Romans 6:1-14

MAIN IDEA: Three necessary reminders to feeling alive in Christ.

Our behavior demonstrates we are alive in Christ.

Scripture Text: Romans 6:1-8

Romans 6:1–8 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. 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. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

verse 2 - If you’re not feeling alive in Christ, remember the power of sin does not own us.

verse 4 - If you’re not feeling alive in Christ, remember that it’s an every day decision. Our behavior demonstrates we are alive in Christ (see Colossians 3). It is possible for a person to be a believer and not be alive in Christ? Walking in newness of life is a decision to leave something behind. It’s a different walk than you had before you knew Christ.

There is always something to leave behind. Every day, we make the decision not to walk on “pre-Jesus” boulevard.

verse 5 - If you’re not feeling alive in Christ, remember we are united with Christ throughout the entire process.

verse 6 - If you’re not feeling alive in Christ, remember that you’re a child and not a slave. Slaves don’t choose experiences with their master, they fall in line to prevent consequences.

Our attitude reminds us we are alive in Christ.

Scripture Text: Romans 6:9-11

Romans 6:9–11 ESV

We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

verse 11 - consider yourselves. The Greek word for ‘consider’ has four possible meanings. 1) think about it 2) keep a mental record 3) have an opinion 4) keep physical records

Thinking about the high points of our walk with Jesus reminds us of his presence during low points and that we are alive in Christ.

Keeping a journal of how sin has been conquered in your life reminds us we are alive in Christ.

Having opinions is part of life. Opinions remind us we are alive in Christ when biblical doctrine has greater value than human doctrine.

All of those things cultivate a biblical worldview and an attitude that reminds us we are alive in Christ.

Our body declares we are alive in Christ.

Scripture Text: Romans 6:12-14

Romans 6:12–14 ESV

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

verse 13 - don’t present your members…do present your members. Members = body parts.

Here is an easy explanation of these verses - play video.

Paul tells us three things about our body. 1)Our body is used for righteous purposes or unrighteous purposes. The text does not give a third option 2)What we do with our body worships something or someone 3)Don’t let the unrighteous purposes win because grace is a privilege.

More than anything this morning, I want you to hear this: Who we are in Christ is greater than we were are in Adam. The gap between the two is covered by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Never underestimate what God is doing in the background, even when you don’t feel it. Never underestimate how God would like to use your availability.

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal, it would be my privilege to have that conversation with you today.