Sermon series: Hot Potatoes – 6 of 9
July 27, 2008
Ron Knapp
Why?
FAITH TRUST FEAR
PRIDE DOUBT BELIEF
HUMAN PERSPECTIVE
There is a _WAR_ going on inside us.
“We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. Â I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. Â I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Â For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do–this I keep on doing. Â Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. Â For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; Â but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. “Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Romans 7:14-23
We ALL have this Struggle
Abraham -A Child with Hagar (Genesis 15-16)
Peter -Denial of Jesus (Matthew 26)
John the Baptist – Doubt (Matthew 11)
Giving total control to God, is a LIFETIME struggle and cannot fully happen in these BODIES.
” Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Steps Towards Allowing God Greater Control
1. Spend time DAILY with God.
“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16
2. Align your will with GOD’S.
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39
3. Be attentive to God at WORK.
“…I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20