WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.380 Our second reading, it comes from the book of Romans, Paul's letter to the Romans chapter 6. 00:00:08.939 --> 00:00:14.240 ! It's on page 1132, and we're going to read the first 14 verses. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:19.000 We hear God's word together again. 00:00:19.679 --> 00:00:28.440 What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means. We are those who have died to sin. 00:00:28.440 --> 00:00:37.039 How can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who are baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 00:00:37.920 --> 00:00:50.120 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 00:00:50.119 --> 00:00:59.559 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:01:00.199 --> 00:01:06.979 For we know that our old self was crucified with him, so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with. 00:01:07.679 --> 00:01:09.879 That we should no longer be slaves to sin. 00:01:09.879 --> 00:01:13.640 Because anyone who has died has been set free from sin. 00:01:14.759 --> 00:01:18.599 Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 00:01:19.500 --> 00:01:23.060 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again. 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:26.159 Death no longer has mastery over him. 00:01:39.879 --> 00:01:57.519 Death no longer has mastery over him. 00:01:57.519 --> 00:01:59.500 As an instrument of righteousness. 00:02:00.439 --> 00:02:08.460 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace. 00:02:08.460 --> 00:02:09.740 Amen. 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:11.040 This is God's word. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:17.280 So we're going to think this evening about freedom, and Christian freedom in particular. 00:02:17.439 --> 00:02:23.300 But I think it's fair to say at the beginning that the idea of Christian freedom can be confusing. 00:02:24.219 --> 00:02:32.319 Even when we come to Romans chapter 6, we find Paul in verse 1 having to defend himself against an accusation. 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:38.900 If you preach a religion of grace, that will lead to sin and immorality. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:41.159 That was one of the charges against Paul. 00:02:42.199 --> 00:02:46.819 And so we need to understand that freedom is not the idea of a free pass. 00:02:47.560 --> 00:02:51.259 Jesus is not our get-out-of-jail-free card. 00:02:51.259 --> 00:03:01.219 But it is the freedom to live a whole new life as those who have been given a new heart, given new desires, given a new power that comes from God. 00:03:02.359 --> 00:03:03.899 So that can confuse. 00:03:04.659 --> 00:03:10.979 But for some, the confusion lies here that the whole idea of Christian freedom might sound and seem ridiculous. 00:03:10.979 --> 00:03:25.959 If your conception of Christianity makes it about rules and limitations and barriers to people having sort of joy and freedom, then it's going to come across as confusing. 00:03:27.419 --> 00:03:34.280 And again, freedom is not, Christian freedom is not, here's how to enjoy a life without any limits. 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:36.159 That's not really freedom. 00:03:36.159 --> 00:03:39.539 This is a particular kind of freedom. 00:03:41.020 --> 00:03:47.560 Like when we have a piece of technology and we understand that that technology works best when we follow the maker's guidelines. 00:03:48.560 --> 00:03:53.259 You know, our mobile phones are excellent communication devices but not so good as a Frisbee. 00:03:53.639 --> 00:03:55.139 We understand that principle. 00:03:55.599 --> 00:04:00.859 Christian freedom is the freedom we find in following the guidelines of God, our maker. 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:02.079 That's the way life works best. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:03.500 There's freedom in that. 00:04:03.500 --> 00:04:10.000 So we need to think about what are we being told about Christian freedom here in Romans 6. 00:04:10.740 --> 00:04:18.100 And it's interesting that all of this also involves Paul reflecting on the significance of the death and the resurrection of Jesus. 00:04:19.540 --> 00:04:22.519 So what is Christian freedom in light of Easter? 00:04:22.699 --> 00:04:24.519 What difference does it make? 00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:26.279 A few things to say. 00:04:26.360 --> 00:04:29.779 The first thing to say, and it's right here in the center of our text, 00:04:29.779 --> 00:04:32.939 we know freedom through union with Christ. 00:04:33.479 --> 00:04:34.979 There's an idea repeated twice. 00:04:35.099 --> 00:04:35.719 Verse 5, 00:04:36.559 --> 00:04:38.839 If we've been united with him in a death like his, 00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:43.079 we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.459 Phrasing a slightly different way in verse 8. 00:04:46.539 --> 00:04:47.959 Now if we died with Christ, 00:04:48.479 --> 00:04:51.199 we believe that we will also live with him. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:53.139 So that key idea is repeated. 00:04:53.239 --> 00:04:55.139 Now what does Paul mean? 00:04:55.139 --> 00:04:57.419 This idea of union, 00:04:57.539 --> 00:04:59.139 which is so important within the Bible. 00:04:59.219 --> 00:05:02.060 Well perhaps we can think about a proxy. 00:05:02.319 --> 00:05:04.300 When it comes to voting, 00:05:05.019 --> 00:05:06.479 if you're off on your holidays, 00:05:07.139 --> 00:05:11.079 you can elect a proxy to vote on your behalf. 00:05:12.360 --> 00:05:13.560 In history, 00:05:14.379 --> 00:05:17.620 it was possible even to have a proxy 00:05:17.620 --> 00:05:21.379 to represent you at your own marriage ceremony. 00:05:21.379 --> 00:05:22.939 I only discovered this this week, 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:26.279 but there are a number of kings of the UK 00:05:26.279 --> 00:05:28.500 who were not present at their own wedding. 00:05:28.620 --> 00:05:29.899 King James VI and I. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:31.620 He was the first to do this. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:34.060 When he was getting married to Queen Anne of Denmark, 00:05:34.060 --> 00:05:34.719 he wasn't there. 00:05:35.480 --> 00:05:37.060 He sent George Keith, 00:05:37.240 --> 00:05:38.659 the fifth Earl Marshal, 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:39.719 in his place. 00:05:40.300 --> 00:05:42.719 That's a very different set of wedding photos, isn't it? 00:05:44.079 --> 00:05:47.120 So there's the idea of a proxy that represents someone. 00:05:47.199 --> 00:05:49.300 Or think champion. 00:05:49.459 --> 00:05:50.240 Think about champion. 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:53.480 So those occasions when two armies would come to war, 00:05:53.879 --> 00:05:55.860 and rather than the whole army be involved, 00:05:55.960 --> 00:05:58.759 there's the choice of a champion to represent either side. 00:05:58.819 --> 00:05:59.560 And whoever wins, 00:05:59.660 --> 00:06:00.860 wins for the whole army. 00:06:01.379 --> 00:06:02.280 We think David. 00:06:02.439 --> 00:06:04.120 We think Goliath. 00:06:05.639 --> 00:06:08.660 Now take that idea into what we mean by 00:06:08.660 --> 00:06:11.960 being united to Jesus by faith. 00:06:12.560 --> 00:06:14.340 He is our proxy. 00:06:14.759 --> 00:06:16.160 He represents us. 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.660 He is the champion who wins a victory for us. 00:06:19.660 --> 00:06:21.480 And what is true for Jesus 00:06:21.480 --> 00:06:24.840 is true for those who have faith in Jesus. 00:06:26.200 --> 00:06:28.160 When it comes to death and resurrection, 00:06:28.380 --> 00:06:29.580 Christopher Ash puts it this way. 00:06:29.660 --> 00:06:32.460 Just as Jesus' death was once for all, 00:06:33.000 --> 00:06:35.720 and his resurrection irreversible, 00:06:36.440 --> 00:06:39.560 so it is for us in him. 00:06:39.560 --> 00:06:41.759 So we go back to Good Friday. 00:06:41.759 --> 00:06:43.980 Christ died for sin on the cross, 00:06:44.079 --> 00:06:46.079 and when we are united with him, 00:06:46.720 --> 00:06:47.959 we too die. 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:49.519 Our old nature dies. 00:06:49.959 --> 00:06:52.120 We die to sin's enslaving power 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.579 and the penalty that is due. 00:06:55.220 --> 00:06:57.459 And now we find ourselves here at Easter Sunday. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:00.899 Christ rose to new life and united with him. 00:07:00.899 --> 00:07:03.519 There is the promise that in the future, 00:07:03.679 --> 00:07:07.419 we too will enjoy physical bodily resurrection life 00:07:07.419 --> 00:07:08.399 in the new creation, 00:07:08.579 --> 00:07:09.979 and in the present, 00:07:10.719 --> 00:07:13.159 we enjoy new life with and in Jesus. 00:07:14.659 --> 00:07:17.979 Notice the certainty in verse 5 and verse 8. 00:07:19.039 --> 00:07:20.759 If we've been united with him in death, 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:23.639 we will certainly also be united with him 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:24.319 in our resurrection. 00:07:24.659 --> 00:07:25.639 If we died with Christ, 00:07:25.719 --> 00:07:28.519 we believe that we will live with him. 00:07:28.519 --> 00:07:30.560 One necessarily follows the other. 00:07:30.680 --> 00:07:32.379 There's no room for doubt. 00:07:34.719 --> 00:07:37.339 John Piper has a very helpful image, I think. 00:07:37.799 --> 00:07:40.099 He has this idea of the keys of death 00:07:40.099 --> 00:07:44.439 hanging on the inside of the tomb of Christ Jesus. 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:47.039 Think about that giant stone, 00:07:47.359 --> 00:07:50.379 and there's the keys hanging on the inside of the tomb. 00:07:50.759 --> 00:07:54.339 To secure our resurrection from the dead, 00:07:55.759 --> 00:07:57.680 Christ must die for sin, 00:07:57.680 --> 00:08:00.439 Christ must enter the tomb, 00:08:01.480 --> 00:08:02.939 Christ must rise again 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:05.819 and unlock the door of death from the inside. 00:08:06.980 --> 00:08:09.000 That's what Jesus did in the gospel. 00:08:09.819 --> 00:08:11.439 And in his resurrection, 00:08:11.639 --> 00:08:12.400 now we have proof, 00:08:12.480 --> 00:08:13.759 now we have the gift 00:08:13.759 --> 00:08:16.139 that Jesus' work is finished, 00:08:16.720 --> 00:08:18.360 and God accepted it. 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:20.139 And so we have freedom. 00:08:22.139 --> 00:08:23.079 Think about that. 00:08:23.079 --> 00:08:25.680 If we are united to Christ Jesus, 00:08:26.240 --> 00:08:29.019 nothing can keep us in the tomb. 00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:31.620 We are free to live. 00:08:32.559 --> 00:08:34.939 We are free to live without the fear of death. 00:08:35.019 --> 00:08:37.039 We are free to live with the hope of heaven. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:39.759 And so there is this vital connection 00:08:39.759 --> 00:08:42.019 between Jesus' death and resurrection 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:44.179 and how it affects our freedom. 00:08:44.179 --> 00:08:48.620 When we read our Bibles, 00:08:48.799 --> 00:08:49.859 when we read our own hearts, 00:08:49.919 --> 00:08:51.019 we know that we all sin. 00:08:52.219 --> 00:08:54.500 Lost sentences sinners to eternal death. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:57.139 When we read our Bibles, 00:08:57.259 --> 00:08:59.139 we learn about Jesus' life and death. 00:09:00.139 --> 00:09:02.879 And Jesus there meets the demands of the law in full, 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:03.819 perfect obedience, 00:09:04.379 --> 00:09:07.879 and then a perfect substitute sacrificing for us. 00:09:08.559 --> 00:09:10.240 Jesus is punished for me. 00:09:10.860 --> 00:09:12.259 Jesus is perfect for me. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:14.480 And in those actions, 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:15.740 sins are removed. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:17.480 The sting of sin, 00:09:17.539 --> 00:09:18.240 which is death, 00:09:18.299 --> 00:09:19.120 is removed. 00:09:20.419 --> 00:09:22.200 So now it's not eternal death 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:23.080 that is our prospect, 00:09:23.220 --> 00:09:24.299 it's eternal life 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:25.720 that now belongs to us. 00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:28.779 And this is what we mean 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:31.180 when we talk about freedom with Christ, 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:32.139 freedom in Christ, 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:32.860 that one day, 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.820 we have the sure hope 00:09:34.820 --> 00:09:36.019 that Jesus will return, 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:38.180 and Jesus will make everything new, 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:40.500 and Jesus will take his people to be with him, 00:09:40.559 --> 00:09:42.579 to live in that perfect new world forever. 00:09:43.559 --> 00:09:44.799 So we know freedom 00:09:44.799 --> 00:09:46.899 through union with Christ. 00:09:47.899 --> 00:09:50.379 There's a second idea to do with freedom in our text. 00:09:50.479 --> 00:09:51.239 We know freedom 00:09:51.239 --> 00:09:53.099 from the power of sin. 00:09:53.939 --> 00:09:55.579 And I think we see how related that is. 00:09:55.620 --> 00:09:57.339 There's a repeating theme in these verses. 00:09:58.519 --> 00:10:00.979 Because of the death and resurrection of Jesus, 00:10:01.919 --> 00:10:02.639 first of all, 00:10:02.699 --> 00:10:04.159 sin is rendered powerless. 00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.459 Verse six, 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:07.720 for we know that our old self 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:09.139 was crucified with him 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:11.519 so that the body ruled by sin 00:10:11.519 --> 00:10:13.000 might be done away with 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:15.000 or might be rendered powerless. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:18.820 Sin's rule is broken, 00:10:19.720 --> 00:10:22.680 that we should no longer be slaves to sin 00:10:22.680 --> 00:10:24.560 because anyone who has died 00:10:24.560 --> 00:10:26.400 has been set free from sin. 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:29.160 And then down in verse 12, 00:10:29.320 --> 00:10:30.840 sin's reign is ended. 00:10:30.840 --> 00:10:33.680 Therefore, do not let sin reign in your mortal body. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:37.000 Now how does this happen? 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:39.780 Again, we see it in verse six. 00:10:39.920 --> 00:10:42.400 Our old self was crucified with him. 00:10:43.680 --> 00:10:45.720 This freedom from the power of sin 00:10:45.720 --> 00:10:47.960 comes because Jesus died on the cross 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:49.879 as that sin-bearing substitute 00:10:49.879 --> 00:10:51.720 and the reality of our 00:10:51.720 --> 00:10:54.060 having been crucified with him. 00:10:56.000 --> 00:10:58.000 And that freedom from the power of sin, 00:10:58.040 --> 00:10:59.200 it also comes 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:01.320 through the resurrection of Jesus. 00:11:01.780 --> 00:11:02.540 Verse seven, 00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:06.360 that he has died 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:07.219 and then risen 00:11:07.219 --> 00:11:09.019 and we have died with him 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:09.980 and now we're alive 00:11:09.980 --> 00:11:10.799 so we're set free 00:11:10.799 --> 00:11:11.779 from the power of sin 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.740 in our lives. 00:11:12.860 --> 00:11:14.559 Our chains have been broken 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:15.919 with him 00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:17.079 and in him 00:11:17.079 --> 00:11:18.879 and so the events of Easter 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.799 bring to us 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:22.159 real freedom 00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:24.740 so that we are able 00:11:24.740 --> 00:11:26.339 to sing of our sin. 00:11:26.459 --> 00:11:27.740 My chains are gone. 00:11:28.699 --> 00:11:29.699 I've been set free. 00:11:29.700 --> 00:11:31.120 My God, my Savior 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:33.520 has ransomed me. 00:11:34.120 --> 00:11:35.920 There is this decisive moment 00:11:35.920 --> 00:11:37.220 that has taken place 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:38.620 in our lives 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:39.860 there at the cross 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:40.700 and the resurrection. 00:11:42.460 --> 00:11:44.180 Now to help us picture this, 00:11:44.940 --> 00:11:46.740 we can go for a few moments 00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.720 to the Red Sea 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:50.100 and to the story of the Exodus. 00:11:50.900 --> 00:11:52.220 Because when we read the Old Testament, 00:11:52.360 --> 00:11:54.320 we know that the Exodus event, 00:11:54.420 --> 00:11:54.920 the Red Sea, 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:56.860 that was the defining moment 00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.060 for the Old Testament believer. 00:11:58.059 --> 00:11:59.939 This was the line in the sand. 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:01.259 This was the before and after 00:12:01.259 --> 00:12:02.699 for the Old Testament believer. 00:12:04.299 --> 00:12:05.519 So there on the banks 00:12:05.519 --> 00:12:06.259 of the Red Sea 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:07.879 on the far side of the sea, 00:12:08.619 --> 00:12:09.899 what were they celebrating? 00:12:10.039 --> 00:12:10.839 They were celebrating 00:12:10.839 --> 00:12:12.019 God delivering them 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:13.219 from Egyptian slavery. 00:12:14.039 --> 00:12:15.259 They were celebrating 00:12:15.259 --> 00:12:16.259 the fact that they were now 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:17.759 separated forever 00:12:17.759 --> 00:12:18.939 from that threat. 00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:21.179 They were celebrating 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:21.599 the truth 00:12:21.599 --> 00:12:22.979 that they had a new identity, 00:12:23.119 --> 00:12:24.059 no longer slaves 00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:25.059 under the tyranny 00:12:25.579 --> 00:12:26.359 of Pharaoh. 00:12:26.360 --> 00:12:27.460 now they're set free 00:12:27.460 --> 00:12:28.220 to enjoy life 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:28.960 with their God. 00:12:31.560 --> 00:12:32.519 Fast forward 00:12:32.519 --> 00:12:35.060 to our experience. 00:12:36.340 --> 00:12:37.580 The Easter events 00:12:37.580 --> 00:12:38.700 for us 00:12:38.700 --> 00:12:40.320 are the Christians 00:12:40.320 --> 00:12:41.320 defining moment. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.480 Here is the moment 00:12:43.480 --> 00:12:44.940 that we look back to 00:12:44.940 --> 00:12:47.060 where we can recognize 00:12:47.060 --> 00:12:49.039 as the Old Testament believer did, 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.300 God is good. 00:12:50.299 --> 00:12:53.459 God is utterly committed 00:12:53.459 --> 00:12:54.979 to me and my salvation. 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:58.019 I can trust this God. 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.159 As Jesus said, 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.859 if the Son sets us free, 00:13:02.699 --> 00:13:04.719 then we are free indeed. 00:13:06.199 --> 00:13:07.500 Now think about what that means 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:09.919 for our day-to-day life. 00:13:09.919 --> 00:13:13.599 Perhaps we know what it is 00:13:13.599 --> 00:13:15.159 to feel enslaved. 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:17.939 There are so many addictions 00:13:17.939 --> 00:13:19.259 that can catch us 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:20.519 in their grip. 00:13:21.539 --> 00:13:22.659 Even as Christians, 00:13:22.779 --> 00:13:23.779 there are so many harmful 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:25.319 habits and patterns 00:13:25.319 --> 00:13:26.360 we find ourselves 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:28.000 constantly returning to. 00:13:28.779 --> 00:13:30.059 We can find ourselves 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:31.639 a slave to our past, 00:13:32.179 --> 00:13:33.059 our failures, 00:13:33.179 --> 00:13:34.039 our regrets. 00:13:35.819 --> 00:13:37.000 Guilt is that prison 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:37.559 that's locked 00:13:37.559 --> 00:13:38.459 from the inside. 00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:40.519 But at the same time, 00:13:40.580 --> 00:13:41.320 we can be slaves 00:13:41.320 --> 00:13:42.180 in the sense of having 00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.860 a great fear 00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.759 about our future. 00:13:45.740 --> 00:13:47.960 And there's great good news 00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.519 that in Jesus, 00:13:49.780 --> 00:13:50.460 there is freedom 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:52.100 and we can change, 00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:53.019 that we don't need 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:53.980 to be defined 00:13:53.980 --> 00:13:55.519 by those things 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.960 because they are 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.100 no longer our masters. 00:13:58.240 --> 00:13:59.460 We have a new freedom 00:13:59.460 --> 00:14:01.700 purchased for us 00:14:01.700 --> 00:14:03.440 through Jesus' death 00:14:03.440 --> 00:14:04.160 and resurrection. 00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.500 Not that we can ever say, 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.460 well, I will never sin. 00:14:07.460 --> 00:14:08.480 You know, 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:10.300 that we've broken free 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:11.139 from the presence 00:14:11.139 --> 00:14:12.000 of sin in our lives. 00:14:12.060 --> 00:14:12.680 That will come, 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:14.460 but not until we are glorified. 00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:19.120 But here's what we can say. 00:14:20.080 --> 00:14:21.040 Right now, 00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:24.000 or in a particular moment, 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:27.180 I do not need to sin. 00:14:27.179 --> 00:14:29.939 We have, 00:14:29.939 --> 00:14:30.579 we have as Christians, 00:14:30.719 --> 00:14:31.500 a new power, 00:14:32.339 --> 00:14:33.299 a new desire, 00:14:33.719 --> 00:14:34.599 a new heart, 00:14:34.859 --> 00:14:35.739 a new spirit, 00:14:36.099 --> 00:14:37.739 a law written upon our hearts 00:14:37.739 --> 00:14:39.339 that gives us the ability 00:14:39.339 --> 00:14:40.539 to say no 00:14:40.539 --> 00:14:43.620 and to pursue righteousness 00:14:43.620 --> 00:14:45.199 and to delight in it. 00:14:46.519 --> 00:14:48.279 And it's important for us also 00:14:48.279 --> 00:14:50.239 to learn to look back 00:14:50.239 --> 00:14:51.699 as Christians, 00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.639 to recognize this, 00:14:53.639 --> 00:14:54.779 that between us 00:14:54.779 --> 00:14:55.919 and that sin 00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:56.519 that would love 00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:58.240 to enslave us 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:00.199 stands 00:15:00.199 --> 00:15:02.139 not the Red Sea, 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.840 but the cross of Christ. 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.419 And so we understand 00:15:07.419 --> 00:15:08.939 in the gospel 00:15:08.939 --> 00:15:09.580 that yes, 00:15:09.679 --> 00:15:10.419 there are times 00:15:10.419 --> 00:15:11.159 when sin 00:15:11.159 --> 00:15:12.679 will tempt us 00:15:12.679 --> 00:15:14.299 and we will fail. 00:15:15.360 --> 00:15:16.500 Sin can never 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.799 condemn the believer, 00:15:18.519 --> 00:15:19.399 can never kill 00:15:19.399 --> 00:15:20.000 the believer. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:22.259 So we know freedom 00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.340 from the power of sin. 