THE STRUGGLE IS REAL

0:00 Several years ago, my wife and I were in Mexico. I love Mexico. And we rented this truck because I heard about this beach that was miles outside of town, supposedly had incredible surf. I love surfing. Total paradise. So we get there, we pull up, we park in the sand, and we have a great time until it was time to leave. I get in the truck, I put my foot on the gas, and friends, we go nowhere. Our tires are just spinning in the sand. So I think, okay, don't panic. Take a breath. Just give it a little bit more gas. Bad idea. Again, we went nowhere, and our tires just sunk deeper and deeper and deeper into the sand. I had a problem I couldn't fix. And no matter how hard I tried, it just seemed to make matters worse. Has anybody here ever had a problem you couldn't fix? I'm not talking like a minor inconvenience, but a real problem in your relationships, in your health, in your emotions.

1:17 a habit that you couldn't break, a temper you couldn't tame, a fear you couldn't silence, those personal weaknesses that are just on repeat in your life. For me, one of those things is I struggle with patience, and when things don't go the way I want them to, I can lose my temper like that. As a matter of fact, I went camping this last weekend with my two sweet, adorable young daughters. But let's just say I may or may not have lost my cool a couple times. And what happens in those moments in my life, in your life, you go, what is wrong with me? So you tell yourself, all right, that was the last time I'm going to lock in. I'm going to read my Bible. I'm going to go to church. I'm going to pray more. I'm going to eat my vegetables. I'm going to do cold plunges, whatever it takes. But then it's inevitable.

2:20 We fall short again. And you just feel like, what is wrong with me? anybody ever been there why can't i stop doing the thing i hate well if you've been there i want to congratulate you because you have something in common with one of the greatest christians to ever walk the planet the apostle paul check out what he said he says for i do not understand in my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

3:00 Translation, the struggle is real. It's real. It's real for you. It's real for me. It was real for the apostle Paul. And I don't know about you, but I kind of find that comforting. Because when I do something stupid, I like to know I'm not the only one. And here's Paul, who God used to write majority of the New Testament, and he's saying, yeah, I struggle. That should comfort some of you today. But it's also kind of confusing, because you're probably thinking, wait a minute, I thought Christians like no longer struggle. Like I thought those bad habits and those weaknesses would eventually go away. And you're telling me, Paul, this great man of God, Paul struggled like I struggle? Oh, shoot. Paul struggles. There's no hope for me. Kind of begs the question, can a person really change? But what Paul is saying is, yeah, absolutely a person can change.

4:03 the struggle is real but so is the savior and because of the savior the struggle is good so if you have your bibles i want you to take them out right now let's turn to romans chapter seven and we're going to discover how the struggle is good and if you're just joining us we've been going through the book of romans every week chapter by chapter verse by verse this is the constitution of our faith it's why we believe what we believe so i encourage you go to fellowship church.com or our app so you can bring yourself up to speed. But today we're going to look at Romans 7, right in the middle of the book of Romans. And it is arguably the most honest and helpful chapter in the entire Bible. And here's why. Paul starts off by saying, for we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh sold under sin. I do not understand my own actions for I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

5:06 Paul's saying, I have a problem. And that's why the struggle is good. It teaches us we have a problem. You can't fix a problem, right? If you don't know what the problem is. And Paul's laying it out for us right here. He says, the problem is me. God is good. His law, his moral law, what's right, what's wrong that he's etched on our hearts. It's good. The problem is I am not good. The problem is I have a sin problem. What is sin? Sin is the reason you keep doing the thing you hate. it's a sin problem it goes all the way back to the first man and woman Adam and Eve God created them there was no sin the world was beautiful harmonious unlike it is today and then they were tempted they turned their backs on God and it says in that moment this disease called sin entered into the human existence and because of that we keep returning back to the things we hate there's so many world religions out there and they all agree we have a problem. Buddhism says our problem is we're ignorant, so we need more enlightenment. Hinduism says our problem is we're forgetful. We've forgotten our divine nature. We just need to remember who we truly are. Islam says our problem is we're disobedient. We need to work harder, be disciplined. Judaism says there's a battle between good and evil.

