The Bethany Bullet Sermon Message - Week of June 28, 2020

Link to Worship Video for 6/28/20 – HERE

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http://www.bethanylutheran.org/worship-service-resources/

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Link for printing Sunday’s Bulletin for 6/28/20 – HERE

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Link to Bible Discovery Resources for 6/28/20 – HERE

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Message from Romans 7:1-13

Most of us are familiar with the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.  The “Strange Case” is an exploration of the struggle that rages within between good desires and evil impulses and urges.  This exploration isn’t limited to literary masterpieces like that of Robert Louise Stevenson.  Cartoons too explore this struggle.  Most of us have also seen Bug Bunny and Donald Duck sporting halos and horns. 

St. Paul in his letter to the Romans, the seventh chapter, explores the struggle that every Christian faces and no Christian can escape.  The struggle between the “new creation” we are in Christ and the original nature that we still bear.  That nature is never removed and never improved. 

As the apostle to the Gentiles admits his despair over sin, “What a wretched person I am” we find him mouthing the words that have been heard in our minds and wounded our hearts.  “How could I a child of God do that?”  “Why would I in whom the Spirit lives say, think, act in such a manner?”

It is then that Paul, turns back to the promises of God made in Christ and says, “Thanks be to God!”  God’s mercy, grace, forgiveness, love and righteousness given in Christ is the holy medicine to the wounds the law, on account of sin, leave within the believer.   These promises, and the work of the Spirit, are also what compels the Christian to seek to live in Christ-like life and continue the ‘struggle’ that is ever present this side of eternity. 

There is a saying, that certainly affirms this truth:  “I’m not what I ought to be.  I’m not what I want to be.  But thank God I’m not what I used to be!”  What do you think that statement means and how does it aid you in the struggle?

-- Pr. Kevin Kritzer