DOCSLIB.ORG

Enslaved to God --- Romans 6:19-23 September 16, 2018

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Enslaved to God --- Romans 6:19-23 September 16, 2018 Enslaved to God --- Romans 6:19-23 September 16, 2018 I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. 20For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death. 22But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Introduction The theme of our study in Romans 6 has been sanctification. There was a well- known preacher who was visiting at a church and was asked to conduct a testimony meeting for the evening service. A woman stood up and began to tell of how precious her faith was to her and how it had brought her so much comfort in life. The visiting preacher responded, “That is encouraging to hear. Tell me, how has your faith impacted your life? For example, in your marriage, does your faith make you strive to be a better wife and look after the needs of your husband . .” While the preacher was asking more of the woman, he felt a tug on his coat behind him by the pastor of that church, who whispered, “Yes, continue those questions; press them further, sir. That is my wife.” The visiting preacher understood that salvation will necessarily bring with it a change in how a person lives. As we study Romans 6, our focus has been on the fact that we are alive to God and dead to sin; and that we are no longer slaves to sin but enslaved instead to God. May I give you a brief description, but not exhaustive, of what enslavement to God entails? Being enslaved to Him means that you will enjoy certain promises that He has made to those who are His. Enslavement to God includes: Salvation from the penalty of sin Comfort in this life, even in the midst of turmoil and hardship The kingdom of heaven Mercy and grace for sanctification Sonship Blessings when you are persecuted Necessities of life Answers to prayer according to His will Eternal life Peace Joy Wisdom Honor An inheritance in the Father's house in heaven Filling of the Holy Spirit Newness of life Eternal love Citizenship in heaven Crown of righteousness Help in times of temptation No more tears, death, sorrow, or pain No more curse Mercy and grace for sanctification My friend, if that is enslavement to God, sign me up. Right? Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30. “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy- laden [that is enslavement to sin], and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you [that is enslavement to Christ] and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” The commands that Christ gives to you for the living of life are not designed to be burdensome, but are for your good and His glory. Christ died for you so that you may be rescued from hell and given heaven, but that is not all. His death on your behalf was also for the purpose of transforming your life here and now. That is the message that we continue to address in our study. Review Last week we considered verses 17-18, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” We considered three characteristics of conversion from Paul's statement in these two verses: 1) Conversion Involves Change; 2) Conversion Involves Biblical Doctrine; and 3) Conversion Involves Obedience. We saw that by nature we are rebels and join with Adam in his rebellion against God. The process of becoming a Christian necessarily involves undergoing a change. All of the New Testament terminology referring to salvation speaks of change; for instance, “born gain,” “resurrected to a new life,” “old things are gone, new things have come,” and so on. The picture is not merely of some improvement made along the way. Jesus told Nicodemus, “You must be born again.” Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature.” Something has happened and you are now entirely different. “You were . and now you have become . .” We saw that Paul clearly spelled out what is involved in this transformation. This change involves your total person; namely, your will to obey, your emotions, and your mind. This change involves your will: “You became obedient.” You now have a will to obey. This change also involves your emotions: “You became obedient from the heart.” Finally, this change involves your mind: “You became obedient . to that form of teaching,” which refers to doctrine that you embrace with your mind. Furthermore, we discovered that a Christian has a change of masters. Romans 6:17,18 “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin . 18having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” We saw that the same work that has delivered Christians from enslavement to sin has also made them slaves of God. This explains why the believer cannot continue in sin. By Christ's act of redemption on the cross, He has purchased men and women for Himself to serve Him. First Corinthians 6:19-20 reads, “Do you not know . that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” We learned too that Conversion Involves Biblical Doctrine. Romans 6:17 “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed [you were entrusted].” You obeyed that form of doctrine (teaching, instruction). We saw that this clearly indicates the type of evangelism in which Paul was engaged. What was the form of teaching that Paul referred to here? What was the Gospel according to Paul? What would Paul say at an evangelistic crusade? It is the same form of teaching that he had written about over the last five chapters in Romans. Paul began with a healthy explanation of sin and judgment that reached all the way back to Genesis and the creation. Romans 1:18-20 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. 20For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. The message of the Gospel is a message that starts with man in sin and under the wrath of a holy God. That is an essential part of the message. You don't skip around the message of sin and judgment. The doctrine of sin is a vital part of the “form of teaching” to which Paul refers. A Christian understands that he was under condemnation, bound for hell, hopeless and helpless in sin, and under the wrath of God. A Christian understands the terrible nature of the soul apart from God. Every human being starts out enslaved to sin and as a child of the devil. All of this is part of the message. It is only after laying the foundation of man's plight that Paul then proclaimed the indescribable grace gift of Christ Jesus. Romans 3:21-25 “But now [in the midst of the helpless and hopelessness of man] apart from the Law [apart from man's attempts at being good] the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction; 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus; 25whom God displayed publicly as a propitiation in His blood through faith.” So we considered that Conversion Involves Change and Conversion Involves Biblical Doctrine. Lastly, we saw that Conversion Involves Obedience. Romans 6:17a “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient.” We contemplated a vital biblical statement concerning the necessary obedience and sanctification in the life of the believer that is missed today. The statement is this: “The primary objective of God in establishing salvation for us in Christ is not simply that we might be forgiven, be saved from hell, and have eternal life. God intends that salvation also transform us here and now.” Yogi pointed out to me a verse that I did not mention last week, 1 Peter 2:24, “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” Titus 2:14 [Jesus] gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • “Releasing the Power of Life in You” // Romans 6:6–23 // Romans
    “Releasing the Power of Life But… But Paul realizes that the experience of every believer, including himself, is a brutal struggle against sin. He is going to talk about how even as an Apostle his life is a constant fight between In You” // Romans 6:6–23 // what he knows he ought to do and what his sinful body is pulling him to do. Romans #13 In chapter 7 he’ll get more into his own story, but here in chapter 6 Paul considers the question every follower of Jesus asks at some NACP Commissioning point: If resurrection power actually come into me, why do I still Script struggle so much with saying no to sin? Why does my heart still feel so stubborn? Introduction And how can I change? Easter: 16,352. 1 human reason: you brought your one. ● What has been so encouraging to me are the many stories I’ve Note, Paul is addressing his counsel to people whom he believers heard of people whose one came with them, many of whom came are very sincere Christians. Notice in vs. 17 he describes these people to faith in Christ. as those who “You obeyed from the heart that pattern of teaching…” ● I saw a tweet from a girl who came to our first Easter service: ● These are not fake or insincere. These are the real deal. "Tonight i went to an Easter service by @SummitRDU on UNC campus and it felt like i was hearing God for the first time ever" Y’all, I find these chapters so encouraging.
    [Show full text]
  • Studies in Romans
    Abilene Christian University Digital Commons @ ACU Stone-Campbell Books Stone-Campbell Resources 1957 Studies in Romans R. C. Bell Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christian Denominations and Sects Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Bell, R. C., "Studies in Romans" (1957). Stone-Campbell Books. 470. https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/crs_books/470 This Book is brought to you for free and open access by the Stone-Campbell Resources at Digital Commons @ ACU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Stone-Campbell Books by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ ACU. STUDIESIN ROMANS R.C.BELL F IRM FOUNDATION PUBLISHING HOUSE AUSTIN , TEXAS COPYRIGHT, 1887 FIRM FOUNDATION PUBLISHING HOU SE LESSON 1 Though Romans was written near the close of Paul's mis­ sionary ministry, reasonably, because of its being a fuller 1-1.ndmore systematic discussion of the fundamentals of Christianity than the other Epistles of the New Testament, 'it is placed before them. Paul's earliest writings, the Thes­ salonian letters, written some five years before Romans, rea­ sonably, because they feature Christ's second coming and the end of the age, are placed, save the Pastoral Epistles and Philemon, last of his fourteen Epistles. If Mordecai, with­ out explicit evidence, believed it was like God to have Esther on the throne at a most crucial time (Esther 4 :14), why should it be "judged incredible" that God had some­ ~hing to do with this arrangement of his Bible? The theme of the Bible from Eden onward is the redemp­ tion of fallen man.
