Must I Continue To Struggle?

I usually like to start my sermons with a nice introduction that captures the audience’s attention. I like to paint a contemporary picture that helps you relate to and connect with the biblical pericope. But this morning, can we get down to the heart of the matter? Can you pull up your chair and let’s rap-a-taste? Is there anyone in here who would like to open up your heart; lay the cards on the table and be honest with yourself? Well, if nobody wants to make the first move let me throw out this question for you to ponder. Are you tired of struggling with sin?

(Ughh) I think I just might have messed up because I said the “S” word. I haven’t been two minutes into the sermon and I think about 46 people just tuned me out. If I was preaching at Lakewood Church in Houston, this would probably be my last sermon. Let me see if I can make the atmosphere a little more comfortable. Paul said in the third chapter of Romans that all have sinned (past tense) and fall short (present tense) of the glory of God. Some people like to replace the word “all”, with “ya’ll”. But the Bible says, “All” have sinned. This means that you and me have sinned and will miss the mark falling short of God’s glory. I hope I have everybody back on board since we’re all in the same boat.

Now back to the question at hand, are you tired of struggling with sin? I mean who’s tired of satan winning the majority of the battles in your life? Who’s been praying for deliverance, but yet you find yourself stumbling over the same sins over and over again? Is there anybody who feels like Donnie McClurkin’s song, “We Fall Down” has been scratched and reversed by the DJ and it never gets to the part that says, “But we get up?”

• Do you ever feel like life is a game of tug-a-war, but you always find yourself falling flat on your bottom? Does it feel like weeping endures night after night after night, and you never find that joy in the morning?

Can I get a witness or am I standing in this line all by myself? I just want to know if anybody ever finds themselves asking the question must I continue to struggle. This is the question placed before us on this morning, and it is the question that we are seeking to answer as we live in what we call the Christian life.

Must I continue to struggle? This isn’t a 21st century question, but in our text Paul finds himself in spiritual warfare that I’m sure led him to ask similar questions if not the same question. This letter where we find Paul’s struggle was written to the Roman Church to teach them Christian doctrines, and show them how to apply God’s Word to their lives. Paul had a great desire to visit the church in Rome, but in the meantime he just wanted them to know what he stood for and who he represented.

Paul had a very interesting life, before his name change from Saul to Paul; he was the grim reaper that fought against the church. He had no idea that God was behind the establishment of the church, therefore he tried to destroy the will of God. How many of you know that no matter what God’s will is, you can’t do anything to prevent it from coming to past?

• Maybe this is a word for somebody who feels like the man or woman is out to get you and hold you back from reaching your goals. If God has willed it in your life then you don’t have to worry because it will be so.

But in this text we find Paul who has been converted and changed by Jesus Christ. He’s a Christian and a prisoner of the Lord. And although Paul had given his life to Christ, he found himself struggling with sin. Can I bring it a little closer to home? Even though Paul walked down the aisle and gave the preacher his hand and his heart to God, was baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, attended 8 & 11:00 worship service, went to Bible study on Wednesday, sung in the choir, served on the usher board, preached from the pulpit, he still found himself struggling with sin. Holla if you hear me.

You would think that being a Christian exempts us from the battle with sin, that working for the Lord keeps the hell hounds off your track. But this kind of thinking is why some have decided that the Christian life isn’t for them. Being a Christian doesn’t keep satan from attacking you, as a matter of fact, becoming a Christian marks the moment in your life that real fight has just begun.