In the beginning, man was placed in the garden to keep it and to address it. He was to serve his maker. We find within man a war, two great forces seeking the mastery of his life. Galatians 5:17. Evil and good, sin and righteousness. If evil seeks to rule man, so also the good spirit. That spirit does not come neutral, wishing to dwell quietly within men and to share his heart with the prince of darkness. But the spirit enters with the intention of reigning. So, there is a war. It cannot end in a truce, but in the driving of our evil or expelling of good. One or the other, sin or righteousness will rule over man. Man must have a master and he will have only one, Matthew 6:24.
Now the question is, “Who will our master be?” Man passes from one master to another, but he is always in subjection. I have heard a lot about free will, but I've never seen it. I have seen the will of men, but it has either been led captive by sin or held in blessings of the bonds of grace. The will is always subjected to either good or evil. I want to call your attention to three things this morning: our change of masters, the reason for that change, and the consequence of that change.
I. Our Change of Masters
1. We must have a master, but some of us by divine grace have made a change of masters to our advantage and good.
2. In verse 17, we who believe are now free from sin, but at one time we were all the servants of sin.
3. Did you ever see a person dressed in the full garments of sin? Sin clothes it’s sales in rags, shame and often with disease.
4. When fully dressed in Satan’s uniform, the sinner is abominable, even to other sinners.
5. If you want to see sin’s servants dressed in their best, or their worst, go to the night spots. They will be seen at the adult bookstores, the prisons, skid row. You will see their end.
6. All sinners do not wear Satan’s robes. We were not all open sinners before salvation, though we were all servants of sin.
7. There are many people who are slaves of evil that you wouldn't recognize by just looking at the surface.
a. They don't steal or commit adultery.
b. They are very moral in their conduct.
8. They are servants of sin, but secretly. They are non-professing sinners.
a. They sang the hymns this morning.
b. They bowed their heads in prayer.
c. They are listening to this sermon.
d. No one knows the difference by just looking.
9. In their heart they reject the son of God. They refused to believe in him. They love the pleasure of sin.
10. They do not openly commit acts of sin, but their heart does not love God. God's ways are not their ways, they are hypocrites.
11. Every hypocrite is a fool and a coward. He doesn’t have the will to serve the Lord, and no the courage to serve the Devil out and out. They are enmity of God.
12. Some of us will admit we used to be this way, Ephesians 2:2-3
13. In verse 18, notice, “Being made free from sin.” Not shall be, but you are.” In what sense is this true?
a. Free from the condemnation of sin, Romans 8:1.
b. Free from the guilt of sin. You can’t even be accused anymore. Psalm 103:12, Romans 8:33-34.
c. Free from the penalty of sin, Hell!
14. In verse 12, you're free! Sin still hides in the corners of your nature and seeks control, but it can't have it. It is cast off the throne and the Holy Spirit reigns.
15. How did we come to be free? Three ways:
a. by purchase,1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Peter 1:18-19
b. by power, Ephesians 1:19-20.
c. By privilege, John 1:12.
16. In verses 1-2, 7; we are also free because we have died. If a slave dies, his master no longer possesses him.
17. Sin comes and says, “Why don't you desire to obey me?” Because I died 13 years ago, and I don't belong to you now.
18. Some of us have made a public declaration of our freedom by death, we have been buried, verses 3-7. We are now new creatures in Christ Jesus.
19. In verse 18, this is a change of masters. Unfortunately, some of you still know nothing about it.
II. The Reason for Our Change
1. Why should sin have dominion over us? Sin did not create us. It does not feed us. It has no right on us. Romans 8.
2. Sin is worse than the devil himself. Sin made the devil the devil. He would still be the most beautiful Angel in heaven had it not been for sin.
3. Sin only brings a man shame, sorrow, and heartbreak.
4. Romans 6:23, look at the end of sin.
5. We changed because in serving God is complete joy and satisfaction. If there were no hereafter, I would still serve Christ.
6. Jesus has promised me heaven, John 14:1-3.
III. The Consequence of This Change
1. In verse 18, you now belong wholly to the Lord. Have you recognized this yet?
2. I know a lot of Christian people. They seem mostly to belong to themselves.
a. Who does their property belong to; Themselves.
b. Who does their time belong to; Themselves.
c. Who does their talents belong to; Themselves.
d. Who does their treasure belong to; Themselves.
3. Many today, we cannot commit to any kind of service. They live for themselves and give God the leftovers! Never give anything that calls for self-denial.
a. Right now, we need choir members, bus workers, etc.
b. Right now, we need tithers and givers.
4. If you are really saved, not a hair of your head belongs to you. Christ’s blood has either bought you or it hasn’t, verse 22.
5. All of your members are therefore reserved for Christ, verse 13.
6. Think for a minute about how you used to serve your master, sin. I believe we ought to serve Christ in the same manner.
7. How did you serve sin? You didn’t have to be begged or urged. You did it willingly, gladly, immediately.
a. You were willing to lose your character for sin.
b. You were willing to lose your health for sin.
c. You were willing to lose your family for sin.
8. How about Christ? are you willing to live for Him?
9. Who will be my master’s servant? Here He comes and gives of Himself, Isaiah 53:1-3
a. He wears a crown of thorns.
b. The spittle runs down His face.
c. The wounds are in His hands, feet, and side.
10. He wants to be your Master. These are the marks. What service will you give to Him?
a. That of a professor who names His name but does not love Him.
b. One who serves out of fear.
11. We need no more nominal Christians. We need people on fire with love and consecration. Christians devoted to Jesus. Christians who will let Him be Master of all.