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:25.840 Look again 00:15:25.840 --> 00:15:26.379 at the death 00:15:26.379 --> 00:15:26.919 and resurrection 00:15:26.919 --> 00:15:27.639 of Jesus. 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:29.879 Because in this 00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.620 there is freedom 00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:31.700 from anxiety 00:15:31.700 --> 00:15:33.039 and insecurity. 00:15:34.340 --> 00:15:35.620 If the Father 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:37.759 from all eternity 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:39.799 wasn't just willing 00:15:39.799 --> 00:15:40.639 but delighted 00:15:40.639 --> 00:15:41.500 to do that, 00:15:42.159 --> 00:15:43.539 to send his Son 00:15:43.539 --> 00:15:45.960 to come, 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:47.559 to become one of us, 00:15:47.960 --> 00:15:48.879 to take our place, 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:49.779 to take our penalty, 00:15:49.779 --> 00:15:50.980 to bear God's wrath, 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:51.919 if he was willing 00:15:51.919 --> 00:15:52.480 to do that, 00:15:52.539 --> 00:15:53.279 what will he not do 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.120 for you and me now? 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:55.939 It's the logic 00:15:55.939 --> 00:15:56.720 of Romans 8, 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.220 isn't it? 00:15:58.339 --> 00:15:59.159 Let me read, 00:15:59.319 --> 00:16:00.259 if you've got your Bible, 00:16:00.379 --> 00:16:01.019 you can flick over 00:16:01.019 --> 00:16:01.779 to Romans 8, 00:16:01.839 --> 00:16:02.539 verse 31. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.459 What then 00:16:03.459 --> 00:16:05.019 shall we say 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.980 in response 00:16:05.980 --> 00:16:07.360 to these things? 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:08.980 If God 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:10.319 is for us, 00:16:11.699 --> 00:16:12.100 who can be 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.980 against us? 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.519 He who did not 00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.919 spare his own Son 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:16.600 but gave him up 00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.100 for us all, 00:16:17.100 --> 00:16:17.939 how will he not 00:16:17.939 --> 00:16:19.199 also along with him 00:16:19.200 --> 00:16:19.840 and graciously 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:21.360 give us all things? 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.500 Who will bring 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.759 any charge 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:26.080 against those 00:16:26.080 --> 00:16:26.980 whom God has chosen? 00:16:27.860 --> 00:16:28.700 It is God 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.540 who justifies. 00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.520 Who then 00:16:31.520 --> 00:16:32.780 is the one 00:16:32.780 --> 00:16:33.620 who condemns? 00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:35.280 No one. 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.940 Christ Jesus 00:16:36.940 --> 00:16:37.759 who died, 00:16:38.240 --> 00:16:39.200 more than that, 00:16:39.300 --> 00:16:40.480 who was raised to life, 00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:42.040 is at the right hand 00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:42.580 of God 00:16:42.580 --> 00:16:43.820 and is also 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.820 interceding 00:16:44.820 --> 00:16:45.860 for us. 00:16:46.920 --> 00:16:47.200 Do you hear 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.020 what Paul is saying? 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.759 As Christians, 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.800 we can believe 00:16:50.800 --> 00:16:51.360 and know 00:16:51.360 --> 00:16:52.600 Jesus died 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.259 for me, 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:55.320 Jesus rose 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:55.860 for me, 00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:57.480 Jesus sits 00:16:57.480 --> 00:16:58.320 at the Father's 00:16:58.320 --> 00:16:58.960 right hand 00:16:58.960 --> 00:16:59.480 for me, 00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:00.700 and Jesus 00:17:00.700 --> 00:17:02.100 prays for me. 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:04.380 God holds 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.039 nothing back. 00:17:05.039 --> 00:17:07.480 And we can 00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:08.440 use Easter 00:17:08.440 --> 00:17:09.659 as that vital 00:17:09.659 --> 00:17:10.319 reminder, 00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:11.379 use those events 00:17:11.379 --> 00:17:12.680 to remind 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.139 ourselves 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:14.000 just how much 00:17:14.000 --> 00:17:14.579 love 00:17:14.579 --> 00:17:15.819 God has 00:17:15.819 --> 00:17:16.779 for us. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:18.960 The Puritan 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.559 John Owen 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.420 said this, 00:17:21.139 --> 00:17:22.119 challenging words 00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:22.480 I think, 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:23.139 the greatest 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.819 insult 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:25.180 you could ever 00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.940 give to God 00:17:25.940 --> 00:17:27.500 after the cross 00:17:27.500 --> 00:17:29.099 would be 00:17:29.099 --> 00:17:29.599 to doubt 00:17:29.599 --> 00:17:30.319 God's love 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:30.819 for you 00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:32.059 or his 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:32.519 commitment 00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:33.099 to care 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.579 for you. 00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:35.579 We need to 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:35.980 see how 00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.659 those events 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:37.099 of Easter 00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:38.879 can transform 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:40.200 our sense 00:17:40.200 --> 00:17:41.000 of self 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:41.799 and give us 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.379 freedom 00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.299 from insecurity 00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.539 and anxiety 00:17:44.539 --> 00:17:45.720 and from the sin 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:46.500 that would enslave 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:46.939 us. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:48.059 We can let Easter 00:17:48.059 --> 00:17:49.119 be that reminder, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.679 see how much 00:17:50.679 --> 00:17:51.379 he loves us, 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:52.439 that we would 00:17:52.439 --> 00:17:52.859 trust him 00:17:52.859 --> 00:17:53.279 and rest 00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:53.859 in his love. 00:17:56.000 --> 00:17:56.859 Here's a third 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:58.039 way Paul puts 00:17:58.039 --> 00:17:58.599 this freedom 00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.220 in view. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:00.659 As we discover 00:18:00.660 --> 00:18:01.340 in this section 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:01.900 we can know 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.680 the freedom 00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.900 of a new 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:04.779 identity. 00:18:06.080 --> 00:18:06.940 There is a sense 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:07.580 I think in which 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.380 creating a new 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.259 identity is a 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:10.500 pretty modern 00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.160 phenomenon. 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.160 You know in the 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.660 past, 00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:14.300 typically, 00:18:15.300 --> 00:18:15.860 people lived 00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:16.279 in the same 00:18:16.279 --> 00:18:16.920 place as their 00:18:16.920 --> 00:18:17.300 parents, 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.860 often times 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.420 took the same 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.040 work as their 00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.560 parents, 00:18:21.320 --> 00:18:21.900 lived in the 00:18:21.900 --> 00:18:22.580 same community, 00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.400 shared the same 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.300 cultural values, 00:18:24.400 --> 00:18:25.060 perhaps married 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:25.540 within the 00:18:25.540 --> 00:18:26.060 community. 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.340 Sometimes that 00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:28.880 might feel like 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.640 a goldfish bowl 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.360 but often that 00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.359 provided a sense 00:18:31.359 --> 00:18:31.959 of security. 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.179 But now we live 00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:34.699 in a time when 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:35.159 we can go 00:18:35.159 --> 00:18:35.579 anywhere, 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:36.179 we can do 00:18:36.179 --> 00:18:36.619 anything, 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.319 we can be 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.099 anything that 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.799 we want and 00:18:38.799 --> 00:18:39.959 that becomes a 00:18:39.959 --> 00:18:40.559 real pressure 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.119 and a burden 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:41.719 for some. 00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:43.959 How do I keep 00:18:43.959 --> 00:18:44.779 up with cultural 00:18:44.779 --> 00:18:45.439 trends and 00:18:45.439 --> 00:18:45.919 values? 00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.500 What happens 00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.679 if I'm sold 00:18:49.679 --> 00:18:50.339 this idea, 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:51.219 I'm free to be 00:18:51.219 --> 00:18:51.879 whatever I want 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:53.079 to be but I'm 00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.899 not matching up 00:18:53.899 --> 00:18:54.879 to my expectations 00:18:54.879 --> 00:18:55.619 and I don't seem 00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.139 to be getting 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:56.560 there? 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.280 It's not 00:19:00.280 --> 00:19:00.900 always freedom 00:19:00.900 --> 00:19:01.280 when we're 00:19:01.280 --> 00:19:02.100 told have it 00:19:02.100 --> 00:19:02.840 your own way, 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:03.280 it doesn't 00:19:03.280 --> 00:19:04.020 just apply to 00:19:04.020 --> 00:19:04.720 burgers but it 00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.620 applies to all 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.420 of life. 00:19:07.440 --> 00:19:07.940 There are many 00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.720 doctors, many 00:19:08.720 --> 00:19:09.380 psychologists 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:10.480 identifying, 00:19:11.520 --> 00:19:11.780 it's not 00:19:11.780 --> 00:19:12.240 creating a 00:19:12.240 --> 00:19:13.200 joyful generation, 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:13.900 it's creating an 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:14.980 anxious generation, 00:19:15.980 --> 00:19:16.860 locked into a 00:19:16.860 --> 00:19:17.580 digital world, 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:18.360 a whole new 00:19:18.360 --> 00:19:19.380 load of social 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:20.180 pressures, 00:19:21.320 --> 00:19:22.140 lifestyle stressors 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:23.620 that it can be 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.220 really hard to 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:25.000 escape from. 00:19:26.840 --> 00:19:27.560 And then we get 00:19:27.560 --> 00:19:28.040 this wonderful 00:19:28.040 --> 00:19:29.180 message from Paul 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.000 and the Bible 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.120 that there is a 00:19:31.120 --> 00:19:31.980 better freedom, 00:19:32.120 --> 00:19:32.600 there is a more 00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.980 secure and joyful 00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:35.860 identity to be 00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:37.200 found in knowing 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.980 the risen Lord 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.440 Jesus. 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.540 And again I think 00:19:40.540 --> 00:19:41.020 for us as 00:19:41.020 --> 00:19:41.700 Christians our 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.820 daily task and 00:19:42.820 --> 00:19:43.600 perhaps sometimes 00:19:43.600 --> 00:19:44.220 it's our daily 00:19:44.220 --> 00:19:46.120 struggle is to 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.020 preach the gospel 00:19:47.020 --> 00:19:47.940 to ourselves, 00:19:48.940 --> 00:19:50.240 to understand that 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.220 no one talks to 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.060 us more than we 00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.359 do. 00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.559 How do we talk 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:56.519 to ourselves about 00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:57.599 ourselves and more 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.379 especially how do we 00:19:58.379 --> 00:19:58.980 talk to ourselves 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.819 about our God and 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.299 our Savior? 00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.419 Are we reminding 00:20:01.419 --> 00:20:03.179 ourselves of the 00:20:03.179 --> 00:20:04.019 reality of our 00:20:04.019 --> 00:20:05.079 union with Christ? 00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:07.139 Are we talking to 00:20:07.139 --> 00:20:08.059 ourselves about the 00:20:08.059 --> 00:20:08.859 life transforming 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.859 impact of the 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:10.500 cross and the 00:20:10.500 --> 00:20:11.079 resurrection? 00:20:12.500 --> 00:20:13.339 Because look at the 00:20:13.339 --> 00:20:14.379 language here in 00:20:14.379 --> 00:20:15.419 Romans 6 and verse 00:20:15.419 --> 00:20:15.980 11. 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:18.019 Romans 6 verse 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.379 11, in this same 00:20:19.379 --> 00:20:21.299 way count yourselves 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:22.139 or reckon 00:20:22.139 --> 00:20:24.259 yourselves dead to 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:26.159 sin but alive to 00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:27.539 God in Christ 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.099 Jesus. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:29.819 There's an 00:20:29.819 --> 00:20:30.819 accounting word. 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:33.680 You'll take stock 00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:35.079 of what is in the 00:20:35.079 --> 00:20:36.500 bank right now. 00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.200 And it's the 00:20:38.200 --> 00:20:39.079 reality that if 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.720 anyone is in 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:41.059 Christ he is, 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.059 present tense, 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.119 a new creation. 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.519 That idea of being 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.440 transformed, of being 00:20:46.440 --> 00:20:47.259 a new creation, that's 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.839 not a future label 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.679 that will be placed 00:20:49.679 --> 00:20:51.339 on us, it is the 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:53.099 present identity of 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.939 the believer today. 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.099 And so Paul here 00:20:57.099 --> 00:20:58.559 calls us to line up 00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:00.720 our thinking with 00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.679 God's truth about 00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:05.000 who we truly are. 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:08.679 And so much of this 00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:10.539 passage is about the 00:21:10.539 --> 00:21:11.839 death of Jesus and the 00:21:11.839 --> 00:21:12.859 resurrection of Jesus 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:14.399 and our union with 00:21:14.399 --> 00:21:15.899 Jesus so that every 00:21:15.899 --> 00:21:16.699 day we would be 00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:17.880 thinking about ourselves 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:19.259 in light of Jesus' 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:19.779 work. 00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:22.360 To be thinking about 00:21:22.360 --> 00:21:23.900 Jesus walking to the 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:27.039 cross, carrying your 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:29.279 sin, your punishment, 00:21:29.900 --> 00:21:31.059 so that your old 00:21:31.059 --> 00:21:32.440 nature is dead and 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:32.700 buried. 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:35.340 And then Jesus walking 00:21:35.340 --> 00:21:36.720 out of the tomb, 00:21:38.000 --> 00:21:39.519 carrying new life for 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:39.860 you. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:42.579 We're given another 00:21:42.579 --> 00:21:44.599 picture to help us 00:21:44.599 --> 00:21:45.699 towards that new 00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:46.199 identity. 00:21:46.359 --> 00:21:46.979 It's the picture of 00:21:46.979 --> 00:21:47.479 baptism. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.139 It's there in verses 00:21:49.139 --> 00:21:49.959 three and four. 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.559 Don't you know that 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.279 all of us who are 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.419 baptized into Christ 00:21:53.419 --> 00:21:54.419 Jesus were baptized 00:21:54.419 --> 00:21:55.479 into his death? 00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:56.899 We were therefore 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:58.019 buried with him through 00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:59.459 baptism into death in 00:21:59.459 --> 00:22:00.579 order that, just as 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.659 Christ was raised from 00:22:01.659 --> 00:22:02.379 the dead through the 00:22:02.379 --> 00:22:03.199 glory of the Father, 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.599 we too may live a 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.740 new life. 00:22:08.199 --> 00:22:09.419 Shortly after Jesus' 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.900 resurrection and then 00:22:10.900 --> 00:22:12.380 his ascension, the 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:13.800 Holy Spirit is sent. 00:22:14.779 --> 00:22:15.360 And when you read the 00:22:15.360 --> 00:22:17.340 book of Acts, we see 00:22:17.340 --> 00:22:18.600 that in those few weeks 00:22:18.600 --> 00:22:19.820 after Jesus died and 00:22:19.820 --> 00:22:20.580 rose and returned to 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:21.460 heaven, we have a lot 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:22.100 of the apostles 00:22:22.100 --> 00:22:22.560 preaching. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:24.600 Maybe we think of Acts 00:22:24.600 --> 00:22:25.140 chapter two. 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.539 Here is Peter, he's 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:28.080 preaching, and as he 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.620 preaches about God's 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.820 foreknowledge and the 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:32.120 plan to send his son, 00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:32.680 that he would be 00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:34.060 rejected and would be 00:22:34.060 --> 00:22:34.800 killed but then be 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.259 raised. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.420 People are cut to the 00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:37.720 heart. 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:39.700 And people confess 00:22:39.700 --> 00:22:40.799 Jesus as Lord. 00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.880 And what's the sign 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:45.900 that they are given 00:22:45.900 --> 00:22:48.079 as they confess Jesus 00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:48.620 as Lord? 00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:49.400 It's baptism. 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:52.420 So baptism in the book 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:54.200 of Acts is at least in 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.420 part a way for someone 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.620 to publicly say, I 00:22:56.620 --> 00:22:58.220 identify with Jesus as 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.720 my Lord. 00:22:58.839 --> 00:23:00.100 What happened there on 00:23:00.100 --> 00:23:01.140 the cross happened for 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:01.279 me. 00:23:01.360 --> 00:23:02.779 What happened at the 00:23:02.779 --> 00:23:03.559 empty tomb and the 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.240 resurrection, that 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:05.160 impacts me. 00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.759 baptism. 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.980 And so every baptism 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.980 includes that idea of 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.660 being identified or 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:11.279 needing to be identified 00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:13.080 with Jesus. 00:23:14.620 --> 00:23:16.040 And so Paul uses that 00:23:16.040 --> 00:23:17.060 idea and takes us back 00:23:17.060 --> 00:23:18.080 to those key Easter 00:23:18.080 --> 00:23:18.580 events. 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.940 To Jesus dead and 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.960 buried for sin and for 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.279 sinners. 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:24.640 To remind us that we've 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:26.019 been baptized into his 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.400 death. 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:29.240 And that the power of 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:30.759 sin over us is now dead 00:23:30.759 --> 00:23:31.220 and buried. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:33.180 And therefore we are to 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.480 count ourselves dead to 00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:34.680 sin. 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:35.460 It's no longer our 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:35.840 master. 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:40.299 Jesus rose to new life, 00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.259 Paul tells us. 00:23:41.380 --> 00:23:43.180 And in him we too live a 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:44.960 new life while we await 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:46.500 future resurrection life. 00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.560 And again he's telling 00:23:50.560 --> 00:23:52.039 Christians this in the 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:52.620 first century. 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.420 We need to hear it in the 00:23:53.420 --> 00:23:54.660 21st century because here 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:55.860 is a freedom and here is 00:23:55.860 --> 00:23:56.860 an identity worth 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.460 pursuing. 00:23:59.320 --> 00:24:00.920 It's a way to escape the 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:03.320 rollercoaster of being in 00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:04.380 and out with God. 00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:05.980 You know how does that 00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.460 happen? 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.880 You know he loves me, he 00:24:07.880 --> 00:24:08.920 loves me not when it 00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:10.340 comes to God. 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.300 It happens when we make 00:24:12.300 --> 00:24:13.100 it about us. 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:16.340 My feelings towards God. 00:24:16.860 --> 00:24:19.140 My obedience towards God. 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.980 And our great need is to 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:23.640 see that Christ is always 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:26.440 only and forever our basis 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:27.000 of faith. 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:29.440 He never changes. 00:24:30.119 --> 00:24:31.299 He never fails. 00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.960 His love is constant. 00:24:33.599 --> 00:24:35.859 Our security is in a fixed 00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.640 identity. 00:24:38.859 --> 00:24:40.599 And you and I need this. 00:24:41.660 --> 00:24:43.619 We need this secure identity 00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:45.359 for when we sin. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.380 When we sin badly. 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:52.200 We can still believe in a 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:54.460 God of faithful love. 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:57.880 Again, here the wise 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.220 counsel. 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.100 I've been borrowing a lot 00:24:59.100 --> 00:25:00.799 recently from Thomas 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.259 Goodwin. 00:25:01.799 --> 00:25:03.400 If you're interested, he's 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.500 definitely my new favorite 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:04.940 Puritan. 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.980 He's got a lovely book 00:25:06.980 --> 00:25:07.720 called Christ Set 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.140 Forth. 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.980 Basically looking at 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.880 Romans 8.34. 00:25:12.319 --> 00:25:13.140 Here's one of his 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.480 phrases. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:15.960 By virtue of Jesus being 00:25:15.960 --> 00:25:17.960 justified as he 00:25:17.960 --> 00:25:19.579 represents us from all 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:22.600 sorts of sins, even so 00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:25.000 shall all sorts of sinners 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:27.519 be justified in and 00:25:27.519 --> 00:25:29.179 through him also. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:32.959 And therefore, should you 00:25:32.959 --> 00:25:35.519 not also hope to be 00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:38.240 justified from yours? 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:40.159 It's wonderful to think of 00:25:40.159 --> 00:25:42.639 the resurrection as God 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:45.859 the Father justifying and 00:25:45.859 --> 00:25:47.419 then delighting in his son. 00:25:48.219 --> 00:25:50.519 And in Jesus, we too are 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.799 justified and the Father 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:52.700 delights in us. 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:54.839 When we look beyond the 00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:56.759 events of the cross to 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:58.119 think about God's intended 00:25:58.119 --> 00:25:59.720 outcome of those events, 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:03.819 we see the Son of God 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:06.079 loved me and gave himself 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.740 for me. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.980 And that, that's Christian 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.420 freedom. 00:26:09.720 --> 00:26:11.480 To enjoy the love of God as 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:13.379 our Father through the 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:14.740 saving work of Jesus, 00:26:15.420 --> 00:26:16.099 his Son. 00:26:16.099 --> 00:26:20.619 One last thing to say, and 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.759 it's the little turn that 00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:24.639 happens in verses 12 to 00:26:24.639 --> 00:26:27.559 14, where Paul moves from 00:26:27.559 --> 00:26:29.240 here's some things that are 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:31.119 true to here's the 00:26:31.119 --> 00:26:32.339 consequences of what's 00:26:32.339 --> 00:26:32.579 true. 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.779 And so as we close, think 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:37.019 about this, go to live out 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:38.919 our new freedom in Christ. 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:41.059 I read a sad interview this 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.339 week. 00:26:42.500 --> 00:26:43.879 There was a guy who had 00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:45.839 spent 38 years, I think it 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:47.319 was 38 years in prison for a 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.159 crime he didn't commit. 00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.939 He went into prison in 1986. 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.500 And so he was interviewed 00:26:52.500 --> 00:26:53.839 after his release. 00:26:54.919 --> 00:26:55.759 And so part of the 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.759 interview was talking about 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.740 how much the world has 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.319 changed. 00:26:59.099 --> 00:26:59.919 It's hard to imagine. 00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.220 Imagine almost four 00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.799 decades. 00:27:02.220 --> 00:27:03.000 You know, you go in, 00:27:03.139 --> 00:27:04.619 there's no internet, the 00:27:04.619 --> 00:27:06.059 iron curtain is still there. 00:27:06.759 --> 00:27:07.699 He was talking about 00:27:07.699 --> 00:27:08.679 having to learn about 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:09.959 smartphones, how you have 00:27:09.959 --> 00:27:10.959 to do everything on your 00:27:10.959 --> 00:27:11.379 phone. 00:27:12.919 --> 00:27:14.019 So it's hard work. 00:27:14.019 --> 00:27:16.779 But the sad part was when 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.579 he talked about how 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:19.279 institutionalized he'd 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.700 become. 00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:22.180 He got so used to the 00:27:22.180 --> 00:27:24.539 regime of prison life. 00:27:25.639 --> 00:27:26.759 So one morning when he was 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:28.660 in his new home, he wanted 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:29.400 to go outside. 00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:32.059 So he got himself all ready. 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.000 But rather than opening the 00:27:34.000 --> 00:27:36.200 door, he went and sat back 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:36.980 on his bed. 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.460 And he patiently waited. 00:27:39.960 --> 00:27:40.859 Now why is he waiting? 00:27:40.859 --> 00:27:42.619 He was waiting because he 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:44.159 was expecting a guard would 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:45.299 come and release him. 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:48.439 He had become institutionalized. 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:50.459 Even when he was free, he was 00:27:50.459 --> 00:27:51.740 acting as if he was still 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.299 in prison. 00:27:52.719 --> 00:27:53.619 And he talked in that 00:27:53.619 --> 00:27:54.659 interview asking himself, 00:27:54.759 --> 00:27:55.959 what are you thinking? 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:58.399 But he was discovering it was 00:27:58.399 --> 00:28:00.119 hard to live out his newfound 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:00.619 freedom. 00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:04.599 As Paul closes, he moves from 00:28:04.599 --> 00:28:06.279 all those wonderful truths about 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.539 freedom and Christ's death and 00:28:07.539 --> 00:28:08.099 resurrection. 00:28:10.180 --> 00:28:11.779 So here's how to live in light 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:12.359 of the truth. 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.460 Verse 12, 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:16.519 Therefore do not let sin reign in 00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:18.440 your mortal body so that you 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:19.859 obey its evil desires. 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:21.480 Do not offer any part of 00:28:21.480 --> 00:28:22.940 yourself to sin as an instrument 00:28:22.940 --> 00:28:24.659 of wickedness, but rather offer 00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:27.299 yourselves to God as those who 00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:29.019 have been brought from death to 00:28:29.019 --> 00:28:29.420 life. 00:28:29.420 --> 00:28:30.920 And offer every part of yourself 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:33.139 to him as an instrument of 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.619 righteousness. 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:36.259 For sin shall no longer be your 00:28:36.259 --> 00:28:38.000 master because you're not under 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:40.539 the law, but under grace. 00:28:41.519 --> 00:28:43.519 Don't live as a slave to sin, he 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:45.160 tells believers, because you have 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:45.879 a new master. 00:28:46.019 --> 00:28:47.440 You have a new power within you. 00:28:47.660 --> 00:28:50.539 You have a new freedom to enjoy. 00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:53.400 Notice he doesn't say to us, 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:55.460 work really hard to break free 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:58.180 from sin, because that would still 00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:59.220 be to be in chains. 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:02.740 But he makes plain Christ has set 00:29:02.740 --> 00:29:03.319 you free. 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:06.119 And the proof of that is the cross 00:29:06.119 --> 00:29:07.019 and the empty tomb. 00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:09.619 Because that's true, he can say 00:29:09.619 --> 00:29:11.179 joyfully live out of that freedom. 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:14.500 But he also makes that moral call, 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.119 because you've been set free, 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:19.039 don't give any of your faculties 00:29:19.039 --> 00:29:20.700 to sin and to wickedness. 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:22.779 Now whether we're thinking about 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.259 our emotions, whether we're thinking 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:26.439 about our intelligence, whether we're 00:29:26.439 --> 00:29:28.379 thinking about our finances, our 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:30.299 energies, the things we do or say 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:32.680 or think, we are not to give any 00:29:32.680 --> 00:29:34.319 of our faculties to sin and 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.519 wickedness, but rather, 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.819 what are we to do? 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:41.180 We are to give them, give ourselves 00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.980 to God. 00:29:42.700 --> 00:29:45.519 We are to lead a new life by God's 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.700 grace with Jesus, not sin and death 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.460 as our master. 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:52.440 And because that is true, 00:29:53.240 --> 00:29:55.440 you and I can gratefully live in 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:56.840 obedience and service. 00:29:58.259 --> 00:30:00.519 You and I have now been set free 00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:03.160 to freely give ourselves to the one 00:30:03.160 --> 00:30:04.900 who gave everything to save us. 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:09.740 It's a wonderful freedom 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:13.580 as we trust what Jesus did. 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:18.160 To trust that what he did, he did for us. 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:21.420 There's a wonderful freedom 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.540 as we remember. 00:30:23.620 --> 00:30:25.519 By faith, we are united to Jesus. 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:28.019 Those chains of sin have been broken. 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:30.180 We've been given a new identity 00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:31.960 and we have grace 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:34.240 to live for him. 00:30:35.860 --> 00:30:37.680 Let's take a moment to give thanks 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.300 as we pray. 00:30:39.880 --> 00:30:42.040 Our Lord and our God, once again, 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:43.540 we thank you for 00:30:43.540 --> 00:30:45.640 the death and resurrection 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:47.340 of the Lord Jesus. 00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.939 Now we thank you 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:50.500 in particular for the way 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:50.599 you are.