Understanding Romans 7 -- Zac Poonen -- September 22, 2021
http://rlcf.church/media/sermons/understanding-romans-7 River of Life Christian Fellowship 1306 N Lincoln Avenue Loveland, Colorado - 80537, USA
Summary
The sermon explores Romans 7, focusing on the difficulty of keeping the law, particularly the tenth commandment against coveting. Paul describes a struggle between his inner will, which aligns with God's law, and his flesh, which is prone to unconscious sin. The central message is that while we recognize our inability to overcome sin on our own, freedom is found only through Christ, who sets us free little by little, much like the conquest of Canaan.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Why did God give the tenth commandment?God gave the tenth commandment to deal with the inside of a person, whereas the first nine commandments could be kept externally.
Jesus and the rich young rulerWhen Jesus spoke to the rich young ruler about the commandments, he deliberately left out the tenth commandment because he knew no one could keep it.Mark 10:19
Paul's honesty in Romans 7Unlike the rich young ruler, Paul was honest in Romans 7, acknowledging that according to the law he was blameless in outward acts, yet his flesh was sold into bondage to sin.Romans 7:14
Two types of sin: conscious and unconsciousConscious sin is knowing something is wrong and doing it anyway, while unconscious sin is when something selfish or wrong comes out of us without our initial realization.
Covetousness and the lawThe law against coveting showed that sin used the commandment to produce every kind of lust within the speaker.
Wretched man that I amRecognizing the law of sin fighting in his members, Paul cries out as a wretched man with a deep longing to be completely free from even unconscious sin.
The solution through Jesus ChristDeliverance from this body of death comes through Jesus Christ our Lord, who sets us free little by little as He gives us more light.
Cleansing from all sin in 1 John 1While verse 9 speaks of confessing known conscious sins, verse 7 explains that the blood of jesus cleanses us from all sin, including the unconscious sin present even when walking in the light.
Understanding Romans 7:25 and Romans 8:1Romans 7:25 means our conscious mind serves God's law while our flesh has an unconscious law of sin at work, and Romans 8:1 assures us there is therefore no condemnation for those in Christ.
Paul's clear consciencePaul states in 1 Corinthians that he is conscious of nothing against himself because every known sin was confessed, even though the Lord is the one who examines him.
An example of unconscious sin: expecting gratitudeThe speaker shares a personal story of how he realized he was sinning by inwardly expecting a thank you from someone he had helped, learning instead to serve as unto the Lord.
The ice cube illustrationLike an ice cube where only ten percent is visible above water, dealing with conscious sin brings new layers of unconscious sin to the surface over time.
