Romans 7:13-25

Romans: The Foundations of Faith 

"The Struggle"
(Romans 7:13-25)

For a bulletin in PDF form click here.
PDF of Slides

 Introduction: "Who am I?  Let's get real."



The Law Works
The law reveals and highlights the sinfulness of sin.
(Romans 7:13)


•  The law exposes sin (7:13a).

•  The law highlights the sinfulness of sin (7:13b).



I Am Conflicted
The law has no ability to help us grow spiritually.
(Romans 7:14-20)


•  The law is spiritual but I am sinful (7:14-17).

•  My sinful nature is unable to conquer sin (7:18-20).



A Battle Rages
I am hopeless apart from the provisions of Jesus Christ.
(Romans 7:21-25)


•  I have divided loyalties (7:21).

•  A battle rages within me (7:22-24).

•  Victory is available in Jesus Christ our Lord (7:25).




While I am neither totally good nor totally bad,
I will never grow spiritually by determination of my own will.


Next Steps
•  Take a realistic inventory of yourself (neither totally good or totally bad).

•  Look to the provisions of Jesus Christ for victory over sin.

•   Set your mind of the things of God (His Word, His Work, and His Will.)


Home Church
Our Home Churches meet weekly to facilitate quicker relational depth, study the same passage taught
Sunday to help apply Scripture in the context of community, and pray with one another.  Home Church helps our body seek God’s best for one another.


Home Church Questions

•  How has everyone done through the holidays? 

•  What are your top concerns as you move into a new year? 

•  Read Romans 7:13-25.

•  What was the main point of the message this week?

•  In what way does this passage strike you as being very realistic?

•  Does a passage like this encourage you or discourage you?  Why?

•  What makes the battle with sin more intense in your experience?

•  What things make you more likely to give into your sinful nature (flesh)?

•  What things make you more likely to submit to the will of God?

•  Paul makes his "mind" a central issue at the end of this passage.  Why is that important?

Fellowship 101
We invite you to join us for a morning to learn more about Fellowship.
This is a great opportunity to learn about our mission, values, and ministries.  If you’re new to Fellowship, mark your calendars for Sunday, January 24, 9:00 a.m. (conference room) to hear what God is doing and where He is taking us. During this time you will get to meet some of our ministry leaders and ask questions that will help you in your search for a home church. We’re excited to meet you! 


New to Fellowship?
We are so glad that you joined the Fellowship Family to worship this morning.  If you are joining us for the first time or have been checking us out for a few weeks, we are excited you are here and would love to meet you.  Please fill out the “Connect” section of your bulletin, tear it off, and bring it to the Connection Center in the Atrium, we would love to say “hi” and give you a gift.

Home Church Launching in 2021
At Fellowship, our Home Churches are the lifeblood of our community. In a Home Church you will build deep relationships with other believers because of your mutual bond to Jesus Christ, as you study God’s Word, pray together, and serve alongside one another. We believe that God intended for people to live in community and we want to encourage you to be a part of our Home Church ministry launching in January 2021.  Questions?  Contact Michael Harrison mharrison@fellowshipconway.org

Girlfriend’s Bible Study - One study, two options
Start the new year off with God’s Word and in community with other women. The Girlfriend’s ministry is providing two opportunities to grow in Scripture and in fellowship.  Author, Heather Harrison, has published a new study on Colossians that will drive women further in their walk with the Lord. We will offer the study via Zoom Thursday evenings starting January 21 from 7:00-8:00 PM. Also, an in person option begins January 27 at noon, here at Fellowship (masks required). You can sign up for either option by going to fellowshipconway.org/register. Books are available online through Amazon. Child care by RSVP to Shann@conwaycorp.net

Christmas OFfering
Thank you for your faithful giving to the 2020 Christmas Offering. To date, the total received is $42,147.  Renewal Ranch has received $10,000 to invest in the lives of men overcoming addiction. Our partners in Nicaragua have been blessed with $2,000. Finally, the rest of what has come in has been applied to the Generations mortgage to help keep payments as low as possible and maximize funding ministry into the future!

Downline
Thank you Fellowship Conway for hosting the Downline Conway Institute this year! For the past 4 months 27 people from 14 different Conway churches have been gathering at Fellowship to walk through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation and be further equipped as disciple makers in our churches, homes, and communities. As we kick off the second half of the year in the 2020-21 Downline Institute we wanted to pause to say thank you to Fellowship Conway for being such a great host church and partner in ministry. If you are interested in learning more about being a part of the 2021-22 Downline Institute that will kick off in August 2021 we are now accepting applications at downlineconway.com/apply.


Finances
Weekly Budget       25,962
Giving For 12/27    29,301
Giving For 01/03    29,912

YTD Budget           700,962
YTD Giving            745,636
Over                        44,674 

Generations Campaign
Total Pledge 1,655,662
Received-to-date 1,537,893