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11. Alive to God

11. Alive to God. Romans 6: 1-14 p. 1041. Controversial passage. Variety of reasons: Says radical things Challenges our experience of life – counter-intuitive Not sure what’s theory and what’s practical Is it present or future? Raises complex theology (e.g. Baptism, Law, Grace)

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11. Alive to God

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  1. 11. Alive to God Romans 6: 1-14 p. 1041

  2. Controversial passage • Variety of reasons: • Says radical things • Challenges our experience of life – counter-intuitive • Not sure what’s theory and what’s practical • Is it present or future? • Raises complex theology (e.g. Baptism, Law, Grace) • Sermon in two Parts: • Core of the argument – Part 1. • My own discoveries and life experience – Part 2.

  3. Part 1: Dead to Sin; Alive to God • Orienting ourselves: • Descendants of Adam – slaves to sin and death • Descendants of Jesus – reign in life • Law – reveals sin. • But Grace increased all the more • Grace delays judgment for us to come to repentance • If sin increases grace – let’s sin all the more.

  4. 1. We Died to Sin Glorify God – Faith Not Glorify God – No Faith God Reject God Presence Worship Worship Love Exploit Human Human Human Human Worship Exploit Care Blessing Stewardship Creation: Things & Animals Creation: Things & Animals

  5. 1. We Died to Sin • Faith orients us differently towards God • Right relationship with God in disoriented life – absurd • Note: Important difference • Refusing to Give God Glory • Falling short of Giving God Glory • Falling short covered by the work of Christ! • Unified with Christ that “we may live a new life” v 4. • “Old man” crucified (v 6) , we are “set free” (v 7)

  6. 2. Alive to God • Death is obsolete – resurrection defeated it. • Identification: • With his death – set free from its fear & power. • With his resurrection – gives us new life. • Being clear: • Hope it means we are re-programmed to do God’s will NOT SO ! ! ! • I am free to choose it if I want to.

  7. 3. Given Choice • Sin is no longer our oppressive master • We can choose righteousness – an Active Choice • Do not let sin reign (v 12) • Do not offer any part of yourself to sin (v 13_ RATHER • Offer yourselves to God (v 13) • Offer every part of yourself to him (v 13) • It’s the choice Adam and Eve Faced (Gen 3)

  8. Part 2: What I have learned 1. It’s a Package deal • I don’t get to take the bits I want and leave the rest. • In the West we are programmed to have things as we like them. • God is making us Christ-like • Living in his Shalom requires making good choices • Not just those we are comfortable with. • A special challenge for parents.

  9. Part 2: What I have learned . . . 2. Self-Love is Self Hate • Love God and Love neighbour (Matt 22:37-40) • Self-love is the first commandment of our age ! • Self-Love is putting myself and my wants before others • Self-Love is different from self-respect and a sense of personal value/worth • Opposite of Self-Love: not Self-Loathing but Other- Love

  10. Part 2: What I have learned . . . 3. No Growth without Serving • Spirituality with as few demands as possible • Add time with God but otherwise remain unchanged • Want the “Love God” portion, not the “Love neighbour” • Such spirituality goes nowhere. • It is contrary to the purpose of salvation • To walk with God I have to orient my whole life correctly. • My time, money, ambition, hopes, anxieties . . .

  11. Part 2: What I have learned . . . 4. Don’t Fixate on Sins, Continue in faithfulness • Keep my eyes focussed on Jesus • Sin ensnares us if we let it deflect our attention.

  12. Alive to God • Not keep anything for myself I give it all to Him. DO NOT: • let sin reign • offer any part of yourself to sin DO: • Offer yourselves to God • Offer every part of yourself – instrument of righteousness • Choose ! ! !

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