INTRODUCTION
" SLIDE #1
" There are so many new things we can enjoy when we are baptized into Christ.
" In Christ we are a new creation, with a new destiny, given the opportunity to have a new heart, which leads to where we will land today, as we talk about the joy of a new life!
" Have you ever given much thought to the concept of what a new life in Christ really means?
" What were the implications for my life when I submitted to be baptized into Christ?
" Is my new life simply about the new destination, heaven, or does my new life include the journey to the destination?
" In other words, should my baptism into Christ have implications on the way I live my life now?
" Should those who call Jesus their Lord and Savior live life in a different way?
" Is it really even possible to live in a way that is different that the world around us?
" In the sixth chapter of the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul begins the chapter with an interesting thought.
" This thought is the driving force and gives context to the message for today.
" At the end of chapter 5, Paul talks about the fact that where sin abounded, God grace increases.
" In layman's terms, God's grace is always bigger than the sin that entangles us.
" So, at the beginning of chapter 6 Paul asks the following rhetorical question.
" SLIDE #2
" Romans 6:1-3 (CSB) - 1 What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
" The question Paul is answering is that since God's grace is bigger than sin, can we sin more to receive more of God's grace.
" Now today we probably do not ask that question; however, if we are not careful, we will live life in that manner.
" When we pay no heed to what God asks of us, when we treat sin so flippantly, we may be too shy to ask the question, but we are not too ashamed to live it.
" The sad part of this scenario, is when we fail to pursue the new life we can have in Christ, we really cheat ourselves out of some wonderful blessings in life.
" Today in Romans 6:4, we will see three consequences of being baptized into Christ. The first two consequences will open the door to the wonderful third consequence!
" The good news is that in Christ, you can have a new life in Christ, one that will rid you of the anxieties of this life, one that can keep you from ruining your life with a plethora of poor choices and decisions.
" Let's look at Romans 6:4 together
" SLIDE #3
" Romans 6:4 (CSB) Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.
" SLIDE #4
SERMON
I. We die in Christ.
" This is the first consequence of being baptized into Christ, we die in Christ!
" Verse 4 begins with…
" Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death
" Paul explains that when we are baptized into Christ, that through that baptism, we are baptized into the death of Jesus as well as our own death to self.
" The phrase WE HAVE BEEN BURIED is a reference to the momentary burial beneath the waters of baptism as one is baptized into Christ.
" Death and burial happen occur through baptism, not before it, not after it.
" We are not a new creation until the death and burial takes place through baptism.
" This also shows why the MODE of baptism (immerse versus pour or sprinkle) is important.
" Immersion is the only mode or form that connects the realities of death, burial and resurrection!
" Verse three tells us that when we are baptized into Jesus that we are baptized into His death.
" A lot of folks today want to say that baptism is not necessary for salvation, or that salvation occurs before that point.
" Dr. Jack Cottrell in his Romans Commentary states the following concerning this subject:
" Paul's language is clear. He says we were baptized into Christ's death, and that we were buried with him into death through baptism.
" The words "through baptism" belie all notions of post-reality symbolism. They connect our baptism and our death to sin together as cause and effect.
" This does not mean that the water or the physical act as such produces this spiritual effect.
" Only the spiritual working of God himself, which he graciously performs in conjunction with the physical act, can cause us to die to sin and rise again.
" When one is being immersed God is working the works of salvation upon one's spirit.
" Physical immersion is the occasion, and the simultaneous working of God is the means for producing the effects Paul speaks of.
" Sin causes our us to die spiritually. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they died spiritually, physical death came later.
" When we commit our first sin, we become a slave to sin and we need Jesus to break that bondage for us!
" Before we can be a new creation, we have to die to self.
" In Galatians 5, Pal speaks of the deeds of the deeds of the flesh versus the fruit of the Spirit.
" Then in verse 24, he explains HOW we can defeat the deeds of the flesh and enjoy the fruit of the Spirit in our life.
