August 4, 2024

Whose Slave are You?

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Romans 6:1-23
Service Type:

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
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