SOME THINK THAT THE BATTLE IS OVER WHEN THEY ARE SAVED - IN REALITY IS IS JUST STARTING

1. New Converts often expect peace and rest when they surrender to Christ - shock, but NO rest yet
2. Man is born into servitude. On earth we can only trade one master for another & cant serve both
3. If you don't choose carefully whom you will obey- Satan will make the choice for you

Thank God that you still have a choice made possible by the sacrifice of Christ

I.- THE CHOICE Rom 6:16

Through the centuries most people have had no choice- have lived and died as slaves to despots

A.- SIN NO LONGER HAS DOMINION OVER YOU - Rom 6:14

1. The ensnarements of sin are tremendous- a stronghold before you know its deadliness-Quicksand
2. The guilt, penalty, and bondage of sin takes over a life before or during Teen-age
3. But When God made Grace available, He opened wide the door to freedom Cf. Rom 6:11-13

B.- BUT WE MUST MAKE UP OUR MINDS WHOSE SERVANT WE ARE Rom 6:16 THE CHOICE MUST BE DELIBERATE

1. If you serve sin- no matter how clever, cleanly polished, or sophisticated- it gives DEATH
2. Being under Grace does not make us free to sin- God forbid- Cf. Rom 5:20b- 6:2
3. With each sinful temptation we have the choice- and it can be made that moment- Grace or Law

C.- BUT GOD BE THANKED, THOUGH WE USED TO BE THE SERVANTS OF SIN, NOW WE OBEY CHRIST - Rom 5:17-

1. The first step of obedience is to obey from the heart the form of Doctrine - Confess Christ
2. The fruit of unrighteousness we used to have ends in death- but now Holiness & Life 21,22
3. Your time to pray & attend Church; Life's energy- Witness; your money. For God. 3 million Churches in Phoenix- 13 million liquor establishments

But YOU must make the choice- will you serve God or Satan

II.- THE BATTLE Rom 7:21

If Paul had this battle, don't you expect to be free from responsibility in this area!

A.- THE LAW OF THE TWO NATURES ROM 7:14-21 THIS SOUNDS LIKE DOUBLE TALK, MIXED MOTIVES

1. The old nature is not really dead- it is just reckoned dead- now you have to keep it down
2. The new nature is not completely in control- All things are reckoned as made new - but don't tri(illegible)
3. The old nature is not all just physical- some of it reaches into the Soul & Spirit too!

B.- THERE IS AN INWARD DELIGHT THAT LOVES THE LAW OF GOD, AND SOMETHING WARRING AGAINST THIS MIND - 22-

1. The new heart given of God delights in the things of God, but the old nature-more fleshly-
2. The appetites of the flesh- of Eye, & Pride of life- must be kept on a chain- mortified
3. Bunyan's "Holy War" tells the story of this battle- for the city of Mansoul - YOUR SOUL

C.- WHO SHALL DELIVER ME FROM THE BODY OF THIS DEATH? Rom 7:24 A CRY OF ANGUISH -8:22 all groaned

1. This equation is taken from an unusual method of punishment for Murders- Roman Execution-
2. Rom 7:24 does not give the complete victory -Mind free, body in bondage-
3. Diff. Translations- Wms- Higher & Lower nature; Gspd- Mental, Physical; Knox- Conscience, Natural; NEB-Rational vs. unspiritual nature; Tay- new life vs old nature - Keep Battle Clear cut.

III. THE CHALLENGE OF VICTORY Rom 12:1,2

Lest we should become discouraged at our own treason- the Lord guarantees the Victory to us

A.- WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERERS - NO CONDEMNATION, NO ACCUSATION, NO SEPARATION Rom 8:, 10:9-13

1. 8:1 No Condemnation to those in Christ; v.33-Who can accuse? It is God that justifieth-
2. Our weakness for the moment might rob us of the Joy of our Salvation- but no Separation -37-9
3. And all of this because of the operation of Faith -To start it all use your mouth-10:8-13

B.- SINCE GOD HAS GIVEN US THE VICTORY, HERE IS A PLEA FOR A LIVING SACRIFICE - ROM 12:1

1. This verse was one of the first to really get to my heart- it ties in with Rom 6:13 - Present Yield
2. The way to get victory over the flesh is to sacrifice your bodies- a living sacrifice- to God
3. This is a voluntary thing- it is reasonable, and Paul urges us by the mercies of God- do so!  Rom 12:2

C.- OUR MINDS ARE TO BE TRANSFORMED, RENEWED, AND NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD

1. Our old nature- saturates every part of our being with sin and corruption- but God says change
2. God will transform us, but it is up to us to strangle the old thoughts, attitudes, let new grow
3. The 12th Chapter catalogues a long list to work on many other catalogues in NT- use them

IF YOU DO NOT CONSCIOUSLY, DELIBERATELY, CHOOSE TO SERVE GOD, YOU WILL SERVE SATAN

1. There is no greater challenge than the service of God, salvation of Souls, changing of lives
2. But we each must start with the change in our own lives- Have you given yourself to Christ?
3. Why not tonight?  The freshness of a total dedication to God will taste of sweet victory