True Freedom
Notes
Transcript
Read: Romans 6:1-7
Read: Romans 6:1-7
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Today we are celebrating our countries independence. I was raised in an era of Christianity that was patriotic. I honored the flag. I placed my hand on my heart and stood when the National Anthem was played or sang. I grew up saying the “Pledge of Allegiance” every morning at public school in younger grades.
My blood still boils when I hear of them burning the flag or kneeling during the Anthem.
My Dad served in Vietnam and so I always felt a deep appreciation for those who had served to keep our country free.
Today - it is becoming more and more unpopular to express your love of country as a Christian. Many are even denouncing our country as something they don’t wish to be a part of.
I certainly understand that our love for God must come first but Can I just remind you today - before I move on - that our ability to meet here today without fear of being caught for meeting to worship - rests on the blood and sacrifice of those who fought to win and maintained our freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our conscience as well as many other freedoms.
We are far from perfect, and need a lot of work, but I still believe America is the best thing going today.
But when we think of America - Independence day - the fourth of July - its far more than fireworks
Its a day we celebrate our freedom as Americans from the rule of England.
What is true Freedom?
What is true Freedom?
But what is freedom? Is freedom the ability to do what we want whenever we want? No that is the modern definition of freedom
Freedom means: “The state of liberty that results from not being oppressed or in bondage.”
Lets think about that a moment.
If our Government said - You know what you are free to worship - but you can only worship at The First Anglican church - would we be free? NO
What if they said “You are free to worship, but you can only worship one day a week” Is that freedom real freedom of worship? NO
No - of course not - we almost had civil war last year because a few governors went a little heavy on the mask wearing and lock down of everything. We wouldn’t stand for that.
But I want to twist this idea of freedom and liberty of America to spiritual freedom.
Do you know what it is to be free? To have “Glorious Freedom”
What is freedom?
Freedom means having a liberty that results from not being oppressed or in bondage.
But there is a couple of things I want to talk to us about concerning true freedom
1. Freedom Isn’t Free
1. Freedom Isn’t Free
Freedom Comes at a sacrifice - We know this, but we tend to forget it. We want things our way, or right now. But there is cost and work to freedom
Paul says here in Romans 6 it will cost us - US to be truly free
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
We have to die to be free! Sounds crazy doesn’t it but that is what God’s word says.
In fact Paul uses two illustrations
Romans 6:3-4 - Baptism = This isn’t water but dying to sin - he writes, “3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:5 Planting = Jesus used this one to talk about His own crucifixion. John 12:24 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.”
Paul says, “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:”
Not only is freedom not free -
Freedom doesn’t Free to do what you want
Paul begins this chapter dealing with this problem - Some obviously thought that sin could somehow bring glory to God - sin brings death, destruction, and separation from God.
Look at how Paul starts this chapter:
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Paul is saying more sin doesn’t bring more grace - “May it never be”
Then he goes into what it costs to be free
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
Our Union with Christ
Being buried with Him and rising to walk in newness of life
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Freedom in Christ mean “You are not your own you are bought with a price” we belong to Christ
We can’t belong to Both Christ and the Devil to both THE SPIRIT AND THE FLESH we will be controlled by one or the other not either or
True Freedom only exists in being In Christ walking in the Spirit
2. Freedom Is Real & Is Available
2. Freedom Is Real & Is Available
Maybe you are here this morning and you stumble and fall in sin sometimes. Maybe you don’t really know what true freedom is spiritually. Maybe you don’t even understand why and its frustrating.
Paul gives us some hope and help - He isn’t attempting to heap guilt or shame on top of it he is saying - Christians have access to the power of the resurrection and can live in victory and freedom.
There are three things Paul says we have to do in order to have the victory promised us all of it based on the premise of being in Christ.
Knowing - Romans 6:6
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
As part of the fallen human race - we are made up of body, mind, and spirit. Sin has warped, twisted, and influenced all three. Our old life and habits have to be changed, cleansed, and renewed by the power of Christ. All of that starts with the knowledge - the reality - the acknowledging that you are no longer the same person.
Sin has died - Christ is alive in you.
Paul tells us that when we come to Christ by faith something happens to the old us and that we know according to our union with Christ “Our old man is crucified with him” all of this produces a newness in us and breaks the power of sin in us so as Paul continues, “henceforth we should not serve sin” continuing to Romans 6:7 “For he that is dead if freed from sin” that is true spiritual freedom.
But does your mind and heart know this? If you are in union with Christ you have to change the way you think - but its more than just a head knowledge it is a heart reality
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
It’s not just KNOWING it is also RECKONING
Reckoning = Romans 6:11
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Reckoning means "By faith we are to "account" ourselves as being actually dead to sin. We must believe that is so and then live day by day in the light of that truth." (Ralph Earl)
Yielding = Romans 6:12-23
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yielding means surrender or present or offer up - don’t offer up yourself to sin -but offer up yourself to God - as those who are alive from the dead (Romans 6:13)
This means we give up all to Him
Illustration about man selling house except one nail and hanging whatever he wanted to on that nail - an old dead carcass
Paris Riedhead talking about freedom in Christ isn’t sitting as co-pilot but rather it is climbing into the trunk and yelling out of the keyhole “God take me where you will I’m yours”
Are you yielding to God or to sin?
I love these two verses
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Some want to put us in Romans 7:14-25 as a “wretched man” but that strongly contradicts Paul in Romans 6 - who says “We are freed from sin” in Romans 7 he says “I am carnal, sold under sin” That is completely opposite of the freedom promised in Romans 6 we can talk about what Paul is talking about there another time -
but If we are living the “wretched man” life Paul says you have forgot some things you need to
Know
Reckon
Yield
I’m thankful for my freedom in America
But I’m really thankful for my freedom in Christ.
America could fall tomorrow to some horrible repressive regime and take away every freedom I have in this world
But they can’t touch my freedom in Christ.
One of the Victory Trio wrote that chorus:
Its so good to be free
Its so good to be free
No earthly kingdom has a hold on me
My heavenly Father - Dwelleth in me
Oh I thank God - It’s so good to be free.
