DEEPER

DEEPERJohn 3:1-7

John 3:7“Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You

must be born again.’”

Vast majority of Americans consider themselves to be “spiritual” 65% rarely or never pray 65% rarely or never attend church 67% don’t read the Bible Most consider selves to be “spiritual”

simply because they are interested in spiritual topics

1 John 4:1Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many

false prophets have gone out into the world.

Mankind was created to be a spiritual being Genesis 2:7 – …man became a

living soul (nephesh) Hebrews 4:12 – …division of the

soul and spirit… 1 Thessalonians 5:23 – …may

your whole spirit, soul and body be persevered…

Body, Soul & Spirit The BODY is the physical,

material person that houses the soul/spirit

The SOUL is the life-giving, intelligent, conscious person that gives us self awareness and world consciousness

The SPIRIT is that part of us that connects us to God and enables us to interact with Him on an intimate level

John 4:24

Man is primarily a spirit being “You don’t have a soul. You are a

soul. You have a body.” – CS Lewis

We are more spirit than we are body just as our body is more water than it is flesh.

Just as our body thirsts for water, so does our soul thirst for the spiritual

The Crisis at Creation Genesis 2:15-17 Ezekiel 18:4 When man sinned, it resulted in

“spiritual death” which is separation from God.

This “spiritual death” spread to all mankind (Romans 5:12)

The result is a mankind that longs for a connection with the spiritual / supernatural

Humanity’s Spiritual Delusion Without a relationship with

Christ, mankind will settle for “spiritual substitutes” (junk food)

Matthew 22:29 – You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God!

Left to ourselves, mankind is prone to make some very serious mistakes regarding “spirituality.”

Warnings against Spiritual Deception Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Leviticus 20:6

Warnings against Spiritual Deception Divination is attempting to gain

knowledge or foretell the future through supernatural means

Witchcraft (sorcery) is using supernatural means to change or control people or circumstances

Warnings against Spiritual Deception Leviticus 19:31 2 Corinthians 11:14-15 2 Corinthians 4:4

Warnings against Spiritual Deception Modern Idolatry says, “God isn’t

‘out there.’ God is a force within me. God is my own higher consciousness.”

Modern Idolatry says, “Going ‘deeper’ means becoming more ‘in tune’ with the god within.”

Colossians 2:8-10Beware lest anyone cheat you through

philosophy and empty deceit, according to the

tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to

Christ

Born Again “Born from above” When God imparts spiritual life to

a person who believers When God reconnects His Spirit

with our “dead” spirit to reunite us in living relationship with Him.

1 Peter 1:3 John 1:13 Ephesians 2:1-5 John 4:13-14

DEEPER