B.  Many people, including myself, are/have been confused about spirituality.  
             (WHAT IS IT?)

       C.  So many interpretations of "spiritual" leave many of us torn and confused.

       D.  We often feel cheated or that we are cheating God because of not being 
             "spiritual" enough.

       E.  This is a matter where we must find peace.

       F.  In this lesson, let's look at this term "spiritual" and see what we can learn
            about it in order to find out "Who Is The Spiritual Man."  We will see:

            1.  Definition of the term spiritual

            2.  What is not necessarily spiritual

            3.  Discovering "Who Is The Spiritual Man"
 

   I.  THE DEFINITION

       A.  SPIRITUAL - is exclusively a Christian concept

            1.  OT usage translated it "inspired man" - Hosea 9:7

       B.  Two words to consider:  "Natural" and "Spiritual"

            1.  Spiritual - anything directly related to heaven's realm.

            2.  Natural - anything directly related to the earth's realm.

       C.  EXEGETE  II Cor. 2:14-16 - (mind perspective)

       D.  "He who is spiritual" is one whose life is essentially controlled by heaven's
             realm --- God's Word!!!

  II.  WHAT DOES NOT NECESSARILY CONSTITUTE A SPIRITUAL MAN?

       A.  Super-natural gifts were by no means marks of spirituality

            1.  Samson - (Judges 13-16) - [many of the judges]

            2.  Balaam - (Numbers 22-25; 31:8, 16)  [prophet]

            3.  Aaron - (Ex. 32; Num. 12) - [priest]

            4.  Corinthian church (most gifted) were the most unspiritual

            5.  Spiritual gifts were in fact a hindrance to true spirituality.

                 a.  II Cor. 12:7

                 b.  I Cor. 13:11 - ( a positive hindrance)

       B.  Religious talk is not necessarily a mark of spirituality

            1.  Matt. 7:21

            2.  Romans 16:17-18

       C.  Vast Bible knowledge does not necessarily constitute one who is spiritual

            1.  Scribes and the Pharisees

            2.  I Cor. 1:5 - had knowledge but -  8:1

       D.  Religious zeal and enthusiasm does not necessarily indicate spirituality

            1.  Romans 10:2

            2.  Gal. 1:13-14

       E.  Orthodoxy is by no means an assurance of spirituality

            1.  Isaiah 1:10-20

            2.  Rev. 3:14-22

       F.  Preeminently, contrary to much modern thinking, being spiritual does not
            mean living on an emotional high!

            1.  Matt. 5:1-12 - to the contrary

            2.  II Cor. 1:3-11 - [where is the high?]

            3.  II Cor. 11:23-33 - [where is the high?]

            4.  II Cor. 12:7-10 - [where is the high?]

      G.  Spirituality is developed and matured by walking through the valley of 
              suffering... not on the mountains of ecstasy.

 III.  DISCOVERING THE SPIRITUAL MAN

       A.  Remember our definition:  A spiritual person is one whose life is essentially 
             controlled by the heavenly realm... God's desire!  God's Word!  God's Way!

       B.  A spiritual person deeply respects the Word of God

            1.  Matt. 10:34-39

            2.  Above family, friends, religion, men, or feelings

       C.  A spiritual person faces life like it is... like God said it would be... without 
             complaint.

            1.  John 16:33 - "...in the world you will have tribulation, but be of good
                 cheer..."

            2.  Mark 10:29-30

            3.  II Tim. 3:12

            4.  Col. 1:24; 2:8

       D.  A spiritual person?

            1.  That mother up late at night with a sick baby praying for strength and 
                  patience... health

                  a.  II Kings 4:1-7

            2.  That husband with a difficult wife but for Christ hangs in there.

                  a.  Hosea - witch for a wife

            3.  That couple in a small negative congregation refusing to quit ...
                 determined to be a good influence.

                  a.  Rev. 3:4

                  b.  Add: good church - Rev. 3:7-13

                  4.  That wife with a non Christian husband who in spite of a broken heart 
                        lives for Jesus.

                        a.  I Peter 3:1-2

                   5.  That person who works under very difficult circumstances who
                        refuses to let the situation make his life miserable.

                         a.  Daniel

                   6.  That person who is tired but still makes that visit to old person for
                        Jesus.

                         a.  Matt. 25:34ff

                   7.  That person who is suffering ill health and even without improvement 
                         deeply trusts God.

                         a.  job 13:15

                   8.  That couple about to lose everything yet praying to God to be made 
                         better and wiser for the experience.. believing it will be good in spite
                         of their failures

                         a.  Romans 8:28

                         b.  or hopelessness - II Kings 4:1-7

                   9.  Spiritual is learning to say "I'm sorry;" or it is asking for help to save a 
                         marriage; or it is refusing to listen to gossip; or it is cleaning a house;
                         or it is studying hard; it is doing anything for Jesus!!!

                         a.  Col. 3:17

                  10.  Spiritual is that family where God is the center... not in a spectacular 
                          way... but naturally.

                          a.  Deut. 6:1-9

                          b.  Eph. 6:1-4

                   11.  Spiritual is that one who loves God and His people... not just the
                           good ones.

                           a.  I John 3:10-23

                   12.  He is spiritual who is just a weak human being struggling to please 
                          Jesus ... knowing that he will never know full satisfaction this side of 
                           heaven.

                           a.  I John 3:13

   CONCLUSION: