Sermon Outline Title: Spiritual Battle – the Enemy Within
Bible Text, Theme, Big Idea
Text: Romans 7:14-25
Theme: The inward battle every believer faces between the flesh and the spirit.
Big Idea: Victory in life’s struggles only comes when we surrender our will to Christ and rely on His strength, not our own.
1. The Struggle Is Real
AA. Life can feel like swimming upstream—hard, tiring, and discouraging.
BB. Many Christians “float” through life rather than fight the current.
CC. God didn’t design life to be a struggle, but sin entered through Satan and brought pain, sorrow, and hardship.
2. The Sinful Struggle
AA. Paul knew sin was a spiritual disease that consumes mankind.
BB. As the world grows darker, it becomes harder for Christians to live right.
CC. The struggle will end one day; heaven is home, so don’t give up, give out, or give in until you reach it.
3. The Self-Willed Nature
AA. Every person battles between doing what’s right and doing what they want.
BB. The greatest enemy you’ll ever face is not the devil—it’s yourself.
CC. You can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you handle it; handle it God’s way.
4. The Honest Admission
AA. Paul confessed his failures and accepted responsibility for his actions.
BB. God can’t help those who won’t admit they’re wrong.
CC. True humility allows God to work mightily in our lives—He did with Paul, and He will with you.
5. The Savior’s Deliverance
AA. Paul recognized his need: “O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me?”
BB. Only Jesus Christ can save, strengthen, and sustain through life’s struggles.
CC. He will never leave nor forsake us—He walks with us through every valley.
Illustration / Example
Like trying to swim up the Altamaha River, the Christian life takes strength, direction, and endurance. But unlike the river’s current, God’s grace carries us forward, not backward.
Alliteration Guide (for Numbered Headings Only)
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The Struggle Is Real
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The Sinful Struggle
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The Self-Willed Nature
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The Sincere Admission
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The Savior’s Deliverance
Conclusion / Invitation
Examine your heart today. Don’t “float” through the Christian life. If you’re struggling—spiritually tired or in a rut—turn your eyes upon Jesus. He can save, strengthen, and revive your soul.