6:41 We just need to follow God's law to the T. And society says, we don't have a problem. We're good. It's everybody else that has a problem. We need to fix the system. Only Christianity says, no, no, no, no, no. You have a problem. You have a problem called sin. Sin is the problem. So that's good. Struggle's good. because now we know, okay, that's what the problem is. Paul continues. He says, so now it is no longer I who do it, but it is 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. Now I'm gonna advise that nobody try this verse at home. husbands next time you disappoint or frustrate your wife don't say listen honey it is no longer I who do it it is sin that dwells within me students don't say that to your parents next time you get in trouble it's not going to go well for you but it's true Paul's saying I have a problem I can't fix I have a problem and it's a problem I can't fix all those other world religions, they tell you you can fix your problem. Christianity says, no, you can't.

8:11 That's bad news. I have a problem I can't fix. But why the struggle is good is if it can bring me to a point of realizing I have a problem I can't fix, that's transformative. How many of you have ever heard of AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, an amazing organization program that has literally transformed the lives of millions of people. People who were enslaved to addiction, now set free in sobriety. It was created by two Christian men. And do you know what the first step of AA is? The first step toward transformation? I have a problem I can't fix. that's massive. If the struggle can bring me to a point of realizing that self-help is no help at all and to stop relying on myself, the struggle is good. Otherwise, I'm just like that fool on the beach and my tires are just spinning in the sand. So Paul's saying, I have a problem. I have a problem I can't fix. Then he goes on to say, and this is where it gets really interesting, super helpful. It says, so I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

9:33 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being, but I see in my members, my body, another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Okay, what is Paul talking about? This was probably a really confusing part of Paul's letter to the church in Rome, Romans chapter 7. Maybe some of you are confused right now, because if you came to church last week, we read Romans chapter 6. In Romans chapter 6, Paul says that anybody who puts their faith in Jesus is no longer a slave to sin. Y'all remember that from last week? It was awesome. And I'm sure that people in Rome, when they heard Paul's letter, they were like, finally, the struggle is over. Sign me up. And then Paul says in Romans 7, oh, but hey, I'm still a slave to sin. Is that confusing to anybody else?

10:33 Am I the only one? I'm reading that. I'm going back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. What am I missing? What am I missing? What am I missing? Paul, am I free or am I not? Which is it, my man? You sound like you're contradicting yourself. That is why this is the most honest and helpful chapter in all of the Bible. Paul is talking about the already, but not yet. When you surrender your life to Christ, you are already a new creation. You are already free from the power of sin. Once and for all. When God looks at you, he doesn't see your sin. he sees the righteousness of Christ that you've been clothed in already. And on top of that, you have the Holy Spirit, God's Spirit now dwelling within you. You used to be in the fight by yourself. Now he's in the fight with you already. But here's the not yet.

11:28 Although you're a new creation, born again on the inside, you're still in this old, unredeemed body. this body that is subject to death this body that has picked up a lot of bad habits along the way it's the already but not yet so Paul's saying the struggle is real for all of us even you Christ followers I'm sure a lot of Christians out here when you fall short when you sin when you fumble the ball, you go, am I defective? No, the struggle is real. But the struggle is good because it's showing you there's a struggle, right? Imagine how messed up we'd be if there was no struggle. That struggle is telling you God's doing a new thing in me. My new self is fighting against my old self. He says it right here. He says, I delight in the law of God in my inner being, but I see in my members in my body, another law waging war. So the struggle is good.

12:32 It's showing us God is doing something. It's the already, but not yet, but it's exhausting. So Paul's at the end of his rope and he says, wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? Paul's saying, I have a problem I can't fix. I need help. Anybody ever felt like a wretch?

12:56 I have. That word in the Greek means you're exhausted after the battle, after the struggle. But the struggle is good because it teaches you self-help is no help. And to ask for help, to reach out for help. And not only does it teach you to stop relying on yourself, it teaches you there's somebody stronger you can rely on. And Paul answers his own question. And who can help me? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord. I have a problem I can't fix, but Jesus can and he has and he will. Every world religion says, you can fix your problem. Christianity says, no, you can't. Every world religion says, oh, the answer is in you. But Christianity says, no, the answer came for you.

13:54 It's not about do this, do that. It's about it's already been done. Jesus he fixes the problem and to put a little cherry on top give you a sneak peek into next week Paul says in the next verse Romans chapter 8 verse 1 there is therefore now say this with me no condemnation say it like you're excited about it no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus man somebody ought to do a praise break and just run around this room right now come on the struggle is real but thanks be to God so is the Savior you know what that verse should do for some of you in this room should get you to stop beating yourselves up because there's a lot of people who put expectations on themselves that God is not putting on you you think God is demanding perfection of you? You really think that? Some of you think that.

