Sermon Central
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Grace And Sin's Control Series
Contributed by Martin Wiles on Apr 26, 2011 (message contributor)
Summary: While the consequences of sin are eternal, God gives us the wonderful privilege to escape them through faith in Christ.
Introduction:
A. Have you ever felt as if you were losing the battle over sin in general or to a particular sin?
B. Or do you feel encouraged when you read God’s Word and see that many of the great saints of old waged the same war?
I. The Christian’s Opinion Of Sin (vv. 11-13)
A. We are dead to sin and alive to God. (v. 11)
1. Notice that Paul does not say we are actually dead to sin but that we should consider ourselves dead to sin.
2. This is similar to the command to count it all joy when unwanted circumstances enter our life.
3. We don’t have to be happy about bad circumstances, but we can be joyful as we face them in Christ’s strength knowing that he will work all things together for our good and his glory. (Romans 8:28)
4. Paul is not advocating a doctrine of sinless perfection nor maintaining that a believer will ever reach that state this side of heaven.
5. Our perception of something determines our actions. If we consider ourselves dead to sin, this mindset will determine how we perform.
6. If we consider ourselves dead to sin, we will seek at all costs to avoid falling to temptations as well as avoiding all situations which might make it easier for us to be tempted.
7. This mindset also changes our attitude about ourselves. It enables us to align ourselves with the Bible’s pronouncement of who we are in Christ. We are no longer classified as “sinners” nor are we under condemnation for our sins. Christ has forgiven us and we are now viewed by God through the lenses of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary applied to our life.
8. We must consider ourselves “saints.” We may not always perform like saints but this is who we are in Christ. This is a radical change in position from who we were before Christ.
9. Plans, goals and desires that we previously had often have to be rethought now that we are in Christ. Our goals are often self centered but should now be Christ centered. Sinful desires that once ruled our actions must now be brought under the control of God’s Spirit residing in us, remembering that our bodies are temples he resides in permanently and continually.
10. As a dead body can no longer respond to the stimulants of the environment, so the believer should no longer respond to our enemy’s temptations.
11. No longer are we controlled by sin’s power for we are alive to Christ.
12. We are raised to new life in Christ just as surely as Christ was resurrected from the grave.
13. The power to consider ourselves dead to sinful practices comes from Christ and is given by his abiding Spirit. It is not personal power. Just as we had no power to save ourselves, so we have no innate power to live the Christian life.
B. In Christ, God has given us new life, a new nature and new freedom.
1. The new life means sin’s power is broken. Our love for sin is destroyed, and we no longer live under its control.
2. Our new nature replaces the old nature which made us a slave of sin.
3. The freedom comes in realizing that we are alive because Christ is alive in us. We choose him as our master instead of sin.
C. Considering ourselves dead to sin releases us from sin’s control. (v. 12) The command is in the present tense which means it should be a continual attitude and action.
1. We don’t have to sin. We did not have a choice before Christ, but now we do.
2. If we sin, we cannot say “The devil made me do it” but rather “I made me do it.”
3. It is a daily struggle and a daily choice we must make.
4. Just as there have been times when slaves have revolted against cruel masters and sought freedom, so we must daily revolt against the idea of giving into sinful practices.
D. Ways the believer can revolt against sin:
1. Ask God to reveal areas of personal weaknesses that would make it easy for you to be tempted.
2. Recognize the areas in which you are easily tempted.
3. Commit to stay away from sources, people or situations that would be tempting for you.
4. Invest your time in godly practices that establish good habits, such as serving others.
5. Remember that it is God’s grace and strength that will enable you to avoid sin reigning in your body.
6. Experience the peace of God rather than the turmoil of sinful temptations.
E. Sin brings with it lustful desires which speaks of strong desires, cravings and passions.
1. We tend to always apply this to sexual areas but they are not relegated solely to that.
