From Death to Life: Embracing the Resurrecting Power of Christ

Bible Passage: Romans 6:1-11

Summary: In this passage, Paul confronts the issue of sin in the believer's life, presenting baptism as a symbol of the radical change that occurs through faith in Christ. It emphasizes that believers are not just forgiven but transformed, enabling them to live lives that reflect Christ’s resurrection power and victory over sin and death.

Application: This sermon can help Christians understand their true identity in Christ and the freedom that comes from living a resurrected life. It invites believers to move past guilt and shame, embracing their new self and living out the implications of being resurrected with Christ.

Teaching: The teaching in this passage reveals that baptism signifies more than just an outward act; it is a spiritual reality indicating that believers should no longer let sin reign in their lives, as they have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk in newness of life.

How this passage could point to Christ: The imagery of resurrection in this passage ties into the broader biblical narrative that showcases God's plan for redemption through Jesus. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme of death leading to new life threads through the scriptures, culminating in Christ's resurrection, which serves as the ultimate victory and transformative event for all humanity.

Big Idea: Believers are called not only to remember Christ's resurrection but to actively live in the light of that resurrection, experiencing the transformative power that allows them to say no to sin and yes to a new life in Christ.

1. Purpose: Die to Sin

Romans 6:1-4

Look at the question that Paul proposes! He says shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? The thought was, if you go back and read the conclusion of chapter 5, is that where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. In other words, since we are no longer under the law, where sin leads to death, but we are now under grace, where the death of Christ has now paid the penalty of our sin, therefore, when you and I sin now, Christ has already paid the penalty for it, so now the grace of God covers us! The Bible says, because of the disobedience of one man(Adam), many were made sinners! And by the obedience of one man(Jesus), in the sense that the Bible says He was tempted as we are, yet He was without sin, by his obedience, in which the Bible says that He humbled himself, and became obedient, even to the point of death on the cross, by His obedience, scripture declares, that many shall be made righteous! So, instead of death, where there’s sin, now God gives grace! And so that’s the question that Paul asks, shall we keep on sinning, so that God can give us more grace? He says, God forbid, or perish the thought! How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? If you are already dead, then you are no longer in sin! And that’s where Paul teaches us, that when we are baptized into Jesus Christ, we are also baptized into his death! Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. I know sometimes church can be more traditional than it is religion, and sometimes we just do things because that’s what we’ve been taught to do, or that’s what we’ve been accustomed to do, but have you ever wondered why baptism goes the way it goes? I mean when it’s done right. You see, there are some who believe in baptism by the sprinkling of water, or even the pouring of water over the head, but we believe that baptism is only by the immersion of the believer, in water. For one, that’s because that’s what scripture teaches. John 3:23 “And John was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there:” Matthew 3:16 “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and shining on him.” Acts 8:36 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his was rejoicing.” You see the Bible only teaches the going down and coming up out of the water! And the reason being is because of what baptism symbolizes. You see water baptism, is an outward expression of the inward transformation that takes place at conversion. It mirrors what Christ did through His death, burial and resurrection! That’s why Paul says that when we were baptized into Christ, we were baptized into His death! When Jesus died, He took all of our sins(past, present and future) and nailed them to the cross! That’s why scripture informs us, that He who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God! And so when Jesus died, our sins died with Him! And when He was buried and raised up from the dead, now both sin and it’s consequence of death, has now been defeated! 1 Corinthians 1 5:55–57 ““O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is your victory?” 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.” Jesus got up from the grave, but sin and death stayed buried!

And just as Christ was raised from the dead, we also should walk in the newness of life! Understand that when Christ got up from the grave, He didn’t look quite the same as He did before he went in! When Mary was at the tomb, she didn’t even recognize that she was talking to a resurrected Jesus! She mistook him for a gardener, as she asked him, “Sir, if you have moved his body, please tell me where you have laid him.” And it wasn’t until Jesus had called her name, that she instantly recognized who he was. When the disciples were on the road to emmaus, the bible says that their eyes were kept from recognizing him, and they conversated with Him on the journey, and it wasn’t until later that they recognized who Jesus was, and they said did not our hearts burn within us as he shared to us the scriptures. When Jesus appeared to the eleven, they though he was a ghost, because His resurrected form, did not obey the laws of this world, as even though the door was shut and locked, Jesus was able to walk through the door, and appear in the room. They did not recognize Him and so Jesus said come put your hands in the holes and see that I am He! What I’m trying to say, is that when I died to sin, the old me went down! But when I was made alive in Christ Jesus, a new me got up! Some of the same folks that I use to hang around, some of the same folks I use to kick it with, seemed like they couldn’t recognize me anymore! They’ed say things like man you’ve changed. And I’m not gone lie to you, it took me some time to fully embrace my change. Because phone calls started getting less, I was no longer a first option to be invited to the hang out, but when I began to embrace who I am in Christ, I was glad, that a change had come over me! He gave me a new walk! I didn’t walk the same paths I did before I went down! He gave me a new talk! I didn’t talk the same way as I did before I went down! When God raised me up, I looked at my hands, and they looked new, I looked at my feet, and they did too! The Bible says if any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new!