15:03 If he was, why did he send Jesus? He knows you can't be perfect. Only Jesus could live a perfect life. Only Jesus could die a sacrificial death. Only Jesus could rise again and free us from the power of sin. Only Jesus could. Only Jesus did. So stop beating yourself up. And what Paul's not saying is, yeah, just keep sinning. I mean, sinner's gonna sin. It's just who we are. God's gonna forgive us. It's cool. No, he's not saying that. He's saying God doesn't expect perfection of you, but he does expect faithfulness. So when you fall, be faithful, fall forward, fix your eyes on Jesus. I spoke this week to a friend here at Fellowship Church in his 70s. Shout out to the FYI Bible study class.

15:59 I'm so thankful we go to a church with people who have followed Jesus longer than I've been alive. And if you're not learning from them, get your butt involved in the church. Start asking some questions. They will help you out. He told me a story about when he was 19 years old. He fell on his bed. He had done something stupid. He cried out to God. He said, God, tears in his eyes. What is wrong with me? I'm doing everything right. I'm going to church. I'm reading my Bible. I'm praying. Like, why can't I stop doing this thing? What's wrong with me?

16:35 He said, Romans 7 and chapter 8, which we'll learn about next week, changed his life. Showed him, yeah, something is wrong with you. it's wrong with all of us you got a problem you can't fix it but you don't have to I'm here for you I can fix it for you said it changed his life but then he said this he said you know Derek even in my 70s though the struggle is still real I was like don't tell me that that's depressing. He laughed. He said, it's true.

17:17 And he said this and listen very carefully. He said, but because of Jesus and the Holy Spirit working in me, living in me, I am a long way from the person I used to be. let me ask you a question today does anybody want to be a long way from the person you are right now yeah me too so how do we get there well we've got to learn to walk through the struggle next time you fail and you're gonna fail next time you fall you're gonna fall remember there is no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus Christ has covered your misstep and the Holy Spirit empowers your next step, get up and walk through the struggle. It starts by waking up to the war within.

18:11 Remember, you can't fix a problem if you're not aware and won't admit there's a problem. Wake up to the war within. Everybody say, I've got a problem on the count of three. One, two, three. I've got a problem. Way to go. then step two abandon self-help for surrender self-help is no help so stop pushing harder surrender sooner don't be like that fool with your wheels just spinning in the sand that first step towards transformation is saying I have a problem I can't fix we're going to say it together right now. One, two, three. I have a problem I can't fix. Friends, if you're sincere, that can change your life. And don't struggle solo. if you do, which is what we often do when we do something stupid, we just kind of isolate.

19:11 I'm the only one. People will judge me. Do you know what the church is? This is a place for fellow strugglers. If you're perfect, do not join Fellowship Church. You're going to mess it up. Okay. We're a bunch of fellow strugglers helping each other in our struggle, move forward in fixing our eyes on Jesus. So don't struggle solo. Get involved. Get involved in the mix. Get involved in a group. Get involved in a Bible study class. Get involved serving. The struggle is better together. I have a problem I can't fix. And then lean on the Spirit daily. The Holy Spirit of God. The struggle's too big for you. It's not too big for the Holy Spirit. it. And we will unpack this more next week. I was telling the pastor Dave Clark, who's going to preach next week. And I said, I don't like preaching this message because it's really incomplete without Romans chapter eight. So I'm kind of giving you a cliffhanger. This is part one.

20:13 Part two is going to blow your mind. So don't miss next week. But here's what I'll tell you. Replace self-talk with spirit talk. Paul said, hey, pray without ceasing. And what he meant is invite the Holy Spirit into your day and into the struggle. Holy Spirit, help me have patience. I need that one. Holy Spirit, help me have self-control. Holy Spirit, help me receive God's forgiveness. Holy Spirit, help me do the right thing. When I was camping with my girls, confession, I did lose my cool a couple times. I immediately felt like a wretch like you're an idiot I immediately was reminded there's no condemnation for those that are in Christ Jesus and I immediately cried out Holy Spirit I've got about another 24 hours in this camping trip I'm gonna need a lot of patience and I went to my girls and I said sweethearts daddy's wrong I shouldn't have lost my temper like that. Will you forgive me? And of course they said yes. And then we had a great conversation about how we all have weaknesses, but God is faithful to help us grow through them.

