Who Will Deliver Us From This Body of Death? based on Romans 7:14-25a

I. Life can be a struggle at times.

II. Popular preachers promise health and success.

III. Self-help books promise change for the better.

IV. Politicians promise better things to come.

V. Read Romans 7:15 and comment. Rom. 7:15 “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.”

VI. Paul was referring to himself as a mature Christian.

VII. Read Romans 7:16-18 and comment about Law of God. Rom. 7:16-18 “Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.”

VIII. Read Romans 7:19-20 and comment on Ten Commandments. Rom. 7:19-20 “For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.”

IX. The Law of God moves us to feel how wretched and sinful we really are.

X. Popular preachers, self-help books, and politicians will not deliver us.

XI. Who will deliver us? Read Romans 7:25a, Zechariah 9:9, and Matthew 11:27-30. Rom. 7:25 “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Zechariah 9:9 “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” Matt. 11:27-30 “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

XII. Struggling and realizing our wretchedness moves us to hunger and thirst for forgiveness and peace in Word and Sacraments.