Dead to Sin; Alive in Christ

Introduction

Romans 5:20 “Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,”

Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”

Here’s the big question of the morning that Paul proposes to us in our text. “Are we to continue in sin?”

And in our passage Paul shows us I. The Q&A (1-4), II. United in Death (5-7), III. United in Life (8-11), and IV. Freedom from Sin (12-14).

How we live our lives should be fully informed by who we are in Jesus. For the believer—we are dead to sin and so we should live in Christ.

Let’s read our passage and then we’ll dive in to understand these things better.

Romans 6:1–14 ESV

What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

I. The Question (1-4)

Romans 6:1-4 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”

The first 4 verses of our passage starts off with Paul asking a question and then making an argument. The rest of the passage fleshes out the argument that Paul lays out in the first 4 verses here.

Here’s the the argument that Paul is making in the first 4 verses.

Is the believer to continue living in sin?

No. Because we have died to sin.

Therefore, we should walk in the newness of life that is in Christ.

So this is the main framework for the whole passage, but all along the way Paul is illustrating this with baptism and death and resurrection and we don’t want to miss why God inspired Him to write this way.

But Paul doesn’t just say that we have died to sin. He references Christian baptism here. Don’t you know that you’ve been baptized?!

He could have said. No, don’t you know that Christ died for you?

No, don’t you know that Jesus has risen from the grave?

No, don’t you know that you have been transformed in Christ—that you have been brought from death to life.

But he says, “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?”

Friends, when Paul mentions baptism here he IS referencing the death of Jesus on our behalf, he IS referencing the resurrection of Jesus, he IS referencing our transformation from death to life.

Baptism is a picture of the gospel. Just like the Lord’s Supper is a picture of the gospel. In baptism God gives his people a physical picture of the truth of the gospel.

And Paul isn’t saying that baptism gives you this assurance. He’s not making a connection between the power to quit living in sin and being baptized—he’s making the connection between the death of the power of sin in a saved person’s life.

When Paul is writing here, he is talking about saved people. He says, “Do you not know that all of us...”

Paul is saying that for the saved person, their baptism reflects the truth that they have died to sin and been raised to life in Christ.

Just as we sinned in Adam. Remember from last week?

In Christ we have been buried with him—we have died to sin—and we have risen with him—to new life. A new life where we walk in righteousness instead of in sin.

Sometimes, I think the beauty of baptism is lost on us. Baptism, for the believer, signifies all that has taken place through being found in Christ.

It is an announcement of the gospel.

Martin Luther, the great German reformer, when his sin struggles were great, when he doubted his own salvation, when he faced enormous trials of persecution—it is reported that he would repeat and remind himself, “I am baptized, I am baptized.” Luther would remember I am saved—my baptism reminds me of who I am in Jesus.

Paul is simply saying here. Should you continue sinning? No. Why? Because you are saved—Jesus has saved you and you are not the same person anymore.

When a believer is baptized it is a blessing for all who are present—it’s a physical picture of the gospel that has transformed the person who is being baptized.

Transition: In fleshing out the answer to our question this morning Paul first reminds us that our Baptism signifies that we are no longer the same people that we used to be. Paul continues this by focusing now to our unity in Christ’ death.

II. United in Death (5-7)

Paul says our association with the death of Christ does a couple of things for the believer. Number one.

Romans 6:5 “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

The point: Your transformation in Christ is complete and sure. Your resurrection is as sure as Christs.

When Jesus died for his people they were saved. It’s as good as done. There is not a possibility that Christ rises from the tomb but leave you there. Christ will not leave his people behind.

John 6:37-40 “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.””

When life gets hard. Remember that your resurrection is sure. When your flesh fights against you: Remember that your resurrection is sure. When you doubt God’s goodness in your life: Remember that your resurrection is sure.

The Bible tells us that this life is short. This life is a vapor in the wind. It is a flower of the field: here today and gone tomorrow.

And at the end of this life—your resurrection is sure. Let the glory of your future fuel you in your worship of God. There is nothing that God can’t save his people from.

Illustration: Imagine that a person with great wealth came to you and said, “At the end of 5 years I am going to give you 1 Trillion dollars.” I would wager, that in that 5 years if things got tough you’d look to the horizon. (Medically tough—money to fix, poor—poor no longer, debt—debt erased) I just have to get there. Things are bad now, but they are going to get so good. I imagine that you would even begin to live your life based on the future that you had coming. Maybe you would begin practicing for the life that you are going to have. Golf course or cruise etiquite. The promise of your future would fuel you to faithfulness in your present.

