God is Bigger Than...My Insecurities!

Introduction

Romans 7:14–8:5 (ESV)

For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 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. 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. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

1) Living by the flesh, makes us insecure about our faith. (vs. 14-24)

Living with our minds set on worldly things keeps us weak in our faith.

A large majority of Christians will define their faith by their own terms rather than letting Jesus define them and develop their faith.

As a result, their part in Kingdom work revolves around their own level of comfort rather than the unction of the Holy Spirit.

Living by the flesh also makes us doubt our faith at times.

Living by worldly standards can also make us ignore our faith.

2) Living by faith, makes us insecure about our flesh. (vs. 25-8:5)

When we walk by faith, the distractions of worldly affairs and drama get quieter and less desirable.

When we walk by faith, sin in our life is a big deal.

When we walk by faith, our own wants and desires annoy us and we are broken anytime we get in the way of the Holy Spirit at work.

Keep a journal or a mental log of your thoughts and attitudes. When you walk by faith, you’ll be able to see real quick when your flesh is getting in the way and you’re insecure about your flesh flaring up.

3) God empowers us to overcome insecurities as we serve Him.

When we live by faith, our insecurities about serving God are overcome by His Holy Spirit providing supernatural giftedness in place of our weaknesses.

Abraham and Sarah were insecure about their age...

Moses was insecure about his ability to speak...

Gideon was insecure about his lack of courage and strength...

Jeremiah was insecure about his youth...

Isaiah was insecure about his speech...

Jonah was insecure about where he was being sent...

Peter was insecure about following Jesus and then again about hanging around with gentiles...

The entire church was insecure about God’s ability to save Paul...

Paul was insecure about his own flesh...

BUT GOD IS BIGGER THAN OUR INSECURITIES

CLOSING

Which seems more like a struggle to you in your life…your flesh or your faith?

Do you feel more insecure about living out God’s righteousness or living out worldly ambitions?

No matter which is your struggle…God is Bigger Than you insecurities and can empower you to draw closer to Him and live out the life He has designed for you and secured for your through Jesus Christ!