Fresh Starts

Big Idea of the Message: To fail forward means to learn from mistakes. Christians can fail forward by knowing that sin is no longer our master.

Reset Button

How many of you would like a “Reset Button” for your life or maybe last week or maybe even this morning;

We have been told by many good hearted people - there are no do overs in life - the handle your dealt is the hand you have to play;

Now in some cases that is a very true statement however in the most important area of life it is way off base - unless you make that choice;

As we break into this narrative Paul is telling the church at Rome not to be over powered by sin;

Romans 6:12 “12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.”

If we allow sin to dictate what we desire then sin is in charge, reigning, of who you are;

So how does sin loose control - through a “Reset Button” which is the blood of Jesus Christ;

Because of the grace of Jesus sin no longer has control, meaning freedom from the Mosaic law;

Now this is easier said than sometimes done however this can be done through Jesus Christ;

What are you needing to reset today?

Ownership

Who here as ever purchased anything, was it yours before you paid for it, did you create it, what happened after you paid for it, the item became your property;

As we consider last week, Holy Week, and everything that surrounded it - worship, honor, praise, betrayal, rejection, sentencing, execution and resurrection;

All of this, to the point of execution, was leading up to the the deposit towards a non-payable - your sin;

God knew that a sinner, which we all are, cannot pay for his own sin however someone sinless, Christ, can and did;

Now through Christ’s resurrection you have an avenue for your sin debt to be paid - if you choose Him;

So at that moment there is a transfer of ownership, just like when you purchase something, and Jesus become your rightful owner;

The question boils down to one thing - “who do you belong too” - why, because that determine who is in charge - your lust body or the righteousness of the Holy Spirit;

Look at verse 16;

Romans 6:16 “16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”

What are you pursuing in your mind, women, men, alcohol, drugs, sex, depression, anxiety, work, friends, family and the list could go on and on;

Now when I say pursuing I am mean focused on more than anything else - becoming a slave;

What has become your idol - who do you belong too?

Fail Forward

As we go through life we are all going to make mistakes, the question is how will we move forward;

The thing is just because something happens it does not define your future, unless you allow that defining;

There can always be forward motion - especially through Jesus Christ;

How because of the transfer of ownership - look a verse 17-18

Romans 6:17-18 “17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”

Jesus has the power to set you free from sin - will you let Him, will you Fail Forward through His grace?

Application Point: We are not bound to sin but can learn from mistakes in our new life with Christ.

The Cross

There is a Spiritual battle that is raging in all of our lives - yes even if you have accepted Christ;

Wouldn’t be nice if after you accepted Jesus Satan had to walk away from you forever;

But that’s not the case - so he waits for an entry into your mind and sadly we give many opportunities;