New Identity, New Life (Part 3)
Notes
Transcript
Review
Review
Turn to Romans chapter six
We have been learning about the New Identity and therefore the New life that Christians have in Jesus Christ.
The Christian’s reality is that we are permanently united with Jesus Christ.
The old, unsaved Tim Brubaker died the moment I got saved. My spirit is alive, I now have a relationship with God, and He empowers me to say “no” to sin. I don’t have to serve sin anymore. One day, I will be freed from sin forever. Jesus was raised from the dead incorruptible and one day I will be as well! Amen!
Introduction
Introduction
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An illustration of the Christian’s identity - Romans 6:3-4
A declaration of the Christian’s reality - Romans 6:5-7
That brings us now to point number three:
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An affirmation that Christ’s victory is ours also - Romans 6:8-11
It’s as though Paul is looking at a light prism from all angles. He is examining this doctrine and teaching it in all its fulness.
Read Romans 6:8-11
I am not the most devoted fan that the NFL has ever seen, but I respect those die-hard fans that stick with a team no matter what. I mean the ones that show up for their team when they are down, and then raucously cheer for them when they are on the rise. I like a fan who is faithful to their team no matter what, and then celebrates the loudest when that team finally triumphs again and takes the Superbowl. Their loyalty is well-earned.
For the most loyal fans in American football, there is something that is almost impossible to explain about what happens when their team wins.
Think about the fan sitting on the couch cheering on his team for the Super Bowl. His team wins the game, and suddenly he is celebrating like he won it himself!
But what did he actually do?
He didn't earn the title. He didn't make the tackles. He didn't throw the passes. He didn't run the ball. He didn't sweat through four quarters of football. He didn't shed any blood. He didn't take any hard knocks—unless he happened to participate in a Philadelphia after-game brawl!
He didn't put forth anything remotely comparable to the effort required of the players and coaches. And yet, when that final whistle blows, something remarkable happens.
The players win the game—and the fans say, "We won!"
The players lift the trophy—and the fans celebrate as though they had lifted it themselves.
The players fought the battle on the field—and the fans share in the joy of the victory.
Now, obviously, the fans didn't actually win the game. They didn't contribute to the victory. The victory belongs to the players who accomplished it.
But because a fan is identified with that team, their victory becomes his victory.
Christian, when Jesus Christ went to the cross, died, was buried, and rose again, He accomplished a victory that we could never accomplish.
We didn't fight the battle.
We didn't bear the sin.
We didn't endure the judgment.
We didn't conquer death.
But Christ did.
And because we belong to Christ, the victory that He accomplished is our victory also.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of Christians who are admiring Christ’s victory from the sidelines rather than participating in the celebration!
I want you to consider this today in two parts:
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Jesus Christ gives us victory over death
When Jesus rose from the dead, He arose never to die again! Hallelujah!
Read Romans 6:9
Knowing: to know something fully and completely. It doesn’t mean to know something by experience or by learning. It is like a fact of life.
In verse nine, Paul used every nuance of the Greek language to express that Jesus arose never to die again. We know this truth factually and completely. We know it without reservation. It is as certain as the sun’s daily circuit across the sky!
He is not being perpetually sacrificed for our sins! He died unto sin once! Once for all time! Never to die again! Death has no dominion or control over Him. He stands victorious over death!
Application: And Christian, here’s the best part: so do you! His victory is your victory! Death may release you from your sin-cursed body, but think about this: it can never touch your spirit!
When you were born, your spirit was dead. You were separated from God. But when by faith you trusted Christ to save your soul, your spirit was made alive again.
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Your spirit is alive forever more! You are alive unto God! Death may touch your body, but otherwise, it has no control over you! Christ has made us free!
Application: Why fear death when Christ has limited its power over us? I would much rather that death have power over my body than have power over my spirit. In simple terms, Christian, because Christ won the victory over death, you can never be separated from God. Sin will hinder your fellowship, but you cannot lose your salvation!
Not only just does Jesus give us victory over death, but secondly…
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Jesus Christ gives us victory unto life
In full transparency, I’ve had a few times in my life where life really didn’t feel worth living. I was exhausted. Overworked. Depressed. Without hope. Pretty much without feeling altogether. Just numb.
I suspect that depression is more common than we admit. I suspect that many of us have experienced it, whether or not we actually knew what it was.
If I am describing you today, please know that there is hope for you. Our desire as a church family is to surround you with God’s love, not with man’s condemnation.
Don’t try to face it on your own. I want to help you get the support that you need. I can assure you of this: escaping depression by way of suicide is never the answer, because Jesus gives us victory unto life, not unto death.
Read Romans 6:8, 10
How can Jesus offer us victory over death and unto life?
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Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Jesus gives us victory unto life because Jesus is life! He died, rose from the dead, and is alive with God forevermore! Life is worth living because Jesus is alive!
That is wonderful! But notice Paul’s application of this truth in verse 11!
Read Romans 6:11
In verse 11, Paul tells us that we must think of ourselves the same way! Everything that is true of Christ in this context is true of me also!
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Reckon: to count, to estimate, to calculate
Command, “keep thinking of yourself this way”
Christian, run the numbers! Do the math! Here’s your reality: in Jesus, you yourself are dead to sin and alive to live your life unto God! Paul is effectively saying, “this is how you need to think! Tell yourself this and keep telling yourself this! This is your reality now! Christ’s victory is yours also!
Application: It’s time for you to start think of yourself this way. It’s time for you to start reminding yourself that this is your reality.
Everything that Paul has been showing us since Romans 6:1, he has been showing us to draw us to his point in verse eleven. This isn’t just true of Jesus, it is true of us because we are identified and united with Him, so start thinking of yourself this way.
When we embrace this by faith, and start reminding ourselves of this reality, that is the key that unlocks the door to God’s grace and victory over sin.
There’s no question that Jesus is victorious. He proved it by rising from the dead, conquering sin, death, and the grave. Well, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead is in you to raise you from a life of sin.
Christian, the application of today’s message is very simple: believe this to be true, and start continually reminding yourself of it.
On your way home from church today, when you’re tempted to get angry at that reckless driver, remind yourself that you are dead to sin and able to live unto God.
When you get in front of a screen, and you come across a picture of someone and you know you shouldn’t let your eyes and mind dwell on that image, remind yourself: “I am dead to sin and alive unto God.”
When someone disappoints you this week. When someone lets you down. When you are tempted to be enraged at their unreasonableness, here’s how you must think: “I am united with Christ. “I am dead to sin and alive unto God.”
Whatever the sin may be! Whatever the circumstance of life that you will face this week! Get into this habit of reminding yourself of this reality: the old unsaved “you” is dead! You have a new identity now! You are living a brand new life - a life lived unto God!
“Pastor Tim, what does that look like? What does it mean to be ‘alive unto God’?”
It’s easy. Look at Jesus. He set the example for us. He always has and always will live unto God.
Read Romans 6:10
Now, as we follow His example, we are to walk in “newness of life.”
New Identity, New life!
