WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.359 Just while you're looking up Romans chapter 6, which is on page 1133, there are notes 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:15.240 being given out. 00:00:15.300 --> 00:00:21.179 If anybody would like one, it can help you to follow the outline of the talk and for 00:00:21.179 --> 00:00:21.940 you to take notes. 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:27.980 And if anybody does have questions afterwards, please feel free to come and talk with me 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:28.900 or discuss it. 00:00:28.899 --> 00:00:33.500 You may not agree with everything that is said, and that's perfectly fine. 00:00:34.140 --> 00:00:36.879 So do come and have a chat with me afterwards. 00:00:37.000 --> 00:00:42.619 Romans chapter 6, and we're going to read from verses 1 to 14. 00:00:58.899 --> 00:01:02.179 Let's read Romans 6 verses 1 to 14. 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:13.260 What shall we say then? 00:01:13.379 --> 00:01:16.640 Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 00:01:17.500 --> 00:01:19.640 By no means we died to sin. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:21.319 How can we live in it any longer? 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:28.240 Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:32.780 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:38.739 In order that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we 00:01:38.739 --> 00:01:40.500 too may live a new life. 00:01:41.339 --> 00:01:47.679 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united 00:01:47.679 --> 00:01:48.959 with him in his resurrection. 00:01:48.959 --> 00:01:56.459 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done 00:01:56.459 --> 00:01:57.119 away with. 00:01:57.500 --> 00:02:05.139 That we should no longer be slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:12.319 Now, if we died with Christ, we believe we will also live with Christ. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:17.960 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again. 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:20.819 Death no longer has mastery over him. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:25.240 The death he died, he died to sin once for all. 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:28.259 But the life he lives, he lives to God. 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:36.579 In the same way, you count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 00:02:37.620 --> 00:02:43.699 Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 00:02:44.500 --> 00:02:49.899 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer 00:02:49.899 --> 00:02:56.399 yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life and offer the parts of your 00:02:56.400 --> 00:02:59.420 body to him as instruments of righteousness. 00:03:00.599 --> 00:03:08.480 For sin shall not be your master because you are not under law but under grace. 00:03:10.000 --> 00:03:14.500 Well, let's pray together and we'll ask for God's help as we look at this passage together. 00:03:16.099 --> 00:03:24.780 Our Father, we come to you and acknowledge that you are the supreme ruler, not only over our 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:28.140 country and this world but over our lives. 00:03:29.300 --> 00:03:39.539 And your word is the supreme authority in all matters of belief and practice. 00:03:41.219 --> 00:03:48.479 And so we come to you and we submit ourselves to you and to your authority, praying that you 00:03:48.479 --> 00:03:58.359 would speak to us afresh, that we would be people who take on board what you say, are changed by it 00:03:58.359 --> 00:03:59.959 and transformed by it. 00:04:00.919 --> 00:04:09.599 And above all, we pray, teach us what it means to live under grace and not under sin. 00:04:11.599 --> 00:04:13.419 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:04:14.079 --> 00:04:14.459 Amen. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:14.540 Amen. 00:04:17.879 --> 00:04:23.699 Well, during the week as I was preparing and thinking this through, I came across the story 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:27.120 of a man called Comrade Dutch. 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:29.340 You may have heard of him. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:35.460 In the 1970s, Pol Pot was the ruthless dictator in Cambodia. 00:04:36.680 --> 00:04:40.500 Comrade Dutch was one of his chief executioners. 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:46.079 He was responsible for the killing of over 15,000 people. 00:04:47.319 --> 00:04:54.639 Those who showed any opposition were marched into the country and violently executed. 00:04:55.819 --> 00:05:00.100 And these mass graves became known as the killing fields. 00:05:00.100 --> 00:05:08.480 Now, after the fall of that regime, Comrade Dutch went into hiding, never arrested. 00:05:09.480 --> 00:05:16.780 And in the mid-90s, having kept his identity secret, he met a pastor. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:21.679 And this pastor told him the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:05:22.139 --> 00:05:30.099 And having heard the gospel explained to him, Dutch responded by repenting of his sin and trusting 00:05:30.099 --> 00:05:31.279 in Jesus Christ. 00:05:32.959 --> 00:05:38.579 Dutch had become a Christian with the promise of eternal life. 00:05:38.579 --> 00:05:41.759 Now, that's not the end of the story. 00:05:41.879 --> 00:05:43.879 We'll come back to the rest of it later. 00:05:45.079 --> 00:05:48.219 But for now, I wonder, how does that make you feel? 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:53.000 Think of that man and the regime that he was involved in. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:05:54.759 A mass murderer. 00:05:55.319 --> 00:05:57.639 15,000 people. 00:05:58.919 --> 00:06:01.419 He had destroyed countless families. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:08.319 Broken his society so much, the mental and emotional scars are ingrained forever. 00:06:08.579 --> 00:06:17.120 How could God forgive someone as cold and as calculated as that? 00:06:18.419 --> 00:06:21.860 It doesn't seem fair and it doesn't seem right. 00:06:23.300 --> 00:06:24.919 Is it even right? 00:06:26.199 --> 00:06:32.419 Well, if we are to take the gospel seriously, that is exactly what has happened. 00:06:33.419 --> 00:06:36.319 Back in chapter 5, we were looking at last week, 00:06:36.319 --> 00:06:42.699 having explained the overflowing and abundant provision of God's grace towards sinners. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:48.639 He summarizes his point in chapter 5, verse 20. 00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:51.560 The middle of verse 20, he says, 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:57.139 Where sin increased, grace increased all the more. 00:06:57.139 --> 00:07:05.620 The grace of God is always greater than the sin in our lives. 00:07:06.419 --> 00:07:07.860 In other words, he's saying, 00:07:07.919 --> 00:07:09.259 No matter who you are, 00:07:09.659 --> 00:07:11.639 no matter what you have done, 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:15.620 if there is genuine repentance and faith, 00:07:16.279 --> 00:07:18.360 God will forgive you. 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:21.879 In place of your past record, 00:07:22.300 --> 00:07:25.460 he will give you the perfect record of Christ. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:29.220 And rather than an eternal destiny in hell, 00:07:29.400 --> 00:07:30.400 which we deserve, 00:07:30.840 --> 00:07:34.800 we will be welcomed as God's child into heaven. 00:07:36.400 --> 00:07:39.100 Now that sounds outrageous, doesn't it? 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:41.340 Almost scandalous. 00:07:41.339 --> 00:07:46.979 How could God forgive people like that? 00:07:48.339 --> 00:07:49.919 How can he forgive me? 00:07:51.439 --> 00:07:53.839 Now if you have trouble accepting that, 00:07:54.479 --> 00:07:57.739 it seems like the people that Paul was writing to 00:07:57.739 --> 00:08:00.139 also had difficulties with it. 00:08:00.679 --> 00:08:02.379 Look at chapter 6, verse 1. 00:08:03.079 --> 00:08:05.959 In response to this scandalous grace, 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.739 they say in verse 1, 00:08:08.099 --> 00:08:09.819 What then shall we say? 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:13.099 Does that mean we will go on sinning 00:08:13.099 --> 00:08:14.920 so that grace may increase? 00:08:17.319 --> 00:08:19.659 We can imagine them saying to Paul, 00:08:20.199 --> 00:08:22.500 This gospel of grace that you're preaching, 00:08:23.019 --> 00:08:25.659 it seems like it's encouraging us to sin. 00:08:26.379 --> 00:08:29.279 If God's grace is greater than my sin, 00:08:29.800 --> 00:08:31.899 I can do what I like 00:08:31.899 --> 00:08:33.740 and God is going to forgive me. 00:08:34.740 --> 00:08:36.220 It sounds offensive. 00:08:37.220 --> 00:08:39.120 It even smacks of arrogance. 00:08:39.820 --> 00:08:44.220 It's not unlike the attitude of W.H. Auden, 00:08:44.640 --> 00:08:46.560 who was a great writer and a poet, 00:08:47.260 --> 00:08:48.180 who said this, 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:51.000 I like committing crimes. 00:08:52.000 --> 00:08:53.780 God likes forgiving them. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:57.520 Really, the world is admirably arranged. 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:00.520 Is this what grace means? 00:09:01.280 --> 00:09:03.900 A free bailout whenever you need it. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:06.159 Sin as you please, 00:09:06.860 --> 00:09:08.360 and God is going to forgive you. 00:09:10.639 --> 00:09:14.159 Well, grace is much more than just making someone a Christian. 00:09:14.379 --> 00:09:18.360 Grace is something that enables you to live as a Christian. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:23.159 You see, when grace is truly experienced in your life, 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:26.019 rather than play around with sin, 00:09:26.679 --> 00:09:28.500 you'll want to deal with sin. 00:09:28.500 --> 00:09:33.039 When Comrade Dutch became a Christian, 00:09:33.779 --> 00:09:36.559 it actually radically changed his life. 00:09:37.779 --> 00:09:38.779 His conversion, 00:09:39.059 --> 00:09:40.659 his coming to follow Christ, 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:43.720 was not a quick fix to settle his conscience, 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:47.440 so that he could live out the rest of his years and do as he wished. 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:51.460 No, his new faith in Christ meant a radical transformation. 00:09:52.760 --> 00:09:54.260 He went to the authorities, 00:09:55.040 --> 00:09:57.720 and he revealed his true identity. 00:09:58.300 --> 00:10:00.460 He owned up to his crimes. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:03.840 He confessed and he repented to the nation, 00:10:04.240 --> 00:10:05.820 and he took responsibility, 00:10:06.620 --> 00:10:10.520 and today he is still serving a life sentence in prison. 00:10:12.820 --> 00:10:15.220 There's actually another piece to that story, 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.700 and we'll come back to it later. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:21.280 But for now, can we see how grace does not avoid sin? 00:10:22.660 --> 00:10:26.560 Rather, it enables us to face up to it and to deal with it. 00:10:27.380 --> 00:10:31.580 And I think that's the big issue that's being addressed here in chapter 6. 00:10:32.660 --> 00:10:35.800 Grace is not just this ticket to get us into heaven, 00:10:36.280 --> 00:10:39.600 a little passport to kind of get through the pearly gates. 00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:45.220 No, grace is something that radically changes your life, 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:50.940 enabling you to confront and deal with the sin in your life. 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:56.240 First of all then, 00:10:56.380 --> 00:11:01.040 we want to see how grace defeats sin's penalty. 00:11:01.360 --> 00:11:03.460 Let's read from verse 1 of chapter 6. 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:19.340 Now, I think the issue here is about the penalty of sin. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:23.519 If you look back to chapter 5, verse 12, 00:11:24.879 --> 00:11:25.820 it says, 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:30.180 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, 00:11:30.280 --> 00:11:31.980 remember we looked at that in Adam, 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:35.639 just as sin entered the world through Adam, 00:11:35.740 --> 00:11:37.100 and death through sin, 00:11:37.639 --> 00:11:40.399 and in this way, death came to all people, 00:11:40.960 --> 00:11:42.600 because all sinned. 00:11:42.600 --> 00:11:45.240 So the penalty, it's saying, 00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:47.279 of a rebellious life towards God, 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:50.080 doing our own thing and living the life that we want to, 00:11:50.540 --> 00:11:51.340 is death. 00:11:52.279 --> 00:11:53.320 It's universal. 00:11:53.659 --> 00:11:54.720 Everybody sins, 00:11:55.279 --> 00:11:56.399 everybody dies. 00:11:57.420 --> 00:11:59.480 But it's not just physical death. 00:11:59.920 --> 00:12:02.060 It's also a spiritual death. 00:12:02.460 --> 00:12:04.740 Just as Adam was separated from God, 00:12:04.820 --> 00:12:06.279 he was put out of the garden, 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:10.659 so also there is an eternal separation from God, 00:12:11.399 --> 00:12:13.879 and all of his good gifts. 00:12:15.100 --> 00:12:17.579 But in chapter 6, verse 2, it says, 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:20.539 we have died to sin. 00:12:22.199 --> 00:12:25.459 It's telling us that something has happened in the past. 00:12:25.539 --> 00:12:26.299 We died. 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:32.240 So it means that sin is no longer able to punish us. 00:12:32.240 --> 00:12:36.879 In other words, the penalty has already been paid. 00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:38.879 How has that happened? 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:40.100 Well, look at verse 3. 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:42.399 He's reminding them, 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:48.399 don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:50.399 were baptized into his death? 00:12:51.200 --> 00:12:55.039 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, 00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:58.700 in order that just as Christ was raised from the dead, 00:12:58.919 --> 00:13:00.200 through the glory of the Father, 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:02.080 we too may live a new life. 00:13:02.240 --> 00:13:05.500 Now, we need to be very careful here 00:13:05.500 --> 00:13:08.019 that we don't make too much of baptism. 00:13:09.560 --> 00:13:13.360 It's not saying that the act of baptism, 00:13:13.680 --> 00:13:16.120 whether as a child or as an adult, 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:18.419 deals with the penalty of sin. 00:13:18.680 --> 00:13:21.060 That's not going to make a tap of difference. 00:13:22.279 --> 00:13:25.340 Rather, when it's using baptism here, 00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.340 it's like a word picture. 00:13:27.340 --> 00:13:32.519 Talking about our union with Christ, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:34.480 being united with Christ. 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.540 So look at verse 3. 00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.420 Look at the language. 00:13:36.720 --> 00:13:37.100 It says, 00:13:37.560 --> 00:13:40.100 Baptized into Christ. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:44.280 And baptized into his death, 00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.940 or buried with him. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:49.200 This is union language. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:55.640 And it's telling us that what happened to Christ has happened to me. 00:13:57.580 --> 00:14:00.780 By faith, I believe that when Jesus died, 00:14:01.640 --> 00:14:03.180 I also died. 00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:06.379 When Jesus rose again from the grave, 00:14:06.580 --> 00:14:08.580 I also rose again. 00:14:08.580 --> 00:14:11.320 When Jesus died on the cross, 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:14.040 he took my sin on himself. 00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:16.540 He paid the penalty that I deserve. 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:19.340 And when he was raised from the dead, 00:14:19.600 --> 00:14:21.160 he defeated the penalty. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:25.259 And so the penalty no longer has any hold of me. 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:27.800 And that's the greatness 00:14:27.800 --> 00:14:30.360 and the magnitude of God's grace. 00:14:30.360 --> 00:14:34.100 that what happened to Jesus 2,000 years ago 00:14:34.100 --> 00:14:35.720 has happened to me. 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:37.720 It's an event in history, 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:40.200 but it's also my story. 00:14:40.840 --> 00:14:43.300 It's vitally part of my life. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.240 Now if that's true, 00:14:47.379 --> 00:14:49.480 that means we don't have to invent ways 00:14:49.480 --> 00:14:51.000 of trying to pay off sin. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:54.039 Which is what most people try to do. 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.840 Go to church. 00:14:56.259 --> 00:14:57.100 Read my Bible. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.800 Go to confession. 00:14:58.799 --> 00:15:00.419 All these different things 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:02.459 is some ways of paying off our debt. 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.719 Well, it's actually been done for us, 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:06.279 hasn't it? 00:15:06.719 --> 00:15:09.299 And this new life is ours to enjoy. 00:15:09.620 --> 00:15:11.439 There's no more paying off to be done. 00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:16.059 When Cork won the football final last year, 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.699 we went into the city 00:15:18.699 --> 00:15:20.139 to welcome back the team. 00:15:20.719 --> 00:15:21.959 Maybe some of you were there, 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.559 I don't know. 00:15:22.859 --> 00:15:24.779 But when the team came on stage, 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:26.699 we all started to sing. 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:30.640 We are the champions. 00:15:31.300 --> 00:15:32.660 I won't go on, don't worry. 00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:34.460 No time for losers. 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:37.280 We are the champions of the world. 00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:40.540 All the crowd were joining in. 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:42.720 Now I don't know about the rest of the people 00:15:42.720 --> 00:15:43.280 who were there, 00:15:44.160 --> 00:15:45.879 but I didn't play in the final. 00:15:47.040 --> 00:15:48.780 I wasn't even at the match. 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.940 But yet I was singing, 00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:53.360 we are the champions. 00:15:55.080 --> 00:15:56.520 Because in a sense, 00:15:56.740 --> 00:15:59.060 I am united to my team. 00:15:59.580 --> 00:16:02.320 So their victory becomes my victory. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:06.220 Their celebration becomes my celebration. 00:16:07.000 --> 00:16:08.960 And in a much truer sense, 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.860 by faith, 00:16:10.920 --> 00:16:12.880 we are saying that we are united 00:16:12.880 --> 00:16:14.660 to Jesus Christ. 00:16:14.659 --> 00:16:18.159 So his victory over sin 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:20.579 becomes my victory. 00:16:21.699 --> 00:16:23.860 His celebration over the grave 00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:26.079 becomes my celebration. 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.639 Look at verse 5. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.879 It's crystal clear. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:32.379 If you have been united with him, 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:34.899 that united is joining by faith. 00:16:35.480 --> 00:16:37.179 If you have been united with him 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.500 like this in his death, 00:16:39.079 --> 00:16:41.779 we will certainly also be united with him 00:16:41.779 --> 00:16:43.179 in his resurrection. 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:46.159 What happened to Jesus 00:16:46.159 --> 00:16:48.500 has happened to me. 00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:52.679 I don't need to invent ways 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.739 of paying it off. 00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:56.059 It's already happened 00:16:56.059 --> 00:16:57.719 2,000 years ago. 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.379 That's my story. 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:04.179 It can never ever punish me again. 00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:06.859 The penalty has been paid. 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:09.099 No matter what I do today, 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.279 what I do tomorrow, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.599 or next year, 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:14.179 all that has been dealt with. 00:17:15.399 --> 00:17:17.019 That is the wonder of grace. 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:18.459 The penalty is paid. 00:17:19.219 --> 00:17:20.779 But not only is that true, 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:26.759 grace also destroys sin's power. 00:17:27.759 --> 00:17:29.659 You see, sin is not just rebellion 00:17:29.659 --> 00:17:31.119 for which there is a penalty. 00:17:31.799 --> 00:17:33.500 Sin is also a power 00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:35.319 that rules over us. 00:17:35.319 --> 00:17:37.500 Look at the middle of verse 6. 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.879 It says that we are, 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:41.299 well, it says we should no longer 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.740 be slaves to sin. 00:17:45.159 --> 00:17:47.919 So it has some kind of hold over us. 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:50.419 And down at the end of verse 14, 00:17:50.899 --> 00:17:51.460 it says, 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:53.579 sin shall not be your master. 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:56.199 So it's telling us that sin 00:17:56.199 --> 00:17:57.699 is actually a real power. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:00.960 Sin is a cruel master, 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:03.879 a bullying ruler who controls us. 00:18:04.579 --> 00:18:05.460 And no matter what we do, 00:18:05.519 --> 00:18:06.599 we can't escape it 00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.819 and we can't break it. 00:18:09.199 --> 00:18:11.759 But the grace that defeated the penalty 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:16.179 has also destroyed its power. 00:18:16.180 --> 00:18:18.560 We have been set free. 00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.640 Look at verse 6. 00:18:21.140 --> 00:18:23.060 For we know that our old self 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:24.980 was crucified with him. 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:28.920 Our old self is the life before Christ. 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:31.019 For we know that our old self 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:32.420 was crucified with him 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:34.660 so that the body of sin 00:18:34.660 --> 00:18:36.500 might be done away with. 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:39.440 Now let's just take a pause there. 00:18:40.299 --> 00:18:42.279 And at the very bottom of your Bible, 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.580 you will see a little note. 00:18:43.579 --> 00:18:46.779 There's a letter A, I think, beside it. 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.079 And at the very bottom of the Bible, 00:18:48.199 --> 00:18:48.519 it says, 00:18:48.659 --> 00:18:49.879 or rendered powerless. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:52.659 So it's telling us 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:56.339 that sin might be made powerless. 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.259 Continue reading. 00:19:00.619 --> 00:19:03.519 That we should no longer be slaves to sin 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:05.480 because anyone who has died 00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:08.299 has been freed from sin. 00:19:09.919 --> 00:19:12.379 Because we are united to Christ, 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:14.940 when Jesus was crucified, 00:19:15.580 --> 00:19:17.740 we also were crucified. 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:23.560 And so, just as he was freed from sin, 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:26.500 so we too are free from the power of sin. 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:29.040 Now let me give you a little picture 00:19:29.040 --> 00:19:31.240 to try and get this in our minds. 00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.620 Picture a slave 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:36.180 under the control of a cruel master. 00:19:37.380 --> 00:19:39.180 Everything he is told to do, 00:19:39.600 --> 00:19:40.560 he must do. 00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:44.000 Every time he tries to escape and run away, 00:19:44.339 --> 00:19:46.559 he's caught and he's hauled back again. 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:50.599 But then this kind ruler comes 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:51.960 and pays for his release. 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:53.139 A ransom is given. 00:19:53.879 --> 00:19:55.419 And he's now free to go. 00:19:56.379 --> 00:19:59.579 Now, no matter what the old master says, 00:19:59.839 --> 00:20:01.779 he can shout at the slave, 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:03.639 he can threaten him, 00:20:03.879 --> 00:20:05.299 he can crack his whip, 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:07.299 he can order him back again. 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:09.440 But the reality is, 00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:12.619 he no longer has any authority 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:13.919 over that slave. 00:20:14.359 --> 00:20:16.399 He no longer has any power. 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.740 He no longer has any control. 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:21.559 Because he has been set free, 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:24.639 he now no longer has to obey 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.720 that old master. 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:28.740 And that is the power of grace. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:31.240 It's telling us that it sets us free 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:34.299 from sin's ruling power over us. 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:37.519 Now, could you imagine, 00:20:37.740 --> 00:20:39.299 once that's happened to the slave, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:42.399 could you imagine him walking back again 00:20:42.399 --> 00:20:43.700 to work for that ruler? 00:20:44.619 --> 00:20:46.720 It would be absolutely madness 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.960 to go back again. 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:51.259 No, he wouldn't do that 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:52.960 because he has been set free 00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:55.419 to live for a new master. 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:59.139 You see, when Jesus rose from the grave, 00:20:59.140 --> 00:21:03.560 it was a once and for all irreversible event. 00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.100 Jesus has died. 00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.700 He's never going to die again. 00:21:08.040 --> 00:21:09.020 He now lives. 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:11.880 And he lives for all eternity. 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.220 Look at verse 8. 00:21:14.520 --> 00:21:16.440 If we died with Christ, 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:20.580 we believe that we will also live with Christ. 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:24.240 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.940 he cannot die again. 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:29.259 Death no longer has mastery over him. 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.799 It's the same theme, 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:34.039 this unity language. 00:21:34.759 --> 00:21:37.000 What happened to Jesus in the resurrection 00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:39.759 will happen to me. 00:21:40.880 --> 00:21:42.320 It's a wonderful promise 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:44.940 that just as Christ was raised to live forever, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.539 so one day, 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.960 I am going to raise, 00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:51.660 will be raised to live forever in eternity. 00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:54.080 I am going to enter the new heaven 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.799 and the new earth, 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:55.939 the new creation, 00:21:57.299 --> 00:21:59.419 where there will be the complete absence 00:21:59.419 --> 00:22:02.099 of all sin and all of its effects. 00:22:02.619 --> 00:22:03.299 And one day, 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:05.339 that is going to be our experience. 00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:09.599 And if all of that is ours to look forward to 00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.960 because of the resurrection, 00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:14.899 if that is what our life is going to be like to come, 00:22:15.220 --> 00:22:16.460 and try and picture it, 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.960 a life where there is no sin, 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.699 no evil, 00:22:18.839 --> 00:22:19.419 no violence, 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.039 no crime, 00:22:20.399 --> 00:22:21.259 nothing wrong, 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:22.279 everything perfect. 00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:25.299 If that is our life to come, 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:28.879 then that is the kind of life 00:22:28.879 --> 00:22:30.559 we are to start living today. 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.519 Look at verse 10. 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.819 The death he died, 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:37.220 he died to sin once for all, 00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:39.579 but the life he lives, 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:42.099 he now lives to God. 00:22:44.119 --> 00:22:45.920 We have been set free. 00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:47.960 We now have a new way to live. 00:22:49.559 --> 00:22:51.200 Picture that slave again. 00:22:51.200 --> 00:22:54.180 Who is now a free person. 00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:57.620 We can picture him walking out the gates 00:22:57.620 --> 00:23:00.420 with that cruel master behind him, 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:01.980 shouting and roaring, 00:23:02.360 --> 00:23:04.120 but he no longer has to obey him 00:23:04.120 --> 00:23:05.259 or to listen to him 00:23:05.259 --> 00:23:07.620 because he has been freed from it. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.980 And this new kind ruler 00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:12.819 with his arm around his shoulder 00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:15.740 points him into the distance, 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:18.620 and he points to this beautiful castle 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:19.859 and he describes it 00:23:19.859 --> 00:23:21.559 as a place of pure beauty 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.819 and joy 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.980 and perfection. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.200 And he says, 00:23:26.279 --> 00:23:27.140 we're heading there. 00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:28.299 That's where we're going. 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:30.039 There's nothing wrong there. 00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:31.039 Everything is right. 00:23:31.160 --> 00:23:32.059 Everything is good. 00:23:33.420 --> 00:23:34.500 And that slave, 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.140 now free, 00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:36.620 as he looks towards us, 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:38.720 with the very thought 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.079 of what is to come, 00:23:40.339 --> 00:23:41.319 the very thought 00:23:41.319 --> 00:23:42.859 of his place being there, 00:23:42.859 --> 00:23:44.599 he begins to live 00:23:44.599 --> 00:23:45.639 that same life 00:23:45.639 --> 00:23:47.319 right now where he is. 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.699 And that's exactly 00:23:49.699 --> 00:23:50.740 the same for us. 00:23:51.299 --> 00:23:52.019 These verses, 00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:53.039 verses 8 and 9, 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:54.099 are reminding us 00:23:54.099 --> 00:23:54.839 of the resurrection 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.979 of all that we have 00:23:55.979 --> 00:23:57.039 to look forward to, 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:58.359 and because of all 00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.579 that we have to look forward to, 00:23:59.619 --> 00:23:59.959 he says, 00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:01.819 that's yours for an eternity. 00:24:02.079 --> 00:24:03.479 You're going to live like this 00:24:03.479 --> 00:24:04.240 for an eternity. 00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.659 Well, why don't you start 00:24:05.659 --> 00:24:06.939 living like that now? 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.019 Now? 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:11.440 That is the power of grace. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:13.460 It sets us free 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:15.299 from sin's ruling power, 00:24:15.639 --> 00:24:16.619 and it gives us 00:24:16.619 --> 00:24:17.900 a brand new way 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:18.900 to live. 00:24:23.579 --> 00:24:25.000 Now, while sin 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:26.319 is a defeated power, 00:24:27.660 --> 00:24:30.259 it still won't lie down. 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.139 It keeps getting up again 00:24:32.139 --> 00:24:33.639 and snapping at our heels. 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:36.020 And that's why 00:24:36.020 --> 00:24:37.220 we must be aware 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:39.820 of sin's ongoing presence 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:41.060 in our lives. 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:43.020 Look at verse 11. 00:24:44.320 --> 00:24:45.460 In the same way, 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:47.920 the same way as Jesus, 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:50.060 count yourselves dead to sin, 00:24:50.780 --> 00:24:52.520 but alive to God 00:24:52.520 --> 00:24:54.380 in Christ Jesus. 00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:57.080 Because this penalty 00:24:57.080 --> 00:24:58.220 has been destroyed, 00:24:58.540 --> 00:24:59.920 it can never judge you 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.380 or sentence you again, 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:03.240 because the power is defeated, 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:04.940 you no longer have to obey it, 00:25:04.980 --> 00:25:06.279 it no longer controls you, 00:25:06.620 --> 00:25:08.980 you've got a new way to live. 00:25:09.160 --> 00:25:10.700 Now start living that way. 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.859 And as we live that way, 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.680 we must know 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.180 that we will still be 00:25:17.180 --> 00:25:19.140 confronted by sin. 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.859 Look at verse 12. 00:25:21.900 --> 00:25:24.259 Therefore, do not let sin reign 00:25:24.259 --> 00:25:25.819 in your mortal body. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:28.759 Your mortal body is the life 00:25:28.759 --> 00:25:30.559 that we have this side of heaven. 00:25:31.319 --> 00:25:33.079 Therefore, do not let sin reign 00:25:33.079 --> 00:25:34.559 in your mortal body 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:35.659 so that you obey 00:25:35.659 --> 00:25:36.960 its evil desires. 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:40.419 Now as much as what Christ has done 00:25:40.419 --> 00:25:42.539 and as much as we are united to Him, 00:25:43.699 --> 00:25:46.339 it's like sin keeps coming back to us, 00:25:47.279 --> 00:25:49.759 confronting us every single day, 00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:53.000 offering us all kinds of treats 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.500 and all kinds of pleasures, 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:57.519 enticing us with dreams and ideas, 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.599 pushing us, tempting us, 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:01.859 nagging us all day long, 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:05.039 never giving up until we give in. 00:26:06.839 --> 00:26:08.719 Sin acts like our master. 00:26:08.899 --> 00:26:10.679 He acts like a ruler, 00:26:11.479 --> 00:26:13.500 telling us that we must obey. 00:26:14.459 --> 00:26:16.899 But because of what Christ has done 00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:17.979 and because of His grace, 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.679 we don't have to obey any longer. 00:26:20.680 --> 00:26:24.519 Now I can stand before you 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.900 and I can say, 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:28.000 or I can never say, 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:31.160 I will never obey sin again. 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:34.240 But I can say to you 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:37.299 that I don't have to obey sin today. 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.880 We don't have to obey it. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.700 We have a new master. 00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.019 We've been set free. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:48.379 We can choose to obey Christ. 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.599 Well, you say, 00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.759 how do I do that? 00:26:53.160 --> 00:26:55.759 Well, we've got to go on fighting with sin. 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:58.200 And there's two parts to this. 00:26:59.160 --> 00:27:00.319 Look at verse 13. 00:27:00.879 --> 00:27:02.200 See if you can spot them. 00:27:02.200 --> 00:27:06.799 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin 00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:08.319 as instruments of wickedness, 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:11.640 but rather offer yourselves to God 00:27:11.640 --> 00:27:14.120 as those who have been brought from death to life 00:27:14.120 --> 00:27:16.400 and offer the parts of your body to Him 00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:18.000 as instruments of righteousness. 00:27:20.000 --> 00:27:21.299 So there are two parts. 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.039 The first part, 00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:25.259 do not offer your body to sin 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:27.200 and instruments of wickedness, 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:29.920 but offer yourselves to God 00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:32.680 and the parts of your body 00:27:32.680 --> 00:27:34.259 as instruments of righteousness. 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.299 The picture here, I think, 00:27:38.340 --> 00:27:39.160 is of a soldier 00:27:39.160 --> 00:27:41.880 who has come to his new king 00:27:41.880 --> 00:27:44.400 where he has been in rebellion 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:45.380 against the king. 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:48.640 And now he has submitted to his new king 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:51.519 and he lays down all his weapons before him 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:52.000 and he says, 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:54.779 here I am for your service. 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:58.619 I will now do as you command. 00:27:59.099 --> 00:28:01.039 I am now going to obey you. 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:03.460 And in the same way, 00:28:03.559 --> 00:28:05.299 we are to bring our instruments. 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:08.480 We are to bring, as it says here, 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:11.240 the parts of our body to Christ. 00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:16.119 We are to lay before Him everything 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:18.220 and say to Him, 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:20.119 I will do as you command. 00:28:21.420 --> 00:28:22.180 In other words, 00:28:22.180 --> 00:28:23.660 our whole lives. 00:28:24.779 --> 00:28:26.759 Not just our hands and our feet, 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:28.720 but our minds and our intellect. 00:28:29.319 --> 00:28:31.440 We are to bring them all before God 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:31.779 and say, 00:28:32.180 --> 00:28:33.079 here I am 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:35.779 for your service 00:28:35.779 --> 00:28:37.759 to obey you. 00:28:39.899 --> 00:28:41.579 Well, what's that going to look like? 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:44.119 How do we give ourselves in service to God? 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.559 Well, let me give two examples. 00:28:48.019 --> 00:28:49.559 First of all, your eyes. 00:28:50.559 --> 00:28:51.759 Have you all got eyes? 00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:53.920 I hope they're all open at this stage anyway. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.980 If they're not open them. 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:57.920 Your eyes. 00:28:58.019 --> 00:29:00.299 You use your eyes to watch 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:03.680 and to read all kinds of things, 00:29:03.759 --> 00:29:04.180 don't we? 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:09.460 Now, we can use our eyes, 00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:11.839 and to use the language here of verse 13, 00:29:11.839 --> 00:29:15.339 we can use our eyes as instruments of wickedness. 00:29:15.339 --> 00:29:21.539 So we can watch all kinds of terribly unhelpful things on television. 00:29:25.139 --> 00:29:29.220 We can also read unhelpful trash. 00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:36.779 But we can also use our eyes as instruments of righteousness. 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:41.039 Instead of watching something that's full of porn, 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:43.539 we can watch something that's pure. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:47.059 We can read good books 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:48.559 that are going to help you 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.940 in your walk with God. 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:53.480 We all use our eyes every day. 00:29:54.440 --> 00:29:55.620 We need to choose, 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:57.120 well, how am I going to use them? 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:01.220 Let me give another example. 00:30:01.880 --> 00:30:03.240 What about your intellect? 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:06.700 You're all terribly clever people. 00:30:07.980 --> 00:30:10.840 Now, what are you going to do with your intellect and your mind? 00:30:10.839 --> 00:30:14.759 Well, you can use it for self and your career, 00:30:15.199 --> 00:30:18.399 or you can use it for God and His glory. 00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:22.720 So you can study away and get all the results 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:24.679 and the degrees that you want to. 00:30:25.179 --> 00:30:27.579 You can have the career of your choice. 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:30.000 You can get your good salary. 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:32.339 You can buy the house of your dreams, 00:30:32.459 --> 00:30:34.399 and you can live out the desires of your life 00:30:34.399 --> 00:30:35.980 for as long as you please. 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:42.579 Or, you can study and get good results 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:44.319 and get your degree in college. 00:30:44.620 --> 00:30:46.120 You can choose a career, 00:30:46.839 --> 00:30:50.960 but a career that will best serve the kingdom of God. 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:54.200 That may include a good salary. 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:56.980 It may mean you're able to get a big house. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:31:01.500 But what it will mean is that you are driven 00:31:01.500 --> 00:31:04.720 by the desires of Christ and not your own desires. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:10.620 We've got to make choices every single day. 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:13.480 Look at what it says in verse 13. 00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:19.660 Do not offer your body as instruments of wickedness, 00:31:19.759 --> 00:31:22.180 but rather offer yourselves to God. 00:31:23.160 --> 00:31:25.079 We've got choices every day. 00:31:25.500 --> 00:31:26.779 What will I listen to? 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:31.740 Where am I going to go on my day off? 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:35.960 What am I going to say to that person? 00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:40.740 What am I going to do in my free time? 00:31:44.700 --> 00:31:48.000 We have been set free to serve a king who loves us, 00:31:48.059 --> 00:31:49.099 who died for us, 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:51.240 who's defeated death for us, 00:31:51.339 --> 00:31:53.960 and has guaranteed heaven for us. 00:31:53.960 --> 00:31:57.400 So we deal with sin 00:31:57.400 --> 00:32:00.680 by giving ourselves completely to God 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:02.960 every moment of every day. 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:07.819 Remember the story of Comrade Dutch? 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:12.460 Having experienced God's grace in his life, 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:15.259 having owned up to his sin, 00:32:15.920 --> 00:32:17.100 he's now in prison 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:19.399 for the crimes that he committed. 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:22.480 But in another sense, 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:24.619 he is set free 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:26.079 from the penalty 00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:28.000 and the power of sin. 00:32:29.399 --> 00:32:32.039 And because of the grace he has received, 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:34.439 he is now using his life 00:32:34.439 --> 00:32:36.659 to serve his new master. 00:32:37.619 --> 00:32:40.099 Although the presence of sin is still there, 00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:42.959 and for a background like his, 00:32:43.899 --> 00:32:46.379 I'm sure the pictures are haunting. 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:50.219 But now he offers his life 00:32:50.219 --> 00:32:52.699 not as an instrument of wickedness, 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:55.519 but as an instrument of righteousness. 00:32:57.919 --> 00:33:00.899 Eyes that once looked for people to kill, 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:04.899 he now uses to look for people to share Christ. 00:33:05.199 --> 00:33:06.659 Where he is in the prison, 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:09.400 he shares Christ 00:33:09.400 --> 00:33:11.000 with his other inmates 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.540 and with the other guards. 00:33:13.680 --> 00:33:16.580 Hands that once brought suffering and death, 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:19.259 he now sits in his cell 00:33:19.259 --> 00:33:20.620 opening up his Bible 00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:24.480 and helping others to experience life. 00:33:25.580 --> 00:33:28.519 A tongue that once spoke fear and hate, 00:33:29.820 --> 00:33:32.940 he now uses to teach of God's grace. 00:33:32.940 --> 00:33:36.360 You see, 00:33:37.220 --> 00:33:40.740 none of us will ever, ever speak about grace. 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:44.460 None of us will talk about Christ to others 00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:49.539 until we have first experienced grace for ourselves. 00:33:50.640 --> 00:33:51.920 The one barrier 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:54.840 for us talking about Christ to others 00:33:54.840 --> 00:33:56.559 is our sin. 00:33:57.519 --> 00:33:59.220 We get so full of guilt, 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.860 so much shame, 00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.740 we think, 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:03.039 I can't tell anybody 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:04.959 because I'm such a rotten person. 00:34:07.539 --> 00:34:09.119 But we must remember 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:10.519 what Christ has done. 00:34:11.319 --> 00:34:13.239 We go back to the fact that 00:34:13.239 --> 00:34:16.500 we remind ourselves 00:34:16.500 --> 00:34:18.460 that Christ has defeated the penalty. 00:34:20.079 --> 00:34:22.639 He has destroyed the power of sin. 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:25.039 So I am free. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:26.440 I now have a new way to live. 00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:28.239 I can speak of his grace. 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:31.619 Not because I'm better than anybody else, 00:34:32.199 --> 00:34:35.099 but because God has forgiven me 00:34:35.099 --> 00:34:36.419 for all that I have done. 00:34:37.699 --> 00:34:39.299 Now I'm sure our crimes 00:34:39.299 --> 00:34:41.839 are not as gross as Comrade Dutch, 00:34:42.639 --> 00:34:44.519 but we've all got our secret 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:45.819 and hidden sins, 00:34:46.239 --> 00:34:49.799 and we can surrender them all to Christ. 00:34:50.439 --> 00:34:51.699 Know his forgiveness. 00:34:52.379 --> 00:34:53.759 Know a brand new life. 00:34:53.760 --> 00:34:58.520 And by speaking of his grace to others, 00:34:59.220 --> 00:35:01.840 we do battle with the presence of sin 00:35:01.840 --> 00:35:02.680 every day. 00:35:04.580 --> 00:35:06.640 We are not under sin. 00:35:07.340 --> 00:35:08.140 Verse 14. 00:35:09.720 --> 00:35:11.760 Sin shall not be your master 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:14.900 because you are not under law, 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:17.940 but we are under grace. 00:35:19.140 --> 00:35:20.440 Let's pray together. 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:33.260 Our Father God, 00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:34.480 we thank you so much 00:35:34.480 --> 00:35:37.619 for your grace towards us, 00:35:37.860 --> 00:35:39.200 unearned and undeserved, 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:43.300 that you would take people like 00:35:43.300 --> 00:35:45.639 Comrade Dutch, 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:49.339 you would take people like me 00:35:49.339 --> 00:35:53.440 and you would forgive us 00:35:53.440 --> 00:35:57.119 as we repent and confess. 00:36:00.159 --> 00:36:02.539 We pray that you will fill our lives 00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.239 with grace, 00:36:03.339 --> 00:36:05.839 that we may go on fighting sin, 00:36:07.420 --> 00:36:11.139 ever rejoicing that sin's penalty is paid, 00:36:11.139 --> 00:36:14.119 its power is destroyed, 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:17.779 we no longer have to obey. 00:36:20.179 --> 00:36:22.599 May each one of us here this morning 00:36:22.599 --> 00:36:24.119 experience that grace 00:36:24.119 --> 00:36:25.039 in all its fullness. 00:36:28.559 --> 00:36:30.460 And may we right now 00:36:30.460 --> 00:36:33.039 give ourselves to you in service, 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:35.759 offering ourselves, 00:36:35.980 --> 00:36:36.819 our eyes, 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.460 our ears, 00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.179 our minds, 00:36:39.319 --> 00:36:40.079 our intellect, 00:36:41.199 --> 00:36:42.500 take our hands 00:36:42.500 --> 00:36:43.880 and take our feet, 00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:49.460 that we may serve your purpose 00:36:49.460 --> 00:36:52.860 and be instruments of righteousness 00:36:52.860 --> 00:36:56.320 rather than that which is wrong. 00:36:58.900 --> 00:37:00.860 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:37:01.679 --> 00:37:02.119 Amen.