The Good News in Living and Dying

The song the choir sang earlier was “Christ our Hope in Life and death.” The hope that is provided in Jesus Christ is the truest hope available in the world.

It is the only hope that will span all manner of victory and loss, tragedy and celebration, failure and success. It spans age and disease. It spans bankruptcy and wealth. It spans all these things because it is not rooted in something limited to this physical world, or the normal laws of existence and living and dying that we are used to operating under.

It spans all these things because it is rooted in the resurrected Jesus Christ. The one we celebrate today. The reality of Christ’s resurrection is the rock on which not just the religion of Christianity is built, but the resurrection of Christ truly is the rock on which all hope is built, further, it is the rock on which all life is built.

For the life of Christ is the very life and power of God. Without this life and without this power, nothing would exist.

It is sad to think that so many people view following Jesus as just another world religion, just as empty and hollow as anyone else who prays to an imaginary or dead deity. And it would be that empty and hollow, if that is what our hope was built upon. But Christ is our hope in life and death, because He has spanned life and death in rescuing us.

He is our hope, and the Gospel that revolves around his life, death, burial, and resurrection, is good news in living and in dying.

In Romans 6, which we are going to look at this morning, we see these truths held up - the reality of Christ’s work in living and dying.

We see, really, these words “death” and “life” used as a play on words. Paul speaks of our actual life and death, he speaks of Christ’s life and death, and he speaks of us “dying” and “living” in spiritual ways. And the amazing thing is that all these things are wrapped up together, so that all these wonderful truths are applicable at all times.

We may be alive physically, but we are also at once “dead” with Christ and “alive” with Him spiritually, forevermore.

And though we are “dead” to sin, there is a real way in which we must view and live our lives, knowing what we have in Christ.

As we look at this scripture together, I want you to consider yourself and ask yourself all the way through.

Do I believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Have I been changed because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

Am I looking at myself how Christ looks at me?

What Jesus has done for us is both for now and forever. Rejoice now and always, for the Gospel is good news in living and in dying.

1. Christ’s Death is Our Death - vs. 5-7

Romans 6:5–7 ESV

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.

We are united with Him in death.

In the first 4 verses of this chapter, Paul speaks about how the concept of “baptism,” pictured by the physical immersion of our bodies into water, shows how we are “baptized” into Christ’s death. We are “buried” with him, spiritually, and just as Christ was raised to life, we, too are raised to walk in newness of life.

We have to pause here, and consider this very important question. Do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Do you believe it?

If the resurrection of Christ is a reality, it is the most important event in the history of the world. If Jesus of Nazareth came to this world, worked countless miracles, predicted his own death and resurrection, and then accomplished it, then there is no more room for debate. He must be believed, he must be followed, he must be Lord.

And we must know, that the writers of scripture write all these things, like what we read here in Romans, based on the fact - their absolute certainty and assurance that Jesus Christ died and rose again.

Luke 1:1–4 ESV

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

May there be no question - you may not believe the Bible is true, but millions of people over the centuries have both believed and lived and labored to show its truthfulness. The scripture has been confirmed by thousands of ancient copies in agreement with one another. And if there is one thing that we must absolutely say, is that the men who were eyewitnesses of Jesus’ life proclaimed the fact that he rose again.

Imagine that! We are talking about an actual man, who lived, and died, and predicted his own resurrection, and then accomplished it! It’s the most remarkable, most amazing, most unbelievable yet believable thing in all of history. And if you don’t believe, I want you to know that I have been praying for you even this morning that God would change your heart and removed the barriers in your mind so that you will believe.

Back to our text, Paul is speaking of us, if we believe in Christ, being “united” with him in his death.

This unitedness is a real“union.” And the word speaks of the process by which a graft becomes very part of a tree. In other words, everything about our spiritual life is firmly “unioned” in and with Jesus Christ.

His “death” is our death. In a very real way, because remember, the spiritual is just as real as what we call “physical,” when Christ died, something in us, about us, who believe also “died.”

Our “body” of sin is defeated.

And what died? Look at verse 6.

Our “old self” was crucified with Jesus. What is our “self?” Self is our personhood - who we are, what we think, how we reason, how we make decisions, what we tend toward, what we love, what we hate, what we do, what we are.

This “old” self also shows us that there is a “new” self, and that “new” self is new because of the life of Jesus. As Paul said in verse 4, we “walk in newness of life.”

But before we think of that life, we are still talking about death. Our old “self,” in Christ, was crucified - that is, violently and decisively put to death. And it was done for a purpose.

So that the “body of sin” might be defeated. Brought to nothing.

What is the body of sin? Well, we should be clear that this is not simply speaking of our physical body. Our bodies are not at fault for our sin. It is just another way of speaking about our “self.” That is, who we are. As humans, we are not just body, but body, mind, spirit. We don’t just “exist,” we also “think” and “do” and “love.”

There is a sinfulness of the self, ingrained in all people, that must be defeated - and the way that is defeated is through death. It would be a sad state if no progress could be made until we actually died, but thankfully, in Christ, we died with Him.

Our “sinful self” is crucified with Christ, so that we might no longer be slaves to sin. It does not mean that sin is totally gone, or that it is no longer an issue, but in the death of Christ, as we are united with Him in death, is the only hope of victory and freedom from sin’s power and enslavement in this life.

This is vitally important - do you know Christ? Are you united with Him in death? Do you know the power over sin’s enslavement that only comes from Him?

Do you see the evil that our world is filled with? Murdering children, mutilating little ones, unfaithfulness, lies, deceit, rulers taking advantage of citizens, spousal abuse, adultery? Do you see all this evil?

Do you see the sin in your own life, that may not be as public, but is still very real?

Know that this very real evil and very real sin can only be overcome because of the very real death of Jesus Christ. Are you united with Him in death?

We are set Free.

And if we are united with Him, and our “body of sin” is destroyed, crucified, then we are set free.

Sin holds us in slavery practically, binding us to its temptation. But it also holds us in slavery because of God’s law. We are accountable to God’s perfect standard, and we all fall short.

Enslaved, trapped, guilty.

But we are set free - both from the ultimate power of sin, and its effects, and its punishment - because sin demands death, but we have died - in Christ, and with Christ, he died, so we died. If you believe in Him, the very death that sin demands has been finished already - when Christ cried “it is finished” from the cross, he meant more than just his life. He meant our life to sin as well. And by that final breath, we are set free.

2. Christ’s Resurrection is Our Resurrection - Vs. 8-10

Christ’s real death is our spiritual death, and in that death, even physical death is nullified. It still happens, but it is powerless to ultimately overcome. Why is that?

We are united with Him in Resurrection.

Just as we read in verse 5, we are united in death, we also shall be united with him in Resurrection.

1 Corinthians 15:55–57 ESV

“O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

How defeating is it when an enemy’s ultimate weapon, when his ultimate tool of fear and dread, of intimidation and motivation is rendered powerless?

And so it is with death, our enemy. Because we will still die, physically, if we follow Jesus, but that death has no more “teeth” because we know that we will be raised.

“If we have died with Christ, we know that we will live with Him!”

This is why it is so important to ask the questions, “do I believe in the resurrection of Christ?” and “have the death and resurrection of Christ changed me?”

It is important to know, if you have truly become a child of God by faith, because this is the only way to have this new life, resurrection assurance that He offers.

In the same very real way that Christ rose from the dead, all who trust Him by faith are as good as “raised from the dead” even if we are still living.

His Resurrection is our Victory.

Verse 9 has so much triumph and hope.

Romans 6:9 ESV

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Christ, who has been raised, will never die again.

That means, all the victory, all the effects, all the benefits, all the goods that Christ has accomplished and given because of his ressurrection are forever. They never die.

The hope that Christ offers is a forever hope, because he will never die.

The peace that Christ offers is a forever hope, because he will never die.

The love that Christ offers is a forever love, because he will never die.

The victory over sin that Christ offers is a forever victory, because he will never die.

The forgiveness that Christ offers is a forever forgiveness, because he will never die.

The salvation that Christ offers is a forever salvation, because he will never die.

The life that Christ offers is a forever life, because his resurrection is ours, and he will never, ever die.

The powerful enemy that rears its head against every person who has ever lived, has been defeated by Christ. It is powerless against Him, and those who are in Him.

His death was once, His life is forever.

Romans 6:10 ESV

For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.

Jesus died a once-and-never-again death to sin. There is no more “death” that needs to be accomplished for sin to be ultimately defeated.

Christ’s death, which was big enough and powerful enough to cover everyone who would ever believe in Him, is also big enough and powerful enough for us to know that every evil thing that has ever been and ever will be, will one day be done away with.

And his life, he lives not as a servant to sin or temptation, not as a servant to life’s trials and emotion, not as a servant to a job or obligations, but he lives to God.

The biggest enemy was defeated in His death, and life in Christ is lived to the fullest maximum possible end, God Himself.

3. Christ’s Life is Our Life

We have great hope, because the biggest death has already been died, and we are assured of new resurrection life because of the resurrection of Christ. No fear of death, and resurrection one day - but what about right now?

The reality of what Jesus did in the past gives us great hope for the future, but we would be missing out if we didn’t pay attention to what this great and powerful work of Jesus does for us right now.

After all, it is hope in life and death - in living and in dying. And we, as far as we know, have a lot of living left to do. So what does this tell us about our life right now?

So, we consider ourselves accurately.

The first lesson we live about “right now” in this living and dying hope in Christ, is that it matters how we think about ourselves.

This is important. It is more than a “mindset,” it comes down to faith. To believe that what Christ has done is real, and is actively true in our lives.

We are told to “consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ.”

To “consider ourselves” is to think, to reckon, to be of the opinion, that this is true.

Are you a believer in Jesus Christ? Have you trusted Him alone by faith for your salvation? Then you must be fully convinced in your mind, in a way that has real teeth in the way you life, that you are dead to sin and alive to God.

It is possible to think about yourself, and your relationship to sin and temptation inaccurately. And, since we are taught how to think about ourselves, then to think otherwise is to think unfaithfully.

The problem lies in the fact that temptation is still very tempting, and by ourselves, we are very pron to give in. But we have been rescued, and are being rescued.

Imagine yourself hanging on for dear life on the edge of a cliff. Perhaps you have just enough handhold and foothold to keep from plummeting, but you have no strength left.

The rescuer comes, and says to you - “you are safe, all you have to do is let go and you will fall into the net below you and be saved.”

You can’t see that net, because all your eyes can see is the rock in front of you that you are grasping. The rescuer keeps saying, “just let go!” But you say, “I can’t see the net!” “It’s right there! Trust me!” He says, but your limited vision tempts you to resist and just hold on.

Eventually, your strength will fail, and you will fall safely into the net. And you will realize that the rescuer was right all along.

So it is with our struggle in life. We hold on with a death-grip trying to make it on our own, all the while the rescuer is telling us - “you are dead to sin and alive to God! Trust me!”

The Resurrected Christ stands in Heaven, interceding for us and pleading his Word over us, saying “you are dead to sin and alive to God! Stop thinking about yourself in your own strength! Trust me!” And we had better listen to Him.

So, we conduct ourselves devotionally.

Verse 12, says “therefore” or, because we are dead to sin and alive to God, we must not let sin “reign” in or mortal body. That is, our flesh. We must know that while we may fail and fall to temptation sometimes, it is not powerful enough to overcome it, and we are not held in its sway, and through Christ, we are growing into His image.

Sin cannot “make us” obey its temptations. Satan cannot “make us” fall prey to his traps. We do so, and when we do, it is willingly. But we must rather be devoted to God, and listen to His Word.

So, we submit ourselves willingly.

Finally, we are told that we are not to “present our members to sin.” If we have been bought by Christ, and are His followers, then anytime we fall to sin, it is because we have willingly done so. We have presented our members, our hands and feet, our mind and body, back to sin. Even though sin is defeated, and is not ultimately powerful, and is not our master, we still go back to it.

Galatians 5:1 ESV

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

That image goes back to the story of the Exodus, where when wandering in the wilderness, some of the people looked back fondly to Egypt and their time of slavery, because the grass is always greener on the other side.

In the same way, we are told that we should not revert back to our old slave master, sin, because we have been set free.

We are rather to willingly, and joyfully, present ourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life.

Think of this - God has done all this work, in sending Jesus, in redeeming us, in raising Jesus from the dead - all this, to bring us from death to life. He has defeated our old master, set us free from slavery, given us new life and the promise of eternal life. Our heavy chains have fallen off.

We now are free to offer ourselves, mind, body, and spirit, to God who has redeemed us. We can offer him everything we have, and it would never be enough to pay Him back - but he doesn’t ask or want us to pay him back.

But can you hear him reminding us, lovingly, earnestly, as a Father, as one with perfect tenderness and compassion, saying, “don’t go back to the filth that I rescued you out of! My son died and lives again to set you free from that, stand fast in your freedom! Let me use your life for good and beauty and righteousness.”

And he can, and will do just that. And it all goes back to that very real death, and very real resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Dear one, do you believe in the resurrection of Jesus?

Has Christ’s death and resurrection changed you?

Are you looking at yourself the way God in Christ looks at you?

Christ has died, christ is risen, Christ stands as the victorious one and says “Die in my death! Live in my life! overcome in my power! Stand in my victory!”