Romans, Part 21 Series

Romans, Part 21

Romans 7:7-25

Introduction

- Romans 7:4 – key point of bearing fruit …

- 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

- 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

- Today, we are going to talk honestly about sin’s struggles; lots of scripture

- I’ll also share some insight regarding our future tasks in this battle

- Read Romans 7:7-25 / Pray

Point 1 – How are we to live? (7-12)

- Paul’s declaration is clear: We are NO LONGER under the bondage of sin

- The Law clarified for us what is sin, and it is what we are freed from today

- APP: If we live a life bound to sin – to who is it that we blame?

- If Christ has already died, and given us freedom, why do we continue to sin?

- However, because of sin’s power and appeal to the flesh, we often battle it

- What sin does is rise up in us and seize opportunity of weaknesses (daily)

-- It is not because God is mad at us, not because God rejects us

-- But because of who we are and how we are made that sin causes struggle in us

Point 2 – Sin is always to blame; God’s Law isn’t (13-20)

- (13) Sin is always going to be the guilty party; it is never going to be the Law

- When the Law shows us who we are, it is then that we have a choice

-- It’s the same choice we have right now – to obey or not to obey

- Sin not only works through evil, but something good as the Law can be twisted

- Think for a moment of the Crusades our faith went through; brought death!

- There was no glory in it; no honor for God; no lifting up Jesus; no salvation

- It was just war after war and death after death using Jesus as the reason!

- IMP: Christ has come to give us life; He never came to bring us death

- Yet, we have this perfect example of sin being used to warp what God says

- APP: This is why we MUST read, study, know the Word of God!

- (19) Paul says that he wants to do good, but even knowing he still sins

- KEY: There is good news coming so hang tight with me through this part

- A slave cannot act upon his own will; he is bound to the Master’s control

- No matter what he “wants” to do, it is of no good because the Master rules

-- CHALLENGE: When your master pulls the chain, what is your response?

You see, no matter how much Paul delights in what God says; he still sins

- No matter how much he desires to follow; he admits his flesh is weak

- But, this is NOT permission for you and me to signal defeat – not at all!

- TRANS: When we understand ourselves, we are then prepared for the fight

Point 3 – We are in a fight (21-25)

- No matter what Paul wanted to do, he understood that evil was with him always

- APP: This is what you and I must grasp right now, today … and not be defeated

-- It is challenging, it is not always easy, but how worth it is to you?

-- How worth it would it be to live a life for Jesus and proclaim Him to all?

- Sometimes we have to just confess who we are (see verses 24-25)

- It is not about us, no matter what we go through; life is about God’s glory

- Who will rescue me? Who will protect me? Who lives in me? It’s only Jesus!

-- What can wash away your sin? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

- We must control our minds and be slaves to Christ; but identify what sin is

- It is powerful; it is the weapon of our enemy; however it is defeated by Christ!

- TRANS: So, where do we go from here?

Point 4 – What’s Next?

- This past week was an incredibly eye opening experience for me

- Hearing from other Pastors really showed me something about our church today

- This related directly to what we are talking about this morning – battling sin!