A Denial for Your Revival

Introduction: Are you a recovering addict? Have you had an addiction? Before you say no, you probably have had an addiction. In fact, I’m sure you have. Maybe not meth or chronic gambling but guess what? We are all SIN-RECOVERING ADDICTS! We have had a SIN ADDICTION!! Therefore, we are recovering SIN ADDICTS. The apostle Paul, led by the Holy Spirit addresses those issues.

1. In DENIAL for a REVIVAL! (Rom 7:14-20)

“14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.”

Remember before his conversion Paul was a Pharisee. He attempted to keep the law. He worked to be justified by works.
So in the first half of chapter seven of Romans this appears to be an unconverted man trying to please God by keeping the law. However, the last half of the chapter seems to be describing a converted man trying to please God through the works of the flesh. Does this makes sense? Where do you fit in?

2. REVIVAL over DENIAL! (Rom 7:21-25)

“I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin…..”

Finally, Paul – now a CHRISTian – realizes that death to self and new resurrection life in Christ is the only way to produce fruit. Anything else becomes legalism. Do you ever try to revert back to the flesh in serving the Lord? Pleasing God? Self effort? Striving in the flesh? Hopefully, we come to the same conclusion, Oh “wretched” – miserable man
that I am…

Conclusion: As long as we try to live the CHRISTian life apart from Jesus Christ, we will fail. In other words, it will be our denial for our revival!
 
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese