Welcome to “Learning and Living the God-centered life”

Carmel Baptist Church

www.learningandlivingtheword.com

February 8, 2009

Which hat for Pat?

Overview of Romans 6

This begins with an objection which comes from what Paul just said in Romans 5:20

When the Law came in sin increased but as sin continuedto increase then grace abounded more and more.

So someone said to Paul well if grace abounds when sin happens then lets just continue to sin.

Paul repeats this again in Romans 6:15 but with a little twist to it.

Romans 6

Divides into two sections- Romans 6:1-14 - new person in Christ- Romans 6:15-23 - freed from sin and enslaved to righteousness

Check the pattern that the apostle Paul uses in these 2 questions Question Response Reason

Then after the reason given in Romans 6:2 the apostle Paul goes on to explain in Romans 6:3-10 what it means in detail “what does it mean for us to die to sin”

It means that we are no more under the power of sin it’s dominion in our lives has been broken.

Our old self has been crucified and the person who we used to be in Adam has been buried and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.

Old self crucified is what we talked about in Ezekiel 36:24-28 last week when God says I will replace the heart of stone with a heart of flesh

Also this is the discussion that Jesus has with Nicodemus in John 3 when he says that “unless a man be born again he can not enter the kingdom of God.”

Now as a new creation this is who I really am.

The mortal body or our flesh has not yet been redeemed and therefore sin still tries to reign. But that is no longer who we are because at the core level we are new creatures.

Romans 6:11-13 (exhortation)Paul’s exhortation that in light of these facts realize what is true of you and act accordingly.

Romans 6:14 (assurance)True of all Christians having passed from the old realm into the new realm.

Romans 6:15-23 Freedom from sin and enslaved to righteousness which has to do with regeneration.

Steps to consider:

Point #1 - Consider - reckon, conclude or count upon the fact that you are dead to sin and live unto God. This is absolutely true whether you feel it or not. Grace is now reigning and sin no longer fits into your life because you are a new person.

Eventually righteousness is going to win out so why not enjoy the process right now!Illustration:

Taking a chemistry class and having the professor come in and tell everyone that they have been given an “A” in the course and now they need to enjoy it.

Turn in your Bibles to Colossians 3:1-10

Since you have “put off the old” and “put on the new” then act accordingly. In other words we as believers in Christ need to realize who we are and then be who we are.

Now read Ephesians 4:22-24Put off the deeds of the old life and put on the deeds of the new life.

Ephesians 4:23 is what Paul is saying in Romans 6:11, count on the fact that you are dead to sin

Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Now go back to Romans 6:11Realize or Recognize what is true about you as a new creature in Christ. Don’t think of yourself in the same way but be transformed in this new way of thinking. And now act consistent with your new thinking.Again that is why we are the learning and living the God-centered life community.

Look structurally at how Romans and Ephesians is laid out: Learning in Romans 1-11 then Living it out Romans 12-16 Learning in Ephesians 1-3 then Living it out Ephesians 4-6

Who we are in Christ is foundational but we don’t believe who we are. (Mark Chapter 9 - the man who says to Jesus “I believe, help me with my unbelief”)

People will start to think I can’t get victory over this or that but that is a lie. Or a person who say this is the way I am, that is also a lie.

Our problem is we don’t understand what the Scripture says here, we don’t believe what it says and therefore don’t behave it out consistently.

Look at Romans 6:12:This is actually a verse that can encourage us because a genuine Christian battles sin, temptation of sin and conflict with sin on a daily basis.

The fact that we learn we are dead to sin does not mean that we are no longer affected by it. But it does mean that we are not under the realm, power or dominion of sin in our life.

Point #2 - Sin is still trying to reign which means as a Christian we face all kinds of battle, obstacles and temptations that are thrown to us by sin.

Again being dead to sin doesn’t mean that we don’t battle sin, it simply means that we are no longer enslaved to sin ruling in our life.

Point #3 - Notice that as sin does try to reign it tries to reign in those places of our mortal body that are not yet redeemed which we call the flesh.

The flesh is not who you really are and yes the flesh is as corrupt as it ever was.

But you the real you is the person you will be in a million years.The mortal body is going to pass away in a short time.

Notice Paul doesn’t say “don’t let sin reign in you, but rather he says don’t let sin reign in your mortal body.”

Point #4 - We no longer have to be defeated by our flesh.

Romans 8:13 - for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Galatians 5:16 - But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.