The Fight Within

Announcements & Joys

Call to Worship

Leader: The Lord is our strength and our Song—

People: He has become our salvation!

Leader: Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord,

People: And the people He has chosen as His own.

Leader: Today we give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy and remember those who have sacrificed to secure them.

People: But most of all, we celebrate the freedom we have in Christ—freedom from sin, fear, and death!

Leader: Come, let us worship the God of our salvation.

All: With grateful hearts and lifted voices, we worship the Lord!

Opening Praise Songs or Hymns | Come, Thou Fount | MH 400

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, we confess that we often take our freedom for granted—both as citizens and as believers. We have used our liberty to serve ourselves rather than others. We have chosen pride over humility, comfort over justice, and silence over truth. Forgive us, Lord. Teach us to use our freedom not to divide but to serve, not to boast but to bless. Make us instruments of Your peace in this land. In the name of Jesus, our Redeemer and Liberator, we pray. Amen.

Passing of the Peace

Children’s Moments - Tug of War

Hold one end of a rope.

“Can anyone pull me?”

(Let them try.)

“What if I let Jesus help me?”

Invite another adult to hold the other end.

Explain that life has struggles, but we don’t have to fight them alone. Jesus is always with us.

Let’s pray.

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for loving us. Help us to hear Your voice, trust You, and follow You every day. Amen.

Gospel Scripture Reading Matthew 11:16–19, 25–30

Matthew 11:16–19 NIV

“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others: “ ‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Matthew 11:25–30 NIV

At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Hymn | I Need Thee Every Hour | MH 397

Sharing of Concerns

Pastoral Prayer with the Lord’s Prayer

Presentation of Tithes & Offerings & Hymn | Lord I Need You (Video Song)

Offertory Music& Doxology

Prayer Over the Offering

Epistle Scripture Reading | Romans 7:15-25a

Romans 7:15–25 NIV

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law…

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable to you O Lord, our strength and our redeemer; and Get me behind the cross so that your glory and not mine might shine through; and in spite of the stammering of my speech and the inconsistencies of my character, may your Word be proclaimed and heard here today.

Sermon | The Fight Within

Introduction

Last week, Paul confronted us with a difficult question:

“Who’s your master?”

He reminded us that we all serve someone or something. We are either slaves to sin or servants of righteousness.

This week, Paul goes even deeper.

He lets us hear a battle that every one of us has fought.

Listen to these words:

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15, NIV)

Can anyone relate?

You tell yourself…

“I’m going to be more patient.”

Then someone cuts you off in traffic.

“I’m not going to worry so much.”

Then the phone rings.

“I’m going to spend more time in prayer.”

Then life gets busy.

“I’m not going to lose my temper again.”

…until you do.

Paul describes something every human being understands.

There is a fight within us.

Point One | The Reality of the Fight

Paul is remarkably honest.

He doesn’t pretend to have everything figured out.

He doesn’t put on a spiritual mask.

Instead, he says,

“I do not understand what I do.”

That’s refreshing.

Because sometimes Christians think they are the only ones who struggle.

We assume everyone else has their life together.

Everyone else’s marriage is stronger.

Everyone else’s prayer life is deeper.

Everyone else’s faith is steadier.

But Paul tears down that illusion.

There is a battle raging inside every human heart.

We want to forgive…

but bitterness hangs around.

We want to trust…

but anxiety whispers.

We want to love…

but anger sneaks back in.

We want to obey…

but temptation keeps knocking.

The struggle is real.

I remember a song by Andy Mineo called Tug of War that came out during our first year of pastoral ministry.

And I remember thinking then how fitting that title was.

Because that season really did feel like a tug of war.

Not just in the normal struggles of life…

but in the deeper struggle of stepping into God’s call while still carrying the memories of who I used to be.

When God calls you forward, not everybody around you adjusts at the same speed.

Some people still remember the old you.

Some people still expect the old you.

And if we’re honest, sometimes even we still hear the voice of the old self.

There is a tug of war.

The old life pulling one way. The call of God pulling the other.

