Guided Question

How firmly is your spiritual foundation built on Jesus Christ, and are you living according to the biblical blueprint for faith and maturity?

Summary

This sermon focuses on the foundational truth of the Christian faith as laid out in Galatians 1, emphasizing that the gospel Paul preached came directly by revelation from Jesus Christ and is not based on human opinion or cultural trends. True spiritual life and maturity start with a personal response to who Jesus is—His death, resurrection, and role as the only hope for eternal life. The church must continually return to this foundation to avoid spiritual decline and carnality. Believers are called to build carefully on this foundation with faithfulness to biblical truth, knowing that their works will be tested by God’s judgment and rewarded accordingly. Every believer’s daily choices have eternal significance, and spiritual growth requires intentional attention to Scripture and God’s revealed will.

1. Introduction: The Gospel’s Divine Origin (Galatians 1:11-12)

   • Paul received the gospel through revelation, not from man.

   • The gospel foundation is Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

2. The Foundational Question: How Do You Become a Christian?

   • Many have incorrect or incomplete answers.

   • True salvation is a personal response to Jesus Christ.

3. The Danger of Substituting Works for the Savior (Galatians 1:6)

   • Churches and individuals can drift away from the gospel.

   • The foundation must be clearly understood and continually emphasized.

4. The Need to Follow the Biblical Blueprint Carefully (Galatians 1:10)

   • Spiritual maturity is built on biblical revelation, not cultural ideas or feelings.

   • Don’t “exceed what is written.”

5. Divine Evaluation and Eternal Rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)

   • Believers’ works will be tested by fire; only those built on Christ will remain.

   • Rewards vary based on faithfulness.

   • A warning against focusing on temporary or worldly things.

6. Conclusion: Self-Examination and Commitment

   • Are you focused on the foundation?

   • Are you committed to living by God’s word and serving others?

   • Be aware of the coming divine evaluation and live accordingly.

• The gospel is not man-made but received directly through Jesus Christ’s revelation.

• Salvation and spiritual life start with a personal trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection as the only hope.

• Many misconceptions about becoming a Christian do not address this foundational truth.

• Churches and believers can become spiritually lifeless when they replace the gospel with works or cultural norms.

• Spiritual growth requires disciplined adherence to Scripture and biblical principles.

• God will judge the quality of each believer’s work, and eternal rewards will vary.

• Daily life and choices have eternal significance—faithfulness matters.

• Self-examination is vital: Are you building your life on Christ’s foundation?

• Galatians 1:10-12 — The gospel received by revelation, not from man.

• Galatians 1:6 — Warning against deserting the gospel for another.

• Galatians 2:2 — Paul’s focus on “Christ Jesus and Him crucified.”

• 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 — The divine evaluation of each believer’s works.

• Romans 10:17 — “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Implied in the sermon)

• Revelation 1:14 — Reference to Christ’s eyes like flames of fire in judgment.

Recorded 8/16/81

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