Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

All Locations:

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Please check your email for a Life Group Leader Challenge that was sent out on October 29.  This challenge is for you to offer any member of your group that you feel should be leading a group.  

This challenge is two-fold as it will help leaders understand and navigate the apprenticeship process and it will encourage members to step out in faith knowing that they will have concrete tools to guide them as they lead their group.

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NEW ENGLAND: UPCOMING CONCERT – TAYA

Reminders:

✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!

Waters Class Schedule:

• 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
• 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
• 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
• 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service

Waters Help: Need marriage and family care  or have a group member in need of marriage and family care?   Click here:  help resources page  or visit waterschurch.org/help

Location Text Alerts:

Key Verse: Romans 7

Icebreaker:

Q. What was one thing you wanted to be when you grew up, and how close (or far) are you from that dream?

Opening Prayer: 

Lord, we thank You for bringing us together today. Open our hearts to Your Word and help us understand the battles we face in our own lives. May we grow in faith, confront areas where we struggle, and embrace the freedom You have given us through Christ. Speak to each of us and guide us toward victory in You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen. 

The Battles Over The Stagnant Places

Key verse: Romans 7

FACT: Even Paul the Apostle Struggled With Sinful Desires

Even the Apostle Paul, a devoted follower of Christ, struggled with sin.  Romans, chapter 7, is where he writes his confession.

1. The Battle to Become the Person You Aspire to Be  

Romans 7:14-15 (ESV)

What Paul says is true for us: You don’t understand yourself. You want to get healthy, exercise, and eat right, but instead, you do the opposite and then hate yourself.

Romans 7:16-17 (ESV)

He says God’s word is true and wants the best for me.

Q. Can you relate to this internal conflict in any areas of your life?  How do you think understanding that even Paul struggled with this can help you approach your battles with grace and determination?

Practical Application: 

Identify one area where you feel God is challenging you to grow. Write down a simple action to move toward that goal this week. For example, commit to practicing patience in one specific situation to become more patient.

2. The Battle to Accept and Learn from Repeated Mistakes

Popular culture often tells us that we are born inherently good. The Bible, however, presents a different perspective, teaching that we are born with a bent or crooked nature. We sometimes try to soften this reality, saying we have a “bent frame,” and we allow our appetites to get the best of us.

Romans 7:18-19 (ESV)

There is a stagnant place in Paul’s life. He wants to obey Jesus and do the right thing, but something rebels in him.

Romans 7:20-21 (NIV)

We all struggle; we want to be strong but sometimes stumble.

Q. Is there a mistake or behavior that you find yourself repeating? How does God want you to grow through it?

Practical Application: 

Instead of dwelling on a recent mistake, ask God to show you what lesson He has in it. Write down that lesson and keep it somewhere you’ll see as a reminder that God is working in you, even through failures.

3. The Battle of Confronting the Reality of Internal Battles

Romans 7:22-23 (NIV)

You cannot afford, in this hour with the culture getting as dark as it is, to have an unchanged, uncovered, and stagnate place that keeps you disconnected from God.

Romans 7:24 (ESV)

Paul describes the experience of every Christian. We long for strength and want to walk in victory.  

When someone gives their life to Christ, they should not be surprised if they don’t instantly change.  As Christians, we must remind them that:

FACT: Salvation Is Instantaneous; Sanctification Is a Much Longer Process

Luke 9:54-55 (ESV), Romans 7:17-20 (MSG), Romans 7:21-23 (MSG)

Q. How do you typically respond when you become aware of an internal struggle or sin?

Practical Application: Spend a few moments in prayer this week, asking God to reveal any internal areas where you may struggle. Then, ask for His strength to confront these areas, trusting He will guide you.

4. The Battle is Won in the Freedom Christ Offers

Paul answers his own cry in verse 25!

Romans 7:25 (NIV)

Jesus came to set us free! And Paul says it’s time!

Romans 8:21 (ESV)

God did not design you to limp through life dressed and defeated.  On the cross, you died with Christ.  That is the old you.  God took the old sin, the dead way of life, He named it to the cross.  The Devil is defeated!

God poured His resurrection power inside you.  It is like having a new operating system inside you.  

OLD DESIRES VS NEW DESIRES:

   – We Were Enemies of God, Now We Are Friends of God: Romans 5:1-11  

   – We Were Fallen in Adam, Now We Are Raised in Christ: Romans 5:12-21  

   – We Were Spiritually Dead, Now We Are Spiritually Alive: Romans 6:1-14  

   – We Were Slaves to Sin, Now We Are Free From Sin: Romans 6:15-23  

   – We Were Under Law, Now We Are Under Grace: Romans 7:1-13  

   – We Were In The Flesh, Now We Are In The Spirit: Romans 7:14-25  

Romans 7:25 (NIV), Romans 8:1-2 (ESV), Romans 8 (MSG)

Q. How does knowing that we are free in Christ impact how you live and approach areas of struggle?

Practical Application: 

Reflect on one area of your life where you still feel “bound” or struggle. Take time to pray, asking Christ to help you experience His freedom in that area. Memorize Romans 8:1-2 to remind yourself of the freedom found in Him.

Sermon in a Sentence

I can’t overcome sin on my own. I need to learn from past mistakes, confront my sin nature, and accept the victory that comes from the freedom purchased by the cross of Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Struggles with sin are a common part of the Christian life, even for those we see as spiritual giants, like Paul: This reminds us that we’re not alone in our challenges and that God is with us in the fight.

2. Growth often comes through accepting and learning from our mistakes:  Every failure or mistake has a lesson God can use to build us up and draw us closer to Him.

3. Victory over sin and inner struggles comes through our freedom in Christ:  As we lean into His grace, we can release sin’s hold and live in the Spirit.

Closing Prayer: 

Father, thank You for reminding us that You walk with us through every battle. Help us embrace the freedom that Christ offers and lean on You as we confront our struggles. May we grow, learn, and change, drawing ever closer to You. Strengthen us in the areas where we feel weak and remind us of the victory You have already secured for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.