Paul in this passage begins his concluding arguments to the superiority of the gospel over everything of the Old Testament. The objective, firm and pointed discourse on the gospel which began from chapter 1 aptly ends here by delving into the security of Salvation. What is the guarantee that God will see through the new work he has begun and succeed? To answer this question, Paul brings three vital truths- namely being the prayer of the Spirit, glorification of the Saints and the love of the Son.After having established the surety of Salvation, the pertinent question we believers will have to answer is – how shall we respond to such a teaching? Can we allow complacency and laziness slip-in, given that our souls are secured?
From Groan to Glory – Romans 8:14-23 [Sermon]
Paul after having explained the depravity of carnal man now explains the glorious truth about the Holy Spirit. It is the coming of the Holy Spirit that changes everything about our old sinful life. Holy Spirit enables us to call God as Father. Without the Spirit, there would be no holiness possible. The Spirit of God also gives us true assurance of our salvation.But despite being a child of God, sufferings in life are inevitable. Groanings, sufferings are an integral part of Christian life which will eventually lead to Glorification of the Saints. A child of God groans because of tribulations, because of the decadent nature and also because he/she longs for the presence of God. Ultimately God is the heritage and exceedingly great reward of His Children.
Flesh vs Spirit – Romans 7:14-8:13 [Sermon]
The Gospel of Jesus Christ demands no human efforts but only faith to be saved. When a sinner believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, the sinner is declared righteous and no more held accountable for sins committed. Righteousness is not earned but transferred from Christ to the sinner.Though this judicial transaction makes a sinner fit to inherit eternal life, does it also give one the liberty to commit sin? How is sanctification and holiness achieved? Paul in this passage emphasizes the fact that just like justification could not be attained by efforts, so also any amount of human efforts cannot guarantee sanctification. We are in the flesh and are incapable of any good. Yet God brings in a new dynamics to play where the Spirit of His own Son, resides in us to bring about a new and transformed life. It is through the Spirit God that brings holiness in the life of His children, which the law of old testament was weak to do so.
Not Under the Law – Romans 7:1-13 [Sermon]
A Christian has been freed from the law of the old testament. But does this freedom mean a freedom to sin? If we are not under the law, does it mean we are lawless?Paul in this passage challenges the notion that a Christian can live in sin since there is no law to keep. He asserts that a believer has no grounds to live a life of sin. The law could not guarantee holiness. But Jesus liberated us from the law and has done a new work in our lives to ensure holiness. Jesus gives us newness of Life through faith in Him. He provides us with grace to live this ‘new life’, that is marked by holiness and not sin.
Slaves to Christ – Romans 6:14-23 [Sermon]
Paul when trying to answer the question- if believers can sin?, brings in the concept of slavery to God. Slavery is inevitable. As human beings, we are always slaves, either to Sin or to God. If God is our master, then we should not sin. Because sinning would prove sin to be our master.Therefore it is paramount to present ourselves without reservation to our new Master- Lord Jesus Christ, and not to master of Sin who the Lord has liberated us from by the death on the Cross.
Shall we Continue in Sin? – Romans 6:1-13 [Sermon]
Paul in his discourse of the working of the gospel addresses a very critical question in this passage. He challenges the notion that it is ok for a believer to continue living in sin. His pertinent question is – Shall we continue in Sin?When a believer lives in continual sin, then it becomes an aberration of the highest order. It goes against the very work that Christ accomplished through His death on the cross. In this passage, Paul exhorts and convincingly shows that a child of God is dead to sin, and therefore can live no longer in it. He shows why and how a believer can live unto God rather than continuing in sin.
Romans 8:28-32 – Br. John Kurian- [Video English-Tamil]
Br. John Kurian emphasizes from Romans 8:28-32 that the best plan God has for His Children is to be conformed to the Image of His Son; to become like His Son.