Whose Slave are You?
Introduction
Looking particularly at v15-23
Recently celebrated 6th June – 80th Anniversary of D-Day
A hard won privilege
Deut 15:15 – "You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you"
Example of William Wilberforce
Freedom is a blessing, slavery is a curse
Modern slavery is prevalent – example
Slavery is bondage
Spiritual bondage is even worse
Our behaviour confirms (original) sin
Yet people are often unconcerned with spiritual matters
Romans is vitally important
Our passage
Whose slave are you?
Paul answers a charge – v1,15
Illustration – two volumes to our life: before and after becoming a Christian
Do you remember being in volume one?
Anyone in Christ is a new creation – volume one has gone, volume two is here
Overview: (six points)
Here is the Challenge – one thing or the other
Here is the Fact – grace or nothing
Here is a Reality – slavery to sin
Here is the Blessing – freedom for the obedient
Here is the Effect – holiness
Here is the Goal – it results in glory
Here is the Challenge – one thing or the other
v15-16
In one category or the other – slaves to sin or righteousness
There is no neutral ground
Jesus’ words in John 8:31-36
You are in volume one or volume two
Have you passed from death to life?
Slavery to sin ends in death
Here is the Fact – grace or nothing
If anyone is to be saved from the slavery of sin – it is by God’s grace and mercy, not by our actions
Eph 2:1
This is how you become a slave of God – which brings perfect freedom (cf John 8:31-36)
This is what happens when you become a Christian
v17
You may not know, but you trust in Jesus Christ and obey from the heart
v18
Here is a Reality – slavery to sin
Volume one cannot be ignored – we were slaves to sin
Example of the 1960’s
v19
There is no ‘freedom’ to do as we please – this is bondage [to sin] and brings death
Whose slave are you?
There is liberty in being a slave to God
Here is the Blessing – freedom for the obedient
v18 – becoming a slave to righteousness
Our view point changes
v21-22 – fruit to holiness
Freedom to the obedient
There is none that sets us free but Jesus
Stand free in the liberty of Christ and do not become entangle in the bondage of sin
Do not go back to volume one
Sin brought death, Jesus brings eternal life
Here is the Effect – holiness
No going back to the old life but fruit to holiness
To love Jesus Christ
To put Him first
To pray to, honour and glorify Him
The new life is stronger than the old life
Yield yourselves to God
Example of a stream
When your heart is changed by the gospel – your whole life is changed
A renewed character
From volume one to volume two
Here is the Goal – it results in glory
v22-23
Everlasting and eternal life
What will it be – the wages or the free gift?
Are you in volume one or volume two