Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this beautiful sanctuary where we gather in fellowship, united by our faith and love for our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment, called by the One who loved us before the foundation of the world. Today, we open our hearts and minds to the profound truth encapsulated in Romans 6:10-11, Colossians 3:3, Galatians 2:20, and 2 Timothy 2:11.

Let's read these passages together.

Romans 6:10-11: "The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus."

Colossians 3:3: "For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."

2 Timothy 2:11: "Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him."

These passages invite us to contemplate the profound mystery of our faith. We are called to die, yet in dying, we discover new life. The Gospel declares this paradoxical truth, and we are invited to embrace it, to let it transform us from the inside out.

As we embark on today's sermon, let us not forget that we are not alone. We are accompanied by the Holy Spirit, our Comforter and Guide, and by each other, our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Let's bow our heads in prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today with humble hearts, ready to receive Your Word. Open our eyes to see the beauty of Your truth, open our ears to hear Your voice, and open our hearts to embrace the life You offer us through Christ's death and resurrection. May Your Word inspire us, challenge us, and transform us. We ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

Now, dear friends, let's delve into the heart of the Gospel's declaration: Dying to Discover New Life, and Deliverance through Death with Christ. May the Lord guide us and enlighten our understanding.

Dying to Discover New Life

The Gospel invites us into a profound mystery. It's a mystery that challenges our human understanding, a mystery that turns our world upside down. It's the mystery of death leading to life. We see this truth woven throughout the Scriptures, but it's perhaps most clearly articulated in the words of the Apostle Paul. Paul, in his letter to the Romans, makes a bold declaration. He says that we are to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. But what does this mean? How can we be dead and alive at the same time?

Word study: Let's start by considering what it means to be dead to sin. In the original Greek, the word for 'dead' is 'nekros', which means 'a corpse' or 'one that has breathed his last, lifeless'. It's a strong word, a word that leaves no room for ambiguity. To be dead to sin, then, means to be completely separated from it, to have no life in relation to it. It's not about trying harder or doing better. It's about a complete and total break from sin.

How is this possible?: How can we, who are so often entangled in sin, be completely separated from it? The answer lies in the second part of Paul's statement. We are dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Our new life, our freedom from sin, is found in Christ.

Word study 2: If we are dead to sin, we are alive to God. But again, what does this mean? What does it mean to be alive to God? In the original Greek, the word for 'alive' is 'zao', which means 'to live, breathe, be among the living'. It's a word full of vitality and energy. To be alive to God, then, means to be fully engaged with Him, to be in a vibrant, dynamic relationship with Him. It's about experiencing His presence, knowing His love, and walking in His ways.

But again, how is this possible?: How can we, who are so often distant from God, be in a vibrant relationship with Him? The answer, once again, lies in Christ. Our new life, our relationship with God, is found in Christ.

We are not merely observers of Christ's death and resurrection: We are also participants. Paul says in Galatians that he has been crucified with Christ and he no longer lives, but Christ lives in him. This is a profound statement. Paul is saying that when Christ died, he died. When Christ was buried, he was buried. And when Christ rose from the dead, he rose. Paul's old life, his life of sin, was crucified with Christ. And his new life, his life in God, was raised with Christ.

It’s on-going: Our participation in Christ's death and resurrection is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing reality. Paul says in Colossians that our life is now hidden with Christ in God. This is a beautiful image. Our life is not our own; it's hidden, it's safe, it's secure in Christ. And because our life is in Christ, we can continually die to sin and live to God. We can continually experience the freedom and fullness of life that Christ offers.

Delving into the Gospel's Declaration

As we continue our reflection, we turn our attention to the words of Apostle Paul in Romans 6:10-11 ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO