Pastor Korter stated that Sabbath School is just as important as the sermon each week. We grow in Jesus by spending time in His Word. Share with your class and learn each week. Here are some notes taken on 16. October 2010 from Pastor Korter’s sermon on Romans 7:18-22.
Living with a Wolf. We need the experience of conversion to be ready for Jesus second coming. Some churches preach a message that does not offend the church membership. Pastors must focus on the Bible and our Sin. Then we as sinners realize our need for Jesus. What do we do with conflict? There is a battle raging. Great controversy between good and evil. The Pharisees were attacking Jesus all the time. We all have a free will. There are two natures wrestling inside all of us.
Romans 7:18-22
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man.
Even though I want to serve the Lord, I want to do what is wrong. This issue is the same for any age. A man comes to his pastor and says: “I don’t feel like I am converted.” Why do Christians have more conflict in their lives than non-Christians? God wants us to understand this right away. There is help for us. People assume that God removes our sinful nature when we are converted. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we desired to sin no more? Human nature doesn’t work that way until Jesus comes back.
God doesn’t suddenly destroy our old nature. God places within a converted person a new heart or new nature. This new nature is Christ. What happens to the old nature ( wolf )? It stays there mortally wounded. We have two natures. This is what makes Christians different. The first time the old nature receives food and nourishment, it starts getting well and starts to fight the new nature to get rid of it. Don’t feed the old nature.
New converts encounter more conflict than non Christians. When you accept Jesus, expect more conflict. Sometimes you may be plunged into despondency and despair. The devil is a master deceiver and does not want us to know what is going on. Some new converts become miserable. We can be happy Christians. We are to be the happiest people on the earth. A person without Jesus only has one nature, the sinful nature. There is no conflict. When you surrender to Jesus, you now have a new nature that is in conflict with the old nature.
Romans 7:15-17
For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
Paul is showing this conflict in Romans 7. An unconverted person sins as easy as water going down a hill. It’s not that God has turned His back, left you, or given up on you. If we only have one nature, we are in serious trouble.
Galatians 5:16-17
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
Pastor, do you mean my whole life is going to be a conflict? Not necessarily. There are two wild animals fighting in a cage. The trainers pull the animals apart and separate them. The trainers care for one of the animals and make sure it is given plenty of food and water. The other animal is not well cared for and is only given enough food and water to keep it alive. The two animals are put in the same cage and fight again. Which one wins? The one that has been well cared for.
How do we feed the two natures? We feed our nature by the five senses given to us by God. The natures of See, Hear and Taste are the most important as these natures feed either the old or new nature.
Against our wishes, we will encounter things that feed our old nature. Victory in our lives depends on which nature we are going to feed. We can starve the wolf. It is your choice. Jesus won’t force that decision. Read the book: Desire of Ages page 173.
When the human soul surrenders to God, His power which no human eye can see creates a new nature.
Galatians 5:24
And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If you want to be miserable, feed your old nature. Do you want to be happy and joyful? Feed the new nature. When Paul wrote these words, the Roman government declared the crucified were dead. Sometimes relatives would go and take a family member down and the crucified person was still alive. The person would go right back to their sinful life. We need to leave the old nature on the Cross of Calvary. You will no longer be a miserable, unhappy, weak Christian.
Are you willing to feed the new nature? The Lion of the Tribe of Judah will live happily in your life. God’s house will be an awesome place to be. Jesus guaranteed our victory. With Jesus, you are not a failure. He Loves You. Paul learned this secret. He wants you to learn this secret today. You will have a growing, Christian life by allowing Jesus in your heart.