Romans 16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last

Romans to date 1v18-3v20Sin, Wrath & Judgement 3v21-26Righteousness from (of) God Justified by faith in Jesus’ death 3v27-4v25Abraham – father of faith for all 5v1-21Joy, peace & love; Adam & Jesus 6v1-23What about sin as Christians?

Romans 6 5v20...sin increased...grace increased more 6v1 If God is so gracious, is it OK to sin? NO!! 6v15 If we’re free from law is it OK to sin? NO!! Why not?“antinomians”; hyper-grace – 6v2-14 United to Christ – 6v16-23Enslaved to God – CompareJeremiah 31v31ff; Ezekiel 36v25ff

Romans 6 United to Christ – baptism – We died to sin v2 – We were baptised into Christ & his death v3-4 – We shall share in Christ’s resurrection v5 – Our old self was crucified with Christ v6-7 – We will also live with Christ v8-10 – We count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God v11 – We must offer ourselves to God v12-14

Romans 6 United to Christ – We died to sin v2 Christians cannot sin? Death is the legal, just, penalty for sin Christ bore that penalty Christ died instead of us as our substitute Christ died for us as our representative – we died in and through him We share in benefits – we will never need to die for sins

Romans 6 United to Christ – We were baptised into Christ & his death v3-4 Don’t you know...?Basic understanding Into relationship – identification with Christ Baptism - a ‘participation’ in death, burial & resurrection – Funeral and new birth Union with Christ is sealed by baptism – Repent, believe, be baptised, receive

Romans 6 United to Christ – We share in Christ’s resurrection v5 We may live a new life Begins now - John 5v24 Completed at resurrection- 1Thess 4v16ff; 1Cor 15v50ff

Romans 6 United to Christ – Our old self was crucified with Christ v6-7 Person we used to be ‘in Adam’ – Body of sin done away with Self-centred nature disabled – No longer slaves to sin – not bound to keep on sinning – A dead person is no longer accountable to old master

Romans 6 United to Christ – We will also live with Christ v8-10 Beginning now... lasting for ever – Christ cannot die again Resurrection, not resuscitation – Death – past eventLife – present experience – Died to sin – penaltyLives to God – glory – Once for all (people, time) continuous, unending

Romans 6 United to Christ – We count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God v11 Knowing old self crucified with Christ Knowing we are baptised into his death & resurrection Considering we are dead to sin and alive to Christ – Dead to old career, alive to new calling – Dead to singleness, alive to married life Spirit... to soul... to body

Romans 6 United to Christ – Therefore... v12-14 – Don’t let sin reign in mortal body... Not your master – Don’t offer... instruments of wickedness – Offer yourselves to God – brought from death to life –... instruments of righteousness – Under grace, not law

Romans 6 Enslaved to God - conversion – Principle – self-surrender leads to slavery v16 – Application – conversion means exchange slaveries v17-18 – Analogy – both slaveries develop v19 – Paradox – slavery is freedom; freedom is slavery v20-22 – Conclusion – the ultimate antithesis v23

Romans 6 Enslaved to God - active – Principle - self-surrender leads to slavery v16 Don’t you know... Offer yourself = decision, commitment, obedience Involuntary slavery – to sin... death Voluntary slavery – to obedience... righteousness

Romans 6 Enslaved to God – Application – conversion means exchange slaveries v17-18 Slaves to sin Wholeheartedly obeyed teaching – doctrine, ethics – obedience of faith 1v5 Set free from sin – power, mastery Slaves to righteousness

Romans 6 Enslaved to God – Analogy – both slaveries develop v19 Weak in natural selves Increasing wickedness – moral decay Righteousness leading to holiness – moral transformation

Romans 6 Enslaved to God – Paradox – slavery is freedom; freedom is slavery v20-22 – Slaves to sin – licence Fruit – shame, death – Slaves to righteousness – liberty Fruit – holiness, eternal life

Romans 6 Enslaved to God – Conclusion – the ultimate antithesis v23 Wages – you get what you deserve - Death Free Gift – you get what you don’t deserve... Eternal life in Christ