Series Theme: Romans: The Gospel of God’s Righteousness, Grace, and Transforming Power.
Primary Scripture: Romans 7:1–25 Key Verse: Romans 7:24–25 (KJV)
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Theme: God’s law reveals sin but cannot deliver us from its power. True freedom and victory come through Jesus Christ.
Central Truth: We cannot overcome sin through our own strength or obedience to the law. We need the delivering power of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Prep: Romans 7 Study
Sermon Slide Deck: CLICK HERE to DOWNLOAD
Sermon Length: Approximately 30 minutes
1. Suggested Order of Worship
- Welcome and Announcements
- Opening Prayer
- Congregational Hymn — Victory in Jesus
- Scripture Reading — Romans 7:14–25
- Congregational Hymn — I Need Thee Every Hour
- Offertory Scripture and Prayer
- Receiving of Tithes and Offerings
- Special Music or Congregational Hymn — Have Thine Own Way, Lord
- Prayer Before the Sermon
- Sermon — The Struggle Within: Finding Victory Through Jesus Christ
- Invitation Hymn — Just As I Am
- Invitation Prayer
- Benediction
2. Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We come before You this morning with grateful hearts.
Thank You for Your goodness, Your mercy, and Your faithfulness.
Thank You for the privilege of gathering together as Your people.
Above all, thank You for the salvation You have provided through Jesus Christ.
We recognize that we are weak.
We struggle with temptation.
We sometimes fail to do what we know is right.
And we sometimes find ourselves doing the very things we know we should avoid.
But we thank You that our hope does not rest upon our own strength.
Our hope rests upon Jesus Christ.
Through His death and resurrection, You have provided forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life.
Father, strengthen those who are discouraged.
Comfort those who are grieving.
Encourage those who are facing sickness, financial difficulties, or family concerns.
And help each of us recognize our continual need for Your grace.
May our worship today bring honor and glory to Your name.
And may Your Word strengthen our faith and deepen our dependence upon Jesus Christ.
In His name we pray.
Amen.
3. Offertory Scripture and Prayer
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…”
Offertory Prayer
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for every blessing You have provided.
You have given us life, strength, family, friends, and the necessities of daily living.
But Your greatest gift is salvation through Jesus Christ.
We recognize that everything we possess ultimately comes from Your hand.
As we receive our tithes and offerings this morning, help us give with grateful and willing hearts.
May these gifts support the ministry of this church, provide assistance to those in need, and help carry the Gospel to our community and beyond.
Teach us to be faithful stewards of everything You have entrusted to us.
And may our giving reflect our confidence in Your continued provision.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
4. Prayer Before the Sermon
Father,
As we open the seventh chapter of Romans, we ask You to guide our understanding.
Your Word reminds us that even when we know what is right, we often struggle to do it.
We recognize the weakness of our flesh.
We understand the seriousness of sin.
And we acknowledge that we cannot overcome sin through our own strength.
But we thank You that Jesus Christ provides the deliverance we need.
Help us understand the purpose of Your law.
Teach us to recognize the dangers of sin.
And remind us that true spiritual victory comes through our relationship with Jesus Christ.
May Your Holy Spirit apply these truths to our hearts.
Strengthen believers.
Encourage those who are struggling.
And draw those who are lost to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
In His name we pray.
Amen.
5. Sermon Manuscript
The Struggle Within: Finding Victory Through Jesus Christ
Romans 7:1–25
Introduction: Why Do We Struggle to Do What Is Right?
Have you ever made a decision to change something in your life?
Perhaps you decided to develop a better habit.
Maybe you determined to be more patient.
Perhaps you promised yourself that you would stop worrying.
Or maybe you decided that you would never again respond to someone in anger.
You were sincere.
You meant what you said.
And you genuinely wanted to change.
But before long, you discovered that making the decision was easier than keeping it.
You found yourself struggling with the same weakness.
The same temptation.
Or the same sinful attitude.
Why does that happen?
Why is it that we sometimes know exactly what is right, yet struggle to do it?
That is the question Paul addresses in Romans chapter 7.
In Romans 1–3, Paul established humanity’s guilt before God and explained that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
In Romans 4, he demonstrated that Abraham was justified by faith.
In Romans 5, he described the blessings of justification.
We have peace with God.
We stand in grace.
And we possess the hope of eternal life.
Then, in Romans 6, Paul explained that believers have died to sin’s dominion and been raised to walk in newness of life.
We are no longer slaves to sin.
We belong to Jesus Christ.
But that raises an important question.
If Christians have been freed from sin’s dominion, why do we still struggle with temptation?
Why do we sometimes fail?
And why does obedience sometimes seem so difficult?
Romans chapter 7 helps us understand the problem.
Paul explains that God’s law is holy and good.
But the law cannot give us the power to overcome sin.
It can reveal what is right.
It can expose what is wrong.
But it cannot transform the sinful human heart.
That transformation requires the power of Jesus Christ.
Romans 7:24–25 says:
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
That is the great message of Romans chapter 7.
Our struggle with sin reveals our need for a Savior.
And Jesus Christ is the One who provides deliverance.
Today, I want us to consider five important truths from this chapter.
I. We Have Been Released from the Law to Belong to Christ (Romans 7:1–6)
Paul begins with an illustration from marriage.
Romans 7:1 says:
“Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?”
Paul explains that the law exercises authority over a person during his lifetime.
Then he uses marriage to illustrate how death changes a legal relationship.
Death Changes the Relationship
Romans 7:2 says:
“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.”
Paul’s point is not to provide a complete teaching about marriage and divorce.
He is using a familiar legal relationship to illustrate a spiritual truth.
Death ends the authority of a former legal bond.
Believers Have Died to the Law Through Christ
Romans 7:4 says:
“Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.”
Through our union with Jesus Christ, our relationship to the law has changed.
We are no longer under the law as the basis of our acceptance before God.
We now belong to Jesus Christ.
And our new relationship with Him should produce spiritual fruit.
We Serve in Newness of Spirit
Romans 7:6 says:
“But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.”
Paul is not saying that God’s moral standards are unimportant.
He is explaining that Christian obedience is no longer an attempt to earn righteousness through legal performance.
Instead, we serve God through the new life He has given us.
Illustration: A New Relationship
Imagine an employee who works under a strict supervisor.
Every day, he is evaluated.
Every mistake is recorded.
And he constantly worries about whether his performance is acceptable.
Then his relationship changes.
He becomes part of the owner’s family.
He still has responsibilities.
He still works.
And he still seeks to do what is right.
But his motivation is different.
He no longer works merely out of fear.
He works because he belongs.
In a far greater way, Christians now belong to Jesus Christ.
Our obedience flows from our relationship with Him.
Application
Are you trying to earn God’s acceptance through religious performance?
Perhaps you believe that if you pray enough, attend church regularly, and avoid certain sins, God will finally accept you.
But Romans 7 reminds us that our acceptance rests upon Jesus Christ.
We do not obey God in order to become His children.
We obey Him because through faith in Christ, we already belong to Him.
Christian obedience is not an attempt to earn God’s love. It is the response of someone who already belongs to Jesus Christ.
II. God’s Law Is Holy, but It Reveals Our Sin (Romans 7:7–12)
Paul now addresses another important question.
If believers have been released from the law, does that mean the law itself is sinful?
Romans 7:7 says:
“What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law…”
Paul rejects the idea that God’s law is evil.
The problem is not the law.
The problem is sin.
The Law Reveals What Is Wrong
Paul uses the commandment against coveting as an example.
Romans 7:7 continues:
“…for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.”
The law identifies sin.
It reveals God’s righteous standards.
And it exposes the sinful desires of the human heart.
Sin Takes Advantage of the Commandment
Romans 7:8 says:
“But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence…”
Paul explains that sin can take advantage of the very commandment intended to reveal righteousness.
The commandment is good.
But the sinful heart responds with rebellion.
The Law Is Holy and Good
Romans 7:12 says:
“Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.”
That statement is essential.
God’s law is not the enemy.
The law reflects God’s holy character.
It reveals what is right.
And it exposes what is wrong.
But it cannot remove the sin it reveals.
Illustration: The Speed Limit Sign
Imagine driving down a highway.
You see a sign that says the speed limit is 55 miles per hour.
The sign tells you what the law requires.
It establishes the standard.
But the sign cannot make you obey.
You may choose to follow it.
Or you may decide to ignore it.
The sign reveals the law.
But it does not control your heart.
In a similar way, God’s law reveals His righteous standards.
But the law itself cannot transform sinful desires.
Application
We need God’s Word.
We need to understand His commandments.
We need to know what is right and wrong.
But knowledge alone is not enough.
A person can memorize Scripture and still struggle with sin.
A person can understand God’s commandments and still disobey them.
We need more than information.
We need transformation.
And that transformation comes through Jesus Christ.
God’s law reveals the problem of sin, but only Jesus Christ can provide the solution.
III. Sin Uses What Is Good to Produce Death (Romans 7:13–14)
Paul now explains the destructive nature of sin.
Romans 7:13 says:
“Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good…”
The law is good.
But sin uses the law to expose and intensify humanity’s guilt.
