Romans, Part 18
Romans 6:8-14
Introduction
- We are no longer in charge to the bonds this world has on us
- Gal 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
- This is incredibly comforting for those who are struggling right now with sin
- It is what brings us sanctification -- we’ve been identified with Jesus!
- Paul continues to outline the way we should live; expounding on Rom 5:20-21
- It is in these principles … we (Gentiles) should pay very close attention too
- Read Romans 6:8-14 / Pray
Point 1 – There is LIFE only in Jesus! (8-10)
- NOW – word that joins in verses 1-7; it is more than a follow-on statement
- It is an IF statement, which means it only applies if we accepted it
- However, once we have – then we are under the command of Christ
- Turn to Hebrews 9
- APP: Christ died once, for all – it is His blood that brings us life
- It is through the obedience that He displayed that WE must follow also
- Hebrews 9:11-14, “But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that are now already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made with human hands, that is to say, is not a part of this creation. He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption. The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!”
- Jesus entered the holiest of tabernacles to make the final sacrifice for you
- It is only because of who He is; that we stand justified before God
- He brings us sanctification through our identification with His sacrifice
- But … there’s more!
- More than just His death; His life is now what lives in us and guides us daily
-- 1 John 3:24, “The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.”
- It is because of the Spirit the Lord gives us; that we must strive to live
- But before you can live with the Spirit, you must have the Spirit in you
- This means coming to a place of repentance, and surrendering your LIFE
- TRANS: In order to follow Jesus, we must listen to what Paul is teaching us
Point 2 – Following in Christ’s commands (11-14)
Re-read verses 11-14
Paul commands several things for us to pay attention too in order to live
- Verse 11 – “count yourselves dead to sin”
-- Imperative command – Pleading to live up to the life of baptism
-- This is a MUST DO; it is Paul pleading with us to no longer follow ourselves
- Verse 12 – “don’t let sin reign in mortal body”
-- Prohibitive command – Depart from sin; don’t be slave to it
-- When we turn (repent) from sin; it no longer has a hold on us; we’re free
- Verse 13 – “don’t offer parts of body to sin”
-- Prohibitive command – stop presenting; offering up the church body
-- This means that we are to protect the church; protect one another always
-- Each of us are called to be watchman on the wall; guardians of the faith
-- Ezekiel 33:6, “But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes someone’s life, that person’s life will be taken because of their sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for their blood.”
- Verse 13 – “offer yourselves to God”
-- Imperative command – Do it completely
-- Live a life that reflects who Christ is and present ourselves holy to Him
- Verse 13 – “offer the parts of body as instruments”
-- Imperative command – ask God to USE us for His Glory and His use
-- Romans 12:1, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
- Trans: Where we fall into this instruction depends on you and I, right now
Conclusion
Verse 14, “For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.”
- What shall we do with this information now that we know it; live or die?
- If we are freed by the blood of Christ, to continue sinning means to recrucify Him
- KEY APP: We do not have the power, or the authority to recrucify Christ
- He already died once to save us … and so repentance is our only option!
- Followership and obedience to Him alone with what is called for today
- Will we follow Paul’s example and instruction; or will we run from God?
- Pray
