Sermons on Romans 7:18-25
The various sermons below converge on the central theme of the internal struggle Paul describes in Romans 7:18-25, emphasizing the tension between the desire to do good and the persistent power of sin within the believer. They collectively highlight the insufficiency of human effort to meet God’s righteous standards without divine intervention, underscoring the necessity of grace and spiritual deliverance. Several sermons draw attention to the Greek terms used by Paul—such as "righteousness," "concupiscence," and the preposition "kata"—to deepen the understanding of sin not merely as external actions but as an ingrained condition or orientation of the heart. This condition provokes a profound internal conflict, where the law, though good, paradoxically exposes and inflames the sinful nature. The sermons also emphasize the relational aspect of righteousness, framing it as fulfilling God’s expectations rather than simply adhering to rules, and they stress the importance of living "in terms of" the Spirit rather than the flesh as the pathway to true freedom and peace.
In contrast, the sermons diverge in their theological emphases and pastoral applications. Some focus more heavily on the incarnation and Christ’s sacrificial role as the source of strength to overcome sin, portraying divine intervention as essential for righteous living. Others highlight the ongoing nature of sanctification, framing the struggle as a shared, lifelong tension within the community of believers rather than a one-time victory. There is also a nuanced difference in how sin is portrayed: one approach stresses sin as a condition of self-centeredness that displaces God, requiring a radical rebirth for transformation, while another sermon leans into the concept of law as a regularity or principle that reveals the limitations of the flesh. Additionally, some sermons caution against human pride and self-reliance as barriers to grace, urging a posture of humility and dependence on God, whereas others use analogies like a child learning from consequences to illustrate the human condition and the need for divine guidance. These differences shape how the passage is applied pastorally, whether emphasizing immediate deliverance, ongoing sanctification, or the relational dynamics of faith and obedience.
Romans 7:18-25 Interpretation:
Embracing the Incarnation: Living in Christ's Abundance (River of Life Church Virginia) interprets Romans 7:18-25 by emphasizing the struggle between the desire to do good and the sinful nature that leads to doing what one hates. The sermon uses the analogy of a child learning from consequences to illustrate the human condition of sin and the need for divine intervention. The pastor highlights the Greek term "righteousness" as fulfilling expectations in relationships, which shapes the understanding of the passage as a struggle to meet God's expectations without divine help.
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit (Dallas Willard Ministries) interprets Romans 7:18-25 by focusing on the concept of "law" as a regularity rather than just a set of commandments. The sermon highlights Paul's struggle with covetousness, which is not an external action but an internal struggle, emphasizing the limitations of flesh and the need for spiritual deliverance. The sermon also explores the Greek preposition "kata," suggesting that living "in terms of" the flesh or spirit provides a deeper understanding of the passage.
Embracing Divine Grace Over Self-Reliance (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 7:18-25 by emphasizing the futility of self-reliance and the necessity of divine grace. The sermon uses the analogy of a man trying to stand before God on his own merits, only to realize his inherent sinfulness and need for God's grace. This interpretation highlights the internal struggle between the desire to do good and the reality of sin, leading to a reliance on Christ for deliverance.
Understanding Sin: The Heart's Condition and God's Glory (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 7:18-25 by emphasizing the distinction between actions and the sinful state or condition. The sermon highlights that sin is not merely about specific actions but is a deep-seated condition that affects one's relationship with God. It uses the Greek term "concupiscence" to describe the evil desire that is inflamed even by the law itself, illustrating how the law, while good, can provoke sin due to the sinful nature within humans. This interpretation underscores the internal struggle described by Paul, where the desire to do good is present, but the sinful nature prevails.
Romans 7:18-25 Theological Themes:
Embracing the Incarnation: Living in Christ's Abundance (River of Life Church Virginia) presents the theme of divine intervention as essential for overcoming the sinful nature. The sermon emphasizes that Jesus' incarnation and sacrifice provide the strength needed to live righteously, highlighting the necessity of divine help to fulfill the law's requirements.
