WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.860 This morning we're continuing our series in Romans, even though Matthew is not here, and we're continuing in Romans chapter 7. 00:00:08.679 --> 00:00:12.880 ! So if you have a Bible, go ahead and turn with me to Romans chapter 7. 00:00:12.880 --> 00:00:16.480 And as you do so, the words will also be on the screen. 00:00:17.019 --> 00:00:18.160 They're also in your bulletin. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:20.859 Romans chapter 7. 00:00:20.859 --> 00:00:30.560 This is the word of the Lord. 00:00:50.859 --> 00:01:06.519 Let's pray. 00:01:07.379 --> 00:01:09.219 Lord, we're thankful for your word. 00:01:09.960 --> 00:01:14.680 We pray that you might use it to diagnose our spiritual condition. 00:01:15.320 --> 00:01:19.760 Father, to give us words as we struggle through sin. 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:21.420 To show us sin. 00:01:22.200 --> 00:01:25.820 But more than that, to show us the glory of Christ. 00:01:26.460 --> 00:01:27.820 And it's in his name that we pray. 00:01:28.180 --> 00:01:28.460 Amen. 00:01:29.360 --> 00:01:30.800 I want to take you back. 00:01:31.100 --> 00:01:33.980 Now kids, join us on this journey. 00:01:34.440 --> 00:01:37.260 You might know more about this than your parents. 00:01:38.640 --> 00:01:41.460 Because you've heard this story more recently. 00:01:41.459 --> 00:01:46.479 Now not many of us have thought about this story over the recent years. 00:01:47.159 --> 00:01:49.379 But it's one that we're all familiar with. 00:01:49.679 --> 00:01:54.599 It's a story from Hans Christian Andersen about an emperor and his clothes. 00:01:54.879 --> 00:01:56.319 Or lack of clothes. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:02:00.139 You see this ruler lived pretty lavishly. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:02.579 He lived a big lifestyle. 00:02:03.479 --> 00:02:07.679 And then two men came along realizing this and thought they could make a quick buck. 00:02:07.719 --> 00:02:08.299 And they did. 00:02:08.300 --> 00:02:12.040 They convinced this emperor that they were making clothes. 00:02:12.120 --> 00:02:16.040 And they said they'll be the most magnificent clothes that you've ever seen. 00:02:16.740 --> 00:02:18.060 But he never saw them. 00:02:18.480 --> 00:02:22.439 Even though all the court officials and all the high people in the land. 00:02:22.640 --> 00:02:27.240 And the emperor himself went to go check to see how the progress was coming. 00:02:27.280 --> 00:02:29.020 After they promised him these new clothes. 00:02:29.400 --> 00:02:31.280 And they went and they saw nothing. 00:02:31.600 --> 00:02:32.720 And they said nothing. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:37.620 And then when these two tricksters came and put these new clothes on the emperor. 00:02:38.460 --> 00:02:39.939 No one said anything. 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:41.460 The emperor said nothing. 00:02:41.560 --> 00:02:42.680 They said they're invisible. 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:44.719 Aren't they great? 00:02:45.439 --> 00:02:50.259 And he went out and paraded before the people with no clothes on. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:51.759 No high official. 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:54.020 No member of court. 00:02:54.020 --> 00:02:55.860 No man. 00:02:55.980 --> 00:02:56.480 No woman. 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:04.060 But only a child had the bravery to say there's the emperor with no clothes. 00:03:04.320 --> 00:03:06.400 We all know that story. 00:03:06.980 --> 00:03:09.840 And heard it applied in many different areas of life. 00:03:11.160 --> 00:03:13.520 You see the emperor got a dose of reality. 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:16.939 We may even use that word or that phrase today. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:17.939 A dose of reality. 00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:20.240 We're going to give somebody a wake up call. 00:03:20.859 --> 00:03:23.400 That I'm fixing to give them the hard truth. 00:03:23.840 --> 00:03:28.359 Whether it's exposing something that someone can't see in their own lives. 00:03:28.659 --> 00:03:34.180 Or pointing to the fact that they have no clothes on at all. 00:03:34.439 --> 00:03:35.919 Correcting a colleague at work. 00:03:36.020 --> 00:03:37.800 Or confronting a wayward child. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:41.840 Or helping a friend in the midst of trial. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:44.740 We say to them. 00:03:44.740 --> 00:03:46.219 And we think to ourselves. 00:03:46.219 --> 00:03:49.300 That we're dispelling all their illusions and fantasies. 00:03:49.680 --> 00:03:52.539 But it's always someone else that we're doing that to. 00:03:53.120 --> 00:03:54.719 It's never to ourselves. 00:03:55.819 --> 00:03:57.280 In this text this morning. 00:03:57.420 --> 00:04:00.300 Paul is on the receiving end of this wake up call. 00:04:00.439 --> 00:04:02.719 On the receiving end of this hard truth. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:03.800 Or dose of reality. 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:07.219 And we are along for a ride. 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:08.900 A ride with Paul. 00:04:08.900 --> 00:04:11.340 As he speaks about himself. 00:04:12.140 --> 00:04:13.120 To you. 00:04:13.740 --> 00:04:15.180 Shine Mountain Presbyterian Church. 00:04:15.319 --> 00:04:16.899 To you the Roman Church. 00:04:17.360 --> 00:04:18.459 To himself. 00:04:19.560 --> 00:04:21.019 To you the Christian. 00:04:21.439 --> 00:04:25.000 He's saying I don't see myself as I should. 00:04:25.160 --> 00:04:27.420 I need a dose of reality. 00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:29.780 And in doing so. 00:04:29.959 --> 00:04:34.079 He's not talking about a failure to pack your lunch the night before. 00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:36.860 He's not talking about a dose of reality. 00:04:36.860 --> 00:04:38.740 When it comes to financial planning. 00:04:38.740 --> 00:04:40.579 Or public policy. 00:04:40.579 --> 00:04:42.540 Or anything that's important. 00:04:43.100 --> 00:04:43.840 Like that. 00:04:44.379 --> 00:04:47.379 He's not even talking about the overspending of an emperor. 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:49.860 He's talking about a reality. 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:53.660 That affects each and every one of our own hearts. 00:04:54.019 --> 00:04:55.900 About our own disobedience. 00:04:57.340 --> 00:04:58.280 Every person. 00:04:58.660 --> 00:05:00.980 Parading around with no clothes on. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:02.759 Convincing ourselves. 00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:06.420 That we're clothed. 00:05:06.420 --> 00:05:06.920 And yet. 00:05:07.379 --> 00:05:09.300 When we fail to see ourselves. 00:05:09.300 --> 00:05:11.879 With the goggles of spirituality. 00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:14.259 We deceive ourselves. 00:05:14.680 --> 00:05:16.199 When really we are naked. 00:05:17.140 --> 00:05:18.980 We need that dose of reality. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:20.500 That Paul gives us this morning. 00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:21.819 That dose of reality. 00:05:21.980 --> 00:05:23.120 That sin exists. 00:05:24.160 --> 00:05:25.100 And specifically. 00:05:25.280 --> 00:05:26.840 That there's a struggle against it. 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:28.340 Even if you trust in Christ. 00:05:28.339 --> 00:05:31.219 But there's also deliverance from it. 00:05:32.419 --> 00:05:34.259 The reality of sin. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:38.119 It's something that we don't like to talk about in the modern day. 00:05:38.179 --> 00:05:40.179 Because we like to parade around. 00:05:40.179 --> 00:05:42.079 Tricking ourselves that it doesn't exist. 00:05:42.299 --> 00:05:44.699 And that continues when we put our faith in Christ. 00:05:44.699 --> 00:05:47.259 We don't think it will be a struggle at all. 00:05:47.339 --> 00:05:48.300 And then when it happens. 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:51.500 It's really, really hard. 00:05:51.659 --> 00:05:52.279 But here. 00:05:52.500 --> 00:05:55.219 We're reminded by the ancient words of Paul. 00:05:56.599 --> 00:05:59.079 He's calling us back to this reality. 00:05:59.259 --> 00:06:01.139 That there's a struggle against sin. 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:03.919 And there will be a deliverance from it. 00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:07.120 And those are the two organizing topics we have this morning. 00:06:07.419 --> 00:06:08.519 A struggle against sin. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:09.899 And then our deliverance from it. 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:10.319 First. 00:06:10.620 --> 00:06:13.459 Let's turn our attention to the struggle against sin. 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:15.839 And this text. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:18.620 As we've talked about in weeks past. 00:06:19.139 --> 00:06:20.519 Matthew mentioned this last week. 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:23.959 This is a really difficult section of Romans. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:26.599 And this is a really difficult section of the Bible. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:31.139 And people walk away with very different readings. 00:06:31.319 --> 00:06:35.419 And it's because there's this interplay between Paul's own thoughts. 00:06:35.699 --> 00:06:37.419 His use of the term I. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:39.740 And the use of the law. 00:06:40.379 --> 00:06:41.959 What does he mean by the law? 00:06:41.959 --> 00:06:42.039 Law. 00:06:42.319 --> 00:06:44.120 That's a problem that we've had. 00:06:44.219 --> 00:06:44.959 Not a problem. 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:47.719 But confusion that we've even had in our own hearts. 00:06:47.719 --> 00:06:49.419 As we've walked through Romans. 00:06:49.579 --> 00:06:52.439 If you remember at the beginning of Romans. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:56.459 He uses the term law to mean something in one way. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:59.240 And then he'll contrast it with the law of God. 00:06:59.639 --> 00:07:01.199 Look with me at verse 21. 00:07:01.199 --> 00:07:04.079 So I find it to be a law. 00:07:04.240 --> 00:07:06.000 That when I want to do right. 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:07.579 Evil lies close at hand. 00:07:08.420 --> 00:07:12.579 What's presented here is the same issue that we ran into earlier in Romans. 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:14.620 Is he talking about God's law? 00:07:14.719 --> 00:07:15.819 Because when we hear law. 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:18.240 We think immediately of the Ten Commandments. 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:21.599 Is that what he's talking about when he says law here? 00:07:22.099 --> 00:07:25.180 Now most of our English Bibles say not the law. 00:07:25.279 --> 00:07:25.899 But a law. 00:07:25.899 --> 00:07:28.139 To draw a distinction in this way. 00:07:29.819 --> 00:07:31.039 If you notice here. 00:07:31.179 --> 00:07:31.879 That distinction. 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:35.319 Is represented by not just a law. 00:07:35.839 --> 00:07:39.959 But this contrast with God's law that we'll see in verse 22. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:42.719 A law. 00:07:43.019 --> 00:07:44.299 In that sense. 00:07:44.919 --> 00:07:46.959 It's not the law of God. 00:07:47.079 --> 00:07:48.379 It's not the Ten Commandments. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:52.079 He's not saying that this is God's word. 