Alive to God

Introduction

Welcome

Topic/Series Introduction:

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.

Before we become christians, everyone was under the power of sin. 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 our identity: That we are FREE from the power of sin and 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.

Main Passage:

Romans 6:8–11 “And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”

Title:

Alive to God.

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen

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Story:

Inventing Anna (Netflix show). Real name Anna Sorkin lived in Germany but moved to New York to work at purple magazine.

Anna Delphine is the the definition of fake it till you make it.

Ann Delphine lived in a way that reflected the reality she longed for—a reality that wasn’t fully seen yet, but one she believed was already breaking in.

Explanation:

The only difference is we’re not faking it or living in a lie.

We are living the reality of who we truly are in Christ Jesus.

Our lives are to reflect the reality of what heaven looks like here and now.

Illustration:

Illustration 1:

Philippians 1:27 “Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ.”

Application:

To live as citizens of heaven speaks in our identity — who we are and what we have.

Illustration 2:

Definition of citizenship: the position or status of being a citizen of a particular country.

We are to live in such a way like we are already in heaven — this is what it means to be alive to God.

The problem is we don’t live our lives in a certain manner because we don’t understand the death and resurrection and how that transforms our lives.

Body

Bible

Context:

Chiastic or chiasm - Sandwich

Main Passage:

Romans 6:8–11 “And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him. We are sure of this because Christ was raised from the dead, and he will never die again. Death no longer has any power over him. When he died, he died once to break the power of sin. But now that he lives, he lives for the glory of God. So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”

Transitional Sentence:

3 powerful truths you need to know about Easter; Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Points

First Truth: Jesus will never die again (v.9)

Explanation:

Illustration:

1 Corinthians 15:42-56

Application:

Second Truth: Jesus died to defeat sin (v.10)

Explanation:

Jesus died for sin and to sin.

Illustration:

Application:

Third truth: Jesus lives for/to God (v.10b)

Explanation:

Illustration:

Application:

Conclusion

Summary:

Jesus will never die again.

Jesus died to defeat sin.

Jesus live for/to God.

So what:

Why is this important: Dead to sin and alive to God.

Now what:

Remember the Gospel — the death and resurrection of Jesus

Renew your mind.

Call to action:

Communion

Prayer:

In Jesus name, amen!

Notes:

Dative case, ‘to sin’ - in respect to, in relation to sin

It describes the purpose of his death - to pay for sin and to break the power of sin.

The New Bible Commentary 6:1–23 Freedom from Bondage to Sin

Though sinless himself, Christ nevertheless was subject to sin’s power by virtue of his incarnation, and his death removed him for ever from that power.

Bible cross references

Hebrews 7:27; Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 10:10.

1 Corinthians 15:3; 17; 20; 22; 24; 40; 47-57.

Romans 8:3.

2 Corinthians 5:15.

Question: If sin reigns in death or as Paul would say in 1 Corin 15:56-57, sin is the sting of death, does that mean christ had a sinful flesh therefore was subject to death? The incarnation of Christ, or christology, says Jesus was sinless but had the likeliness of sinful flesh (Romans 8:1-3). What does that mean likeness of sinful flesh mean?

Hebrew 2:17-18.

Hebrew 4:15-16.

2 Corinthians 5:21.

1 Peter 2:22.

1 John 3:5.

Very helpful to understand the hypostatic-union of Christ and Romans 8:3.

Wuest’s Word Studies in the Greek New Testament Chapter Eight

As to the words, “God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh,” Vincent is helpful; “Literally, of the flesh of sin: The choice of words is especially noteworthy. Paul does not say simply, ‘He came in flesh’ (

To have emotions is not sinful, being tired is not sinful, having weakness is not sinful —

Jesus being subject to death does not mean he had sin. He was unique.

Jesus however was tempted outside of himself.

Romans 6:10:

The Bible Knowledge Commentary 6:8–11

the life He lives, He lives (pres. tense, “keeps on living”) to God

Being made alive to God: 1 Peter 4:2.