Friends, don’t you know that you have been given this exact promise. But not by some shady stranger who may or may not make good on it. The King of the Universe has promised you that your future is glorious because of who you are in Christ. You are an adopted child of this King and his promise to you is sure!

“We shall certainly be united with Jesus in a resurrection like his.”

Friends, rejoice in your sure resurrection! Let the promise of your future fuel you to faithfulness in your present.

Transition: But there is more.

Romans 6:6-7 “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.”

Number 2. In Christ we are free from the slavery of sin.

The Biblical truth friends, is that before we are in Christ—when we are in Adam we are enslaved to sin.

Slavery is the absence of choice—it is when choice is taken away from us.

We see this reality in an unsaved persons life characterized in Ephesians 2:1-4

Ephesians 2:1–4 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

Sometimes it’s really helpful for me to remind myself that most people I know are enslaved to their sin. Why do people put themselves first? Why do people celebrate sin? Why do people hurt each other in various ways? Because they are in Adam—they are enslaved to their sin.

We should not be surprised when the world acts like the world. When sinners act like sinners.

The biblical reality is that our friends are following in their nature—that is corrupted by sin—and they haven’t been freed from it.

But in Jesus we who have been saved are no longer enslaved to our sin—the power of sin has been broken when the Son of God died on the cross in our place. When the Son of God was resurrected he defeated death and sin.

This freedom from the slavery of our sin is like a great burden being lifted off our backs.

Illustration: Our sin is like a great weight that we have no hope of moving. We cannot escape from its presence and so when we are enslaved to it we can only live our life with the weight of it always upon us. Like a dog tied to a stake in the yard we can only carve out a well-worn circle in the yard of our lives. We can only go in the paths that sin allows.

But we were made to be free. And when we come to Christ this great unmovable burden is done away with, the shackles fall off and we are instantly given access to our freedom in Christ. The freedom we were created for.

Church the death of Christ made sure our freedom and resurrection.

Why are Christians so crazy about Jesus—because Jesus has made us free. He has defeated death. He has lifted our burden. His death was not wasted—but it was spent on you and me.

When Jesus climbed the hill to be crucified, not one moment of it was wasted. His death accomplished for us great things and so does his life.

III. United in Life (8-11)

Romans 6:8-9 “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.”

When Jesus was resurrected he defeated death. The pharisees and scribes rejoiced at the death of Jesus because they thought they had won. Pilate washed his hands of Jesus and when Christ died on the cross—he thought his trouble was over. But there was just one problem. Jesus didn’t stay dead. Death could not hold him. The grave could not keep him.

Peter is preaching to a crowd in Acts 2 and he says, “You delivered Jesus up to be killed and he was crucified. But...

Acts 2:24 “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.”

And Christ being raised from the dead will never die again.

All throughout Israel’s history they had high priest after high priest serve. The high priest was the only one who could enter the Holy of Holies and advocate for Israel at the throne of God. And sometimes Israel had a good high priest and sometimes they didn’t. But—whether good or bad—a new one was always coming because eventually they would die.

They were sinners who advocated for themselves too as they advocated for all Israel.

But Jesus is our high priest that will never die—who has defeated death. This is what the writer of Hebrews tells us

Hebrews 7:23-25 “The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

When Jesus rose to life—he rose forever and he even now intercedes for his people. He saves us to the uttermost.

Paul continues in Romans 6:10-11 “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul says—Jesus defeated death and he lives forever—he lives his life to the glory of God. And then he says, “SO YOU ALSO...

This is who Jesus is and this is what he has done so “consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Friends are you catching what Paul is saying here? He says, this is who you are in Jesus, but consider yourselves this.

So many of us are walking around as children of the most high God but we consider ourselves so much less.

You are saved. But you consider yourself lost. You are favored. But you consider yourself forgotten. You are loved but you consider yourself despised. You are gifted but you consider yourself cursed.

What would happen if believers just believed all that God said about them? What would happen if followers of Jesus knew all that God said about them?

Friends, Paul calls us to action this morning. Consider yourselves! Believe what God has said about you.

In Jesus, this is who you are, but many of us are limping, instead of running the race, because we believe the lies of enemy.

Every false thing we believe about ourselves, our lives, how God feels about us—originates from Satan, the Father of lies.

Don’t believe Him.

