Romans 7 7 25 Sanctifying Grace frees us

Romans 7: 7– 25 “Sanctifying Grace frees us to live for God”

Sin that Salvation like Adam like Jesus Christ leads to death unto Righteousness I have been saved. Justifying Grace (by Believing Faith) I am being saved. Sanctifying Grace (through Action Faith) I will be saved. Glorifying Grace (because of Faithfulness)

“Grace is NOT given to us so that we can keep on sinning without its Penalty. Grace is granted so that we can choose NOT TO sin, not chained by its Power. ”

God’s freedom does not nullify God’s command to baptize (Matthew 28: 19, Acts 2: 37 -38) nor His promise to bestow the Holy Spirit on the recipient of baptism (Acts 2: 38).

Reasons for not coming forth for Baptism : a) Opposition by their own non. Christian family

Reasons for not coming forth for Baptism : a) Opposition by their own non. Christian family b) Misguided theological belief.

Reasons for not coming forth for Baptism : a) Opposition by their own non-Christian family b) Misguided theological belief. We go for baptism not because we are such a holy person. In fact, we are baptized so that we can receive God’s sanctifying grace to grow in holiness.

Romans 7: 1 -6 Verses 1– 3 4 5– 6 The law has authority over us as long as we live. The illustration of marriage is used. And just like the widow who married again is not an adulteress, so we are no longer liable for the law’s penalty if we were in Christ when He died. The law cannot punish a man who has already paid for his crimes by death. But God then raises us up with Christ to bear fruit to Him. In the past, our sinful nature, aroused by the law, caused us to sin. But now, having died with Christ to sin, we are SET FREE to serve God through the Spirit.

Why is it that though we have died to sin, yet we are still struggling with sin ?

Romans 7: 7 -25 Verses The Law is God’s holy tool 12, 14 7 To show us what is sin 11, 13 To teach us that sin will lead us to death 18 Tells us what are the right things we ought to do 19 Tutors us on what is evil, which we should avoid.

Romans 7: 7 -25 BUT the Sin in us causes us to do evil Verses 8, 9, 15, 17, 19, 21 18, 19, 22 The Power of Sin prevents us from 24 25 doing good YET the law cannot save us, so who will save me from sin, from this body of death ? Thanks be to God – Jesus Christ has saved me, through His death on the cross and giving me grace (Justifying and Sanctifying).

Acts of Faith / Means of Sanctifying Grace 1. Baptism – Romans 6: 4 (3 -10) 2. Hearing and obeying God’s Word – Romans 6: 17 (16 -18) 3. Belonging to the Body of Christ – Romans 7: 4

Romans 6: 17 -18 – “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching (from God’s Word) to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. ”

Just learning and not obeying is actually very foolish – it is like knowing the right decision to make and still make a wrong choice.

Learning and then obeying God’s Word will enable our spiritual man inside us to grow stronger and stronger, so that we can prevail over the sinful nature and sinful passions which exert its power upon us.

2 Corinthians 11: 3 “But I am afraid that just as the serpent deceived Eve by his treachery, your minds may be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. ”

Joshua 1: 8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ”

Learning and then obeying God’s Word will enable our spiritual man inside us to grow stronger and stronger, so that we can prevail over the sinful nature and sinful passions which exert its power upon us.

Acts of Faith / Means of Sanctifying Grace 1. Baptism – Romans 6: 4 (3 -10) 2. Hearing and obeying God’s Word – Romans 6: 17 (16 -18) 3. Belonging to the Body of Christ – Romans 7: 4

Romans 7: 4 – “So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. ”

The Body of Christ = Physical body of Christ who died on the Cross OR The People of God 1 Corinthians 12: 27 “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ”

Where does the Power of Sin come from ? 1. From Our Sinful Nature Romans 7: 17 -18 “As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. ”

Where does the Power of Sin come from ? 1. From Our Sinful Nature 2. From the World 1 John 5: 19 “We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. ” 1 John 2: 16 “For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world. ”

The “World” in 1 John The worldly belief systems that have been influenced by Satan and men’s sinful natures. It is the ungodly values and actions of sinful men – such as corruption, greed, survival of the fittest, domination of the powerful (rich) over the weak (poor).

Collective evil – somehow human group morality is strikingly less than individual morality.

Collective evil – somehow human group morality is strikingly less than individual morality. It is the influence of the world which would enhance the sinful nature in a single person – so much so that under the influence of the world or even just a group, a person would commit more sins than what he or she would have done on her own.

It is the influence of the world which would enhance the sinful nature in a single person – so much so that under the influence of the world or even just a group, a person would commit more sins than what he or she would have done on her own. In the Body of Christ, we would be influenced by God’s Word, and be encouraged by one another to do what is righteous.

Church Membership

Why be a Member of the Local Church ? Spiritual Discipline of Commitment Rev John Wesley once taught – “there is no holiness except social holiness. ”

Why be a Member of the Local Church ? Membership is the means whereby the Christian disciple covenants together with God and with the members of the local church to keep their vows of discipleship : 1. To confess Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and pledge their allegiance to His kingdom. 2. To receive and profess the Christian faith as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. 3. To promise according to the grace given them to live a Christian life and always remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church. 4. And to be loyal to the Church and uphold it by their prayers, presence, gifts and service.

Why be a Member of the Local Church ? a) The church will take care of your spiritual/other needs : i. Conducts your Wedding ii. Baptism of your children iii. Methodist Primary Schools priority iv. Hospitalization visits v. Funeral vi. Special price for a columbarium niche

Why be a Member of the Local Church ? a) The church will take care of your spiritual/other needs b) Only members are allowed to serve as a leader (LCEC members, or PCG leaders) in the church.

Acts of Faith / Means of Sanctifying Grace 1. Baptism – Romans 6: 4 (3 -10) 2. Hearing and obeying God’s Word – Romans 6: 17 (16 -18) 3. Belonging to the Body of Christ – Romans 7: 4 • If we Belong and Build Relationships within the Body of Christ, we are able to fight off the effects of the Power of Sin.

Romans 6: 22 – “But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ” – Romans 6: 22

Romans 7: 7– 25 “Sanctifying Grace frees us to live for God”