Book of Romans: Finding Hope When Struggling with Sin | April 13, 2025

Jim Keena | Guest Speaker

Referenced Scripture:
Romans 7:14-25 & Galatians 5:17-23

Reflection Questions:
1. In which areas of your life is your “spirit willing,” but your “flesh weak”? For example, is it exercising, organizing, cutting out junk food, or filing your income taxes by April 15th? In other words, what is something you’ve tried really hard to change in your life but find yourself falling back into old patterns?

2. Read Romans 7:14-25 aloud. What stands out to you in Paul’s description of his inner conflict? In the sermon, Jim mentioned that when he was 19 years old, he appreciated Paul’s honesty and vulnerability. How do you respond to Paul’s vivid portrayal of his internal struggle?

3. Verse 15 states: “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” Can you relate to this? How have you experienced this tug-of-war in your spiritual journey?

4. In Romans 7:16-17, Paul describes the source of our struggle as “sin that dwells within me.” This “indwelling sin” refers to the constant presence and influence of sin in a believer's life, even after they have been justified and regenerated by faith in Jesus Christ. Why is it beneficial to recognize this as a spiritual reality for all Christians?

5. Romans 7:22 states, “For in my inner being I delight in God’s law.” How can a person genuinely delight in God’s law yet still struggle to live by it consistently? What does this reveal about the journey of spiritual growth?

6. Romans 7:24 states, “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” How does this verse express both despair and longing? Have you ever experienced that kind of desperation in your relationship with God?

7. The sermon emphasized that Romans 7:24-25 could be referred to as Paul’s Four Steps. How do these steps connect to the struggle you face between your flesh and spirit? Have you taken these steps?
They are:
* HONEST CONFESSION: “Wretched man that I am!” (7:24a)
* DESPERATE QUESTION: “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (7:24b)
* GOSPEL DECLARATION: “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25a)
* OPEN ADMISSION: “So then, I serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh, I serve the law of sin.” (7:25b)

8. Tim Keller writes, “The gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time, we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” How does Keller’s quote relate to Romans 7:14-25? How does his quote relate to you?

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