Is A Different Life Really Possible?

Let’s stand as you are able as we read God’s word

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:1–11, NIV)

Christ is risen!

We’re starting a new series today called Easter People. One of the issues that I’ve always had with Easter and the celebration of the Resurrection is that it seemed like it was only good news about the future. Jesus’ resurrection meant that, for those who believed, they would one day rise again and live with Jesus. But it was always hard to determine what the resurrection meant for right now. I don’t in any way want to diminish the hope that we have as followers of Jesus for “one day”. But does the resurrection actually matter on a Monday morning as you’re waiting in line to drop your kids off at school, or trying to arrange for a repairman to come look at your HVAC system, or as you’re trying to plan out your weekly Walmart order in light of rising prices and limited income?

Does the resurrection matter today? That’s what this series is all about, and the answer is, “More than you can possibly imagine.” The resurrection isn't just a past miracle or a future hope, but a current source of transformation.

Today I want to begin by answering the question, “Is A Different Life Really Possible?” I hope to show you that Real transformation is possible; not through greater determination but through a new identification.

Pray

Pray for vision to seek first the kingdom in this season.

Pray for the sick, those who are facing the end of life, those who love them and carry the burden.

Pray for those who are missing bc of illness, travel, spiritual attack, or personal drought.

Pray for those who we know who are far from God.

Through the Resurrection you have given us a fresh start and a new way to be reconciled to you. Help all of us who are members of Christ’s family to actually live out what we say we believe. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

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Have you ever tried to transform yourself? Ever stepped on a scale or looked in the mirror and decided that it was time to shed some pounds, tone some muscles, get more fit? Most of us are probably gone on some kind of self transformation journey. Most of us can probably also identify with failure on the journey of transformation, either at two months or two days, or in my case, usually two hours.

Think how hard it is to transform our bodies, and yet as hard as that is, it seems to be infinitely harder to transform our soul. We may have success in the weight loss journey or getting in shape, and yet still live our lives plagued by desires that we know are destructive, by thoughts that seem to take control of our minds that we feel powerless to combat, and a host of other behavior-related issues that stem from an inner life that seems anything but transformed at times. We have this capacity to look put together on the outside and yet still be filled with greed, hypocrisy, judgmentalism, grudge holding, and a host of other spiritual deformities.

Modern psychology has been concerned for quite some time as to why people don’t really change and become fully actualized, or to put it in another way, why we don’t become the very best image of our self.

Abraham Maslow said the reason is that we are too consumed meeting basic needs.

Carl Rogers said it was because we lack the right environment.

Sigmund Freud blamed it on unmet sexual urges that we repress.

The unfortunately named Karen Horney said it’s because we develop a “false self” based on rigid and unrealistic demands.

Rollo May said we just want to avoid the inevitable anxiety of existence.

While there may be some truth in a few of their findings - except Freud, he’s just weird - none of them offer a conclusive reason why we never fully become the best image of ourselves, nor can they suggest a clear means to achieve it.

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As you might imagine, the Bible offers a radically different diagnosis for why humans aren’t fully realized and transformed.

Sin.

Sin is the thing that keeps us from becoming fully who we were created to be.

Sin is a term that carries a lot of baggage. Depending on your background, sin might conjure for you something that was used to beat you over the head in order to try to illicit better behavior. Some of you may have come from backgrounds where virtually everything was a sin; country music, movies rated higher than pg, video games, pants if you’re a woman, long hair if your a man, dyed hair, tattoos, or drinking from a glass that might have once been used to serve alcohol. You hear the word ‘sin’ and you have an immediate visceral and negative reaction.

Others come from the other direction. Sin was just an old-fashioned and outdated concept that doesn’t really apply to us anymore. Now we’ve achieved enlightenment, and the highest and only ethic is consent. As long as I’m not hurting anyone, whatever I do is OK.

Whichever way you come at it from, sin is primarily about behavior. It’s what you do, or at least what you think about doing. But in the Bible, sin is less a failure to meet certain moral demands and more a diagnosis of disease. Which means the behaviors we think of as sins are only manifestations of a much deeper condition. And it’s a condition that we cannot master with the advice of a self-help guru or by the latest self-improvement programs. Greater determination to do better and try harder ultimately yields again and again to failure and disillusionment.

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Is a different life really possible?

The Bible offers a clear ‘yes’. But not through greater determination. Greater effort alone won’t get you there - although the Bible is not opposed to effort. But More than greater determination we need a new identification.

In our passage this morning, Paul lays out a complicated argument that can be a little difficult to follow. Let me begin by offering some context.

He starts by asking a rhetorical question, “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” which might sound like a strange question to ask a church unless you know the argument that proceeded it. He’s just been writing about the good news that, no matter how much sin increased, God’s grace increased more. You can’t out-sin God’s grace. But some had heard this message before and began using it as a justification for just doing whatever they wanted. If grace increases with sin, then I’ll sin more so that God’s grace can get even bigger. The $50 theology word for these people are called is “antinomians” - anti (against) nomos (law). I think what we have here are the first “woke” Christians. Paul is clear here and elsewhere that you can’t find real transformation in this kind of wokeness. Grace isn’t a reason to pursue greater license.

At the other extreme from the “woke” Christians are those we could call the “works” Christians. These are the holy roller fundamentalists of the day who try to achieve transformation through rigid rule-keeping. For them practically everything is a sin - except casseroles and cobblers. They are afraid of grace because that might make you soft on sin, and so they live functionally as if getting into heaven was up to them. For these people, their fear of grace led to legalism.

In some way, both groups still focus on a list of dues and don’ts. The first group just ignores the list altogether. The second group makes the list the all important thing. Paul avoids both extremes and explains how real transformation is possible - in a completely surprising way.

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Because his argument is complex and slightly convoluted, let me give you a one-sentence summary of Paul’s argument:

You have died to sin by sharing in Jesus’ death so that you may also share in his life becoming truly free and receiving power for real transformation by remembering who you are now.

That’s still a lot, so let me break it down.

You have died to sin… Paul’s main argument is that we are those who have already died to sin. If that is the case, how can you keep living in something you’ve died to? For those who are Star Trek fans, you will remember what the Borg said before they assimilated you: “resistance is futile”. But when it comes to sin, Paul says: “resistance is possible” because you are already dead to it. How and when did that happen?

By sharing in Jesus’ death… Paul is setting us up for something other than transformation through sheer determination. He’s beginning to point to transformation by identification, and this happens through baptism. To be baptized is to enter into union with Jesus’ death and burial. Our union with Christ in baptism is the basis for our new identification.

So that you may also share in his life… Not only is your identification with Christ’s death, but it is also with his resurrection life. If alike in his death then also alike in his life. The power that raised Christ from the dead now lives in you.

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Let’s stop for an important interlude here at the halfway point of our summary statement. So far, Paul is saying that you have died to sin, and you’ve done that by being identified with Jesus’ death and resurrection through baptism.

The topic of baptism has been, is, and will continue to be a source of controversy in the church. I came from an anti-sacramental background - translated, anti-Roman Catholic - where in our desire to avoid anything that looked like baptismal regeneration, we defined baptism as ONLY symbolic of another reality. It was just an outward act that pointed to what was really happening on the inside. As a result, baptism was seen as a good thing but certainly non-essential in salvation.

But Paul is clear that water baptism does not merely symbolize being buried, it is the means through which we are identified with Jesus. In baptism we are not buried as Jesus was buried. We are buried with him. Paul seems to indicate that water baptism is the means by which we are brought into saving relationship with Jesus.

Except: Paul did not make baptism the primary part of his ministry. And up to this point in the letter he’s been stressing the necessity of faith alone in Christ for salvation.

So: we look at the context of the NT. It seems the NT presents baptism as just one component of a larger experience, one that theologian James Dunn calls “conversion-initiation”. Scripture consistently identifies four key elements that make up this coming to Christ experience: repentance, faith, water baptism, and the regeneration of the Spirit. Sometimes it mentions one, sometimes two or three.

Meaning: this is why, in the NT, authors can refer to one of these elements and presume the others. When Paul points to our union with Christ happening through baptism, he also implies that it is joined with repentance, faith, and the work of the Holy Spirit. If any one component is missing, can we say that conversion a has actually taken place?

Is baptism THE thing? No, not by itself. But it is a core component to the salvation experience. It is the seal that is placed upon us that initiates us into membership in Jesus’ church. While I still won’t say that it is the definitive act that saves you, I also have to say that biblically it is part of the normal means of grace. End interlude. ——————————————————————————-

In case you’ve gotten lost, we’ve said that You have died to sin by sharing in Jesus’ death so that you may also share in his life...

Becoming truly free… the wage of sin - death - is fully paid to Jesus, the old is gone and the new has come. It’s not an old life that’s died, it’s an old relationship. Your tie to Adam is dissolved; the sin and death he represents no longer dictate terms to you. Your life is “under new management”. Old landlord still demanding rent - NT Wright.

And receiving power for real transformation… because the wage of sin is fully paid on your account and its dominion over your life is gone forever. Your life is now hidden in and lived from Jesus’ undiminishable life.

By remembering who you are now. There has been a fundamental change in your status. And so while it is possible to still live according to your old identification in Adam, you are no longer obligated to because of your new identification to Jesus. Married ppl don’t live anymore as single ppl - or at least shouldn’t.

Illustr: volunteer to count money. Does counting it make the amount true? No, it only reveals what was already true. You now must “count” yourself as in Christ.

You have died to sin by sharing in Jesus’ death [through baptism] so that you may also share in his life becoming truly free and receiving power for real transformation by remembering who you are now [change of identification]. ————————————————————————-

A different life is really possible.

Not by being a “woke” Christian - treating grace as an excuse to live in your old identity.

Not by being a “works” Christian - trying to achieve transformation through sheer determination.

But by being a “worshipping” Christian - one who lives into and out of God’s redemptive story through your new identity in Jesus.

Because you are united with Christ in His resurrection, you are no longer a slave. You can live free from habits and addictions, hang up and hurts, past experiences and old regrets. Who the Son sets free is free indeed. Amen.

How? If this is true, if a different life is really possible, how does it become the experiential reality of our lives?

Looking back at verse 11 - “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:11, NIV)

How do you change? By seeing yourself according to who you really are. Incredible power in this.

My commitment in HS to not party during football season. Why? Because I saw myself first as a football player. This was my most important identity back than.

Truth: however you see yourself, that’s what you’ll become.

I’m NOT saying you become different by just thinking more positive about yourself. Rather, see yourself in light of your new identification in Christ through his death and resurrection. This is fundamentally who you are now. Stop feeding the lies of an old identity.

To help you remember who you are now, I’ve place a bowl of water near the exit. As you leave today, take a moment to dip you finger in the water, maybe even wipe some on your forehead, as a way to remember your baptism.

Have you become identified with Christ in his death and resurrection through baptism? Do you know for certain there was a time when you turned away from your old life and asked Jesus to forgive you and give you his Holy Spirit? What would stop you from doing that right now? Next steps.

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Communion

Invite people to stand.

Invite Communion/ministry team forward.

Every Sunday we close our time by receiving Communion together. This symbolic meal reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice. Through it we testify that Christ has died, Christ has risen, and Christ will come again. Jesus said this is his body and blood, true food and true drink. It is a grace given to us for our spiritual nourishment.

If you would like to participate, after I pray step into the nearest aisle. Someone at the front will take a piece of bread dipped in wine and offer it to you as the body and blood of Jesus. If you prefer not to have wine, close your hands together and that will be the sign for them to give you a sealed container with grape juice and a wafer.

I’ve been led by the Lord to be available during this time to pray for those who are sick or feel oppressed. Whether or not you decide to receive communion, feel free to come forward and I’d love to pray for you.

As we come, we’re reminded that this isn’t normal space but sacred space. God is here. As you come to the table this morning, allow yourself to feel the weight of God’s presence, and especially be reminded of the extent of his love for you.

Let us pray.

Holy and gracious Father: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and Father of all.

On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

All: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, O Father, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling his death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts.

Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in him. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, faithfulness, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.

All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. AMEN.

Invite the worship team to receive Communion first and then everyone else.