Romans 6:1-4 | “Newness of Life” [ Baptism ]
[Baptism] Newness of Life • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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· 205 viewsTherefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4 (NASB 95) Sunday, December 31, 2023. Romans 6:1-4 | "Newness of Life.” Preached to Heritage Bible Chapel in Princeton, MA. This sermon is preached on New Year’s Sunday with an emphasis on Baptism: “Newness of Life.” Preaching Manuscript:
Notes
Transcript
The Reading
The Reading
A reading from Romans 6:1-4, reading from the NASB 95 translation of the Bible.
This is God’s Word:
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
Introduction of Theme | “Newness of Life”
Introduction of Theme | “Newness of Life”
When I learned that I was scheduled to preach on this last Sunday of the year, New Year’s Eve, I thought about what to preach.
It can be one of the more difficult tasks of preaching, to select a sermon text that doesn’t belong to a series, that is independent, develop in one message the context of that passage, and make it helpful to God’s people in a particular moment of “in between.”
That’s a sanctified way of saying — “There’s only so many “New Year’s” themed sermon texts to be preached in the Bible! (And there are only so many we can handle as a people year over year).
I knew that our children would be remaining with us to hear the sermon on this day, and I thought - what about baptism?
Baptism is a visual illustration of the Gospel that makes us new.
Baptism —the Bible says, is a means of Christians walking in “newness of life.”
That phrase came to my mind, “newness of life,” and I suggested that we have a service of baptisms today.
I suggest that we hear and witness the gospel work of God’s grace, doing what only God can do — making something and someone, TRULY new.
“Newness of Life”—Only God makes life new, different, and better (see LN).
Brother Dan Meiners helped me with this profound insight:
He said that we live in a culture that wants everything new.
He said that we even reach back into things that are really old, but we think they are new because they are “new to us.” But they are still old.
Often we lament when we get something new, because it doesn’t stay new for long. The newness wears off and it grows old very quickly.
The Bible says:
9 That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.
We look for “new” but can’t find it when we look under the sun no matter how hard we try.
(Let that be a dose of reality for whatever we want to try differently starting tomorrow.)
If it belongs “under the sun,” that is if it is an earthly endeavor, then whatever it is, it’s not new and the newness won’t last.
So how do we find something truly new?
Something new that lasts?
Such things exist only with God!
Brothers and sisters, if we follow Jesus with the help of the Holy Spirit, and labor for the kingdom of God, then we will find what is new, because God is making all things new.
John MacArthur compiled a list of several “new” things God and God alone gives — God gives a new heart, a new spirit, a new song, a new name. . . (MacArthur, Romans, 322).
Think of it - every morning, it is God’s mercies that are new!
“New” is a concept that belongs to God.
And what better way to see this illustrated than through baptisms?
What better time is there, for us all to remember our own baptisms, what they meant and what they mean for the work God did (and God is doing) through Jesus Christ to give us a new, glorious, victorious life that never grows old!?
I want this message to serve as a charge to our baptism candidates today - to Mitchell, Kash, Rebecca and Addison — this is what your baptism means for your life going forward.
Baptism is very significant for your newness of life with God.
At the same time, I exhort us all to remember our own baptisms with praise for the new life in Christ we forever enjoy.
Let’s be reminded together of what “newness of life” requires of us.
And if there be any among us who have yet to experience baptism, may this message compel you to answer before God: Why? —What is hindering or preventing you from being baptized?
I. The Teaching
I. The Teaching
This text, Romans 6:1-4, begins with the subject of God’s grace,
then speaks to the Christian’s way of life,
and teaches about baptism as a means of newness in Jesus.
Verse 1 —
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
This verse begins with the subject of grace.
We Christians love grace, don’t we?
We sang about it this morning in our opening song: “This is Amazing Grace.”
We believe and teach doctrines of grace.
What is grace?
Grace is the kindness that God freely gives without merit (see LN).
That means we do not earn God’s grace. Instead, God freely gives grace to us, who do not deserve it.
We are sinners and do not deserve grace.
But the Bible says that:
Romans 5:20 (NASB 95)
20 …where sin increased, grace abounded all the more …
That means no matter how much we’ve sinned, or how greatly we’ve sinned — God’s grace is greater than our sin.
But does that mean then, that way way to get more grace, is for us to sin more?
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
This may seem like an imaginary argument, but is it that?
Think with me —
What kind of person is invited to give their testimony of salvation at a big church event?
