1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:02,319 Please remain standing now for the reading of 2 00:00:02,319 --> 00:00:05,299 God's word. It is from Romans chapter 6 3 00:00:05,519 --> 00:00:09,699 verses 12 to 19. Again, Romans chapter 6 4 00:00:09,759 --> 00:00:11,460 verses 12 to 19. 5 00:00:15,844 --> 00:00:18,724 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal 6 00:00:18,724 --> 00:00:19,224 body 7 00:00:19,765 --> 00:00:21,464 to make you obey its passions. 8 00:00:22,324 --> 00:00:24,324 Do not present your members to sin as 9 00:00:24,324 --> 00:00:25,625 instruments for unrighteousness 10 00:00:26,564 --> 00:00:29,125 but present yourselves to God as those who 11 00:00:29,125 --> 00:00:31,580 have been brought from death to life and 12 00:00:31,580 --> 00:00:34,399 your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 13 00:00:35,500 --> 00:00:38,320 For sin will have no dominion over you 14 00:00:38,460 --> 00:00:40,320 since you are not under law 15 00:00:40,780 --> 00:00:41,840 but under grace. 16 00:00:42,875 --> 00:00:43,375 What 17 00:00:43,835 --> 00:00:45,454 then? Are we to sin 18 00:00:46,075 --> 00:00:47,994 because we are not under law but under 19 00:00:47,994 --> 00:00:48,494 grace? 20 00:00:49,195 --> 00:00:50,174 By no means. 21 00:00:51,114 --> 00:00:52,795 Do you not know that if you present 22 00:00:52,795 --> 00:00:55,215 yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, 23 00:00:55,760 --> 00:00:58,240 you are slaves of the one whom you 24 00:00:58,240 --> 00:00:58,740 obey. 25 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:01,299 Either of sin which leads to death 26 00:01:01,760 --> 00:01:03,939 or of obedience which leads to righteousness. 27 00:01:05,040 --> 00:01:07,439 But thanks be to God that you were 28 00:01:07,439 --> 00:01:10,879 once slaves of sin, have become obedient from 29 00:01:10,879 --> 00:01:11,540 the heart 30 00:01:11,894 --> 00:01:13,354 to the standard of teaching 31 00:01:13,655 --> 00:01:14,795 to which you were committed. 32 00:01:15,734 --> 00:01:17,674 And having been set free from sin, 33 00:01:18,135 --> 00:01:19,915 have become slaves of righteousness. 34 00:01:20,694 --> 00:01:23,254 I'm speaking in human terms because of your 35 00:01:23,254 --> 00:01:24,155 natural limitations. 36 00:01:25,189 --> 00:01:27,430 For just as you once presented your members 37 00:01:27,430 --> 00:01:28,730 as slaves to impurity 38 00:01:29,590 --> 00:01:30,489 and to lawlessness, 39 00:01:31,430 --> 00:01:32,730 leading to more lawlessness, 40 00:01:33,670 --> 00:01:36,310 so now present your members as slaves to 41 00:01:36,310 --> 00:01:36,810 righteousness 42 00:01:37,954 --> 00:01:39,015 leading to sanctification. 43 00:01:39,795 --> 00:01:41,255 This is the word of the Lord. 44 00:01:42,834 --> 00:01:43,895 Please be seated. 45 00:01:58,119 --> 00:02:00,680 Well, last week, we looked at the first 46 00:02:00,680 --> 00:02:03,099 eleven verses in Romans 6, 47 00:02:03,605 --> 00:02:05,545 and we learned that there's a vital connection 48 00:02:06,165 --> 00:02:09,064 between the death and resurrection of Jesus 49 00:02:09,444 --> 00:02:11,224 and our own death and resurrection. 50 00:02:12,085 --> 00:02:13,705 In other words, we learned that, 51 00:02:14,724 --> 00:02:16,824 when Jesus was raised from the dead 52 00:02:17,340 --> 00:02:19,280 that guaranteed that we also 53 00:02:19,580 --> 00:02:21,439 will be raised from the dead one day. 54 00:02:22,700 --> 00:02:24,159 And the reason for this 55 00:02:24,540 --> 00:02:26,080 is that we are united 56 00:02:26,780 --> 00:02:27,520 to Jesus 57 00:02:27,980 --> 00:02:28,719 by faith. 