Series: God In Us Part 1: The Reflective Life
Sermon Text: Romans 7:15-25a
Pastor Josh Kleinfeld
ROMANS 7:15-25a
15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[a] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!
WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE WILL COME OUT
Memory Verse:
“And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.”
Romans 8:11
LIKE A BOAT SHIFTING DIRECTION, HEART CHANGE IS IMMEDIATE BUT NOT ALWAYS IMMEDIATELY NOTICEABLE
HOW DO WE SUSTAIN SPIRITUAL FERVOR?
HOW DO WE MAINTAIN TRANSFORMATION OVER TIME?
PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13
continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works IN YOU to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.
So, how do we work out our salvation? How do we work with God to stop doing what we don’t want to do and start doing what we know we should do?
GET REFLECTIVE
REFLECT ON WHAT JESUS HAS DONE
a. Learn from Jesus Himself! (Matthew 11:27-30)
REFLECT ON WHAT YOU HAVE DONE (GO BACKWARD TO GO FORWARD)
AIM AT REFLECTING JESUS IN ALL YOU DO
SUGGESTION FOR YOUR GROWTH PLAN
DO A DAILY EVENING REFLECTION (AKA DAILY EXAMEN)
Follow the evening devotion on the Lection365 Prayer App or use the following as a guide
Step 1: ASK FOR GUIDANCE
“Search me, God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23)
Ask God for help to pray and remember the day.
Step 2: GIVE THANKS
I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart;
I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. (Psalm 9:1)
Take a minute thanking God for the good things of your day.
Step 3: REVIEW THE DAY
“I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” (God in Psalm 32:8)
Look over your day with God’s loving guidance.
Where did you feel near or distant to God or others?
Were you overwhelmed or underprepared, bored or anxious?
When did you succeed or stumble?
Step 4: REPENT OF ANY OFFENSE
“test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me” (Psalm 139:23-24)
When you sinned in some way, name it and ask for forgiveness.
Ask for wisdom on how to address any offense towards others.
Ask for strength to avoid the temptation.
Step 5: RESOLVE TO REFLECT CHRIST TOMORROW
“and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:24)
Ask the Spirit for guidance in the next day.
Name those areas where you may feel excited or anxious.
Name the relationships that are difficult or enjoyable.
Message Reflection Questions
Read Romans 8:11. Take two minutes to silently repeat this verse in prayer.
What has been one of the biggest joys of your faith journey? What has been one of your biggest struggles or difficulties?
How do we maintain spiritual fervor? How do we sustain spiritual growth over time?
Romans 7:15-25a. Does this encourage, confuse, or challenge you?
How can you relate to Paul’s description of the new life of a believer in Romans 7:15-25a?
Why is it important to be honest with God and ourselves and each other about our struggles?
Testimony Time: What is an area of growth you have seen in your journey of faith? How did God help you and what advice would you offer to other believers based off of this?
Confession Time: What in your own life do you want to do that you are not doing? What in your life do you not want to do that you are doing?
Prayer Time: Read Matthew 11:27-30. Name where you’re tired. Ask Jesus to carry a specific burden. And ask Him to teach you to do what you need to do and help you not do what you shouldn’t do.
Daily Readings
From June 4 — September 17, we’ll be exploring the good news that God is for us, in us and with us. Take the learning home with you and read Romans by yourself or with others. You can download the whole plan at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
As you follow the plan, consider these questions:
What does this text say God does "for" or "in" or "with" us?
What does this text invite me to be or do?
Who can I share this with?
Day 1: Romans 6:1-7, Colossians 2:11-15
Day 2: Romans 6:8-11, Colossians 1:19-23
Day 3: Romans 6:12-14, Micah 7:18-20
Day 4: Romans 6:15-19, John 8:31-36
Day 5: Romans 6:20-23, Jeremiah 12:13-16
NEED PRAYER?
We’d be happy to pray with you. Fill out the form at www.stillnaz.com/pray.
WANT TO JOIN A SMALL GROUP?
We’d love to connect you with a group of people exploring what it means to follow Jesus together. Find out more info at www.stillnaz.com/discipleship.