Carnality on SermonAudio

The sermon examines 1 Corinthians 13 within its original context of correcting the Corinthian church's carnal obsession with spiritual gifts. It argues that love is the essential motivation for all Christian service, rendering even the most impressive gifts and sacrifices meaningless if exercised without it. The preacher outlines the preeminence, portrait, and permanence of agape love, contrasting its enduring nature with the temporary character of revelatory gifts like tongues and prophecy. By defining love through its positive attributes and negative exclusions, the message challenges believers to prioritize Christ-like character over spiritual prowess. Ultimately, the teaching asserts that true spirituality is measured by the presence of divine love rather than the display of miraculous abilities.

Midweek Service – July 15, 2026

We sought to be faithful to God, and now a dark cloud hides Him from us. We find it difficult, yea, impossible, for carnal reason to harmonize His frowning providence with His gracious promises. Ah, faltering soul, severely tried fellow pilgrim, seek grace to heed Isaiah 50:10, "Who is among you that feareth the LORD, that obeyeth the voice of His servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God.

We have all blessings in Christ, but they are spiritual and not carnal. Looking unto the world will darken our view of what we truly have in heavenly places in Christ.

The sermon categorizes believers into three distinct types based on the condition of their spiritual lives, using the metaphor of fire on an altar. The carnal Christian is governed by fleshly desires and worldly patterns, while the casual Christian operates out of convenience and indifference to spiritual growth. In contrast, the committed Christian chooses to follow Christ above all else, mirroring the Apostle Paul's dedication despite personal cost. The preacher urges listeners to examine their hearts, reject lukewarmness, and actively tend to the fire of their faith through daily devotion and reliance on the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, the message calls for a decisive commitment to living a Spirit-led life rather than remaining stuck in sin or apathy.

The sermon examines the nature of carnality, defining it as a state where the soul is controlled by external pressures and fleshly lusts rather than the internal guidance of the Spirit. It contrasts the spiritual life, which flows from the inside out through submission to God's Word, with the carnal life, which reacts to outside influences like the world, the devil, and the flesh. Pastor Friesen emphasizes that resisting Satan is impossible without first submitting to God and living by the faith of Christ rather than one's own limited faith. True fellowship with God requires walking in the light through obedience, allowing the blood of Jesus to continuously cleanse the soul from sin. Ultimately, believers are called to reject immediate temporal relief for long-term spiritual integrity, ensuring their joy is full and their lives are aligned with divine truth.

John Flavel in the 5th Volume of his Works begins on Page 437 and continues to Page 494 in relating 12 Cases in which a Christian may keep his own heart under many different situations. In our previous Sessions we have looked at Cases 1 and 2 . Case 1 – How a Christian may keep his heart from pride and carnal security, under the smiles of providence, and constancy of creature-comforts. And Case 2 – How a Christian under great afflictions may keep his heart from repining, or desponding under the hand of God? Under this 2nd Case he gives us nine special helps. (We have looked at 6 special helps under this 2nd Case) Tonight I will attempt to go through helps 7 & 8. Help # 7 says – Again, It may stay your heart, if you will consider that in these troubles, God is about that work which you saw the design of it, your soul would rejoice. Help # 8 – Farther, It would much conduce to the settlement of your hearts, to consider, That by fretting and discontent, you do yourselves more injury than all the afflictions you lie under could do; your own discontent is that which arms your troubles with a sting; it is you that make your burden heavy, by struggling under it.

In this second part of the series, we deal with the importance of knowing what you believe and why. We also focus on the importance of biblical separation from carnality. We are to be a spiritual people and not a carnal people. If you are not carnal in your mind, you will not be carnal in your deeds.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.