2. Participation: United with Christ

Romans 6:5-7

We as believers, are not meant to live defeated lives! But we are called to embrace our resurrected identity in Christ, who empowers us to overcome sin! And a lot of times, we as believers, walk around like we are defeated, instead of being victorious! And sometimes, the reason being, is that we haven’t fully embraced, the resurrection power of Christ in our lives! That’s why we’re still cussing, that’s why we’re still drinking, that’s why we’re still smoking, that’s why we’re still fornicating, that’s why we’re still lying, oh I’m sorry, ya’ll didn’t think that kind of stuff was going on in the church? I’m sorry, but I came to be real with ya! Every time we go back, to what God has called us out of, we give that thing power over our lives! And sometimes that old lifestyle can grip us so tight, that we don’t know how to break loose from it! But that’s where the resurrection power of Christ comes in to play! There may be some things that have you bound, but God has the power to break the strongholds in our lives! God has the power to break every chain that has us tied up! God has the power to loose every shackle that has us restricted. And what’s even better, is that same power, that God has to break down barriers, resides on the inside of us when we are united with Christ in his death and resurrection! Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” You got to learn how to tap into your power! Understanding that it’s not your own power, but God’s power operating within you! 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” On my own power, my tongue can’t be tamed, and I’d be cussing some folks out right now! On my own power, I’d still be creeping in and out of hotel, motel! On my own power, ain’t no turning the other cheek! On my own power, I’d be back to my old ways and old habits! That’s why Paul encourages us to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might! The beauty of being united with Christ, is that when I am weak, He proves himself strong! “Now unto Him, that is able, to keep you from falling!” I thank God today for His keeping power! That’s why people can’t use who I use to be against me! God has delivered me from that, and gave me victory over it! And so now, anytime somebody brings up who I use to be, all they are doing is just forcing me to look back, and see just how far God has brought me from! It just adds fuel to my fire! Because when I think, of the goodness of Jesus! And all He’s done for me, my soul cries out Hallelujah! I thank God for saving me! I join in with the song writer, when they said, Amazing Grace, shall always be my song of praise! God has given me a new direction, in that I once was lost, but now I’m found! He’s given me a new perspective, in that I once was blind, but now I see!

I’m united with Christ! The Bible says in Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” When I’m united with Christ, I surrender my will, for His will for me! Understand brothers and sisters, that in order to be united with Christ, you have got to die to self! “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me! We can’t experience the resurrection power of Christ in our lives, if we are not willing to give up our lives! Matthew 16:25 “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Consider a seed that falls to the ground. It must die and be buried before it can sprout into new life. In our spiritual journey, dying to self is similarly painful, yet necessary. Like the plant that emerges from the ground, we experience a glorious transformation when we let go of our selfish desires and embrace God’s will. This divine exchange leads us to live a life of purpose and joy, rooted in faith and hope.

3. Promise: Alive to God

Romans 6:8-11

In my closing, Paul says, “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him!” The enemy comes but to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus said I come, that you may have life and have it more abundantly!

Romans (1) Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ (6:1–14)

Having been raised from the dead, Christ cannot die again. His resurrection was unlike that of Lazarus, who had to meet death once again. But Christ’s resurrection broke forever the tyranny of death. That cruel master can no longer exercise any power over him. The cross was sin’s final move; the resurrection was God’s checkmate. The game is over. Sin is forever in defeat. Christ the victor died to sin “once for all”26 and lives now in unbroken fellowship with God.

Many of the ancient cathedrals in the old world portray in their statuary a dead or dying Christ. But Christ crucified (if no more were said) is not the gospel. The church needs a renewed awareness of Christ as victorious over death and the grave. It is the resurrection that makes the good news, good news. Rising triumphant over Satan’s ultimate show of force, Jesus Christ is forever crowned King of kings and Lord of lords. Join the triumphal parade! Celebrate the defeat of Satan, that rebel whose fate is now forever sealed.

Come on sin no longer has power of us! Death has no more dominion over us! Just as Christ got up with the victory, you and I share in that victory! And you ought to praise God like you know you got it! No longer are we slaves to sin and sin’s power, but the resurrecting power of Christ ables us to live victoriously!

Living He loved me! Dying He saved me! Buried, He carried my, sins far away! Rising, He justified me, freely forever!