Untitled Sermon (5)

Intro

Overview of Context

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Romans 6:1–14 HCSB

What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin’s dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, since a person who has died is freed from sin’s claims. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over Him. For in light of the fact that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in light of the fact that He lives, He lives to God. So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace.

Text Explained

explains 2 things about baptism:

1.

2.

1. Our Position Pivots

Paul writes to the church at Rome to tell the that Salvation is a gift of forgiveness and not a license to continually sin.

3.

Christians up until this point had been governed by the O.T. law, but when Jesus was born, lived a perfect life, died for the forgiveness of all sin, the, was resurrected, the O.T. law became paid in full. The law required payment for sin through sacrifice, Jesus sacrificed Himself to fulfill the calling.

Matthew 5:17–18 HCSB

“Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For I assure you: Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass from the law until all things are accomplished.

Paul also explains that we are baptized in to Christ Jesus, which means that we are become a part of the family of God. In other words, you set out of your wondering and in to belonging.

It is also extremely important to note that the word “baptized” in this passage is translated from the Greek word (baptizo) meaning immersed or dipped. (Fully Submerged)

Also part of baptism has to do with dying. Just like when Jesus died on the cross and life left His body, you too are dying to the person that you used to be. Doing away with all of who you were.

When Jesus was resurrected, He had a restored body. In the same way, you get a new life.

You are washed of the sins that used to hold you.

Galatians 2:20 HCSB

and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

“If a drunk dies, he can no longer be tempted by alcohol because his body is dead to all physical senses. In Jesus Christ we have died to sin so that we no longer want to continue in sin. We are not only dead to sin, but we are alive in Christ” - Warren Wiersbe

Baptism is the outward symbol of an inward working. Meaning: When Jesus comes takes ownership of your heart, He is not interested in renting out space to old passions and pleasures.

Salvation is very similar to heart surgery. It is all about taking the toxic things out of your heart. The things whose side-effects were depression, envy, anger, anxiety, self-worth. Removing them completely and replacing them with hope, purpose, purity, passion, and value.

Once our position pivots, our new direction becomes defined:

2. Our Direction is Defined

When we experience Jesus, our direction is set in stone as we pursue the Glory of God.

Have you ever met someone who “goes to church” and your immediate reaction is life “REALLY” like Westboro Baptist?

When God lives in us, He defines our path and our pattern.

Galatians 5:22–23 HCSB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22–23 HCSB

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5

We are known by who we are just as much as what we are not. What I mean is that if your life doesn’t point in the direction of Jesus, maybe you need to look in the mirror before you start looking at other people.

Verses 12-14 talk about not letting sin rule over you. What it means is that we should guard ourselves from sin.

Do you struggle with looking at pornography? Don’t get on your phone after certain time or download an app like “detoxify” to block it.

If you are struggling with self harm like cutting or an eating disorder, quit trying to manage it yourself and get some help from a parent. Your parents love you and want to help you.

If you struggle with depression, start looking at who God says about you before you listen anyone else.

Get it? Now I know mental illness is a real thing and I know that people battling that need legitimate help. But I also know the power of the God that I serve and I am aware that He works on behalf of His children.

All this to say, when Jesus becomes the focal point of our life, the pursuit of everything else fades away.

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