The flesh says, “Go back to what is familiar.” The Spirit says, “Keep walking in what is new.”

Now that was true for me in those early years of pastoral ministry, but let’s be clear: this is not just a preacher problem.

This is the Christian life.

Every one of us who follows Jesus is called out of an old life and into a new one.

Every one of us is called to leave behind sin, old patterns, old identities, and old ways of thinking.

Every one of us is called to grow in holiness, obedience, and trust.

So this struggle within does not belong only to pastors or clergy.

It belongs to every Christian who is learning to follow Jesus faithfully.

Not only battling sin… but learning to live as the person Christ is making you to be.

The struggle is real.

Now, Wesleyan scholar Clarence Bence points out that some within our own Wesleyan tradition have understood Romans 7 as describing a believer who has been forgiven but has not yet experienced the fullness of sanctification. But Bence concludes that Paul’s larger argument points elsewhere. He believes Paul is describing the helplessness of life apart from Christ—a man awakened by God’s law, even drawn by God’s prevenient grace, yet still powerless to overcome sin.

The point isn’t simply that Paul struggled.

The point is that humanity cannot save itself.

The Law can awaken our conscience.

The Law can show us our sin.

But the Law cannot rescue us from it.

Paul isn’t making excuses.

He’s telling the truth.

And healing often begins when we’re honest enough to admit the battle.

Point Two | The Problem Isn’t the Law—It’s Sin

One of the biggest misunderstandings of Romans 7 is thinking Paul is angry with God’s Law.

He’s not.

In fact, earlier he says the Law is holy, righteous, and good.

The problem isn’t God’s commands.

The problem is sin.

Paul doesn’t describe sin as merely something we occasionally do.

He describes it almost like a power…

a force…

a master that seeks to rule our lives.

Sin takes good things…

and twists them.

It whispers lies.

It promises satisfaction…

and delivers slavery.

Our culture tells us:

“Believe in yourself.”

“Follow your heart.”

“You can become whoever you want to be.”

Paul says something very different.

He says the problem is bigger than your willpower.

That may sound discouraging…

but it’s actually good news.

Because if sin is bigger than me…

then I need Someone bigger than sin.

Personal Story

Last week I shared some of my dad’s final words to our family.

This week, another conversation with him has been on my heart.

When I was first diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes—probably somewhere around fifteen years ago now—I remember sitting in the parking lot after leaving the doctor’s office.

Before I even drove home…

I called my dad.

My dad knew diabetes.

He had battled it for years.

He beat cancer…

twice.

But diabetes was something he never could completely overcome.

I told him the diagnosis.

I’ll never forget what he said.

He simply said,

“You’re young. You can beat this.”

Those words have echoed in my mind a lot lately.

Back around 2019, I finally got serious about my health.

I lost the weight.

I changed how I ate.

I got off medications.

Things were moving in the right direction.

Then…

December of 2022 came.

Dad passed away.

And grief has a way of pulling you backward.

I slipped into old habits.

I ate the way I used to eat.

I stopped taking care of myself.

Before long…

I’d gained the weight back.

I found myself back on medications I had worked so hard to leave behind.

Today…

by God’s grace…

the story is changing again.

I’ve come off two diabetes medications.

I’ve come off a blood pressure medication.

Right now I’m down to one diabetes pill, one weekly shot, one blood pressure pill, and one cholesterol pill.

Lord willing, after my appointment later this month…

maybe even more medicines will be gone.

And I’m grateful to God for giving me another chance to take it seriously.

Here’s why I tell you all of that.

I’ve learned something about myself.

Old habits don’t disappear simply because I wish they would.

There is always a pull backward.

There is always a fight within.

Maybe yours isn’t diabetes.

Maybe it’s anger.

Maybe it’s pornography.

Maybe it’s alcohol.

Maybe it’s gossip.

Maybe it’s fear.

Maybe it’s pride.

Maybe it’s bitterness.

Maybe it’s anxiety.

Paul understood exactly what that feels like.

He writes,

“For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.” (Romans 7:19, NIV)

The struggle is real.

