The War Within
I Am Convinced
Text: Romans 8:38-39 Opening: Did you know that many Christian theologians consider Romans the greatest book in the Bible? And many of those same people consider chapter eight, the greatest chapter in the greatest book. And guess what…Romans 8:38-39 are thought by many scholars to be the greatest verses in the greatest chapter in the greatest book –which is…
The War Within: 5 Questions
Text: Romans 8:31-37 Opening: For eight weeks now we’ve been studying Romans 7 & 8. We’ve talked about the war within us between the flesh and the Spirit. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot, including that God offers us salvation in Christ and then as we respond positively to His invitation, confirms that we’re saved from eternal death through…
Five Links in the Chain
The Three Groans of Suffering
Text: Romans 8:18-27 Opening: I’m feeling a little funny this morning, so I think I’ll try out a few jokes on you. Are you ready? (1) My son and I were driving in a car recently when a big bug suddenly splattered all over the windshield. Without missing a beat he said, “I bet he won’t have the guts to do that again.” (2) A neighbor stopped by…
Three Gifts of the Holy Spirit
Text: Romans 8:5-17 Opening: Since the last week of June, we’ve been looking at the struggle that Christians have with our fallen human nature, which we’ve learned, will never lead us to follow God’s holy standard as it is revealed in His law. Even if we try as hard as we can, we’ll always end up breaking it so long as we’re operating…
The Filling of the Spirit
No Condemnation
Text: Romans 8:1-4 Opening: A little over a month ago on June 8, 2018, celebrity chef, writer, and TV personality Anthony Bourdain, who wore a tattoo on his arm that read in ancient Greek, “I am certain of nothing,” tragically committed suicide at the age of 61. In an interview for Men’s Journal from 2014, Bourdain (a self-described hedonist who…
Our Struggle with Sin
Text: Romans 7:14-25 Opening: For the last two weeks we’ve talked about the war within believers that the Apostle Paul describes in Romans 7. We started by considering the difference between being married to the law and married to Christ. God’s law, according to Paul, is perfectly righteous and good but unfortunately it sets a standard that none of us can live…
Why Do We Need the Law?
Text: Romans 7:7-13 Opening: Why does the temptation to sin seem to be such an irresistible urge? Often it’s as if we’re powerless against it. Of course, if we’re not tempted by a particular sin (say stealing), it’s not that hard to say no to it. But when we encounter a desire forbidden by God that really appeals to us, we have a hard time passing…
Married To Christ
Text: Romans 7:1-6 Opening: This morning I want to begin a two month preaching series on Romans chapters seven and eight called “The War Within.” Now, obviously, this title implies that Christians can be conflicted when it comes to our choices and behaviors. We often know the right thing to do but for some reason struggle to do it. It reminds me of the old…