The Message of the Cross Podcast

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and the panel finish Romans 7 with Paul conclusively acknowledging his tendency for sin when trusting “self” to live out the Christian life. God’s Prescribed Order commands faith in the finished work of the Cross, the only place where sin was defeated.

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and the panel continue discussing Paul’s conclusion on his fight against sin in Romans 7:24-25. Brother Larson summarizes Paul’s point saying that when we understand our condition, we are able to look to Christ for victory.

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and the panel continue the discussion of warring against sin as they read from Romans 7:23 – 25. Our flesh desires to express the sinful nature and battles against our need to serve God. While it is not ideal, it is to be expected and it is only through the Cross it can be overcome.

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson reads from Romans 7:21-22 and concludes that even with knowledge of the Law, it cannot change the carnal, inward man. We are constantly warring with sin, therefore it is important to be well equipped with both the Holy Spirit and Biblical knowledge. To be aware of the battle does not mean accepting defeat, if anything, the presence of opposition is proof of your salvation.

Today on The Message of the Cross, the panel welcomes Angelo Parker as he gives his testimony of attempting to live out his Christian walk in his own strength and realizing that he cannot do so without the amazing power of Jesus Christ. In correlation with this testimony, Pastor Larson reads from Romans 7:21 and talks about having knowledge of right and wrong through the Law is not sufficient for removing the sin nature, nor is the desire enough. Only through belief in Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross can we live for God.

Whatever replaces the Cross will soon have to be replaced with something else. Today on The Message of the Cross, the panel welcomes Sister Frances Allen and hear her testimony about going from legalist Pentecostalism to a true understanding of God’s grace. Her testimony reflects Romans’ message of victory through Christ and not Law. The panel continues in chapter 7 verses 21-22, showing that Paul truly delights in God’s commands when they are done in Christ, not by self.

Paul expresses misery in his failure. Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastors Loren Larson, Dave Smith, David Borg, John Rosenstern, Dr. David Watts and Brother Joseph Larson read from Romans 7:19 through 20 and talk about why believers constantly struggle between God and sin. Even as the Christian believer lives in the light of Christ, he still retains his sin nature.

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson, Pastor Dave Smith and Joseph Larson read from Romans 7 verses 18 through 20 and discuss the familiar reality of wanting to live for God but struggling with the flesh. Paul shows that the desire to live for God is proof of salvation, but desire is not enough to overpower the sin nature.

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and the panel discuss how the Cross of Christ is the only remedy for the sin nature that remains in the believer. Self-effort, willpower, and religious discipline cannot produce lasting victory. Instead, believers are called to place their faith in Christ's finished work, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring victory and transform their daily walk.

Today on The Message of the Cross, Pastor Loren Larson and the panel welcome special guest Pastor Maury Davis and as they study Paul’s teachings of the sin nature, which still resides in all Christian believers. Romans 7 makes it clear that Paul himself still sinned, but he greatly desired not to. Because no born-again believer is exempt from this reality, Scripture reminds us all that the sin nature cannot be tamed by self, but will remain dormant if our faith is anchored solely in the finished work of Christ.