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:55.759 But it's a principle that's at work in life. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:59.819 He's not saying he created this law. 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:02.919 But he's acknowledging this principle is at work. 00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:05.779 This law that when he wants to do right. 00:08:05.939 --> 00:08:07.620 Evil is always close at hand. 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:09.620 We even talk like this. 00:08:09.799 --> 00:08:10.299 Think about. 00:08:10.579 --> 00:08:12.599 You don't argue before the Supreme Court. 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:15.159 On the basis of a law of gravity. 00:08:15.519 --> 00:08:16.579 And yet it's still a law. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:20.219 It's a general principle that affects all of life. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:21.819 That's what Paul is saying here. 00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:25.620 The law or a law in his life. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:27.199 Is that when he wants to do right. 00:08:27.359 --> 00:08:29.240 Evil lies close at hand. 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:30.319 Now. 00:08:31.019 --> 00:08:32.559 When we think about this. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.860 When we think about this principle. 00:08:34.199 --> 00:08:36.419 We think there's an alternate reality. 00:08:36.419 --> 00:08:37.600 For the Christian. 00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:39.220 And that's true. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:41.939 That we are justified by Christ. 00:08:42.240 --> 00:08:44.579 And yet this is still a struggle. 00:08:45.360 --> 00:08:46.919 When we want to do right. 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:48.980 Evil lies close at hand. 00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:51.740 And that's why he can say 22. 00:08:51.740 --> 00:08:53.120 At the same time. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:54.120 Look with me. 00:08:54.519 --> 00:08:56.299 For I delight in the law of God. 00:08:56.379 --> 00:08:57.060 A different law. 00:08:57.700 --> 00:08:58.820 Than the law before. 00:08:59.519 --> 00:09:00.560 In my inner being. 00:09:01.899 --> 00:09:02.320 Now. 00:09:02.519 --> 00:09:04.419 This verse is so helpful. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:07.299 As we try to navigate what's going on at Romans 7. 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:10.100 Is it Paul talking about himself only? 00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:11.799 Is he talking about a Christian? 00:09:11.919 --> 00:09:13.740 Is he talking about an unbeliever? 00:09:13.740 --> 00:09:14.180 Well. 00:09:15.120 --> 00:09:15.360 Well. 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:16.919 The answer is in verse 22. 00:09:17.519 --> 00:09:19.340 For I delight in the law of God. 00:09:19.860 --> 00:09:22.539 No unbeliever can say that about himself. 00:09:22.700 --> 00:09:24.639 That he delights in the law of God. 00:09:25.060 --> 00:09:28.220 He's the furthest thing from delighting in the law of God. 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:30.200 Because it actually condemns him. 00:09:30.200 --> 00:09:32.580 Only a Christian can say this. 00:09:32.580 --> 00:09:37.300 That I delight in the law of God. 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:41.220 It's the same sense that we see in Psalm 1. 00:09:42.560 --> 00:09:45.660 It's the same sense that we read earlier in Psalm 119. 00:09:46.140 --> 00:09:49.600 The one who follows after God delights in knowing him. 00:09:50.740 --> 00:09:53.220 And all the means by which he's revealed himself. 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:56.400 Most clearly and most explicitly in his word. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:10:00.199 That's why we can say with the psalmist in Psalm 119. 00:10:00.559 --> 00:10:03.100 That we delight in God's law. 00:10:04.259 --> 00:10:09.220 The clarity from 22 kind of parts the waters in Romans 7. 00:10:09.500 --> 00:10:12.199 And we know that Paul is talking about himself. 00:10:12.379 --> 00:10:14.819 This battle that he wants to do right. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:16.639 While evil lies close at hand. 00:10:17.419 --> 00:10:18.740 Is of a Christian. 00:10:20.439 --> 00:10:24.240 The most obvious clue that Paul is talking about himself is what? 00:10:24.559 --> 00:10:25.939 Not even what I said. 00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:29.380 But the fact that he uses the first person pronoun I. 00:10:29.580 --> 00:10:30.820 He's talking about himself. 00:10:31.280 --> 00:10:32.800 And we're along for the ride. 00:10:32.880 --> 00:10:34.140 Because in doing so. 00:10:34.260 --> 00:10:37.140 He's explaining our experience as Christians. 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:40.960 That we still struggle with sin. 00:10:41.220 --> 00:10:42.920 That we want to do things. 00:10:43.220 --> 00:10:44.840 And yet we don't do them. 00:10:44.860 --> 00:10:46.820 Because evil lies close at hand. 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:49.580 That we serve our flesh. 00:10:50.300 --> 00:10:52.760 And that is a law of itself. 00:10:52.759 --> 00:10:56.240 You see when the Christian delights in God's law. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:58.220 Evil doesn't just go away. 00:10:58.539 --> 00:11:00.159 It's still there. 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:03.179 An ever present reality lurking around the corner. 00:11:03.799 --> 00:11:06.220 And Paul is giving words to that experience. 00:11:07.279 --> 00:11:10.299 It's not just lurking outside of him. 00:11:10.299 --> 00:11:14.579 But it's actually a conflict that's going on inside of him. 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:15.959 Look at verse 23. 00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:18.839 But I see in my members another law. 00:11:19.519 --> 00:11:22.199 Waging war against the law of my mind. 00:11:22.979 --> 00:11:27.719 And making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:31.059 There's a conflict that's raging inside of him. 00:11:31.059 --> 00:11:33.159 Because he wants to do what's right. 00:11:33.539 --> 00:11:35.000 And yet he doesn't do it. 00:11:35.739 --> 00:11:37.419 He wants to honor God. 00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:39.919 But there's a tension. 00:11:40.079 --> 00:11:41.319 Because he knows. 00:11:41.519 --> 00:11:43.639 He loves God's law. 00:11:43.919 --> 00:11:46.179 And he does what's wrong. 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:51.799 And this time in verse 23. 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:54.759 It's not God's word or general principle. 00:11:55.099 --> 00:11:58.259 But another law that's waging war against him. 00:11:58.319 --> 00:11:59.819 It's that law of sin. 00:12:00.539 --> 00:12:01.939 A set of characteristics. 00:12:02.500 --> 00:12:04.500 Not the law of God itself. 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:08.319 He clarifies that on that back half of that verse. 00:12:09.179 --> 00:12:13.039 When he says that law of sin dwells in his members. 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:14.599 He means in his body. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.320 That's exactly the same language. 00:12:17.320 --> 00:12:19.899 If you remember from the earlier part of Romans 7. 00:12:20.399 --> 00:12:21.080 He says this. 00:12:21.220 --> 00:12:22.740 For while we were living in the flesh. 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:25.659 Our sinful passions aroused by the law. 00:12:25.800 --> 00:12:27.440 Were at work in our members. 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:29.740 It's another way to say in my body. 00:12:29.960 --> 00:12:31.279 In his experience. 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:33.879 This law of his mind. 00:12:34.620 --> 00:12:36.120 Is kind of curious though. 00:12:36.720 --> 00:12:40.040 I see the law waging war against the law of my mind. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:43.519 It's the principle that he wants to do God's will. 00:12:43.519 --> 00:12:45.079 That's the law of his mind. 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.899 And the battle between that. 00:12:47.199 --> 00:12:48.879 Is he wants to do what's right. 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.259 And yet he doesn't. 00:12:51.799 --> 00:12:53.460 And it functions as a law. 00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:55.659 He wants to do God's word. 00:12:55.939 --> 00:12:58.299 He wants to respond in obedience. 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:01.019 And yet in his members. 00:13:01.199 --> 00:13:01.919 In his flesh. 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:05.059 There's a conflict. 00:13:06.139 --> 00:13:08.219 There's a war that's being waged. 00:13:08.699 --> 00:13:10.519 We must be extremely careful here. 00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:12.099 As we're trying to navigate all this. 00:13:12.459 --> 00:13:13.419 It's not just. 00:13:13.860 --> 00:13:14.679 It's not. 00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.279 That the law is evil. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:17.639 That's not what Paul is saying. 00:13:17.719 --> 00:13:19.279 If you remember with us. 00:13:19.439 --> 00:13:21.319 From the earlier parts of Romans. 00:13:21.459 --> 00:13:22.219 God's word. 00:13:22.339 --> 00:13:23.620 His law is holy. 00:13:23.620 --> 00:13:29.379 It's not even the idea that we struggled with earlier in Romans 7. 00:13:29.620 --> 00:13:32.259 That there's more than one law. 00:13:32.620 --> 00:13:35.720 He's saying this battle is not simply in his body. 00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:38.159 But in his sinful flesh. 00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:38.960 And his will. 00:13:39.100 --> 00:13:41.159 Or his desire to obey God's law. 00:13:41.560 --> 00:13:43.080 Is a real war. 00:13:43.960 --> 00:13:46.500 And that fact is often lost on us. 00:13:46.560 --> 00:13:47.159 As Christians. 00:13:47.500 --> 00:13:50.379 We think it's kind of like make believe play war. 00:13:50.379 --> 00:13:53.480 Like we're fighting battleships in the bathtub. 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.639 In fact. 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:58.399 Is an actual war. 00:13:58.799 --> 00:13:59.700 Now think about this. 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:01.279 When Paul is using that language. 00:14:01.539 --> 00:14:02.139 Like hey. 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:05.100 I am being taken captive to the law of sin. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.220 That dwells in my members. 00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:09.840 Or the law waging war against the law of my mind. 00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:13.659 He's not punting on something that's really painful. 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.919 For all of his listeners. 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:17.100 Instead he's pulling that out. 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:17.460 And saying. 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.580 That experience that you have. 00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:22.120 Of maybe being sold into slavery. 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:24.240 Being captive because of war. 00:14:24.340 --> 00:14:25.240 And sent to Rome. 00:14:25.400 --> 00:14:27.220 I'm using that language. 00:14:27.900 --> 00:14:29.639 I'm using all that pain. 00:14:29.800 --> 00:14:31.259 And describing a reality. 00:14:31.520 --> 00:14:33.220 That's even more painful. 00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:36.520 Than what you've experienced in this life. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.860 It's even more real. 00:14:40.060 --> 00:14:42.620 Than the war you think you know. 00:14:44.080 --> 00:14:46.920 Paul is speaking to a people who knew war. 00:14:46.919 --> 00:14:49.240 Whether brought to Rome as slaves. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:49.939 As I mentioned. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:52.199 From the outer regions of the empire. 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.979 Or they saw it themselves. 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.539 Or they were slaves themselves. 00:14:55.799 --> 00:14:57.419 They knew and were acquainted. 00:14:58.179 --> 00:14:59.199 With war. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.959 And he doesn't dance around it. 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.379 He goes right at it. 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.599 And that sense. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:09.259 In which it feels like the air has come out of the room. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:11.319 That pain. 00:15:11.679 --> 00:15:12.480 He's saying. 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:14.419 The more real. 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:16.360 Sense in which that happens. 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:16.980 Is sin. 00:15:18.819 --> 00:15:19.299 Now. 00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:21.220 I'm not advocating this. 00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:22.759 But. 00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:26.439 Whenever there's a fist fight. 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:28.259 If you're an observer. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.939 Maybe you've been in one. 00:15:30.539 --> 00:15:32.340 There's a moment that happens. 00:15:32.679 --> 00:15:33.000 Okay. 00:15:33.500 --> 00:15:34.860 And this moment happens. 00:15:34.860 --> 00:15:35.779 Whether you're a kid. 00:15:35.860 --> 00:15:36.899 Or you're an adult. 00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:38.860 I'm not advocating for fist fights. 00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:40.500 But I've seen this over and over. 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.500 From kids and adults. 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:41.819 Okay. 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:44.379 And maybe teachers will know what I'm talking about. 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.959 There's a moment. 00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:47.220 When it's all. 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:48.879 Ethereal. 00:15:49.120 --> 00:15:50.340 It's all make believe. 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:51.720 And then. 00:15:52.039 --> 00:15:53.360 The first moment. 00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.500 That it becomes real. 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:56.159 You can see it on the face. 00:15:56.340 --> 00:15:57.860 Of the person that gets punched. 00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.559 It's like. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.419 Oh man. 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.319 This is real. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:02.779 And normally what happens. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:04.019 Is a response of anger. 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:04.600 Right. 00:16:05.159 --> 00:16:06.960 That's how we think about sin. 00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:08.480 We think it's not real. 00:16:09.259 --> 00:16:10.019 And then. 00:16:10.120 --> 00:16:11.300 Paul is telling us. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.240 In this section. 00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:12.860 Oh no. 00:16:12.920 --> 00:16:13.480 It's real. 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.639 It's written all over our face. 00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:16.200 In fact. 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.320 We've gotten punched. 00:16:17.460 --> 00:16:18.700 And we can feel it. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:21.980 That's what Paul is saying to us. 00:16:22.379 --> 00:16:23.340 That moment. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:24.980 When we realize it's real. 00:16:25.600 --> 00:16:27.540 And that sting on our face. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:30.560 That's how we should think about sin. 00:16:30.560 --> 00:16:32.100 That struggle against sin. 00:16:32.220 --> 00:16:33.139 Is not make believe. 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.259 It is real. 00:16:35.139 --> 00:16:36.759 And we're in for a fight. 00:16:37.399 --> 00:16:39.139 So why do we as Christians. 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.899 Think there's no struggle. 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:43.519 Think there's not going to be anything like that. 00:16:44.700 --> 00:16:45.059 Well. 00:16:45.279 --> 00:16:45.740 One is. 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.299 Bad theology. 00:16:47.460 --> 00:16:48.319 To be quite honest. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.639 I know that seems like a really nerdy. 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.960 Presbyterian response. 00:16:52.100 --> 00:16:52.879 But it's true. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.960 We think. 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:55.379 And we believe the lie. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.879 That everything is going to be. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:57.980 Great. 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.860 And it is. 00:16:58.960 --> 00:17:00.500 Because we have fellowship with the Savior. 