Is it the person that grew up in a Christian home, that was taught the ways of the Lord, that came to faith at a young age, and was spared a life of opposing God and all the horrible consequences associated with that?
No, not normally — That’s not viewed as exciting.
So we prefer the heavier testimonies for those events, don’t we?
Testimonies like that of the apostle Paul — who considered himself to be the chief of sinners.
Who ravaged the church, entering house after house, dragging off men and women, putting them in prison (Acts 8:3).
Who persecuted the way to the death… (Acts 22:4-5).
We want the stories of those who have sinned much — because that shows how great and abounding the grace of God is.
It is the same way of thinking at work in Romans 6:1. It is really not that foreign to us.
I remember when I was in the seventh grade, at a discipleship weekend with our church youth group, we were going around the room and each of us were asked to share our testimony, our story of coming to faith in Jesus.
When my turn came, I said “I don’t have much of a story to tell. I came to faith at a young age. I said — “my testimony is not exciting.”
To which the leader rebuked me strongly and lovingly, and said “your testimony is exciting.” Every testimony of salvation is exciting, that tells of God’s grace toward sinners.
You see, we all are saved by the same grace — its about where that grace came from, not by the amount of it.
It is God’s grace, for sinners who do not deserve it.
To our baptism candidates today, your testimonies are exciting, and we rejoice in your testimonies and are encouraged by your testimonies because they are not about you, but about God and His grace.
It is true, that as sin increases, grace abounds all the more.
But it is wrong to believe that the way to increase grace in a believers’ life is to sin more and more and more…
Or to remain in habits of sin. Or to remain in lifestyles of sin. . .
That is not the way to more grace, that is the way to condemnation, and to willfully sin and remain in sin is to indicate that you are not saved by the true gospel at all!
Christians forsake sinful habits.
Christians say “No” to sin (1-2a).
As we are preparing for this new year, are sinful patterns coming with us into 2024 with all their accompanying excuses?
By the grace of God, forsake those sins at the door!
Sin has no power over us in Jesus. Sin no longer reigns in a Christian’s life.
Christians say “No” to sin.
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?
Verse 2 —
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
Christians say “No” to sin.
“May it never be.”
This is a strong rejection of the thought of continuing sinful habits for the purpose of increasing in grace.
That is a distortion of the gospel and of grace.
“How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”
This question reveals the truth about a Christian’s way OF life by explaining a Christian’s way TO life.
A Christian’s way OF life is to live for God, opposing sin.
A Christian’s way TO life is through death.
Our old, sinful person with its cold, stony, unbelieving heart, must be put to death in order for us TO live for God.
And this is the key truth worked out in this passage:
Christians say “No” to sin (1-2a).
Christians have died to sin (2b).
This speaks to a Christian’s identity. A Christian is dead to sin.
What does it mean that we “died to sin”?
Death means separation.
Kenneth Wuest says that physical death is the separation of a person from his body, spiritual death is the separation of a person from God (Wuest, WS, 93).
Death means separation. A Christian is separated from sin.
The book of Romans is addressed in the opening chapter to those who are beloved of God, who are called “saints.”
That word “saints”, or holy ones, speaks of separation from what is sinful and profane.
This is who this chapter, chapter 6, is addressing — the “we” the “saints” - those who are dead to sin.
This does not mean that a Christian is no longer capable of sinning, however.
To our baptism candidates — your profession of faith is a confession that you are dead to sin and alive to God — you are separated from sin, and no longer live in it.
But understand, this does not mean that you will never be tempted to sin, or that you cannot sin (see T.Keller and others).
Your baptism today is not about washing away the possibility of ever sinning again.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
We are washed, but we are also at war with our flesh. We have not yet received our new glorified bodies that is yet to be, and promised of God.
You will be tempted, and you will struggle with sin - that does not mean your salvation or your baptism is meaningless.
Rather, remember the gospel truth that you have died to sin when those times come. You are no longer under sin’s ruling power (Keller).
You may confess your sin and be cleansed from all unrighteousness.
Know this —God will not let you remain in your sin. The Holy Spirit will convict you, and the Father who loves you will discipline you, and sanctify you so that you will come to hate sin for the evil that it is.
Verse 2 again —
2 May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
So how does a Christian die to sin?
The answer (as James Montgomery Boice points out), is to look to Jesus, and ask how did Jesus die to sin?
How did Jesus die to sin?
10 For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.
Jesus died to sin once for all - this is speaking of the cross.
Jesus died by suffering its penalty (Boice). Jesus died to sin on the cross.
He knew no sin, but became sin for us, and paid the debt sinners owed, giving his perfect life in exchange for our profane lives.
Jesus died to sin once for all — and he will never die for sin again.
His one death on the cross was sufficient to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him (Heb 7:25).
And because Jesus died to sin once, we die to sin once —because His death was for us, and His death is our death to sin. (Note: This can use more development).
In Jesus, we never return to that old self again.
As Leon Morris says, this is “the end of the reign of sin and the beginning of the reign of grace” (PNTC).
This leads to the subject of baptism.
Verse 3 —
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
The Bible now speaks of something Christians should have known and should know.
(That is what is meant by the phrase “Or do you not know…”)
This question should never have been asked or have need to be answered (J.Adams, CCC).
Why should this question have never been asked?
Why should Christians have a crystal clear understanding of their way of life as a separation from sin?
And the answer the Bible gives, is baptism.
Christians say “No” to sin (1-2a).
Christians have died to sin (2b).
Christians have been baptized (3-4).
The Bible assumes that a Christian has been baptized.
It might be asked what is meant by baptism in this text?
It this water baptism?
Is this baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Is this text using “baptism” as a way of speaking about the gospel?
- I’m inclined to agree with those who say that baptism refers to water baptism, unless another kind of baptism is specified.
Water baptism, along with going and teaching is commanded by Jesus for making disciples.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Those are the words of our Lord commanding baptism.
It is unthinkable to the Bible that a Christian would be content with not obeying such a foundational and initial command for a life of discipleship.
And so we recognize and celebrate what a meaningful step of faith and obedience this is of our baptism candidates today, to enter the waters of baptism, entering a life of discipleship, as Jesus commanded.
Now, it appears evident that not ALL Christians are baptized.
Notice the text says:
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
In the Greek it renders “as many of us” who have been baptized…
Not all of us have been baptized.
If that is you, this text compels you to answer the question: Am I missing something?
Now to be clear — baptism does not save a person.
We are saved by grace through faith alone, not of works (including the waters of baptism).
That is why we ask our baptism candidates if they profess faith in Christ alone as Lord and Savior.
Baptism has no part in your regeneration (your salvation), but it has every bit a part in your recognition of what God has worked for you in Jesus.
Are you missing something, if you have not been baptized?
Here are four things baptism recognizes.
I ask our baptism candidates to especially pay attention, but for all of us to remember as well:
Verse 3 —
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
First, baptism recognizes that we have been united with Jesus Christ.
Baptism recognizes we have been united with:
Jesus Christ (v.3).
The death of Jesus (v.3).
The burial of Jesus (v.4).
The resurrection of Jesus (v.4).
We “have been baptized into Christ Jesus.”
(This text doesn’t say we have been baptized into water, it doesn’t say we have been baptized into the Spirit…here it says we have been baptized into Christ Jesus).
The event of water baptism, represents the spiritual reality of baptism whereby we become members of Christ’s body, the Church. . .
We have identified with Jesus Christ. . .
We are united with Jesus Christ. . .
We are Christians!
To enter the baptismal waters means that you believe in Jesus and have a Christian testimony that points to God’s grace.
Second, baptism recognizes that we have been united with the death of Jesus.
3 Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death?
Jesus died to sin, and we are united with Jesus, so His death to sin becomes our death to sin.
Adrian Rogers says it this way:
“When Jesus Christ died, not only did He die for us, but we also died with Him. This is a glorious truth! (A.Rogers, ARLB, 1265).
To enter the baptismal waters means we have repented (turned away) of sin, separated from sin, and no longer live in it.
This is highlighted by the third meaning:
Baptism recognizes that we have been united with Jesus’ burial.
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
This is why in baptism a person will go under the water. That represents the uniting with Jesus’ burial.
The burial is an important, and sometimes overlooked part of the Gospel message.
As James Montgomery Boice says, the burial puts a deceased person out of this world permanently.
We don’t accept Christian zombies — dead to sin, but walking around living in it. — No!
Baptism unites us with Jesus’ burial, in which his body was placed in the tomb that was sealed.
The old self really does die, (that’s what the burial means) and it is put away for good.
This burial is part of God’s process for making something new, truly new.
Lastly, baptism recognizes that we have been united with Jesus’ resurrection.
4 Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.
What God makes of us is a matter of NEW creation, a new life, a new way of existing unlike anything we’ve known before. (D. Meiners)
Baptism proclaims the Gospel of Jesus, who IS the Christ, the Son of God,
and proclaims His work - his death, burial, and resurrection.