" SLIDE #5
" Galatians 5:24 (CSB) Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
" Earlier in Galatians 2:18-19, in a verse we will examine in a few minutes, Paul talks once again about being crucified with Christ.
" Next we see…
" SLIDE #6
II. We are raised in Christ.
" Look at the next part of verse 4.
" in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
" Just as Jesus did not stay dead in the tomb, neither shall we!
" Being raised in Christ is a second consequence of being baptized into Christ!
" Now I want to address something pertaining to the relationship of faith and baptism.
" Many places teach that all you need is faith and to ask Jesus into your heart.
" The problem with that is for one, asking Jesus into your heart is nowhere in the Bible.
" Second, baptism is when we put on or are clothes with Christ.
" SLIDE #7
" Galatians 3:27 (CSB) For those of you who were baptized into Christ have been clothed with Christ.
" Third, faith is the foundation, but that faith should lead is to something. Plus, when it comes to being buried with Christ and raised with Him, that happens at baptism.
" SLIDE #8
" Colossians 2:12 (CSB) - when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
" So, without faith, repentance and confession, baptism is just getting wet. :
" Now, not only are buried with Christ but we are RAISED!
" The expression WE WERE BURIED WITH HIM declares the strongest manner of union with Jesus in death, and our entire separation from the former life in which sin reigned.
" That we have been raised after being buried is even more significant in showing the old dominion of sin is a thing of the past.
" Remember the context of this passage, if grace is brought about by sin, should be sin more to receive more grace?
" The answer in part is NO because when we are baptized in Christ, we are dead to sin! Romans 6:1-3.
" The same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead is the same power that He uses to raise you! That is what verse 4 means when it speaks of being raised from the dead by the glory of the Father! Glory here means POWER!
" Now I want to take us to what is so exciting to me, and without the first two consequences of being baptized into Christ, would not happen!
" SLIDE #9
III. We can experience a new walk with Christ.
" This is so wonderful!
" Look at verse four again!
" SLIDE #10
" Romans 6:4 (CSB) Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness of life.
" Because of being united with Christ in baptism, we can rise and walk in a newness of life!
" What is a NEWNESS of life? Is it just doing a few different things?
" Newness of life indicates a life new in quality, a life different from the old life which was characterized by continuance in sin or domination by the power of sin.
" God's way of saving people emancipates one from the slavery to sin!
" Death of our old self simply prepares the way for our new life!
" So, the ultimate goal of our death to sin, our burial and our resurrection with Christ is the actual living of the new life!
" The emphasis is on life. Prior to our conversion we were dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph 2:1, 5), and our whole existence was under the pall of death.
" But in baptism all this was changed. Now the power that controls us is life, not death. Our existence is characterized by life rather than death. Romans College Press Commentary Series.
" To walk in a newness of life means to live a life that is holy, obedient to God, as well as a reflection of the God we serve!
" The question then becomes, why doesn't everyone who is baptized into Christ walk in a newness of life?
" Verse four tells us in part that we are baptized into Christ so that we can do that.
" I want you to notice the small word MAY in the verse.
" The word WALK in the text is in the subjunctive.
" The mood that normally presents the verbal action as being probable or intentional.
" The subjunctive can also express verbal action in terms of mere possibility.
" This means that even in Christ, we still have our freewill.
" You have to live with intention, the intention to walk in a newness of life.
" It is a choice each one of us has to make when we come to Jesus.
" Here's the thing. Why would I give my life to Jesus and then refuse to live for Him?
" He gives us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we are baptized into Him (Acts 2:38).
" When I choose not to honor God with my life, I am cheating myself of some great blessings. WE are also setting ourselves up for failure and heart ache.
" God has a path of blessing for you to follow, take a change and go after them.
" MY LIFE!
CONCLUSION
" Are you tired of being enslaved to sin, to being enslaved to your old life?
" Let Jesus help you die to self and be freed from the shackles of the old ways.
" Find your new life in Christ!