Illustration: Jesus had just fasted for 40 days and nights. He was hungry and tired. And the accuser, the tempter, our adversary the devil came alongside him and began to lie. He tempted Jesus to show his power and make bread out of stones. He tempted Jesus to jump from the Temple Mount and let all the people see him being saved, to show the glory of God, but on Satan’s terms—he tempted Jesus with power—that didn’t belong to Him. And everytime what did Jesus do?

Every single time we see Jesus do the same thing. Quote and believe the word of God.

Matthew 4:4 “But he answered, “It is written, “ ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ””

Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’ ””

Matthew 4:10 “Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, “ ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’ ””

And the result is that Satan left him.

Paul is telling us the same thing here. Believe what is true—consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Decide that you are going to believe what God says about you and you are going to fight back against the enemy when he lies to you.

What is a lie that the enemy recently has told you? What lie have you been believing about yourself, or your marriage, or God himself? Will you ask the Holy Spirit to reveal it to you.

And friends will you decide to speak the truth over that. Will you decide to claim God’s word as the authority for your life and your practice?

If that is how the Lord Jesus fought the enemy—don’t you think we are safest doing the same thing?

Now I’m not done preaching just yet—but that needs prayer. Pray with me and we’ll continue on in a minute.

Pray

Transition:

IV. Freedom From Sin (12-14)

At the beginning of the sermon we considered the question that Paul was asking, “Are we to continue in sin?”

Now as we come to our last verse Paul reiterates for us. No we are not.

Romans 6:12-14 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness,

Paul says “let not” and “do not”.

Let not sin reign in your mortal body. In your flesh.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness.

Again, Paul is giving us action words.

And it comes down to this. When we present ourselves—this is what he means by members, our bodies—to sin we become instruments of unrighteousness. Sin reigns in us. And this is the weirdest thing under the sun—a freed believer of Jesus who is no longer enslaved to sin submitting themselves to it.

It would be like watching a bird walk across a field when it could fly. Purposefully clipping its own wings and taking away its freedom.

Here’s the thing. God would not warn his people from doing something they wouldn’t do.

In my house when I turn a burner off and it’s still hot I announce to everyone not to come lay their face on the stove. No one has ever done that. No one is going to do that. It’s silly. But that’s not what is happening here. God is not being silly. He is drawing yours and my attention to something that we actually do.

We actually, as God’s saved people, present ourselves to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. Earlier I asked you to plead with the Holy Spirit to show you lies that you are believing. Will you now ask the Spirit to show you in your life where you are acting as an instrument of unrighteousness?

Maybe it’s media you consume. You know you shouldn’t watch that show. You know you shouldn’t listen to that musical artist. Maybe it’s the way you talk around certain people. You don’t want to seem uptight, maybe you even want them to think Christians aren’t stuck up—so your jokes are crude and your language is course

Maybe it’s something else all together.

Paul says “let not” “do not”. Do not pretend like you don’t belong to God.

But he also says, “Do this”

but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”

As you are called to turn away from sin you are called to turn to God.

Child of God—you are an instrument for righteousness. Sin has no dominion over you—you are no longer under the law, but you are defined by the grace of God.

And Paul says to you and me, present yourselves to God as those who have been saved—as those who are in Christ—come before God as His children with his blessing and favor.

And this isn’t a trick—you're not trying to pass yourself off as belonging to God—Paul is saying, “Follower of Jesus—come and take your place before God as who you are—a child of God—And take up the work that your Father has for you—present yourself as an instrument of God’s righteousness in this world.

That’s who you are! In Jesus, that’s who you are.

And listen, if you have never trusted Jesus, this is who God is calling you to be.

Turn away from your sin and turn toward Jesus who has died to free you from the slavery and bondage that your sin has subjected you to. You can be free in Christ too.

He says, “Come”. All you have to do is come and say, “I want to be free in Christ.”

Conclusion

The question this morning is should followers of Jesus continue living in their sin? And the answer is unsurprisingly—no. No we should not.

But Paul’s main message to us is that if we are going to fight the sin in our lives then we must consider ourselves to be who we truly are in Christ.

Who we think we are must match who we actually are in Christ.

And this can be an uphill battle for us because we have an enemy that is constantly lying to us about who we are. And we have a flesh that is still struggling in this sin.

But just as death no longer has dominion over Christ, death no longer has dominion over those who are found in Jesus. In Jesus we are free from the slavery of sin. In Jesus we are isntruments of righteousness in this world. IN Jesus we are alive. Amen?