AM Sermon Outline: 02/19/2023
Examine Yourself: Become Sin Less (Romans 6:1a)
Bro Avery Hines
Rom 6:1a What shall we say then?
If you are unfamiliar with your bible, you might have noticed something here; Paul, who is either writing or dictating this letter, seems to start off this thought with a question? Have you wondered why? Now, this is for those of you who may not be in the body of Christ; this is not a book, or part of a chapter, but a single letter written by the aforementioned. Paul is actually in the middle of a thought…
Rom 5:20-21 Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, actually, this is what it looks like…
Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: that as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. What shall we say then?
So, Paul has explained to these folks who reside in Rome that “where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. So, we, or those of you who might be new to the body of Christ, and especially those of you who know not Christ, that we should not feel that we should not limit our sin. In fact, the more we know of God and Christ the more we should sin less; get it, become sinless. Paul does this by immediately posing this question?
Rom 6:1b Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
Okay; shall we continue to sin, that grace may abound; because what; where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. So, two examples before I go to the next verses…
There are two times in the Gospels…
By the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:14; read the whole chapter)
With the woman caught in adultery (John 8:11; read the whole chapter)
So, after healing the man, and rescuing the woman, Jesus says what?
He says, “go and sin no more.”
So Paul kind of follows that up with this…
Rom 6:2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Can I do a sort of sidebar?
Back in this book chapter 3…
This section is about 10 verses; read them all; it is subtitled The Righteousness of God through Faith (E-sword)…
Rom 3:21-23 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
So, here we go…
What are the two worst sins you can commit; and only one can be committed by a member of the body of Christ? So, think about it, don’t yell it out; I’m going to give you my answer, and you can give your answer, if it is different, after worship, or maybe later? If you’re not a member of the body of Christ, please pay attention; please.
Here are the answers…
The worst sin you can commit; never accepting Jesus Christ as your savior. If you’re not in the body of Christ you can never be forgiven for those sins you have fallen short of; never ever!
The second worst sin falls on the members of the body of Christ only; apostasy! A complete total forsaking of your belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Remember Hebrews chapter 10 somewhere between verses 20 and 30; for this there is no other sacrifice?
So like Paul was saying in the book of Romans chapter 6 verses 2; God forbid!!
Please listen to this…
Rom 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
This newness of life is my main argument for how we greet and refer to one another after baptism. I was somewhere when a Brother was invited to preach; I remember him walking over to the pool and looking into it; I think he said something like “yep, still in there.” He was alluding to the fact that since he was baptized at that building that his earthly mindset must be still buried where he was baptized. It is the bible that says you are a new creature in Christ. So, Avery Hines died in the watery grave of baptism and Bro Avery or Bro Hines has been created, as the bible states, and is ready to walk in that newness of life. I look at it as encouragement to be addressed by the new creature because it strengthens me in my walk.
Why, well Paul tells us why… Rom 6:5 – 14…
Rom 6:5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Rom 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom 6:7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Rom 6:8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Rom 6:9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
Rom 6:10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Rom 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 6:12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom 6:13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Rom 6:14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
We sing a song, sometimes, kind of goes “Mercy there was great, and grace was free
Pardon there was multiplied to me there my burdened soul found liberty, at Calvary.”
Yes, we can sing the song, but do we know what grace really is? I often tell people about the gospel message, but do you know that this good news is God’s grace?
Grace is an essential part of God’s character. It is God’s benevolence, His love, and His mercy. Grace can be defined as “God’s favor toward the unworthy” or “God’s benevolence on the undeserving, or everything He has done for me and can do for you.” In His grace, God is willing to forgive us and bless us abundantly, in spite of the fact that we don’t deserve to be treated so well or dealt with so generously.
If you are not a member of the body; please, please listen to this…
We want you to fully understand grace; for that you need to consider who you are without Christ and who you will become with Christ. We were guilty, enemies of God, deserving of death.
We were unrighteous without means of justifying ourselves
spiritually destitute
blind
unclean
dead.
Our souls were in peril of everlasting punishment.
But then came this blessing called grace.
God extended His favor to us.
Grace is what saves us.
Grace is the essence of the gospel.
Grace gives us victory over sin.
Grace gives us “eternal encouragement and good hope.”
Since grace gives us those last two things, victory, and encouragement, it motivates us to sin less; which in the fullness of time will make us sinless; because we’ll be before the eyes of God and see the throne of Christ.
