• He focused solely on preaching “Christ and Him crucified.”

• Corinthian culture mirrors modern American culture—immoral, materialistic, prideful, yet spiritually empty.

III. The Cost of Discipleship (Mark 8:34–35)

• “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.”

• Resurrection life is not possible without first dying to self.

• Many desire God's blessings, but not at the expense of personal surrender.

IV. Illustration from Personal Experience

• A difficult trip to Israel revealed the limits of human strength and leadership.

• When the speaker finally surrendered to God amid exhaustion, he experienced supernatural peace and strength.

• The turning point came only after fully dying to self.

V. Paul’s Personal Struggle (2 Corinthians 4:7–12)

• Paul ministered in physical weakness, fear, and trembling.

• Despite suffering and persecution, he continued by dying daily to himself.

• His weakness became a vessel for Christ’s power and life to shine through.

VI. The Real Source of Power (1 Corinthians 2:5)

• Faith must rest not in human wisdom, but in the power of God.

• Christianity is not merely intellectual or theoretical—it is transformational.

Key Takeaways

1. You must die to self to live in Christ.

   • There is no spiritual power without surrendering your will.

2. Christian mediocrity often stems from self-centeredness.

   • We desire spiritual benefits without laying down our lives.

3. Resurrection power follows crucifixion.

   • We cannot know the power of Christ’s life without embracing His death.

4. Paul modeled this principle in weakness and suffering.

   • His effectiveness came from his daily crucifixion of self.

5. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness.

   • The end of self is the beginning of God's strength (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9).

Scriptural References

Romans 6:5–13 – United with Christ in death and life; dead to sin, alive to God.

Galatians 2:20 – “I have been crucified with Christ…”

Mark 8:34–35 – Take up your cross and follow Jesus.

1 Corinthians 2:1–5 – Paul’s preaching: not in wisdom, but in the power of God.

1 Corinthians 3:3 – “You are still fleshly…”

2 Corinthians 4:7–12 – Dying to self so Christ’s life may be revealed.

Galatians 4:13 – Paul preached due to illness, revealing physical weakness.

Recorded 6/21/81