Freedom From Captivity

Romans 7 confronts us with a reality we often try to avoid: the inner battle between who we want to be in Christ and the sin that still entangles us. This passage reveals that even after coming to faith, we face an ongoing struggle with sin—not because we're broken or unsaved, but because the enemy works harder than ever to pull us off course. Paul himself confesses this tension: 'I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.' The central message here is profoundly liberating: death brings freedom from captivity. Through Christ's sacrifice, we've been released from the law that once held us bound. The marriage illustration isn't about divorce but about covenant—we are the bride who broke our vows through sin, and only through Jesus' death can we be freed and united with Him. What makes this particularly relevant to our lives today is the exploration of how God's good gifts—money, sexuality, alcohol, food—can become twisted by sin into chains that bind us. These 'big four' areas of struggle remind us that sin takes common graces and perverts them into bondage. The litmus test of genuine conversion isn't perfection but fruit-bearing: when we're truly connected to Christ, something changes within us. The question we must ask ourselves is deeply personal: What is holding us captive today? What sin keeps us from bearing the fruit God intends for our lives? This passage calls us to honest introspection, genuine repentance, and the courage to walk in the freedom Christ purchased for us.

### Sermon Notes

**Introduction:**

- Pastor Will welcomes the congregation and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to gather and study Scripture.

- The focus is on Romans chapter 7, a continuation of the sermon series on Romans, specifically looking at the controversial and often misinterpreted first six verses.

**Main Themes:**

1. **Universal Sinfulness:**

  - Paul addresses the reality of sin present in all human lives.

  - Sin is a common struggle that should be openly discussed despite cultural tendencies to avoid the topic.

  - Recognizing our depravity is the first step towards understanding the need for redemption through Christ.

2. **The Inner Battle:**

  - Even after accepting Christ, believers struggle with sin.

  - This internal conflict between the desire to follow Christ and the tendency to sin is a common experience.

  - Paul’s admission of his own struggles in Romans 7:17 reinforces this truth.

3. **Freedom Through Christ:**

  - Paul's illustration of marriage laws demonstrates that death (Christ's sacrifice) frees us from the law's bondage.

  - Believers are no longer bound by the law of sin due to Christ’s atonement, highlighting the transformative power of His death and resurrection.

4. **From Captivity to Freedom:**

  - Sin can enslave us, but death in Christ brings freedom.

  - Paul uses marriage as an analogy to explain this freedom, cautioning that the text is not a prescription for divorce but an illustration of spiritual freedom.

5. **Bearing Fruit:**

  - True conversion is evidenced by a change in lifestyle and the bearing of spiritual fruit.

  - Followers of Christ are expected to exhibit visible transformations in their lives.

  - The presence of fruit is a litmus test for genuine faith.

**Practical Applications:**

1. **Self-Examination:**

  - Reflect on personal sins that may be hidden or denied.

  - Consider areas in life where self-control is lacking and seek accountability.

2. **Understanding Freedom:**

  - Embrace the freedom from sin's bondage by continually turning to Christ and confessing shortcomings.

  - Recognize the liberty found in Christ, not as a license to sin, but as empowerment to live righteously.

3. **Bearing Fruit:**

  - Actively seek ways to bear fruit in life, such as serving others, practicing generosity, and growing in spiritual disciplines.

  - Engage in community and accountability groups to foster growth and encourage one another.

**Discussion Questions:**

1. **Understanding Sin:**

  - How does acknowledging our own sinfulness enhance our dependence on Christ?

2. **Inner Struggles:**

  - In what ways have you experienced the inner struggle between following Christ and falling back into sin?

3. **Freed by His Sacrifice:**

  - How can we live out the freedom Christ has provided in practical, everyday situations?

4. **Response to Freedom:**

  - What steps can you take to ensure that the freedom purchased by Christ’s sacrifice is not taken for granted in your life?

5. **Real Evidence:**

  - What are some specific ways you or someone you know has evidenced their transformation in Christ through the bearing of spiritual fruit?