Power over Darkness

Romans 6:12-23

Introduction

: One of Paul’s most identifiable themes that we as Christians can really relate to must do with Paul’s struggle to live as he’d like to, 100% of the time.

Romans 7:18-19


,

“And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.

1

I want to do what is right, but I can’t.

19

I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway.” (NLT)

Application

: I had someone in my office just this week looking for encouragement about this matter.

Transition

: In these verses, Paul presents the idea of being indwelt by sin in the negative sense/form, to explain the remarkable statement, that nothing good lives in me.

Paul is addressing the sin that dwells within the “I,” that is, within one’s fleshly or carnal nature, which is not “a good thing.”

The point he is pressing, in any case, is that what indwells someone is what gives them the power to perform that which otherwise they would want to do but remain incapable of: literally, “for to will lies close to me, but to perform the good, not.”

“Without something “good” dwelling in me,” the “I” cannot bring the good will into reality; again, Paul is preparing the way for the contrast with the Spirit’s indwelling.

So we have this so far:

Back to Chapter 6:16

Question

: So what does the natural sinful nature look like?

Ephesians 5 mentions such things as


obscene stories

,

foolish talk, coarse jokes, greed and immorality


.

The list in Galatians 5:19f gets some little stronger naming things like


lustful pleasures, outbursts of anger and jealousy


just to name a few as part which is part of that which is natural.

Transition

: Here is part of the key to understand:

Galatians 6:8

, “

For he who


sows


to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life

.” (NKJ)

Word


sow(s)


right?


speiro


{spi’-ro}

Meaning: 

1) to sow (plant), scatter, seed 2) metaph. of proverbial sayings

Origin: 

probably strengthened.



What you strengthen becomes strong





!


Question


:

So, let me ask it this way? What Gym are you going to? How much time do you spend at the gym? What types of exercises are you constants?

Transition

: So, what does make us strong? (If you go on internet, you will find a thousand different opinions!

Here are mine:

 

Psalm 119:105 – word lamp unto feet; light to path

Psalm 11:11 – hid word in my heart that I might not sin against you

Joshua 1:8,

“This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

(NKJ)

hagah

{haw-gaw’}

Meaning: 

1) to moan, growl, utter, muse, mutter, meditate, devise, plot, speak 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to roar, growl, groan 1a2) to utter, speak 1a3) to meditate, devise, muse, imagine

Genesis 24:63


“And Isaac went out to meditate in the field in the evening; and he lifted his eyes and looked, and there, the camels were coming.”

(NKJ)

suwach

{soo’-akh}

Meaning: 

1) (Qal) to meditate, muse, commune, speak, complain

Psalm 139:23


“Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties;

24

And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting

.” (NKJ)

James 1:23-24

,

“For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.

24

You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.”

(NLT)

Application/Illustration

from David and Jonathan – 1 Sam. 18-20

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all.

5

There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord.

6

God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

7

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.”

 (NLT)

Hebrews 10:25


“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.”

(NLT)

Question

: Does it have to be at church? We no, but where and how would we do this if not in the church?

Conclusion

: Several campaigns have for years encouraged us about things like, “Milk it does the body,” and others like that

Well it’s true, our intake is critical to our success.

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

palm 24

Entrance Toward the Exit

Interrogative: What is Palm Sunday Fox NewsUSA TodayCNNBrittanica In this Holy Week, may God direct our thoughts and attention towards what matters most, Jesus Christ our King. Transition: Just I end with addressing ‘how Jesus Came to us’ let me go through this ‘Holy Week’ after His triumphant entry. On Day 2 Monday – Jesus…

2

Great Commission – Part 2

Matthew 28:18, Romans 10:14 Introduction: Final Instructions – The Great Commission – Part 2 Week 1 The Decline in America of both professing to be Christians, the Un-churched, and the De-churched. Reasons for Leaving     Move To NEW COMMUNITY 25%     I HAD OTHER pRIORITIES FOR MY TIME AND MONEY 15% I DIDN’T…

2

Final Instructions – The Great Commission Part 1

Matthew 28:18 Introduction: I want to spend some time here in March to address some of Jesus’ ‘Final Instructions.’ (I took into consideration our business meeting where again I was reminded that probably our weakest link in in 5 Core Values is Evangelism. Proselytization – to try to persuade someone to change their religious or…

faithful

Found Faithful

1 Corinthians 4:2 Matthew 25:14-23 Galatians 5:22-23 – Fruit of Spirit = ‘Faithfulness’ Hebrews 10:23 ‘Let us hold fast the confession/profession of our hope/faith without wavering, for He who promised is faithful’ (NKJ). NLT Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his…

1

Even Though

                              Romans 5:1-11 Romans: Considered Paul’s ‘Masterpiece.’ Context: Paul transitions/moves from the theme of having faith in God’s promises (4:18-25) to Enjoying what Righteousness Provides. Transition: The first verse of chapter 5 makes a resounding entrance. James 4:4, Enmity = hatred/hostility / Enemy Romans 5:1 ‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with…

2

Paul’s Greatest Secret

                             Philippians 4:10-20 Introduction: All of us love and have probably quoted Philippians 4:13 and 4:19 time and time again. The Promises of all strength and all provision. Beginning in verse 10, Paul ‘rejoices’ again over God’s blessings provisions, and providence (divine guidance or care) and His grace. Therefore, the apostle thanks God for the…

1

One Last Thing

Philippians 4:6-7 Introduction: Last week Philippians 3, this week Philippians 4. Philippians 4:6-7 ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus’. (NKJ) μεριμνάω…

anxious

Anxiety Check

                               Philippians 4:6-7 Introduction: Last week Philippians 3, this week Philippians 4. Philippians 4:6-7  ‘Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus’. (NKJ)…

Celebration

Christmas Season – Celebration

Mary’s Song – Luke 1:46-55 Introduction: What Is Mary’s Song? Of the four gospels, Luke’s is the only one to speak of Mary’s song. Her words are found in Luke 1:46-55. Mary is visiting with her cousin Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. Upon that visit, Elizabeth asked in verse 43, “How could this…