Sermon Central
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Liberty From Sin Is Real Freedom
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 2, 2022 (message contributor)
Summary: We must stop thinking life is about rules and regulations, and instead focus on the relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When we focus on His work, it empowers and motivates us to celebrate what REAL freedom looks like.
Liberty from Sin is real Freedom
Introduction
- When it comes to celebrating Freedom, we can usually agree we like it
-- We all enjoy a BBQ, some fireworks, and maybe even pool/lake day
-- But, what about every other day of the year? What about non-BBQ days?
- For example, do we celebrate the freedom we have in Jesus?
-- FACT: One of the biggest challenges for the church is relying on Him
- When it comes to freedom, the ultimate example we have is Jesus
-- Yes, we have national freedom, guaranteed by our founding documents
-- But we also have biblical freedom, given to us by Christ alone
-- He provided the way, demonstrated how to receive/live, and invites us all in
- Today we are going to dive into this critical lesson (discipleship encouragement)
-- Maybe when we leave here, we’ll have a deeper appreciation of how free we are
- Read Romans 6:1-14
Setup this passage and give context of where Paul is coming from:
- God declares the sinner righteous in His eyes once they have come to Jesus
-- But what we see in Chapters 6-8 is that this is a process; a life’s work to do
- The process Paul defines is called “sanctification”
-- Define: “the action or process of being freed from sin or purified”
-- Being transformed into the likeness of Christ happens one day/step at time
- The deeper our sin is, the more we need to receive God’s grace
-- Simply stated: The more we sin – the more work God needs to do in us
- FACT: We are a work in process; we’ve not automatically arrived as perfect
-- And we cannot get frustrated because we aren’t magically fixed
-- Our lives are a work in progress, one in which we have to role to play
Point 1 – Freedom means the power of sin no longer controls us
- Ch 6 begins with a rhetorical question; not really expecting an answer (v1)
-- As if to say: Since we are forgiven, we get to live like we want, right?
-- Of course, not … and Paul clearly answers this for those who are thinking it
- However, there is something else going on: a lesson for today (deeper thought)
-- Consider the worldly argument to this … the human says: “If sin brings grace, and lots of sin brings lots more grace, shouldn’t we sin as much as possible in order to keep the grace flowing from Heaven?”
-- APP: With just a slight twist of the wording, we create an argument against God’s grace and why it was given to us
- This is what we must be on the lookout for; it is why Paul leaves no doubt (v2)
-- “Of course not!” = “May it never be” = “Absolutely not!”
- Then, he closes the door on interpretation by reminding us of who we are
-- Have you forgotten the sacrament of Baptism, following Christ into death? (v3)
-- Another way: “Weren’t you and I joined TO Jesus when followed Him?”
- When believers are identified with Christ; we are grafted into a relationship
-- GR: baptizo; HEB: mikveh means “to submerge or to immerse”
-- When we are baptized, it’s an outward sign of inward results
- This identification allows you and I to have a part in everything that is God’s
-- It’s (loosely said) ultimate back stage pass, it is the key to unlocking all doors
- APP: Without identification, we cannot be called Children of God
-- Now, watch the full revelation of Paul’s teaching here for us to stand on ….
-- IF we have been united with Him in death (full surrender) (v4)
-- THEN we will be united with Him in His resurrection (given life) (v5)
- TR: When we are His, sin no longer controls us and …
Point 2 – Freedom in Jesus is because of His work
- v7 begins FOR WHEN; conjunction; word that joins in verses 1-6
-- It is its own IF statement, which means it only applies if we accepted it
-- However, once we have – then we are under the command of Christ (v8)
- In order to understand full impact of v7-10 … turn to Hebrews 9
-- Read Hebrews 9:11-14
-- APP: Christ died once for all – it is His blood that brings us life (freedom)
- When Jesus entered the holiest of tabernacles, He made the final sacrifice for you
-- And because of who He is, we stand justified before God as immersed; cleansed
-- BIG: He brings us sanctification through our identification with His work
- But … there’s more!
-- More than just His death; His Spirit now lives in us and guides us daily
