Overcoming Death with Life
Notes
Transcript
As we wrap up our overcomer series we find ourselves at the final week and one that will summarize all previous weeks. Today we will find ourselves in Romans chapter 6 and we will find a passage that most will find familiar. Most likely you will remember this passage from when you were baptized. This scripture is used to represent the dying to the flesh and coming alive in the spirit. Today we will see what overcoming death in reference to the scripture means. For many there is this spiritual symbolism of laying down our flesh and coming alive in the Spirit. Before we get too far here, Paul is going to use the word death quite a bit today and it is important to understand what persepctive of death that Paul is writing about. Paul will reference 3 types of death. These types of death are first, physical death, second is spiritual death or separation from God, and Lastly he will speak of a death to human nature. As we explore the scripture this morning I will point out the types of death that Paul is indidcating in each of the scriptures and we will dive into the purpose of each of the verses. Paul us contrasting this morning how believers can leave death behind to enter into life and overcome the power of death in all aspects of our lives. Paul presents to us this morning 3 things. First the freedom from sins chains that bind us all. Second, the power of a resurrected life. Third, the power of a life Alive to God.
John Bacon, once a famous sculptor, left this inscription on his tomb in Westminster Abbey: "What I was as an artist seemed of some importance to me while I lived; but what I was as a believer in Jesus Christ is the only thing of importance to me now."
John Bacon.
There is nothing more important than our relationship with Jesus Christ and how we live that in our world. All that we do and have are as nothing in the presence of Jesus. The scripture this morning calls us to lay down the things of the flesh that tie us to death and to walk in the life that Jesus Christ has given to us. Lets read the scripture this morning.
5 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. 6 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. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
1. Freedom from Sin's Chains
1. Freedom from Sin's Chains
5 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. 6 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. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Paul is writing this letter helping to reinforce the lives of the church. Paul wants to see the church thriving. As he starts here in verse 5 he starts with a contrast. Look again at verse 5 and I want you to notice the prerequisite here.
5 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.
Paul starts this off with “For If” Paul in this moment is stating an imperative understanding that a life with Christ is a choice. There is nothing here where Paul is stating that this relationship with Christ is a requirement, you are in the driver seat when it comes to your desire to have a relationship with Christ. In verses 1-4 Paul lays out the Idea of what a relationship with Christ looks like.
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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.
Paul is reverting back in verse 5 to say, look living this life is your choice. You are making the choice to partake in Baptism with Christ, partake in his crucifixion, partake in His resurrection. You are making a choice to be in a personal relationship with Christ. It is important to note that in order to overcome death with life you must first choose to be in a personal relationship with Christ. I believe that no matter what we are learning or where in the scripture we are that the Gospel should be presented. This scripture just happens to make it much easier. Before you continue it is important to take inventory of your heart. Are you able to overcome? If you have not found yourself in a place of accepting Christ into your heart, you will feel at times like you are overcoming, feel at times that you are doing good, but at the end of your days will learn that you did not overcome anything. The good news for you today is that this relationship with Christ is easy to start, it is a lifelong committment to sanctification but starting that relationship takes just one thing.
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
There is no special prayer you need to say, no amount of papers to sign. This morning sitting in your seat you can as Jesus to enter into your heart and you can begin to be an overcomer. If you are in here this morning and you need to have that conversation with Jesus, go ahead and do that now, you don’t need the pastor to do anything special and you do not need to say any special words. If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God and that God raised Him from the dead then you will be saved. For those of you in here that have already accepted Jesus and have asked God for this, Paul is saying to you this morning, if you are united with Christ in His death, then you are united with him in his resurrection. Then he reminds us that because of that our body of sin should be brought to nothing. What does this statement mean? In this statement Paul is identifying the need for sanctification. We should seek to put to death the flesh and the things of the flesh. Sanctification is the process through which we become more like Christ and Paul tells us here that it is possible and in many respects required of those who seek God. The chains of sin are broken and we are no longer bound to the flesh but are released to live a life free of sin. Are you living a life seeking daily sanctification? I am not talking about daily living perfect, I am talking about daily living in a way that says, I want to be closer to my Father, closer to Christ, and further from my sin.
an eagle that had been captured when it was quite young. The farmer who snared the bird put a restraint on it so it couldn't fly, and then he turned it loose to roam in the barnyard. It wasn't long till the eagle began to act like the chickens, scratching and pecking at the ground. This bird that once soared high in the heavens seemed satisfied to live the barnyard life of the lowly hen. One day the farmer was visited by a shepherd who came down from the mountains where the eagles lived. Seeing the eagle, the shepherd said to the farmer, "What a shame to keep that bird hobbled here in your barnyard! Why don't you let it go?" The farmer agreed, so they cut off the restraint. But the eagle continued to wander around, scratching and pecking as before. The shepherd picked it up and set it on a high stone wall. For the first time in months, the eagle saw the grand expanse of blue sky and the glowing sun. Then it spread its wings and with a leap soared off into a tremendous spiral flight, up and up and up. At last it was acting like an eagle again.
We should seek sanctification and to live in the freedom of Sins broken chains.
18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.
23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
We are called to walk in the freedom that we are given with sins death in our lives. God calls us to step out of the chains of sin and not set ourselves back in sin. The Bible speaks of what happens when one accepts Christ into their hearts but refuses to seek sanctification.
1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.
3 For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing. 4 When you are assembled in the name of the Lord Jesus and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord.
God has called us to walk in the freedom from sin not in the freedom to sin. The chains of sin have been broken and God has called us to seek the sanctification and reward of His offering. To overcome death with live we must live in the freedom from sins chains, we must also live in the Power of the resurrection.
2. Power of Resurrection Life
2. Power of Resurrection Life
8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.
The power given to us in the resurrection is that we no longer have to live like those who have a death sentence. You see those who live like they have a death sentence are doing everything they can to enjoy life today. They are trying to pack in as much as they can into this temporal time becuase they have no vision of eternity. We though have a vision of eternity and are freed from the need and compulsion to cram as much into this life as possible. We are given the ability to live in this life with the focus on the next life. We understand that the death of the flesh is nothing more than the going to sleep in anticipation of the return of Christ. We are not laid in the ground to stay in the ground we are laid in the ground but are present with Jesus at the time we take our last breath.
43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
The power of the resurrected life is that it does not fear death or even give it any thought. The resurrected life lives life to the fullest, not for itself but for others to see the glory of God. We are called to be absolutely radical people. Not radical in doing something to secure our place in the new heaven and earth, but absolutely radical in loving others and giving of ourselves becasue we are already secured in the new heaven and earth.
28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love
If then we know that our eternity is secured, what keeps us from forsaking this world and seeking the kingdom of God? We are called to live in the power of the resurrection, marked by our desire to do good works even at the sacrifice of our wants and needs. We are called to be a people who give of ourselves for the kingdom of God. What comfort zone might God be calling you out of today? living in the power of the resurrecton is like Paul said the ability to live as if you will never die. Do you live in this way? I find myself concerned with needs that I belive God is challenging me not to worry about. Basic things that I should not worry about. What is it that you find yourself anxious or worried about becuase you refuse to live in the power of the resurrection, understanding that all your needs are satisified in Christ?
Missionary statesman Hudson Taylor had complete trust in God's faithfulness. In his journal he wrote:
Our heavenly Father is a very experienced One. He knows very well that His children wake up with a good appetite every morning... He sustained 3 million Israelites in the wilderness for 40 years. We do not expect He will send 3 million missionaries to China; but if He did, He would have ample means to sustain them all... Depend on it, God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supply.
We are called first to live in the freedom from sins chains, secondly to live in the power of the resurrection. Lastly we are called to live a life alive to the Father.
3. Alive to God Forever
3. Alive to God Forever
10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Understanding ourselves as "alive to God in Christ Jesus.", reassures us that Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice not only dealt permanently with sin but also calls us into an ongoing, vibrant relationship with God. Christians are invited to see themselves as God's living expressions, enabled by Resurrection power to reflect His righteousness daily. Do not grow complacent but live active full lives filled wiht the love of Christ. Put to death the sin that once ruled your life and live in the power of the resurrection as a child of God. You are not a servant of God, an intern, a hired hand. You are a child of God called to live as a son of God. The full power of the kingdom of God is inside you to change the world around you. Maybe you do seek sanctification on a daily basis, maybe you live ocasionally in the power of the resurrecrtion. But do you seek to be alive to God and His kingdom? Sanctification without mission is a void endevor.
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
The life of faith is alive and active and a faithful follower of Christ is alive to God. They do not grow complacent and they do not grow tired of doing good. When they grow weary and they feel faint God steps in and gives a heavenly breath of life that only He can give.
28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
24 Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you.
The principal concern for Paul in this scripture is to be neither a person who looks alive and is dead on the inside not a person who looks dead yet is alive on the inside.
When elderly Adele Gaboury turned up missing four years ago, concerned neighbors in Worcester, Massachusetts, informed the police. A brother told police she had gone into a nursing home. Satisfied with that information, Gaboury's neighbors began watching her property. Michael Crowley noticed her mail, delivered through a slot in the door, piling high.
When he opened the door, hundreds of pieces of mail drifted out. He notified police, and the deliveries were stopped. Gaboury's next-door neighbor, Eileen Dugan, started paying her grandson $10 twice a month to mow Gaboury's lawn. Later Dugan's son noticed Gaboury's pipes had frozen, spilling water out the door. The utility company was called to shut off the water.
What no one guessed was that while they'd been trying to help, Gaboury had been inside her home. When police finally investigated the house as a health hazard, they were shocked to find her body. The Washington Post (10/27/93) reported that police now believe Gaboury died of natural causes four years ago.
The respectable, external appearance of Gaboury's house had hidden the reality of what was on the inside.
Paul calls us to be alive in God living because of the great sacrifice of Christ for our lives. When commentaries are written on these scriptures they often venture to none side or the other. They say that you must prove your faith with your actions. The others will say that Jesus gives you salvation and there is no need for any works whatsoever. What I will tell you is that this scripture when studied in its fullness speaks of a life that is made whole in Christ apart from your works but celebrates the freedom in Christ through serving others at all costs.
15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.
We are allowed to live in sin, why would we if we have been freed from it? We are allowed to not seek sanctification, at what cost are you willing to keep chasing your sin? Will you need to be delviered over to the destruction of your flesh to save your soul? You are allowed to live a life for yourself and not alive ot God. Why not celebrate with the world the great things God has done for you. We are called to a life of an overcomer, once and for all putting behide us the fall of man.