    [Show full text]
  • The Chapters of Romans
    Liberty University Scholars Crossing An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible 5-2018 The Chapters of Romans Harold Willmington Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Willmington, Harold, "The Chapters of Romans" (2018). An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible. 58. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/outline_chapters_bible/58 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the A Guide to the Systematic Study of the Bible at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in An Alliterated Outline for the Chapters of the Bible by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Romans SECTION OUTLINE ONE (ROMANS 1) Paul opens his letter to the Roman church by talking about God's anger with sin. The opening chapter may be thought of as a trial, where God is the judge and sinful humans are the accused. I. THE COURT RECORDER (1:1-17): Here Paul, author of Romans, provides his readers with some pretrial introductory material. A. His credentials (1:1, 5): Paul relates four facts about himself. 1. He is a servant of Jesus (1:1a). 2. He is an apostle (1:1b). 3. He has been set apart to preach the gospel (1:1c). 4. He is a missionary to the Gentiles (1:5). B. His Christ (1:2-4) 1.
    [Show full text]
  • NT503: the Epistle to the Romans Course Lecturer: Harold W
    COURSE SYLLABUS NT503: The Epistle to the Romans Course Lecturer: Harold W. Hoehner, ThD, PhD About This Course This course was originally created through the Institute of Theological Studies in association with the Evangelical Seminary Deans’ Council. There are nearly 100 evangelical seminaries of various denominations represented within the council and many continue to use the ITS courses to supplement their curriculum. The lecturers were selected primarily by the Deans’ Council as highly recognized scholars in their particular fields of study. Course Description The book of Romans is crucial to the understanding of salvation and sanctification. In this course,you will explore the rich truths of justification and other significant topics by completing an exegetical and theological study of Paul’s Epistle to the Romans in the Greek text. The course treats select historical, grammatical, structural, and lexical data that illumine the meaning of this important New Testament document. You will be encouraged to put textual theory into living practice. NOTE: This course assumes a basic skill in Greek exegesis and the ability to make grammatical and textual critical evaluations and to do Greek word studies. Course Objectives Upon completion of the course, you should be able to do the following: • Increase your Greek vocabulary and gain additional competence in grammatical analysis and translation of the Greek text of Romans. • Gain additional experience in doing exegesis from the Greek text in preparation for expository preaching and teaching. • Wrestle with selected theological issues and formulate exegetically defensible solutions. • Be involved in a study of Romans in order to be able to think through the argument of the Epistle as a whole.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 6:5-6 Romans 6:5-The Believer's Identification with Christ
    Romans 6:5-6 Romans 6:5-The Believer’s Identification with Christ in His Physical Death is the Basis for His Future Resurrection In Romans 6:5, Paul teaches that the believer’s identification with Christ in His physical death is the basis for his future resurrection. Romans 6:1-5, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection.” “For ” is the “inferential” use of the post-positive conjunction gar ( gavr ), which introduces a first class conditional statement that draws an inference drawn Paul’s statements in Romans 6:2-4. In Romans 6:2b, Paul teaches that the believer is dead to the sin nature. Romans 6:2b, “We, who are indeed of such character and of a particular class of individuals, have died with reference to the sin nature, how shall we still live under its dominion? ” In Romans 6:3, the apostle teaches that the believer has been identified with Jesus Christ and specifically that the believer is identified with Christ in His spiritual death, which solved the problem of real spiritual death.
    [Show full text]
  • UNITED with CHRIST -- SET FREE from SIN an EXEGESIS of ROMANS 6:1-14 Translation Exegetical Outline
    UNITED WITH CHRIST -- SET FREE FROM SIN AN EXEGESIS OF ROMANS 6:1-14 Translation 1 Therefore, what shall we say? Shall we remain in sin, in order that grace might abound? 2 May it never be! How shall we--the very ones who died to sin--still live in it? 3 Or do you not know that as many as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, in the same way we also might walk in the newness of life. 5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, we shall also be (united with Him in the likeness of His) resurrection. 6 Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with (Him), in order that the body of sin might be destroyed (rendered ineffective), that we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been vindicated from sin. 8 But if we died with Christ, we believe that we also shall live with Him, 9 knowing that Christ, being raised from the dead, will no longer die; death no longer has power over Him. 10 For that (the death) which He died, He died to sin once for all time. But that (the life) which He lives, He lives to God. 11 In the same way you also reckon yourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans Commentaries & Sermons
    Romans Commentaries & Sermons Acts 1 Corinthians OVERVIEW CHART OF BOOK OF ROMANS Click chart to enlarge Chart from recommended resource Jensen's Survey of the NT - used by permission Romans Overview Chart - Charles Swindoll Source: Dr David Cooper Click to Enlarge ROMANS ROAD to RIGHTEOUSNESS Romans 1:18-3:20 Romans 3:21-5:21 Romans 6:1-8:39 Romans 9:1-11:36 Romans 12:1-16:27 SIN SALVATION SANCTIFICATION SOVEREIGNTY SERVICE NEED WAY LIFE SCOPE SERVICE FOR OF OF OF OF SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION SALVATION God's Holiness God's Grace God's Power God's Sovereignty Gods Glory In In In In The Condemning Justifying Sanctifying Saving Object of Sin Sinners Believers Jew and Gentile Service Deadliness Design Demonstration of Salvation of Sin of Grace Power Given Promises Fulfilled Paths Pursued Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Righteousness Needed Credited Demonstrated Restored to Israel Applied God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness God's Righteousness IN LAW IMPUTED OBEYED IN ELECTION DISPLAYED Slaves to Sin Slaves to God Slaves Serving God Doctrine Duty Life by Faith Service by Faith Modified from Irving L. Jensen's chart above Rome in the Time of Paul (c. A.D. 60) The city plan below shows most of the features of the city of Rome that archaeologists have so far identified as dating from the time of Paul. Sections of the city would have been very impressive in his time, but most of the outstanding buildings visible in Rome today date to after his death.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 God of the Troubled Dr. Baron Mullis Genesis 21:8-21; Romans 6:1-11 Morningside Presbyterian Church What a Wonderful Week It
    God of the Troubled Dr. Baron Mullis Genesis 21:8-21; Romans 6:1-11 Morningside Presbyterian Church What a wonderful week it has been in this building. I’m not an animist who believes that buildings have souls, but if our building has a soul, what good this week must have done it. This was Melinda’s tenth VBS, and what a wonderful week it has been. The building has been buzzing with the sound of children all week long. They have been in and out of the ark – if you haven’t seen the ark, come downstairs after church – it’s worth a visit! We had all the creeping, crawling things in the building this week. It was great to see Will come back to Morningside with the highland cows and sheep and goats on Thursday in the petting zoo. But they had reptiles in the fellowship hall on Wednesday. I was not in the office on Wednesday morning. In fact, in the staff meeting when it was announced that there would be reptiles in the building, I said to Melinda, “I want you to take a surgeon’s approach to this… you know how they count the implements and sponges from surgery at the start and the finish… you count those snakes in and you count those snakes out.” What a wonderful week it has been. There were children all through the building and in the front yard and on the playground. I love it when it’s like that. I love what summer brings out in the church – we seem to relax just a little – when it’s appropriate, the staff dress down just a little, you might see some shorts.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 6:1-11—An Exegesis
    Romans 6:1-11—An Exegesis “This Epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, and is worthy, not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. It can never be read or pondered too much, and the more it is dealt with, the more precious it becomes.” These are Martin Luther’s famous words in the preface of his commentary on Romans, words that are probably on our hearts and minds, to some extent, every time we read or study this book. As we delve into this small portion of Paul’s great epistle, let us marvel at the clear proclamation of Christ, and rejoice, as we do every time we study any part of God’s Word, at the marvelous work, which Christ has done for us. Background: Before we look into Romans 6:1-11, it is important that we look at its context. We never want to pluck a section of Scripture out of context and make it say, whatever we want it to say, as many false teachers love to do. A passage of Scripture is never written in a bubble. But, assuming that you are familiar with this book, I’ll keep this summary rather brief. After his introduction to the book (Romans 1:1-17), Paul spends two and half chapters reminding us how sinful we all are, how we have all failed to achieve righteousness on our own (Romans 1:18-3:20).
