Romans 7
The sermon highlights the contrast between a self-centered life (Romans 7) and a spirit-dominated life (Romans 8).
This sermon emphasizes the journey from spiritual infancy to maturity, highlighting the struggle with carnality, temper, criticism, unkindness, and self-centeredness. It contrasts a self-centered life in Romans 7 with a spirit-dominated life in Romans 8, symbolizing a shift from bondage and sorrow to victory and freedom in Christ.
Full Transcript
This is the most devastating thing of all, I think, on this level of spiritual infancy. Well, that's what some of us try to do. You know, I don't think I'll be as carnal next year as I've been this year.
I don't think I'll be as, you know, as touching. I think I'll grow up next year. I don't think my temper will be as bad.
I don't think I'll be as critical. I don't think I'll be as unkind. I don't think I'll be, you know, so feeble in my prayer life.
I don't think I'll be so self-centered. Again, read Romans 7. It's self-centered. Nineteen times, I, I, I. Go into, and then go through the same chapter and count how many times the Holy Spirit is mentioned.
He's not mentioned once. Why? Because it's a self-centered life. And you go into Romans chapter 8, a victorious life.
Romans 7 is a funeral march. Romans 8 is a wedding march. Romans 8, 7 is bondage.
Romans 8, Paul's singing out of my bondage, sorrow, Jesus I come. Romans 7, 7, 31 times, I, I, I. Romans 8, I only twice, when he says I reckon and I am persuaded. But 19 times the Holy Spirit is mentioned because it's a spirit-dominated life in chapter 8.
Sermon Outline
- The Problem of Spiritual Infancy
- The Contrast Between Romans 7 and 8
- The Importance of the Holy Spirit
- The Carnal Nature of the Flesh
- The Futility of Resolving to Change
- Romans 7: A Self-Centered Life
- Romans 8: A Spirit-Dominated Life
- The Holy Spirit's Role in a Victorious Life
Key Quotes
“Romans 7 is a funeral march. Romans 8 is a wedding march.” — Leonard Ravenhill
“Romans 7, 7, 31 times, I, I, I. Romans 8, I only twice, when he says I reckon and I am persuaded.” — Leonard Ravenhill
Application Points
- We must recognize the futility of trying to change our behavior on our own and instead rely on the Holy Spirit.
- A spirit-dominated life is characterized by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
- We must choose to live a life that is surrendered to the Holy Spirit, rather than trying to control our own lives.