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:01.960 If we put our trust in him. 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:03.700 But the reality is. 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:05.680 We still dwell in this body. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.779 Until we are called home to glory. 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:09.819 And there is a version out there. 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:10.460 Of Christianity. 00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:11.019 That says. 00:17:11.220 --> 00:17:12.880 If you put faith in Christ. 00:17:13.059 --> 00:17:14.779 You're not going to struggle anymore. 00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:16.279 And then what happens. 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:18.059 We get punched in the face. 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:19.240 Because we sin. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:21.340 And then our whole world comes undone. 00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:26.579 The reality is that Paul is saying. 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.859 We are going to struggle against sin. 00:17:29.159 --> 00:17:30.519 Do not be surprised. 00:17:31.099 --> 00:17:31.919 Even I. 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.539 He says. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:34.579 Struggle against sin. 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.039 That's the warning that comes with this. 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:40.359 There's also the question of. 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:43.839 If this doesn't look like your Christian experience. 00:17:44.839 --> 00:17:46.659 If you put your faith in Jesus. 00:17:46.980 --> 00:17:48.179 There might be a problem. 00:17:48.180 --> 00:17:52.440 We might not be taking sin seriously. 00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:54.799 We're not concerned about rooting out. 00:17:55.620 --> 00:17:56.779 Sin in our lives. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.460 We're not fighting against it. 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.700 We fought and given up. 00:18:00.299 --> 00:18:02.500 I'm not saying you're going to fight and win every time. 00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:02.940 In fact. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:05.740 Paul seems to indicate that he's fighting and losing. 00:18:06.700 --> 00:18:09.000 But if we don't care about fighting at all. 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.560 Are you really a Christian? 00:18:13.180 --> 00:18:15.000 That's what he's saying to us. 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:17.000 Or has our love grown cold? 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:18.559 Do I know him? 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:20.579 Do I love the same Jesus? 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:25.640 Where I can see my sin as waging war in my own body? 00:18:26.200 --> 00:18:28.000 That's what Paul is asking us. 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:32.940 Have I ever really experienced fellowship with him? 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:37.000 To know there is even a tension in my own heart. 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.660 In my own life. 00:18:38.880 --> 00:18:40.460 When sin arises. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:44.640 Now for those of you who have never struggled. 00:18:49.000 --> 00:18:53.180 I would really caution you to think really long and hard. 00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:55.779 About if you have sin at all. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.759 You do. 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.720 Whether you acknowledge it or not. 00:19:01.180 --> 00:19:03.120 Paul told us that at the beginning of Romans. 00:19:03.120 --> 00:19:07.220 That we've all failed to uphold the righteous requirements of the law. 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:10.019 We've all failed in the holiness department. 00:19:10.440 --> 00:19:12.160 And if we're honest with ourselves. 00:19:12.160 --> 00:19:14.500 We know that from experience. 00:19:14.779 --> 00:19:16.740 And we need Jesus. 00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:21.039 For those of you who are not struggling now. 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:23.019 Maybe you won't for a time. 00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.440 But you will. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:28.460 And there will come a day when you experience that jarring reality again. 00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.920 Of getting punched in the face. 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.559 Of this is a struggle. 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.720 And this is a fight. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.819 Not just for Paul. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:35.900 Not just for Bible people. 00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.779 Or pastors. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.620 Or missionaries. 00:19:37.700 --> 00:19:39.360 Or people in the Middle East. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:41.600 This is for every Christian. 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:44.319 That if we are united to Christ. 00:19:44.400 --> 00:19:45.740 And we have fellowship with him. 00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:47.400 And we are not in glory. 00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:49.839 We will struggle against sin. 00:19:49.900 --> 00:19:50.660 And it is coming. 00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:54.339 But even for this. 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.339 Christian. 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.700 There is a danger. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.140 In thinking that we can fight. 00:20:00.400 --> 00:20:02.460 Or it doesn't matter if I fight at all. 00:20:02.460 --> 00:20:03.519 I am just going to give up. 00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:04.340 It doesn't matter. 00:20:04.779 --> 00:20:07.539 We have already dealt with that question in Romans 6. 00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:10.279 That we are called to fight against sin. 00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.900 And it matters. 00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.420 You are not perfect. 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:17.380 Because we still dwell in this sinful body. 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:19.360 We still dwell in our flesh. 00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:21.799 Which serves the law of sin. 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:22.880 As Paul reminds us. 00:20:24.819 --> 00:20:26.140 There is another danger though. 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:30.380 It is a Christian that sees all of this. 00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.059 And is kind of undone. 00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.799 Which is good. 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:33.159 Right? 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:34.799 Because we know we need a savior. 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:38.059 But it is the Christian that thinks he does battle alone. 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:42.359 And doesn't remember the promise. 00:20:43.019 --> 00:20:47.559 He doesn't remember the temptation that we confessed earlier in the shorter catechism. 00:20:47.919 --> 00:20:50.519 It doesn't say that once you put your faith in Christ. 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.659 Then you figure it all out. 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.519 And you do the law. 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:53.980 And that is how you become more holy. 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.000 What does it say? 00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:58.119 It is a free grace from God. 00:20:58.119 --> 00:21:00.419 That same gospel that saves you. 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.739 That justifies you. 00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:06.619 Is the engine that propels you down the track of becoming more and more holy. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:09.479 The gospel saves you. 00:21:09.619 --> 00:21:11.779 And makes you more holy. 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:15.459 It's not you just left to your own devices. 00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:17.579 Because the law can't do anything. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:20.819 Because we don't have the spirit. 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.519 Oh wait. 00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:22.379 You do. 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:27.059 The spirit is the thing that enables us to give glory to God. 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:31.159 It opens our eyes to see our sin and the law. 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:35.279 And to see what Christ has done on your behalf on the cross. 00:21:35.679 --> 00:21:37.460 And it also gives us. 00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:45.299 That same gospel gives us energy to propel us down the tracks towards godliness. 00:21:45.640 --> 00:21:46.579 That's the struggle. 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:47.680 It's a fight. 00:21:48.100 --> 00:21:50.160 We have to recognize that it's a fight. 00:21:50.559 --> 00:21:51.620 But good news. 00:21:51.779 --> 00:21:52.640 There's a deliverer. 00:21:53.539 --> 00:21:57.660 Before the deliverer comes we see the hopelessness that Paul says. 00:21:58.100 --> 00:21:58.940 This wrestling. 00:21:59.100 --> 00:22:00.039 What does he say in 24? 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:02.180 Wretched man that I am. 00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:04.920 Who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:07.519 Thanks be to God through Christ Jesus. 00:22:07.800 --> 00:22:09.019 He knows the pain. 00:22:09.180 --> 00:22:13.740 He knows the frustration of trying to glorify God. 00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.600 And failing. 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:20.860 That a law is waging war in his members that fights against his desire to honor God. 00:22:21.480 --> 00:22:25.820 And he knows it can't come inside of him. 00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:27.580 It has to come from somewhere else. 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:33.060 He knows that it's Christ Jesus that will deliver him from this body of death. 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:38.659 The one that will deliver him from this present reality of struggle. 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:42.200 One writer has called this the miserable tension. 00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.399 How appropriate is that? 00:22:44.740 --> 00:22:46.139 We know that we sin. 00:22:46.339 --> 00:22:47.819 And we want to root it out. 00:22:47.919 --> 00:22:49.460 But we feel like we're never there. 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:53.379 It's because we're not this side of glory. 00:22:53.799 --> 00:22:56.559 He cannot achieve it himself under his own power. 00:22:56.559 --> 00:23:02.639 It's only Christ by the working of the spirit in our lives that makes us more holy. 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:07.259 Jesus is not the beginning of faith. 