Romans, Part 20 Series

Romans, Part 20

Romans 7:1-6

Introduction

- Romans 6:23 recap …

- The pleasure and profit of sin do not deserve to be called fruit

- Sinners are ones who continuously repeat the same negative actions.

- Shame came into the world with sin, and is still the certain effect of it linger on

- The end of sin is death

- Though sin may seem appealing; the end is constantly bitter, and so …

- From this condemnation the believer is set at liberty, when made free from sin

- The gift of God is eternal life

- And this gift is through Jesus Christ our Lord

- Christ purchased it, prepared it, prepares us for it, preserves us to it; he is the All in all in our salvation

- Read Romans 7:1- 6 / Pray

Point 1 – Dead to the Law (1-3)

- Paul is picturing himself as one who desires (wants) to live righteously

-- His desire to live righteously is forever on his mind; hence his calling to teach

- Romans 7 gives us a very unique insight to humans; to our current condition

- Prayerfully, these few verses will give us additional insight into our own witness

- APP: We are going through Romans to be able to proclaim Christ to others

- Prayerfully, the Lord has been teaching us and speaking to each on this very issue

- If we are free from sin – we now have a very important confession to realize

- You and I – and all sinners who’ve confessed Christ – are now DEAD to the Law

- We not only have no more bonds to sin, but the Law is behind us as well

- Another way: If we are no longer alive to ourselves, then we are dead to SIN!

- Interestingly enough, Paul uses the act of marriage to identify this for us

-- Why? Romans 6:19 – Using human explanations we can grasp and apply

- Understandably, the marriage covenant is broken if one of the spouses dies;

- But his explanation is to bring us to a better understanding of who we are

- All things are temporary; even our lives; but to God we should be focused forever

- The death to sin, and our fellowship in that, happened only at the cross

- Galatians 2:19-20, “For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

- Since we are eternally joined to Christ, He becomes the husband of the bride

- VERY IMP: Our loyalty must always be to Jesus; and then everything else

- TRANS: So, if we are no longer bonded to sin; what shall we do now?

Point 2 – Bearing Fruit (4-6)

- Notice in verse 4 the use of the term “bear fruit”; very central theme in Bible

- Genesis 1:28, “God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

- Go to John 15:1-4 – (Expound on fruit, responsibility, who’s in charge, etc.)

- Bearing fruit has been commanded since the very beginning, and it’s our mission

- We spent so much time bearing fruit for the world that we need to look spiritually

- Paul reminds us that we are to die to what used to control us

- That is, to put off the things of this world and focus only on Kingdom issues

- This will raise up in us a newness of Spirit, and allow us to serve Christ

- Not in the old ways (animal sacrifice, Law, etc.) – but persevering for Him

Conclusion

- All that separates us from living a life for God and today is our current choices

- Will we take the time to repent, and focus on Him; or live the way we are

- The sinful natures are gone; and a new life has been given to all of us

- Pray