Overcoming Shame: Embracing Forgiveness and Community (HighRidge Church) introduces the theme of the tension between loving Jesus and living for Jesus, which is a lifelong journey due to the ongoing process of sanctification. The sermon emphasizes that this tension is a shared experience among believers and not a sign of failure.
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit (Dallas Willard Ministries) presents the theme of the spiritual world as the real world, suggesting that faith is a perception of this reality. The sermon emphasizes the importance of setting one's mind on the spiritual rather than the flesh, which leads to life and peace.
Embracing Divine Grace Over Self-Reliance (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of human pride and self-confidence as barriers to experiencing God's grace. The sermon argues that true blessing comes from recognizing one's own helplessness and relying entirely on God.
Understanding Sin: The Heart's Condition and God's Glory (MLJTrust) presents the theme that sin is fundamentally a wrong relationship with God rather than just wrongful actions. It argues that sin is self-centeredness, which places self where God should be, and this misalignment is the essence of sin. The sermon also introduces the idea that sin is so deeply ingrained in human nature that only a rebirth, a new creation, can address it, emphasizing the necessity of divine intervention for true transformation.
Romans 7:18-25 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit (Dallas Willard Ministries) provides historical context by discussing the cultural understanding of "flesh" and "spirit" during biblical times. The sermon explains that flesh was not inherently bad but became problematic when it was relied upon instead of God.
Romans 7:18-25 Cross-References in the Bible:
Embracing the Incarnation: Living in Christ's Abundance (River of Life Church Virginia) references Colossians 1:15-23 to support the idea of Jesus as the image of the invisible God, emphasizing His role in creation and reconciliation. The sermon also references Philippians 2:5-8 to illustrate Jesus' humility and obedience, which contrasts with human disobedience.
Overcoming Shame: Embracing Forgiveness and Community (HighRidge Church) references Galatians 3:26 and 2 Corinthians 5:17 to emphasize the believer's new identity in Christ and the transformation that comes with it. The sermon also references Isaiah 54:4 to highlight God's promise to remove shame.
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit (Dallas Willard Ministries) references Philippians 3, where Paul lists his credentials and ultimately dismisses them as worthless compared to knowing Christ. This supports the idea that reliance on the flesh is futile. The sermon also references Romans 8, which speaks of living according to the Spirit as the answer to the struggle in Romans 7.
Embracing Divine Grace Over Self-Reliance (MLJTrust) references Jeremiah 17:5-7, contrasting the cursed man who trusts in himself with the blessed man who trusts in the Lord. This cross-reference emphasizes the futility of self-reliance and the necessity of divine grace.
Understanding Sin: The Heart's Condition and God's Glory (MLJTrust) references 1 John 3, which discusses sin as transgression of the law, to support the idea that sin is not only a failure to be righteous but also involves active disobedience. This cross-reference is used to expand on the concept of sin as both a negative condition and an active transgression, aligning with Paul's struggle in Romans 7.
Romans 7:18-25 Christian References outside the Bible:
Overcoming Shame: Embracing Forgiveness and Community (HighRidge Church) references the Apostle Paul as an example of a mature believer who still experiences the tension between loving Jesus and living for Jesus. The sermon uses Paul's writings to validate the shared struggle among Christians.
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit (Dallas Willard Ministries) references John Wesley's understanding of faith as a perception of reality, which aligns with the sermon's emphasis on the spiritual world as the real world. The sermon also mentions C.S. Lewis's idea that humans are spiritual beings having a human experience, reinforcing the theme of spiritual reality.
Romans 7:18-25 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Overcoming Shame: Embracing Forgiveness and Community (HighRidge Church) uses the analogy of a broken arm to illustrate the need for professional help in dealing with shame. The pastor compares seeking therapy for the soul to visiting a doctor for a physical injury, emphasizing the importance of addressing mental and emotional health.
Living in the Freedom of the Spirit (Dallas Willard Ministries) uses the example of large mellow pink envelopes in religious organizations to illustrate reliance on human methods rather than spiritual dependence. The sermon also references the formula E=mc² to explain the relationship between matter and energy, drawing a parallel to the spiritual and physical realms.