Sin Is the Real Enemy
Sometimes people blame God’s commandments for their spiritual difficulties.
They imagine that life would be easier if God had fewer rules.
But the problem is not God’s standards.
The problem is our sinful nature.
God’s commandments are good.
They reflect His wisdom.
They protect us from destructive behavior.
And they reveal His holiness.
Sin Is Exceedingly Sinful
Romans 7:13 concludes:
“…that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.”
Paul wants us to understand the seriousness of sin.
Sin is not merely a mistake.
It is not simply poor judgment.
It is rebellion against a holy God.
And its consequences are devastating.
The Law Is Spiritual
Romans 7:14 says:
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.”
Paul contrasts the spiritual character of God’s law with the weakness of human flesh.
The law reflects God’s holiness.
But sinful humanity cannot produce perfect obedience through its own strength.
Illustration: The Medical Diagnosis
Imagine visiting a doctor because you have been feeling unwell.
The doctor orders several tests.
The results reveal a serious disease.
Now, the test did not cause the disease.
It simply revealed what was already present.
The diagnosis may be frightening.
But it is necessary.
Without knowing the problem, you cannot seek the proper treatment.
God’s law functions in a similar way.
It reveals the seriousness of sin.
But it does not cause sin.
And it cannot cure it.
We need the Great Physician.
Application
Do not minimize sin.
Do not excuse it.
Do not pretend that it is harmless.
Sin damages our relationship with God.
It harms our relationships with others.
And it produces guilt, shame, and spiritual destruction.
But recognizing the seriousness of sin should lead us toward Jesus Christ.
He is the One who provides forgiveness and deliverance.
The purpose of God’s law is not to make us despair, but to reveal our need for the Savior.
IV. The Struggle Between Desire and Obedience Reveals Our Weakness (Romans 7:15–23)
Now we come to one of the most personal passages in Paul’s writings.
Romans 7:15 says:
“For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.”
Paul describes an intense internal struggle.
He knows what is right.
He desires what is right.
Yet he finds himself struggling to do it consistently.
Christians have long discussed whether Paul is describing his experience as a believer, his former experience under the law, or the struggle of a person confronting sin through the law. Whatever interpretation one adopts, the central point is unmistakable: knowing God’s law and desiring what is good cannot, by themselves, deliver a person from sin’s power.
Knowing What Is Right Does Not Guarantee Obedience
Romans 7:18 says:
“For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.”
Paul recognizes the weakness of the flesh.
He wants to do what is right.
But human determination alone cannot produce spiritual victory.
The Conflict Within
Romans 7:19 says:
“For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”
That is a struggle many Christians recognize.
We want to be patient.
But we become irritated.
We want to forgive.
But bitterness returns.
We want to trust God.
But worry overwhelms us.
We want to speak kindly.
But harsh words escape our lips.
We know what is right.
Yet we struggle.
The Danger of Self-Reliance
One of the greatest mistakes Christians make is attempting to overcome sin entirely through personal determination.
We tell ourselves:
“I will try harder.”
“I will be more disciplined.”
“I will never do that again.”
Those intentions may be sincere.
But spiritual victory requires more than human effort.
We need God’s grace.
We need the Holy Spirit.
And we need continual dependence upon Jesus Christ.
Illustration: The Heavy Load
Imagine trying to lift an enormous weight.
You strain.
You struggle.
You use every ounce of strength.
But the weight does not move.
Then someone stronger comes alongside you.
He lifts the weight that you could never lift by yourself.
That illustrates our need for divine strength.
There are spiritual burdens we cannot overcome through determination alone.
We need the power of God.
Application
Perhaps you are struggling with a particular temptation.
Maybe you have fought the same battle for years.
You have made promises.
You have tried to change.
And you have become discouraged by repeated failures.
Romans 7 reminds us that we cannot depend upon our own strength.
But it also points us toward the answer.
Jesus Christ.
Do not surrender to sin.
Do not excuse disobedience.
But do not imagine that spiritual victory comes through self-reliance.
Turn to Christ.
Depend upon His grace.
And seek the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is not lived successfully through self-reliance, but through continual dependence upon Jesus Christ.
V. Deliverance Comes Through Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24–25)
Paul now reaches the emotional climax of the chapter.
Romans 7:24 says:
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
Notice the question.
Paul does not ask, “What new rule will deliver me?”
He does not ask, “What additional effort will save me?”
He asks, “Who shall deliver me?”
The answer is not a system.
It is a Person.
Recognizing Our Need
Paul recognizes the seriousness of the struggle.
He understands the weakness of the flesh.
He knows that God’s law is holy.
But he also recognizes that the law cannot provide the deliverance he needs.
That realization is important.
Before we can appreciate God’s grace, we must recognize our need.
Jesus Christ Is the Answer
Romans 7:25 says:
“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
There is the answer.
Jesus Christ.
He is the One who provides forgiveness.
He is the One who breaks sin’s dominion.
And He is the One through whom God gives the Holy Spirit to empower Christian living.
Romans 8 Continues the Answer
Romans 7 ends with the recognition of an ongoing conflict.
But Romans 8 opens with one of the greatest declarations in Scripture.
Romans 8:1 says:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus…”
The chapter continues by explaining the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 7 shows us the struggle.
Romans 8 shows us the power of God available through Jesus Christ.
Illustration: The Drowning Man
Imagine a man struggling in deep water.
He is exhausted.
He cannot reach the shore.
He tries harder.
He kicks.
He struggles.
But he continues sinking.
Then a rescuer arrives.
The man cannot save himself.
He must depend upon the one who has come to rescue him.
That illustrates our spiritual need.
We cannot save ourselves.
And we cannot produce spiritual victory through our own strength.
We need Jesus Christ.
Application
Stop trying to live the Christian life without depending upon Christ.
Pray.
Study God’s Word.
Seek fellowship with other believers.
Confess your sins.
Resist temptation.
And continually depend upon the Holy Spirit.
But remember that these practices are not substitutes for Christ.
They are ways we cultivate our relationship with Him.
The answer to the struggle within is not greater confidence in ourselves, but greater dependence upon Jesus Christ.
Conclusion: Who Shall Deliver Me?
Romans chapter 7 gives us a realistic picture of the struggle with sin.
God’s law is holy.
His commandments are righteous.
And His standards are good.
But the law cannot save us.
It cannot remove our guilt.
And it cannot provide the spiritual power necessary to overcome sin.
Paul describes the frustration of knowing what is right while struggling to do it.
He recognizes the weakness of human flesh.
And he reaches the point of crying out:
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
Then comes the wonderful answer.
“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
That is the message of Romans chapter 7.
Our hope is not found in our own strength.
Our hope is found in Jesus Christ.
Think about the five truths we have considered.
First, we have been released from the law to belong to Christ.
Second, God’s law is holy, but it reveals our sin.
Third, sin uses what is good to produce death.
Fourth, the struggle between desire and obedience reveals our weakness.
And fifth, deliverance comes through Jesus Christ.
Now, let me ask you a question.
Are you trying to overcome sin through your own strength?
Perhaps you have been struggling with the same temptation for years.
You have made promises.
You have tried harder.
And you have become discouraged by repeated failures.
Romans 7 reminds us that human determination is not enough.
We need Jesus Christ.
And perhaps you have never trusted Him as your personal Lord and Savior.
You may understand God’s commandments.
You may recognize your sins.
And you may know that you cannot make yourself righteous.
But Jesus Christ has provided salvation through His death and resurrection.
Turn to Him in repentance and faith.
Trust Him as your Lord and Savior.
And receive the forgiveness and new life He provides.
For those of us who already know Christ, Romans 7 reminds us to live with humility.
We are not spiritually strong because of our own abilities.
We are strong because of God’s grace.
We do not overcome temptation through self-confidence.
We overcome through dependence upon Jesus Christ and the power of His Spirit.
So let us stop trusting ourselves.
Let us stop making excuses for sin.
And let us continually turn to the Savior who provides deliverance.
Because the greatest truth of Romans 7 is this:
The law reveals our weakness, but Jesus Christ provides the deliverance we need.
Amen.
6. Closing Invitation
As we prepare to sing Just As I Am, I want to invite you to respond to the truth of God’s Word.
Perhaps you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.
You may know God’s commandments.
You may understand what is right and wrong.
But you also recognize that you cannot make yourself righteous.
Romans 7 reminds us that the law cannot save us.
Only Jesus Christ can provide salvation.
He died for your sins.
He rose from the grave.
And He offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone who turns to Him in repentance and faith.
Perhaps you are already a Christian, but you have been struggling with temptation.
You may be discouraged by repeated failures.
You may feel spiritually weak.
Or perhaps you have been attempting to live the Christian life through your own strength.
Remember Paul’s words:
“I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The answer is Jesus Christ.
Turn to Him.
Depend upon His grace.
And seek the power of His Spirit.
Whatever the Lord is speaking to your heart, respond to Him today.
7. Invitation Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the wonderful message of Romans chapter 7.
Your Word reminds us that we cannot overcome sin through our own strength.
We recognize the weakness of our flesh.
We understand the seriousness of sin.
And we acknowledge our continual need for Your grace.
