You Are Not Your Own

Summary

The evening opened in Romans 6 with a reminder that we were buried with Christ in baptism so that we might walk in newness of life. The first message centered on desire. Drawing on Daniel, called a man of desires and greatly beloved, the preacher showed how Daniel set his heart, sought understanding, and humbled himself before God, and how through his intercession God's purposes were accomplished. Our desires are not random; they flow from our thoughts, and they can be godly or fleshly.

James warns that each person is tempted by his own craving, which conceives sin, and sin gives birth to death. Cain's jealousy, Esau trading his birthright for a meal, and a sobering encounter with a man bound by torment after sin all showed where unchecked appetite leads, while Jesus alone heals and sets free. We can restrain our desires, for all things are lawful, but nothing should master us.

The second message turned to the words, render to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. The coin bears Caesar's image, so it belongs to him; we bear God's image, so we belong to God. Our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit; we are not our own, but bought with the blood of Christ. As a chosen people and a royal priesthood, we are strangers and pilgrims here, citizens of heaven called to live differently so that others, seeing our conduct, will glorify God.

Key Points

• In baptism we were buried with Christ to walk in newness of life
• Our desires flow from our thoughts, so guard the mind and the desire follows
• Like Daniel, set your heart, seek understanding, and humble yourself before God
• Unchecked craving conceives sin, and sin gives birth to death
• The coin bears Caesar's image; you bear God's, so you belong to God
• Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and you are not your own
• Live as a stranger and pilgrim, a citizen of heaven, so others glorify God