Sermon Central
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Romans, Part 20 Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Feb 25, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: Romans 7 gives us a unique insight into human beings. Using very simple terms such as marriage, Paul addresses the fact that our loyalty must be to Christ, for nothing else lasts forever.
Romans, Part 20
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