58 00:02:29,580 --> 00:02:31,680 Now we used to be united to Adam. 59 00:02:32,474 --> 00:02:33,215 Every person 60 00:02:33,754 --> 00:02:35,294 is united to Adam 61 00:02:35,754 --> 00:02:36,414 at conception. 62 00:02:37,435 --> 00:02:40,094 We are united to Adam through ordinary generation. 63 00:02:40,155 --> 00:02:41,615 We come from him physically. 64 00:02:42,395 --> 00:02:44,254 We're born into his household 65 00:02:45,139 --> 00:02:46,280 so we legally 66 00:02:46,900 --> 00:02:48,280 inherit his debt 67 00:02:49,060 --> 00:02:50,840 and the cost of his debt 68 00:02:51,300 --> 00:02:52,040 is death. 69 00:02:52,819 --> 00:02:54,520 This is why everyone dies. 70 00:02:55,379 --> 00:02:57,560 But Paul had taught us in Romans 5 71 00:02:57,860 --> 00:02:59,960 that Jesus is not from Adam's household, 72 00:03:01,004 --> 00:03:01,664 that Jesus 73 00:03:01,965 --> 00:03:03,104 has his own household. 74 00:03:03,724 --> 00:03:04,864 He comes from God. 75 00:03:05,324 --> 00:03:06,384 He was conceived 76 00:03:06,844 --> 00:03:09,584 by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary 77 00:03:09,805 --> 00:03:11,824 and was made man as we confess 78 00:03:12,204 --> 00:03:13,025 every Sunday. 79 00:03:14,000 --> 00:03:15,459 And if he adopts us 80 00:03:15,840 --> 00:03:18,099 by purchasing us, by purchasing 81 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:20,799 our debt, by paying for it with his 82 00:03:20,799 --> 00:03:22,900 own blood, with his own death, 83 00:03:23,599 --> 00:03:25,859 then we enjoy a new inheritance 84 00:03:26,239 --> 00:03:27,219 because we have 85 00:03:27,534 --> 00:03:28,354 become members 86 00:03:28,655 --> 00:03:30,034 of a new household. 87 00:03:31,215 --> 00:03:33,395 The inheritance in Adam is sin, 88 00:03:34,175 --> 00:03:34,675 condemnation, 89 00:03:35,375 --> 00:03:36,115 and death. 90 00:03:36,974 --> 00:03:38,594 But the inheritance in Jesus 91 00:03:39,294 --> 00:03:40,194 is justification 92 00:03:41,340 --> 00:03:42,080 and grace 93 00:03:42,620 --> 00:03:43,439 and life. 94 00:03:44,219 --> 00:03:46,460 And it is because the Holy Spirit unites 95 00:03:46,460 --> 00:03:47,360 us to Christ 96 00:03:47,740 --> 00:03:48,639 through faith 97 00:03:49,180 --> 00:03:50,800 that Christ's death and resurrection 98 00:03:51,659 --> 00:03:53,040 guarantee our own 99 00:03:53,420 --> 00:03:54,400 future reward. 100 00:03:55,814 --> 00:03:56,314 Last 101 00:03:56,694 --> 00:03:58,794 week, we learned that with his death, 102 00:03:59,574 --> 00:04:01,754 Jesus paid for the guilt of our sin. 103 00:04:03,735 --> 00:04:05,254 And we also learned that because we are 104 00:04:05,254 --> 00:04:07,194 united to Jesus in his death, 105 00:04:07,819 --> 00:04:10,159 a death that was unstained by sin, 106 00:04:10,700 --> 00:04:11,680 our own corruption 107 00:04:12,139 --> 00:04:13,200 was also removed. 108 00:04:14,139 --> 00:04:16,240 We learned that we are like a 109 00:04:16,779 --> 00:04:18,639 corrupt seed that was fused 110 00:04:19,020 --> 00:04:20,080 to the incorruptible 111 00:04:20,935 --> 00:04:24,935 seed of Jesus and buried or planted with 112 00:04:24,935 --> 00:04:25,435 him 113 00:04:26,694 --> 00:04:29,414 and that we are spiritually raised to newness 114 00:04:29,414 --> 00:04:30,074 of life 115 00:04:30,535 --> 00:04:32,794 because of the harvest of his resurrection. 116 00:04:35,170 --> 00:04:36,069 In other words, 117 00:04:36,770 --> 00:04:39,270 Jesus' physical death and resurrection 118 00:04:40,210 --> 00:04:41,670 provide a spiritual 119 00:04:42,050 --> 00:04:42,550 blessing 120 00:04:43,250 --> 00:04:44,550 for us today. 121 00:04:45,810 --> 00:04:47,350 We were spiritually dead, 122 00:04:48,314 --> 00:04:51,615 corrupt in our being, and enslaved to sin 123 00:04:51,675 --> 00:04:54,574 but now our spiritual corruption is gone, 124 00:04:55,595 --> 00:04:57,754 which means that we can walk in newness 125 00:04:57,754 --> 00:05:00,335 of life, we can obey God now. 126 00:05:01,300 --> 00:05:03,399 Sin no longer has dominion 127 00:05:03,779 --> 00:05:04,600 over us. 128 00:05:05,699 --> 00:05:07,879 That's where we left off last week, 129 00:05:08,339 --> 00:05:10,120 which allows us to properly understand 130 00:05:10,579 --> 00:05:13,060 Romans 6 verses 12 to 14 in which 131 00:05:13,060 --> 00:05:13,720 we read, 132 00:05:15,914 --> 00:05:18,314 let not sin therefore reign in your mortal 133 00:05:18,314 --> 00:05:18,814 body 134 00:05:19,354 --> 00:05:21,055 to make you obey its passions. 135 00:05:21,675 --> 00:05:23,675 Do not present your members to sin as 136 00:05:23,675 --> 00:05:24,175 instruments 137 00:05:24,794 --> 00:05:25,615 for unrighteousness, 138 00:05:26,954 --> 00:05:28,814 but present yourselves to God 139 00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:31,199 as those who have been brought from death 140 00:05:31,199 --> 00:05:31,860 to life 141 00:05:32,399 --> 00:05:33,860 and your members to God 142 00:05:34,240 --> 00:05:36,100 as instruments for righteousness. 143 00:05:36,879 --> 00:05:39,220 For sin will have no dominion over you 144 00:05:39,520 --> 00:05:41,220 since you are not under law 145 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:42,740 but under grace. 146 00:05:44,264 --> 00:05:45,884 You see how this makes sense now? 147 00:05:46,585 --> 00:05:48,365 If you are united to Christ, 148 00:05:48,904 --> 00:05:51,165 you are no longer a slave to sin. 149 00:05:51,705 --> 00:05:53,884 So if sin reigns in your body, 150 00:05:54,585 --> 00:05:56,925 it is only because you allow it to. 151 00:05:57,569 --> 00:05:58,870 You let it do that. 152 00:06:00,289 --> 00:06:02,289 You see, when the spirit united you to 153 00:06:02,289 --> 00:06:02,789 Jesus 154 00:06:03,329 --> 00:06:04,389 through your faith, 155 00:06:05,009 --> 00:06:07,589 your sinful nature was crucified 156 00:06:08,209 --> 00:06:09,029 and buried 157 00:06:09,584 --> 00:06:10,324 with Jesus. 158 00:06:11,345 --> 00:06:13,105 By the way, the nursery, I made the 159 00:06:13,105 --> 00:06:15,185 announcement, is in the in the kitchen area 160 00:06:15,185 --> 00:06:17,425 today. So you want to take Luke over 161 00:06:17,425 --> 00:06:17,925 there. 162 00:06:18,305 --> 00:06:20,084 I mean, we're glad for Luke to stay. 163 00:06:23,860 --> 00:06:24,360 Because 164 00:06:24,740 --> 00:06:26,360 of the resurrection of Jesus, 165 00:06:26,980 --> 00:06:27,960 you are spiritually 166 00:06:28,339 --> 00:06:29,319 born again 167 00:06:30,100 --> 00:06:33,240 and able to walk in newness of life. 168 00:06:34,035 --> 00:06:34,535 Therefore, 169 00:06:35,074 --> 00:06:36,294 Paul commands you 170 00:06:36,595 --> 00:06:38,294 to not present your members 171 00:06:38,675 --> 00:06:41,175 to sin as instruments of unrighteousness. 