Reigning over Sin, Part 2
Notes
Transcript
Today we are continuing our study in Romans, picking up with the latter part of Romans 6, verses 15-21.
The Holy Spirit has been guiding Paul in writing this letter to clearly show that the gospel, the good news of God that changes lives by God’s power, is to be received by faith. It is not something we can earn. It is truly given in grace.
God’s desire is that where sin used to reign, that we who are saved reign in life through Christ.
For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
The greatness of God’s grace is seen when we consider the multitude of sins that are covered by Jesus death and resurrection from the first sin of Adam, to all the sins of all mankind ever since.
When the gospel of grace is preached properly, some twist it for their own pleasure.
The first way it is twisted is to say, “If God’s grace is magnified by the multiplicity of sin, then let’s sin more so God’s grace is greater!” Paul answered that ridiculous statement saying, “By no means!”
Paul showed us that we need to reign over sin, by knowing and doing.
Things to Know:
Know we were baptized into Christ’s Death and Resurrection
Know our old self was crucified
Know that once resurrected, there is no more death, only living for God
Things to Do:
Count yourselves dead to sin
Do not let sin reign: i.e. Do no offer any part of your body to sin
Offer every part of yourself as instruments of righteousness
Today, Paul continues his answers to false ideas people have from the gospel of grace.
Let’s read the passage, and then work our way through it.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
The Question: Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?
The Question: Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace?
through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!
Why not?
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
You are Slaves
You are Slaves
1 out of 3 persons in the Roman Empire were slaves, and many more had been at some point before becoming freed, a slave. Up to half the population were slaves or had been. So this was a perfect example for Paul to use. They understood, first-hand, slavery.
What is slavery? What is the point of having a slave? That they obey you, and do whatever you want, when you want, how you want.
Do we still have slavery today? Yes, there is slavery in the world. But, do we realize that we are all slaves?
The point Paul is making is that we all obey someone. We are slaves to the one we obey, whether sin, or obedience.
Sin is disobeying, God, and submitting to wrong desires. Obedience is following God, and submitting to Him and His standards.
How are we slaves to sin?
Slave to work, some not even taking time to meet together with other believers for fellowship, teaching and mutual encouragement.
Slave to possessions. Having, maintaining, and always needing more.
Slave to anger.
Slave to pornography or other sexual desires.
Slave to our appetites.
Slave to body image.
Slave to gossip, talking about others.
Slave to pride.
Slave to alcohol and narcotics.
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
Funny thing is, that if you suggest to someone who is enslaved to these things that they are in bondage and slavery, they will deny it, and claim to be free!
Romans—Righteousness From Heaven The Explanation of the Slavery Principle (vv. 16-19)
John Calvin said over 400 years ago, “The greater mass of vices anyone is buried under, the more fiercely and bombastically does he extol his freedom.”
And what is the end?
Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
Slavery to Sin leads to Death
Slavery to Sin leads to Death
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
Slavery to obedience leads to righteousness
Slavery to obedience leads to righteousness
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
What is obedience? What does it look like?
What is obedience? What does it look like?
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
What is the pattern of teaching?
What is the pattern of teaching?
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
9 out of 10 commandments are repeated in the New Testament
Worship God alone.
No Idols.
Do not blaspheme
Honor your father and mother
Do not murder ( harsh words)
Do not commit adultery (in your heart)
Do not steal (rob others what they are do)
Do not lie
Do not covet
The sabbath not repeated, however, the principle of setting aside a day/time to worship the Lord with others is repeated.
I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness.
The Benefits
The Benefits
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!
Slavery to sin - Death
Slavery to sin - Death
Death - relationship with God
Death - relationship with others
Death - brain
Death - bodies
Death - joy
Death - peace
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Slaves to God - Eternal life
Slaves to God - Eternal life
Eternal life
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
Elisabeth Elliot - The Glory of God’s Will
sheep dog - excited to work with the shepherd. Didn’t know what to do, until the shepherd told him, then did it without hesitation. Obedience led to joy in service to the shepherd who loved him and gave him direction, and rewarded obedience.
Tale of two dogs
Max
Monte