Dying to Self and Living for God Romans 6: Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Baptised into Christ Jesus - refers to our union with Christ, where we died with Him and we are made alive with Him. Romans 6:4 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.

Romans 6 v.7 anyone who has died has been freed from sin v.8 we died with Christ v.10 the death he died, he died to sin once for all v.11 in the same way, count yourselves dead to sin What does it mean to be dead to sin? Does it mean we will never sin anymore? - No, as long as we are still living in this body of sin, we can still fall into sin. - dead to sin means it has no more power or dominion over us, sin is no longer our master - By the grace of God, we now can say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions (Titus 2:11-12)

Titus 2: For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age Romans 6:14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

So what does it mean to die to self? -It refers to forgetting and letting go of our old self, our old way of life, the life of slavery to sin Romans 8:13... by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body

What is this death that we have entered into? 1. Death To Our Agenda – Submission to the Fathers Will Matthew 26:39,42 And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt." Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, thy will be done.”

2. Death To Our Ego - (ego refers to self-importance, self-esteem, putting ourselves above others) - A Forfeiting Of Our Right To Retaliate 1 Peter 2: For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. Matthew 4:39 – “But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.”

1 Peter 2:23 23 When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. Romans 12:18 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

3. Death To Our Material Possessions - Believing that God Owns It All - surrendering all of our material wealth for his use and purposes Mt. 19:18 “Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.” Mt. 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Living a New Life for God Romans 6 v.4 that we may live a new life (walk in the newness of life); v.8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. v.10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. v.11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Romans 7:6...Now we serve in the new way of the Holy Spirit

How to walk in the newness of life? 1. Offer the parts of our body to God as instruments of righteousness. Romans 6:13-14 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 2. Keep in step with the Spirit Galatians 5:24-25 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Conclusion: - Christ said it is for freedom that He set you free, stand firm then and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal. 5:1) - To enter into this freedom will stretch you and require you to die to self and keep in step with the Spirit, but in the end you will find the price to be cheap in comparison to the intimacy that is yours in God! - Are you willing to give up control to your agendas, egos, fleshly desires? - Are you ready to offer the parts of your body to God as instrument of righteousness? - Are you ready to be led by the Spirit? - If you are willing to do all these, then you will experience an intimacy of fellowship with God that you have not yet known.