The Christian and Indwelling Sin

Date: September 18^th, 2011
Text: Romans 7:14-25
Preached By: Pastor Van Morris
 

Main Idea: Every believer faces the presence of indwelling sin.

 

Introduction

What do you think might be your deepest, most abiding problem?  Do you see it as being outside of you or inside?

 

Sin Is a Law

So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. (Rom 7:21)

Paul speaks here of sin as a principle or power, as opposed to individual sinful acts.  The law of sin works like the law of gravity, in that it works to pull us in its direction.  Though Christ has overthrown sin’s rule, has weakened its power, and has even killed its root so that it cannot bear the fruit of eternal death in a believer, sin’s nature, purpose and presence remains.

 

For the Believer, the Presence of Indwelling Sin Leads to On-Going War

…but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. (Rom. 7:23)

Sin's goal is to pull the believer back into captivity.

Case Study: Consider the Apostle Peter who stumbled into the same sin again (Luke 22:54-62 and Galatians 2:11-14).

Due to the Presence of Indwelling Sin, the Believer Needs Daily Rescue

Our daily rescue comes as we walk by the Spirit (Ga. 5:16,25) and the Holy Spirit of grace produces in us a desire for God’s will that is stronger than our fleshly desires (Ezk. 36:26-27).

Application Questions

1.     In what ways do I experience the reality of indwelling sin in my life?  How do I experience the working of the Holy Spirit in opposition to sin in my life?

2.     As I read the two accounts of Peter’s succumbing to the captivating pull of sin, what do I see as the root sin or “idol” that accounts for his actions?  How would I pray for Peter if he were my friend?  What would I say to him if he came and told me what had happened?

3.     What might be one of the root sins in my life?  How is that sin out of step with the gospel?

4.     If the Christian life is to be viewed as an on-going war against indwelling sin, how should that effect the way I live my life?  How does my acceptance in Christ impact my view of this on-going war against sin?

5. How should my worship of God deepen through what I have learned today?

The Christian's Enemy Within

Date: September 11^th, 2011
Text: Romans 7:14-25
Title: The Christian’s Enemy Within (preached by Pastor Van Morris) 

Main Idea: In addition to the world and the devil, the Christian faces an enemy within – the flesh. 

Introduction

How do we account for the sinful things that people (Christian and non-Christian) do?

Our pre-Christian life and our post-Christian life are both a struggle.

Our pre-Christian life was a struggle against God; working against His purposes for us.

Our post-Christian life is a struggle between the Spirit and the enemy within – our flesh.

Identifying The Enemy Within

…but I am of the flesh… ~ Romans 7:14

The flesh is our unredeemed humanness; the bias or bent toward sin that we have from birth.

How Can Knowing This Help Us?

This will help us to face the Biblical realism of “indwelling sin” and the ongoing fight of faith; while at the same time enjoying the glorious rest that comes from God’s righteousness (acceptance) imputed to us in Jesus by faith alone.

What Must We Do?

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ~ Gal 5:16

Believers can live a godly life; one in which they acknowledge and repent of sin and submit themselves to the will and ways of God through the power that comes by the Holy Spirit.

Application Questions

1.     Paul says in verse 18 “I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”  How is this inner conflict apparent in my own life?

2.     How does being accepted by God through faith in Jesus help me deal with this inner conflict?  How does this lead me to worship God?

3.     What can I do to make repentance of sin a consistent part of my life? (1 John 1:9-10)

4.     Pastor Van said that walking by the Spirit is following the teachings found in the Bible, how should I read the Bible in light of this?

5.     How can I use the truths I’ve learned to help minister to others?