Did you know?

Introduction

Welcome

Introduction to Topic/Series:

We are starting a new series on Romans 6 entitled ‘Freedom.’

We have learned about Jesus rescuing us from the penalty of sin so we can be accepted by God in Romans 1-5.

In chapter 6, we are going to learn that Jesus did not only set us free from the penalty of sin but the power of sin as well.

Everyone is under the power of sin, whether we believe it or not. One of sins deceptions is to convince us that we are free or that we have no sin when in actuality, we are most enslaved (1 John 1:8-10 & John 8:31-34).

One test that will prove to you and I that we are enslaved to sin is to try and stop something we love. What will happen is that you will try but it will be short-lived or you will pick up another way to sin.

You will quickly realize that it’s harder than you think and the reason why it’s hard is because sin is powerful and rules over us. The more we sin, the more trapped we are and destroys our lives (James 1:15).

But the Good news speaks into how we can break FREE by the power of the Holy Spirit.

My prayer for this series is that you are empowered by God, set free, and filled with hope, knowing that the way is in Jesus.

Title:

The title of my message today is framed as a question and it’s, “Did you know?”

Transitional Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen!

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Story:

When I’m driving with someone or getting a ride, I’m usually the guy who thinks the route I know is the best way to get to our destination.

In several occurences someone would suggest a different road to take that I didn’t know and it would end up either being shorter and better than the usual way I take.

Explanation:

The same is true in our faith journey.

The results we desire to reach spiritually are slower to get to because we either think our way is best or simply because we didn’t know there was another way.

Ignorance (to not know something) is the devil’s playground. The less we know, understand and live out God’s truth, the more likely we are to remain in bondage.

To live in true freedom, we must know and follow the way laid out in Scripture.

When I say freedom, what exactly do I mean?

Biblical freedom isn’t about doing anything you want—it’s about having the ability to choose Jesus and his ways.

William Barclay, a bible scholar, defines it this way:

“Christian freedom does not mean being free to do as we like; it means being free to do as we should.”

In other words, It’s being free to do the right thing.

Illustration:

Romans 6:18 NLT

New Living Translation Chapter 6

18 Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Application:

Let’s not be ignorant of both the way he teaches us to break free from sin and the freedom we have in Christ.

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Body

Bible

Context:

In order to understand Romans 6, we have to review Romans 5. We have learned the contrast between Adam and Christ from verse 12-19.

Through Adam came sin and death but through Christ we have forgiveness and eternal life.

Near the end of Romans 5:20-21 Paul says:

Romans 5:20–21 NLT

God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The law was given for three purposes:

(1) To guide us until the new way of following God by the Spirit came (Galatians 3:24)

(2) To expose our sinfulness (Romans 3:19)

(3) To point us to our need for a Saviour (John 14:6)

The power of sin was strong and not even the law could save us, and it wasn’t meant to. Sin increased more but the grace of God — which is the gift of Jesus offering us forgiveness for our sin and right standing with God — increased all the more. In other words, there was nothing too bad that Jesus couldn’t forgive.

Sin used to reign in our lives when we were separated from God but now that we are in a relationship with God, Jesus rules over our lives.

I want us to focus and hold onto when Paul says, “But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant.”

This statement sets us up for what Paul says next in Romans 6:1-5.

Main Passage:

Romans 6:1–5 NLT

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was.

Transitional Sentence:

3 essential truths we need to know from Romans 6:1-5.

Points

Truth One: Don’t believe lies (v.1-2)

Explanation:

Ignorance can lead us to believe things about God or His gifts that simply aren’t true.

Illustration:

Illustration 1:

Romans 6:1–2 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?

Application:

Remember, Paul is addressing what he said earlier in Romans 5:21, “sin increased, grace abounds all the more.”

Paul is either assuming his readers have this line of thinking or this is what they truly believe:

“If we sin, we can experience more of God’s grace.”

“Doesn’t matter if we sin because God will forgive us.”

Which is true but it’s a total misunderstanding of God’s grace. Paul would address this line of thinking and believing by saying, “No way or God forbid.”

Two reasons why Paul says, “no way” to the question: Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

(1) Grace purpose is to empower us to live holy. It’s not a license to sin more.

(2) Second is because of what Paul says in verse 2b:

Romans 6:2 NLT

Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Which leads us to the second truth…

Truth Two: We died with Christ (v.3-4)

Explanation:

Christ didn’t just die for you, you died with Him.

The question is not if God will forgive us for our sins (because He will) but instead, what is the nature of our relationship with sin now that we are believers in Jesus?

Illustration:

Romans 6:2 NLT

Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?

Paul tells us how we died to sin in verse 3-4…

Romans 6:3–5 ESV

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.

Application:

Here’s how our relationship with sin changes before and after Christ:

Before Christ: Sin ruled over us because we were separated from God (Romans 5:17)

After Christ: We died to the power of sin because we are united with Christ in his death.

To reiterate what Paul the Apostle said and the title of my message, “Did you not know?”

You died to your old life when you accepted Jesus into your life.

Third Truth: We resurrected with Christ (v.5)

Explanation:

We have a new life. We died to resurrect.

Illustration:

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

… 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…

Romans 6:5 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.

Application:

Just as Christ died and resurrected, you died and resurrected with Christ. You became a new person who no longer lives under the power of sin but reigns over it.

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Conclusion

So what:

If you want freedom from the power of sin, you have to first come to knowledge of the truth that:

You died with Christ and are a completely new creation when you resurrected with Christ.

Call to Action:

God to reveal the truth and our identity in Christ.

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen!