Romans 6:4-6
Text talks about newness of life, our old man, slaves of sin, gives some idea that things are not all they should be. That everyone faces death at some point another clue. Problem something we don’t like to talk about, even less want to admit to. But praise God there is more to story.
John 3.16-21 God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. Those who believe in him won’t be condemned. But those who don’t believe are already condemned because they don’t believe in God’s only Son. This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil. People who do what is wrong hate the light and don’t come to the light. They don’t want their actions to be exposed. But people who do what is true come to the light so that the things they do for God may be clearly seen. God’s Word to the Nations Bible
So what is the reason for what we’re doing this morning?
[Ordinances] were given so that by our use of them God might make us understand more clearly the promise of the gospel. And this is God’s gospel promise: to forgive our sins and give us eternal life by grace alone [through faith alone] because of Christ’s one sacrifice finished on the cross.
Christ instituted this outward washing and with it gave the promise that, as surely as water washes away the dirt from the body, so certainly his blood and his Spirit wash away my soul’s impurity, in other words, all my sins.
The one who has believed God’s gospel promise and received eternal life, life that never ends, doesn’t have to wait for new life to begin. Starts at moment of conversion, continues from there. Some might think – I got saved a long time ago, been walking this road a lot of miles; I get idea of new life for new Christian, aren’t I kinda old for that now? Paul, 2nd letter to church at Corinth: “even if our physical body is wearing away, our inner person is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor. 4:16, NET) Doesn’t matter how old in the faith we are, each day should be getting a little more like Jesus… thinking, saying, doing what is pleasing to him.
Paul by no means new believer… yet included himself: we were buried, we should walk, we should no longer… This “new” way of life never to become “old” way, is to remain with us, describing us for duration.
What are some of characteristics Paul had in mind that display newness following conversion and baptism?
1. under new ownership
no longer slaves of sin but slaves of righteousness (Rom. 6:17-18)
come into this world enslaved in sin – Rom. 5:12 “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned;”
only God can “deliver us from the power of darkness and convey us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,” (Col. 1:13)
God breaks every chain that enslaves, every thing that binds us to sin and Satan and darkness, sets us free to be joined inseparably to Christ… forever, puts his mark on us… mark of his Spirit “the guarantee of our inheritance” (Eph. 1:14)
2. guided by new principles
ones that lead to holiness (1 Pet. 1:15)
the God who called us is holy, the Christ who purchased us is holy, the Spirit who brought us to life is holy, we must be holy, set apart from world, devoted to Christ and his use
seeking kingdom of God first (Matt. 6:33)
things world thinks important / significant, if they show up at all are secondary – first question: is what I’m about to do pleasing to God? second question: how can I use what God has entrusted to me for his glory and advance of Christ’s kingdom?
3. have new motives
living to please God rather than self (Matt. 16:24)
“Then Jesus said to his disciples: If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me.”
obeying from the heart rather than for reward (John 14:23)
Jesus replied: If anyone loves me, they will obey me. Then my Father will love them, and we will come to them and live in them.
motivated by love for others (John 15:12)
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – the kind of love that seeks what is best for the other person – remember what Jesus’ love for us cost him
4. pursue new objective
to be like Christ (Rom. 8:29; 1 John 3:2)
“predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Christ” – to become more like him daily so those who see us know who we belong to – beauty of it all is one day we will be like him
times we miss the mark not failures – are opportunities to demonstrate God’s love and forgiveness to sinful people
to glorify God by doing his will (Col 3:17, 23)
why don’t people get converted, baptized, then off to heaven? Jesus no longer in world so his people are completing his work, making Jesus look good
5. experience new emotions
inexpressible joy (1 Pet. 1:8; John 16:20, 22, 24; 17:13)
most-repeated concept in Jesus’ farewell: that his followers would have joy, fullness of joy, joy that no one could take away, not subject to circumstances
hatred of sin (Rom. 7:15; 12:9)
closer we are to Jesus, more he fills our vision, more hateful sin appears, greater our desire to avoid it at all costs – not case of how much like world can we be without crossing line
sorrow over the lost (Rom. 9:2-3; Phil. 3:18-19)
Jesus sought forgiveness for those who rejected, crucified him – one living new life sees more clearly than ever destiny of the lost, is brokenhearted over loved ones, friends
6. given new hope
hope of glory (Col. 1:27)
not a “wish so” kind of hope, a real hope / confidence because we have Christ in us, the hope of our eventual glory
hope of eternal life (1 Pet. 1:3-5)
does not depend on us fanning the flame to keep hope alive – is the power of God that preserves us and maintains hope
7. inherit new possessions
peace that passes understanding (Phil. 4:7)
peace that guards hearts and minds from turmoil, discouragement, anything that would take focus off Lord Jesus
an inheritance (Rom 8:17)
joint-heirs with Christ of an incorruptible inheritance reserved in heaven, waiting for day when we will take possession of it
every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3)
absolutely nothing we need to live pleasing to God – material or spiritual – that he is not ready to supply abundantly
So here is the question:
“Is there something about your life and activities that cannot be explained in ordinary terms and can only be explained in terms of your relationship to the Lord Jesus? Lloyd-Jones
With God’s help, our committed dependence on him, availing ourselves of means of grace – preaching / teaching of Word, prayer, ordinances – faithfully encouraging one another, we all can walk in newness of life.
Reformanda 