1. We somewhat covered this last week, however we want to take a deeper look at it tonight.

2. The word "Mortify" means to put to death and the word "members" does mean your members, however this is used in a metaphorical way. It does not mean to cut off parts of your body.

3. A closer definition would be to deprive sin of its power over your body and to destroy its strength over you.

4. We remember Paul had told us Colossians 2:11 "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:"

5. This is not a positive message however it is a powerful message. So many today desire positive messages however negative messages are what teaches the Christian to walk a straight line in life.

6. Paul also told us in Romans 6:11 "Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord." Reckon means to "take an inventory" to make sure sin is dead in your life.

7. This reminds us of Matthew 5:29-30 "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (30.) And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." The Lord never meant to do your body members harm because even if you did it would not justify your soul.

1. Paul not only tells us not to sin but gives us a list, why the list? I believe it is because they are the "top list" of sins. Sin is sin and no sin is acceptable with God. Just because they are not listed does not mean they are any less harmful.

2. "Fornication" – The Greek word here is porneia pronounced por-ni'-ah and means harlotry. This Greek word comes from the Greek word porneuo pronounced porn-yoo'-o which means to act like a harlot, that is, (literally) indulge in unlawful lust (of either sex), or (figuratively) practice idolatry"

3. "Uncleanness" - impurity (the quality), physically or morally - John Gill defined it this way "all other impure actions, as adultery, incest, sodomy, and every other unnatural lust; all which should be abstained from, and never committed by those who profess to be alive unto God."

4. "Inordinate Affection" - " uncontrolled passion or lust." – Adam Clark defined it "Unnatural and degrading passion; bestial lusts." This would include Homosexuality. Romans 1:26-27 "For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (27.) And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet."

5. "Evil Concupiscence" – Means "evil passions" Sin starts in the heart or it is first a passion. The Lord explains in Matthew 5:28 "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." This is a more desire of the eye.

6. "And Covetousness, which is Idolatry" – This is putting money before God or making money their God. Breaking the two word down Covetousness means greediness now notice Paul said "which is" inasmuch as it is Idolatry which means image worship. Together they mean making money their God. 1 Timothy 6:10 "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

1. God is angry with such persons, and he inflicts on them the punishment which they deserve.

2. While God is speaking here about the lost or the world let’s not loose site of what Paul started with here V. 5a "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth;"

3. Ephesians 5:6 "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience."