The Believer's Obligation
Notes
Transcript
A. You’re obligated to God. (12a)
A. You’re obligated to God. (12a)
1. Unbelievers have an obligation to pay the penalty for their rebellion against God.
1. Unbelievers have an obligation to pay the penalty for their rebellion against God.
“He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.
And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
2. Christians have an obligation to Jesus.
2. Christians have an obligation to Jesus.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
B. Christians aren’t obligated to sin. (12b-13a)
B. Christians aren’t obligated to sin. (12b-13a)
1. What does it mean to live according to the flesh?
1. What does it mean to live according to the flesh?
2. Death is the fruit of living by the flesh.
2. Death is the fruit of living by the flesh.
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3. Christians have been rescued from the bondage of sin.
3. Christians have been rescued from the bondage of sin.
C. Christians are obligated to overcome sin. (13b)
C. Christians are obligated to overcome sin. (13b)
1. Notice the violent response to sin.
1. Notice the violent response to sin.
2. How do I know that Christians are to live holy lives?
2. How do I know that Christians are to live holy lives?
“For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother.”
3. You can only kill sin by the power of the Holy Spirit.
3. You can only kill sin by the power of the Holy Spirit.
1. Resolve in your heart to put sin to death.
1. Resolve in your heart to put sin to death.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
2. Know your enemy.
2. Know your enemy.
But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
3. Crucify the flesh.
3. Crucify the flesh.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.