The Gospel According to Paul

Romans Chapter 7 v.1-3- under only one law at a time v.4-6- dead to the law, like dead to sin v Paul defends the law v.14- the law is spiritual, but “I am of flesh” What happens when Deity draws near to stumbling man?

vv The Natural Man Lacks Natural Understanding Why do we do the things we hate?  Fail to bridle our tongue  Loose anger at loved ones  Give into peers  Give into passion

Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Are we ensnared?

2 Timothy 2:24-26 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. Do we lose our senses?

James 1:13-16 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. 15 Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. We make our choices

v. 16 The Natural Man Knows God’s Law is Good Most people are searching for something… Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end.

v. 16 The Natural Man Knows God’s Law is Good Most people are searching for something… Ecclesiastes 3:16-17 Moreover, I saw under the sun that in the place of justice, even there was wickedness, and in the place of righteousness, even there was wickedness. 17 I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.

Moral Sense of Right and Wrong Demands an Accounting  Atheists cry out at death’s door  The ungodly cry out in times of need  The worldly salve their conscience with $3 of religion

vv The Natural Man Lacks the Innate Ability to do Right Jeremiah 10:23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps. Proverbs 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Proverbs 3:5-8 Trust in the L ORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the L ORD, and turn away from evil. 8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

What helps us to do right? 1. Prayer 2. Study 3. Work 4. Association

v. 19 The Natural Man is Often Overpowered, Falls Sin = to miss the mark, Hebrews 10:29 describes sin explicitly How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?

Hebrews 2:1 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

Hebrews 3:12-13 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

What’s to do?  Remember 2 Peter 3:9  Remember James 4:7  Keep fighting, and  Resisting Satan

vv The Natural Man Must Fight Self First of All  Romans 12:2- must renew our minds What tools help us to change our heart  1 Peter 2:2- milk of the word  2 Cor. 13:5- self- examination

vv The Natural Man Can be Free (of sin, guilt, hating self, etc.)  Temptation never goes away 1 John 1:8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

But the Lord will meet you more than half way… Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.