As you plunge into the waters of baptism, you are raised out, for God raised Jesus to life by His glorious power, and God raises you as a new creature to live a glorious, powerful, victorious new life as well.
And this is the charge to the four baptism candidates:
By the grace of God, you are to walk, you are to live, in this “newness of life.”
This is new life is eternal life.
It never grows old or stale.
And this newness is different, and also better than what we were before (see LN).
It is life with God. A gift of grace. And for us, it presents a gospel responsibility to live accordingly.
For all of us, as we press on into a new year, we are exhorted to remember our baptisms and live in the newness of life graciously given to us, and sustaining us - a life that is dead to sin, but alive to God.
Christians are a unique person - we are dead, and at the same time alive. We are dead to sin, and alive to God (6:11).
For any who have yet to be baptized, I ask you the same question again:
Are you missing something? And what is preventing or hindering you from being baptized?
Through baptism, we were buried with Jesus into death so that His glorious resurrection becomes the basis of our new and better lives of victory over sin, death, and the grave.
I thank God for our candidates who are about to share testimonies of God’s saving grace and enter the waters of baptism.
Testimonies of Grace & Baptism
Testimonies of Grace & Baptism
[ Shared and celebrated after the sermon ].
A Proposed Outline of Romans 6:1-4 (NASB 95)
A Proposed Outline of Romans 6:1-4 (NASB 95)
I. We must speak to the notion that grace increases in the lives of saints who habitually sin for that purpose (1).
A. What shall we say then? (1a).
B. Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? (1b).
II. We strongly condemn this impossibility because the saints died to sin and, therefore, cannot continue living with sinful habits (2).
A. May it never be! (2a).
B. How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (2b).
III. We should know that our baptism united us with Jesus Christ and His death for sin (3).
A. Do you not know? (3a).
B. All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death (3b).
IV. Through baptism, we were buried with Jesus into death so that His glorious resurrection becomes the basis of our new and better lives of victory over sin, death, and the grave (4).
A. We have been buried with Him through baptism into death (4a).
B. So that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk (live) in newness of life (4b).
SUMMARY
Through baptism, Christians reject sin as a way of life, recognize the work of God’s grace in their lives, and respond by living in newness of life.
PREACHING MOVEMENTS
PREACHING MOVEMENTS
I. Christians say “No” to Sin (1-2a).
II. Christians have Died to Sin (2b).
III. Christians have been Baptized (3-4).
Baptism recognizes we have been united with:
Jesus Christ (v.3).
The death of Jesus (v.3).
The burial of Jesus (v.4).
The resurrection of Jesus (v.4).
QUESTIONS OF ROMANS 6:1-4
QUESTIONS OF ROMANS 6:1-4
Who makes up the “we” addressed throughout this passage? (6:4; 1:1, 7). Who does this text associate baptism with? (see also Matt 28:16-20).
What accusation is this text responding to? (6:1; 5:20, 3:5-8).
What is wrong with the idea of sinning so that grace may increase? Would doing so contradict a biblical understanding of God, sin and the gospel? Explain.
What does it mean for a Christian to have “died to sin”? (6:2; Gal 2:19, 1 Pt 2:24).
What does having “died to sin” not mean? (7:18; 1 Jn 1:8).
What promise does the Bible offer to Christians when we do sin? (Heb 12:6-11; 1 Jn 1:9).
Was having died to sin our work? or God’s work? (6:2, 5-7, 8:13).
What does the statement “do you not know” imply? (6:3).
What does the phrase “with Him” mean for a proper understanding of the gospel? (6:4; see also 6:5; Col 2:12, 3:1-4).
Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. What three activities are associated with the gospel message we believe?
What is the significance of Christ’s burial for the life of believers (6:4, 5, 8)?
Are Christians considered dead or alive? In what ways? — How does baptism illustrate this tension? (6:4, 11).
What is “new” about the Christian life? (6:2, 4; See also 2 Cor 5:17).
Based on Rom 6:1-5, is anything lost when a Christian refuses water baptism? Discuss.
Based on Rom 6:1-5, could the mode of water baptism represent anything about the meaning of baptism?
Is water baptism necessary for salvation? (Lk 23:40-43; Eph 2:8-9).
Water baptism is voluntarily. What is preventing you from being baptized? (read Acts 8:1-40, esp. v.36).
As you remember your baptism, what gospel truths should encourage you?