00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.720 And then it's all back on you. 00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:10.259 He's there with you. 00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.779 Delivering us now. 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.819 Tomorrow. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.139 And one day. 00:23:14.359 --> 00:23:15.700 Finally and fully. 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:17.700 From this body of death. 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:20.680 From this body of flesh. 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:22.840 Where the law of sin. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:28.000 Wages war against the law of God in our minds. 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:31.360 It's easy to lose sight of this reality though. 00:23:32.059 --> 00:23:34.259 We turn inward and we think. 00:23:34.860 --> 00:23:38.779 And maybe we even kid ourselves that the struggle is not real or even there. 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:42.299 Or that we've arrived in some sense of perfection. 00:23:42.299 --> 00:23:45.819 And then when we do sin. 00:23:45.940 --> 00:23:47.639 Then our world becomes undone. 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:50.240 Or we think in discouragement. 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:51.519 We're left alone. 00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.960 That we don't have the spirit. 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:59.099 That the gospel doesn't give us grace to walk more and more holy. 00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:02.779 There's a hymn writer, William Cooper. 00:24:03.159 --> 00:24:04.379 He's a friend of John Newton. 00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:04.899 Right? 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.599 Amazing grace. 00:24:06.119 --> 00:24:08.539 He also wrote glorious things of thee are spoken. 00:24:08.680 --> 00:24:10.259 There is a fountain filled with blood. 00:24:10.259 --> 00:24:13.680 His own personal experience in this. 00:24:13.839 --> 00:24:18.259 Is losing sight of the fact that the spirit is at work in his life. 00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:20.720 And Christ is still working. 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:25.299 He gets so weighed down in depression. 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:27.980 Because he knows the reality of his own sin. 00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.740 And he's struggling against it. 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.619 And he's not winning. 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:33.339 He knows the own darkness of his heart. 00:24:33.339 --> 00:24:38.359 But he forgets about Jesus meeting him in the midst of that. 00:24:38.359 --> 00:24:38.859 Christian. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:39.959 Christian. 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:43.379 We cannot forget that Christ walks with us. 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:45.779 That same gospel that saves us. 00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:48.559 Also meets us in the midst of that struggle. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:51.459 That Jesus is the deliverance from them. 00:24:51.919 --> 00:24:53.539 From all of these things. 00:24:53.679 --> 00:24:54.779 Oh wretched man. 00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:56.159 That I am. 00:24:56.419 --> 00:24:57.500 That you are. 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:59.319 Look to Christ. 00:25:00.699 --> 00:25:02.219 We must cling to him. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:06.680 When the darkness of sin of this world weighs upon us. 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:09.900 When it wages war in our own hearts and mind. 00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:12.500 When we feel the tension of wanting to do right. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:15.079 But always failing and doing wrong. 00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.920 That's overwhelming. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:19.240 Cooper is undone by this. 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.839 And in that dark hour. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:25.500 We must look to Christ our Savior. 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:28.039 And cling to him alone. 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:29.819 It's Jesus. 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:31.099 Only Jesus. 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.819 Let's pray. 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:36.220 Lord we're reminded from your word. 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.200 To look to Christ. 00:25:39.859 --> 00:25:41.859 May we look to him in faith. 00:25:42.619 --> 00:25:44.180 And Father as we do so. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.779 May you strengthen us. 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.159 For the day. 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:50.059 In which we will see him in glory. 00:25:50.420 --> 00:25:52.879 And there will no longer be a war. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:25:56.039 We won't wage war against our sinful flesh. 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:56.680 Because. 00:25:59.579 --> 00:26:01.139 We are with you in glory. 00:26:01.980 --> 00:26:04.299 Let us march on towards that day. 00:26:04.559 --> 00:26:05.859 And let us struggle. 00:26:06.039 --> 00:26:08.519 But not struggle as ones without hope. 00:26:09.019 --> 00:26:11.899 And struggle as ones under our own power. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.379 We ask. 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:14.899 In Christ's name. 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:15.559 Amen.