21:32 So stop relying on yourself. Start leaning into the Savior. And finally, keep thanking Jesus for the victory. Next time you fall, don't beat yourself up, but choose gratitude. Choose gratitude. How do we thank Jesus? We thank him by worshiping him. The songs that we sing today that we sing on Sundays, those are thank you songs. Thank you, Jesus. And we don't just worship him with our words. We worship him with our lives. What we say, what we do, what we think, where we go, how we sow. I've been bringing the tithe, the first 10% of all God's blessed me with the fellowship church for 27 years. Many of you have as well. Why do we do that? To say, thank you. Thank you, God, for your mercy and for your grace and for blessing me in ways I don't deserve. There's so many ways we can thank God. So from the moment your feet touch the floor to the moment you lay your head on the pillow at night and every moment in between, especially those ones where you fall short, thank Jesus for the victory.

22:49 Walk through the struggle. that day on the beach, I tried everything to get those tires out of the sand. That's my wife. Sweating. It was like 100 degrees outside. And after I called myself every name in the book, I finally got in the truck and I looked at her and I said, honey, I have a problem I can't fix. I need help and I didn't know what we were going to do because when I say we were miles outside of town I mean there was nobody around but some donkeys we had no cell phone service we had nowhere to walk I didn't know what we were going to do and if I'm lying I'm dying from out of nowhere a guy pulls up in an f-250 with a tow package on the front of his truck I'm like, is this real?

23:51 It's like 100 degrees outside. Is this a mirage? He pulls up, rolls his window down, says, you guys need help? Also, he spoke English, which is a miracle because I don't speak a lot of Spanish. He said, you need help? I'm like, where did you come from? Heaven? Yes, we need help. Brother, I've tried everything. I can't fix this problem. Easy. He gets out, puts his tow package, his wrench on the front of the truck, pulls us out like that. I had tried everything. Wheels just spinning in the sand. He had the right stuff. He had the tools, the power. He pulled us out and he rescued us. And what I want to tell you today is that is exactly what Jesus does. He doesn't just watch you.

24:44 with your wills spinning in the sand and do nothing, but he pulls up. He attaches his grace, and he pulls you out, and he rescues you. We don't find him. He finds us, and we don't rescue ourselves. He rescues us. so I want to just encourage someone today stop spinning your wheels admit I have a problem a problem we all have and it's a problem I can't fix I need help but thank you, Jesus. You can, you have, and you most certainly will help me fix my problem.

25:41 And I would encourage you to tell somebody about that today. Don't struggle solo. the struggle's real. But thanks be to God, because so is the Savior. Heavenly Father, we thank you right now for that truth. This is a room full of strugglers. We thank you that we're not in the fight alone. We have a problem we can't fix, but you have, you can, you will. Jesus, thank you for coming from heaven to earth son of God doing what none of us could do, living this perfect life. And then you died a sacrificial death. You took our sins to the cross. You paid a debt that we owed. You paid the cost. And then you rose again and you offer us this freedom, not just forgiveness, but the righteousness of Christ.

26:40 You're doing a new thing. You want to do a new thing in our lives. Thank you so much. We hate the struggle, but the struggle is good because of the Savior. And so right now, I'll just lift up anybody in this room, and I want to lead you in a prayer. If you've yet to put your faith in Christ, you're toast. You're hopeless if you're trying to do this on your own.

27:05 There's no shot. You can read all the books you want to read. You can try to enlighten yourself all you want to do. Enlighten yourself. You can meditate. You can do everything. you're not gonna fix this. But Jesus can, he has, he will. So just simply pray a prayer. I prayed many years ago, say, Jesus, I admit I have a problem I can't fix. Say that right now. Jesus, I admit I have a problem I can't fix, but I believe you can. And I believe you did, and I believe you will.

27:37 And the Bible says it's by grace we're saved. It's a gift. And so you have to receive this gift. say I need help and I choose to receive your help your gift of salvation rescue me I choose to receive it the Bible says if you just prayed that prayer by his grace you have been pulled out of your sin you are forgiven you are clothed in his righteousness you're a new creation and Lord God we know we're still going to struggle because of this old unredeemed body thank you Lord for heaven and we can't wait for those glorious, whole, healed bodies. So in the meantime, Holy Spirit, we lean on you. Help us to remember Christ has covered our misstep. You're gonna empower our next step and help us to walk through the struggle. The struggle is real, but thanks be to God.