But here’s the difference between my physical health…

and my spiritual life.

With diabetes…

discipline matters.

Healthy choices matter.

Exercise matters.

But spiritually…

discipline alone will never save me.

I don’t simply need better habits.

I need a Savior.

Point Three | The Rescue Comes Through Christ

Paul reaches the lowest point in the chapter.

Listen to his words.

“What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death?” (Romans 7:24, NIV)

Don’t miss the question.

He doesn’t ask,

“How can I rescue myself?”

He asks,

“Who will rescue me?”

That’s the question the entire Bible answers.

Who is the Good Shepherd?

Who forgives sins?

Who calms storms?

Who raises the dead?

Who rescues sinners?

Paul doesn’t make us wait very long.

He answers immediately.

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25a, NIV)

Clarence Bence describes this beautifully.

He says apart from Christ we find ourselves in what he calls “the no-man’s-land of conviction.”

We know God’s way is right.

We even want to obey Him.

Yet we remain powerless to free ourselves from sin’s grip.

Then comes the Gospel.

God Himself becomes the Liberator.

Through Jesus Christ we are freed from the power of sin, from the condemnation of the Law, and from the helplessness of trying to save ourselves.

Church…

that’s Christianity.

Not self-improvement.

Not trying harder.

Not becoming a better version of yourself.

Jesus Christ.

He is the Deliverer.

He is the Liberator.

He is the One who breaks sin’s power.

Conclusion

Maybe you’ve been fighting the same battle for years.

The same temptation.

The same anger.

The same addiction.

The same fear.

The same anxiety.

The same bitterness.

Hear me today.

Don’t confuse the battle…

with defeat.

If you’re still turning toward Christ…

if you’re still repenting…

if you’re still trusting Him…

then don’t give up.

Keep coming to Jesus.

Because your story doesn’t end in Romans 7.

Paul didn’t stop writing there.

And neither should we.

Next Sunday we arrive at one of the greatest promises in all of Scripture.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, NIV)

Romans 7 asks the question.

Romans 8 gives the answer.

Thanks be to God…

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Let us pray…

Holy Communion

Invitation to the Table

Friends, we’ve heard Paul’s honest confession today:

“I do not understand what I do… For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing.”

If that confession describes your heart today, then hear Paul’s answer as well:

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!”

We do not come to this table because we have mastered sin.

We come because Christ has mastered sin, death, and the grave.

This is not the table of a perfect people.

It is the table of a gracious Savior.

All who repent of their sin, trust in Jesus Christ, and seek to live in peace with God and one another are invited to come.

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Gracious Father,

We thank You for Your great love shown to us through Your Son, Jesus Christ. When we could not rescue ourselves, You sent the One who could. Thank You for His life, His cross, His resurrection, and His victory over sin and death.

As we receive this bread and this cup, strengthen our faith, remind us of Your grace, and nourish us by Your Holy Spirit until the day we feast with Christ in His heavenly kingdom.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Words of Institution (1 Corinthians 11:23–26, NIV)

“For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.’

In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.’

For whenever you eat this, do so in remembrance of me.

And so, in remembrance of these Your mighty acts recorded in the gospel and revealed in Your Holy Kingdom, let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

--

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again!

Let us pray.

Father, by Your Holy Spirit, bless this bread and this cup, and bless us as we receive them in faith.

As we share in this holy meal, strengthen us in Christ, who gave Himself for us.

Put to death in us all that belongs to sin, and form us into a people who belong wholly to Jesus.

Renew our minds, purify our hearts by Your grace, and make us one body in Christ as we wait for His coming again in glory.

And as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, let our lives proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord.

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

Now let us approach the throne of grace and pray, each in our own first language, the prayer that Christ taught us to pray.

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. 

For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD

This is the body of Christ given for you.

This is the blood of the New Covenant poured out for you.

These gifts of God are for the people of God. Thanks be to God!

Friends, come, taste and see that God is good.

SHARING THE BREAD AND CUP

Sending Hymn | Victory in Jesus | MH 370

Benediction