Thanks Be to God Through Jesus Christ Our Lord!

In this Lord's Table message concluding his exposition of Romans 7:13-25, Pastor Robert McNutt examines Paul's climactic cry, "O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" and his triumphant response, "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Pastor McNutt demonstrates that this thanksgiving is properly understood in the future tense—not merely gratitude for past or present deliverance, but confident anticipation of final deliverance from sin's very presence. He outlines three stages of salvation: deliverance from sin's penalty (justification), deliverance from sin's power (sanctification), and the future deliverance from sin's presence (glorification). Drawing from the struggles of Job, David, and Isaiah, the pastor emphasizes that the Bible's most exceptional saints were most conscious of their transgressions, yet they knew where to return for forgiveness. Using a memorable illustration about watching Michigan football replays when the outcome is already known, Pastor McNutt encourages believers to fight on against sin with confidence, knowing that in Christ the victory is already secured. The message connects directly to the Lord's Supper, which proclaims Christ's death "until He comes," pointing believers backward to the Cross, forward to Christ's return, inward for self-examination, and outward to the community of faith.