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MATTHEW 5:29,30

"MORTIFICATION OF SIN"

I. WHAT IS MEANT BY "IF THY RIGHT EYE OFFEND THEE."
        A. Some think that Jesus answering objections.
                1. Sin is really of the heart, but my eye leads to sin, because I see I am
                   tempted.
                2. If you pluck out right eye you still have left.
        B. Lord teaching horrible nature of sin and its consequences.
                The importance of dealing with sin and getting rid of it.
                1. He says in effect,  "If the most precious thing you have is the cause of
                   sin, get rid of it."

II. HOW ARE WE TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM OF SIN? NOT JUST CERTAIN ACTS BUT POLLUTION OF HEART.
        A. Realize nature of sin and its consequences.
                1. Inadequate view of sin chief cause of lack of holiness.
                2. Must consider sin as well as sins.
                        a. To many times catalog of actions.
                3. Think of Palm Sunday.
        B. Realize importance of soul and its destiny,  "It is profitable for thee that one 
           of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into
           hell."
                1. There are things in your life that might be good, right and profitable, but
                   if they lead you to sin-get rid of them.
                2. Don't let anything come between our fellowship.
                3. Everything must be subservient to destiny of soul.
                4. The most important thing in this life is to prepare yourself for eternity.
                5. To many over concerned with this life not enough concerned with eternity.
        C. We must hate sin and do all we can to destroy it within ourselves.
                1. "Ye that love the Lord, hate evil."
        D. Realize that the ideal is to have pure and clean heart.
                1. Not just to be free from certain actions.
                2. Blessed are the pure in heart.
                3. Our standards must  be positive.
                4. Ambition should be to have a heart that never knows hatred, bitterness,
                   jealousy, envy, spite, but is full of love.
        E. The importance of the mortification of sin.
                1. Rom. 8:13 - "If ye live after the flesh ye shall die, but if ye by the 
                   spirit do mortify."
                2. I Cor. 9:27 - "I keep under my body and bring it into subjection.
                3. "Make no provision for the flesh." 
                4. These are things we must do.

III. HOW DO WE DO IT?
        A. We must never "feed" the flesh. "Make no provision for the flesh." 
                1. There is a fire within you never bring oil near it.
        B. We should feed the spirit.
                1. Watch and pray.
                2. If Paul found it necessary to pray without ceasing.
                3. Realize price paid to redeem us.
                4. Realize absolute need of Holy Spirit.