April 28th, 2024
Let’s prayerfully read Romans chapter 6 once again
for the culminating sermon in our series RAISED TO
WALK in the newness of life – i.e. which means
freedom from sin’s hold on us.
This month has been an incredible season in the life of
our church with many identifying with Jesus in
baptism.
This chapter gives us several things about spiritual
freedom:
1) Freedom is not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin
(Romans 6:15). Before Jesus, someone or something
was our Lord, ruled over us, and demanded us to
serve them like a slave. This can include such things
as your job, an addiction, unhealthy relationships,
expectations from others, pressure from your family, or
an unhealthy longing for approval, comfort, success,
money, beauty, etc. With Jesus as our new Lord, we
are free from our old lord(s) to enjoy a new freedom
under Jesus’ reign of grace. Pause to celebrate the
gracious Lord Jesus is to you!
2) Freedom is not doing what you want but doing what
God wants (Romans 6:16-18). Rebellious sins are like
the younger brother in the story of the prodigal son
(Luke 15). Religious sins are like the older brother in
the same story. In contrast, Christian freedom is to do
what God wants in “righteousness” rather than
continuing in “sin”. The big idea is that you do not
need to obey God to be saved, but you do need to
obey God to live free. Express to Jesus your desire to
follow Him with a humble heart of obedience.
3) Freedom is not you choosing to go down, but God
choosing to pull you up (Romans 6:19). In the ancient
Roman empire, upwards of half of the citizens were in
the category of servant or slave at some point in their
life. This happened in two ways. One, it was imposed,
for example in war. Two, it was invited by a person
who traded freedom for something he desired. The
same is true of us. Some people and things that
master us are imposed, but many of our worst
addictions, decisions, and problems are invited by us.
As sinners, we choose to go down closer to hell until
Jesus our Savior and new Master chooses to pull us
up toward Heaven. Pause and confess your choice to
follow Jesus as Your Lord and Master.
4) Freedom is not falling back but running forward
(Romans 6:20-22). Regarding slavery and freedom,
there are two kinds of people. One, you can be a slave
to someone or something and wrongly think you are
free. This is the case for all non-Christians who are not
free to stop sinning. Two, you can be free to someone
or something and wrongly think you are a slave. This
is the case for some Christians who do not walk in the
Spirit-empowered freedom from sin is available to them
in Christ. Pray to run forward from sin to God’s grace.
5) Freedom is not freedom from God, but freedom to
God (Romans 6:23). Sin pays wages of punishment
and death, but Jesus pays our wages for sin and gives
us gifts of grace. Celebrate the free gift of God to save
you.
Prayerful Reflection:
1. In which areas of your life have you already
experienced freedom in Christ? Is there any area(s) of
your life you desire added freedom in Christ?
2. Celebrate Jesus is the best person to be in authority
over your life, even better than you ruling your own life.
3. When you think of freedom in Christ, who do you
know that is a good example of this?
for the culminating sermon in our series RAISED TO
WALK in the newness of life – i.e. which means
freedom from sin’s hold on us.
This month has been an incredible season in the life of
our church with many identifying with Jesus in
baptism.
This chapter gives us several things about spiritual
freedom:
1) Freedom is not freedom to sin, but freedom from sin
(Romans 6:15). Before Jesus, someone or something
was our Lord, ruled over us, and demanded us to
serve them like a slave. This can include such things
as your job, an addiction, unhealthy relationships,
expectations from others, pressure from your family, or
an unhealthy longing for approval, comfort, success,
money, beauty, etc. With Jesus as our new Lord, we
are free from our old lord(s) to enjoy a new freedom
under Jesus’ reign of grace. Pause to celebrate the
gracious Lord Jesus is to you!
2) Freedom is not doing what you want but doing what
God wants (Romans 6:16-18). Rebellious sins are like
the younger brother in the story of the prodigal son
(Luke 15). Religious sins are like the older brother in
the same story. In contrast, Christian freedom is to do
what God wants in “righteousness” rather than
continuing in “sin”. The big idea is that you do not
need to obey God to be saved, but you do need to
obey God to live free. Express to Jesus your desire to
follow Him with a humble heart of obedience.
3) Freedom is not you choosing to go down, but God
choosing to pull you up (Romans 6:19). In the ancient
Roman empire, upwards of half of the citizens were in
the category of servant or slave at some point in their
life. This happened in two ways. One, it was imposed,
for example in war. Two, it was invited by a person
who traded freedom for something he desired. The
same is true of us. Some people and things that
master us are imposed, but many of our worst
addictions, decisions, and problems are invited by us.
As sinners, we choose to go down closer to hell until
Jesus our Savior and new Master chooses to pull us
up toward Heaven. Pause and confess your choice to
follow Jesus as Your Lord and Master.
4) Freedom is not falling back but running forward
(Romans 6:20-22). Regarding slavery and freedom,
there are two kinds of people. One, you can be a slave
to someone or something and wrongly think you are
free. This is the case for all non-Christians who are not
free to stop sinning. Two, you can be free to someone
or something and wrongly think you are a slave. This
is the case for some Christians who do not walk in the
Spirit-empowered freedom from sin is available to them
in Christ. Pray to run forward from sin to God’s grace.
5) Freedom is not freedom from God, but freedom to
God (Romans 6:23). Sin pays wages of punishment
and death, but Jesus pays our wages for sin and gives
us gifts of grace. Celebrate the free gift of God to save
you.
Prayerful Reflection:
1. In which areas of your life have you already
experienced freedom in Christ? Is there any area(s) of
your life you desire added freedom in Christ?
2. Celebrate Jesus is the best person to be in authority
over your life, even better than you ruling your own life.
3. When you think of freedom in Christ, who do you
know that is a good example of this?
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