Thank You that Jesus Christ provides the deliverance we need.
Forgive us when we depend upon our own abilities rather than trusting You.
Strengthen those who are struggling with temptation.
Encourage those who are discouraged.
And help us live in continual dependence upon the Holy Spirit.
For anyone who has never trusted Jesus Christ as Savior, I pray that today would be the day of salvation.
In Jesus’ name we pray.
Amen.
8. Benediction
Romans 7:24–25 (KJV)
“O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
May the grace of God strengthen your hearts.
May the power of Jesus Christ sustain you through every struggle.
And may the Holy Spirit guide your steps as you seek to live in obedience to God’s Word.
Go into the world remembering that your hope is not in your own strength, but in the delivering power of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
9. Sermon Outline for the Bulletin
The Struggle Within: Finding Victory Through Jesus Christ
Central Truth: We cannot overcome sin through our own strength or obedience to the law. We need the delivering power of Jesus Christ.
| Sermon Point | Scripture |
| I. We Have Been Released from the Law to Belong to Christ | Romans 7:1–6 |
| II. God’s Law Is Holy, but It Reveals Our Sin | Romans 7:7–12 |
| III. Sin Uses What Is Good to Produce Death | Romans 7:13–14 |
| IV. The Struggle Between Desire and Obedience Reveals Our Weakness | Romans 7:15–23 |
| V. Deliverance Comes Through Jesus Christ | Romans 7:24–25 |
Take-Home Truth: The law reveals our weakness, but Jesus Christ provides the deliverance we need.
10. Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What does Paul mean when he says believers have died to the law?
- How does the marriage illustration help explain our new relationship with Christ?
- Why does Paul emphasize that God’s law is holy, just, and good?
- How does the law reveal sin?
- Why is knowing what is right insufficient to produce spiritual victory?
- How does Paul describe the struggle between desire and obedience?
- Why is self-reliance dangerous in the Christian life?
- What does Paul mean when he cries, “Who shall deliver me?”
- How does Jesus Christ provide the deliverance we need?
- How does Romans 7 prepare us for the teaching about the Holy Spirit in Romans 8?
11. Pastoral Teaching Notes
Romans 7 explores the relationship between God’s law, human sinfulness, and the need for deliverance through Jesus Christ.
Several themes deserve careful attention.
First, Romans 7:1–6 explains the believer’s changed relationship to the law. Through union with Christ, believers have died to the law as the basis of their acceptance before God. They now belong to the risen Savior and are called to bear spiritual fruit.
Second, Romans 7:7–12 defends the goodness of God’s law. Paul rejects the idea that the law is sinful. The law reveals God’s holy standards and exposes the sinful desires of the human heart.
Third, Romans 7:13–14 emphasizes the destructive nature of sin. Sin uses the good commandment to expose human guilt and produce death. The problem is not God’s law but the sinful condition of humanity.
Fourth, Romans 7:15–23 describes the conflict between the desire to do good and the weakness of the flesh. Christians have long debated whether Paul is describing his experience as a believer, his former experience under the law, or the broader struggle of humanity under sin. The passage clearly demonstrates that knowledge of God’s law and human determination cannot provide deliverance from sin’s power.
Fifth, Romans 7:24–25 identifies Jesus Christ as the source of deliverance. Paul’s question, “Who shall deliver me?” directs attention away from self-reliance and toward the Savior.
Sixth, Romans 7 must be understood in connection with Romans 6 and Romans 8. Romans 6 teaches that believers have been freed from sin’s dominion. Romans 7 explains the inadequacy of the law and the struggle with sin. Romans 8 reveals the life-giving work of the Holy Spirit.
Seventh, Romans 7 should not be used to excuse habitual disobedience. The passage recognizes the seriousness of sin and the weakness of human flesh, but it directs believers toward Jesus Christ rather than resignation or spiritual defeat.
A memorable sentence for the sermon:
The law can tell us what is right, but only Jesus Christ can give us the deliverance we need.
<<Back to Romans 6 Sermon Outline OR Forward to Romans 8 Sermon Outline>>
<<Back to Romans Sermon Outlines OR <<Back to Sermon Resources
Want to do a deeper dive in the study of Romans? Get my book, Romans: The Glory of the Gospel and the Obedience of Faith, by making your choice of platforms below:
Dr. Alan Holden has served in pastoral ministry for more than 35 years, preaching and teaching the Bible in churches across the United States. He holds a Doctor of Ministry from Luther Rice Seminary and a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Through What’s It Mean?, he seeks to help readers understand the meaning of Scripture and grow in their walk with Christ. He is currently the pastor of Lake Saunders Baptist Church in Tavares, FL.