    [Show full text]
  • Elijah's Restoration
    Volume 14 CHURCH of GOD 7th DAY - AUSTRALIA SEPTEMBER 2008 Elijah’s Restoration Elijah was greatly used of God choked or stifled or seriously hurt. hypocrisy in the church, but soon on behalf of Israel to defeat the Many a person‟s guard end up in a spiritual sense lying false prophets of Baal. Elijah consequently goes up at the down, sleeping, throwing their served the people of God in slightest hint of a spiritual Bibles in the bin or even wanting many mighty and spectacular encounter. There are people who to die because enough‟s enough. ways. The power of God was have not dealt with their fears and Now who‟s a hypocrite? uniquely demonstrated through- who would rather risk their eternal out his life. However, like many relationship with God than God’s tender hand Christians today, who have ex- overcome their fears. Such fears, perienced the highs and lows of however, need to be faced head Thankfully God does not leave serving God, Elijah also experi- on, or restoration will not occur. us alone in our confusion. His re- enced a great low and found sponse is still touching and ten- himself in need of restoration. It Where did Elijah run to? Verse 4 der. He is an understanding and is my prayer that Elijah‟s story says he ran into the wilderness. It compassionate God. While Elijah in 1 Kings 19 will help any wasn‟t „out of the frying pan into slept under the tree suddenly an Christian who finds themselves the fire‟, but rather out of the angel touched him and provided out in the „wilderness‟.
    [Show full text]
  • Relitigating Baptism, Part 2: Romans 6:1-7, a Transitional Point
    Douglas A. Phillips PhD Candidate at Asbury Theological Seminary Professor of NT and Greek at SLCC Chair of the Biblical Division Relitigating Baptism, Part 2: Romans 6:1-7, A Transitional Point Life is full of transitions. At the age of 16, a person transitions from a pedestrian life to an automotive life. The ages of 18 and 21 also mark transitional experiences. There are also experiential transitions in life: marriage, childbirth, grandparenting, and more. Life is certainly transitional. There are vocational transitions also. For example, people move from one job to another job or from one ministry to another ministry. Furthermore, there is the spiritual transition from non-Christian status to a full member of the household of God. When does this happen and what marks the point of transition? The question of transition is what I want to address in this essay. The Apostle Paul addresses transition when he explains the conversional significance of baptism in one’s life. Please take a moment and read Romans 6:1-7. First, let me explain the extended context. Paul explains the human dilemma as a result of Adam’s disobedience in chapter 5. However, he also explicates the ministry of Jesus as a means of countering the effects of Adam. Simply, Adam brought a curse upon creation and mankind, and Jesus reversed the curse. We also discover that Adam brought condemnation and death, but Jesus brought righteousness1 and life. Furthermore, Paul is never brief because his scriptural acumen is extraordinary, and his theological training, from his Pharisaic education and increased understanding from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, has forged a remarkable mind for God.2 Chapter 5 teaches that Jesus brought freedom from condemnation and death; however, liberty from the destructiveness of sin is also needed.
    [Show full text]
  • Romans 6:1-14
    Romans 6:1-14 The Transfer Chapter 6 and 7 continue to reveal that the justified believer has been transfer permanently into a new kingdom. This is a continuation of assuring the believer of their salvation. Chapter 5 shows the transfer of the believer from the power of death to the power of life. Chapter 6:1-14 shows the transfer of the believer from the power of sin to the power of righteousness. Chapter 6:15-23 shows the transfer of the believer from the power of the law to the power of grace. These chapters describe two realms or two ages (“aeon”) 1) The realm or age of Adam 2) The realm or age of Christ All people fall into living their lives and their eternal existence in one of these two realms. We are living today either in the old age of Adam or in the new age of Christ. Your relationship to sin and to the law will depend on which realm you live in. If a person is still living in the old age of Adam they are under the reign of sin and death. They are under the power of the law. If a person is living in the new age of Christ they are living in the realm of righteousness and life. They are under the power of grace. Compare: Old Age New Age Reign of sin and death Reign of righteousness and life (5:21) Servitude to lordship of sin Servitude to lordship of righteousness and God (6:6, 14; 17-22) Under the power of law Under the power of grace (6:14, 15 Serving in old letter of law Serving in newness of Spirit (7:6) The law and the compelling power of sin The law of the Spirit that brings life (8:2) that leads to death Now, but not Yet All of this is true.
    [Show full text]