The Bible repeatedly calls grace a “gift.” This is important because it teaches us some things about grace…
Anyone who has ever received a gift understands that a gift is much different from a loan, which requires repayment or return by the recipient. The fact that grace is a gift means that nothing is owed in return.
There is no cost to the person who receives a gift. A gift is free to the recipient, although it is not free to the giver, who bears the expense. The gift of salvation costs us sinners nothing. But the price of such an extravagant gift came at a great cost for our Lord Jesus, who died in our place.
Once a gift has been given, ownership of the gift has transferred, and it is now ours to keep. There is a permanency in a gift that does not exist with loans or advances. When a gift changes hands, the giver permanently relinquishes all rights to renege or take back the gift in the future. God’s grace is ours forever.
In the giving of a gift, the giver voluntarily forfeits something he owns, willingly losing what belongs to him so that the recipient will profit from it. The giver becomes poorer so the recipient can become richer. This generous and voluntary exchange from the giver to the recipient is visible in 2 Corinthians 8:9: “You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.”
Finally, the Bible teaches that grace is completely unmerited. The gift and the act of giving have nothing at all to do with our merit or innate quality. In fact, the Bible says quite clearly that we don’t deserve God’s salvation. Romans 5:8–10 says, “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. . . . While we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son.”
But wait, there’s more…
Grace does not stop once you are saved; God is gracious to you for the rest of your lives, working within and upon you. The Bible encourages with many additional benefits that grace secures for every believer:
Grace justifies, makes you holy in sight of God
It provides; gives you access to God to communicate and fellowship with Him
It gives; you get a new relationship with God
It trains; you learn to live in a way that honors God
It grants; you get immeasurable spiritual riches
Grace helps; in your every need
Grace is the reason behind your every deliverance
Grace preserves
It comforts
It encourages
It strengthens
Grace is actively and continually working in the lives of God’s people. Paul credited the success of his ministry not to his own substantial labors but to “the grace of God that was with me.” Grace is the ongoing, benevolent act of God working in us, without which we can do nothing. Grace is greater than our sin, more abundant than we expect, and too wonderful for words but here are a few, hallelujah, praise God, Amen!!!!
If you think I am going to stop there, Paul didn’t, and I’m not…
Rom 6:15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
What doctrine; this doctrine…
1 Corinthians chapter 15; we’re start at verses 1.
This is a letter to Corinth
Paul is not there, and Paul is not teaching them the gospel; he has already taught them
In the verses I’m about to read Paul is summarizing what the gospel is.
These verses are the go-to when quoting scripture to bring folks to Christ; although this chapter (letter) is explaining the resurrection
1Co 15:1-11… Take some time to read this.
1Co 15:1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 1Co 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 1Co 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Co 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1Co 15:5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 1Co 15:6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 1Co 15:7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 1Co 15:8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 1Co 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.
1Co 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
1Co 15:11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
This is the doctrine Paul is speaking of.
“Oh, at the cross, at the cross, where I first saw the light”…
Paul was saying…
Rom 6:18-23…
Rom 6:18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. Rom 6:19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. Rom 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Rom 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
So, as we examine ourselves we should Paul in mind; as he said in 2Co 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
We are speaking about eternal life; it’s a gift of God that comes only “through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This gift is in contrast to the “death” that is the natural result of sin; being either refusal to believe or falling away from that belief. The gift of eternal life comes to those who believe in Jesus Christ, who is Himself “the resurrection and the life.” I recall making the statement that since this life is “eternal” it indicates that it is perpetual life—it goes on and on and on, with no end. This life-giving knowledge of the Father and the Son is a true, personal knowledge, not just an academic awareness.
God’s plan of salvation was for His Son (Jesus Christ) to come from heaven and live amongst us as a human. He would then be crucified on that cross of Calvary so that the shedding of His blood (our sacrifice) would cleanse us of our sins.
What you need to know is how to respond to this plan. Peter said it in the books of Acts; “repent and be baptized.” Jesus said it in the book of Matthew; “everyone therefore who shall confess me before men, I shall confess before My Father.” We put that invitation like this…
Hear the word
Believe the word
Repent of your sins
Confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God
And we will baptize you; you’ll become a new creature in Christ, and began to walk anew with Him.