172 00:06:42,834 --> 00:06:45,794 The word translated as instruments is commonly used 173 00:06:45,794 --> 00:06:48,754 by Paul to refer to weapons used in 174 00:06:48,754 --> 00:06:49,254 war. 175 00:06:50,410 --> 00:06:52,649 The image is that of a battle in 176 00:06:52,649 --> 00:06:55,850 which sin tries to usurp the throne in 177 00:06:55,850 --> 00:06:56,589 our heart 178 00:06:57,209 --> 00:06:57,709 using 179 00:06:58,009 --> 00:07:01,389 our own members as weapons for that insurrection. 180 00:07:03,555 --> 00:07:05,335 It is complete betrayal 181 00:07:06,355 --> 00:07:08,754 and it feels that way when we sin, 182 00:07:08,754 --> 00:07:09,574 doesn't it? 183 00:07:09,955 --> 00:07:11,895 It feels like we have betrayed ourselves. 184 00:07:12,915 --> 00:07:14,455 It feels like we have betrayed 185 00:07:15,154 --> 00:07:15,654 God. 186 00:07:16,610 --> 00:07:17,990 So we become discouraged 187 00:07:18,770 --> 00:07:19,990 and we lose heart 188 00:07:20,770 --> 00:07:22,230 and we feel like giving up, 189 00:07:22,850 --> 00:07:24,850 believing that we will never be able to 190 00:07:24,850 --> 00:07:25,830 overcome sin, 191 00:07:26,449 --> 00:07:27,910 that that is a losing battle, 192 00:07:28,514 --> 00:07:29,735 that there is no hope. 193 00:07:30,115 --> 00:07:31,795 We give up on ourselves and we give 194 00:07:31,795 --> 00:07:33,175 up on others and functionally, 195 00:07:34,275 --> 00:07:35,495 we give up on God. 196 00:07:36,514 --> 00:07:38,215 We don't believe his promises. 197 00:07:39,314 --> 00:07:41,235 But Paul reminds you that you are not 198 00:07:41,235 --> 00:07:43,254 under law but under grace. 199 00:07:44,099 --> 00:07:46,659 And grace is not simply a declaration of 200 00:07:46,659 --> 00:07:47,159 forgiveness. 201 00:07:47,459 --> 00:07:49,800 It delivers with it the power 202 00:07:50,180 --> 00:07:53,060 to fight against sin and have victory over 203 00:07:53,060 --> 00:07:53,560 it. 204 00:07:54,259 --> 00:07:56,339 Because you see, being under law means that 205 00:07:56,339 --> 00:07:58,519 you have to perfectly keep the law 206 00:07:58,904 --> 00:08:00,204 to merit justification. 207 00:08:01,545 --> 00:08:04,264 But that's an impossible task for any fallen 208 00:08:04,264 --> 00:08:05,084 human being. 209 00:08:05,865 --> 00:08:08,584 Romans 3 20 states that by the works 210 00:08:08,584 --> 00:08:11,165 of the law, no flesh will be justified. 211 00:08:12,620 --> 00:08:13,759 So under the law, 212 00:08:14,220 --> 00:08:17,360 one only obeys to avoid more wrath. 213 00:08:18,699 --> 00:08:21,339 We don't hate sin. We just hate the 214 00:08:21,339 --> 00:08:22,399 idea of burning. 215 00:08:23,419 --> 00:08:24,639 So under the law, 216 00:08:24,939 --> 00:08:26,399 we are driven by fear. 217 00:08:27,625 --> 00:08:30,605 But in contrast, grace empowers us to obey 218 00:08:31,145 --> 00:08:33,404 because instead of trying to merit justification, 219 00:08:34,184 --> 00:08:35,085 we respond 220 00:08:35,625 --> 00:08:37,565 to the free gift of justification 221 00:08:38,184 --> 00:08:39,004 by faith. 222 00:08:40,019 --> 00:08:40,759 In other words, 223 00:08:41,139 --> 00:08:42,040 God's love 224 00:08:42,420 --> 00:08:44,840 excites our own love toward him. 225 00:08:45,860 --> 00:08:49,080 We don't obey God to earn his love. 226 00:08:49,139 --> 00:08:50,759 We obey in response 227 00:08:51,300 --> 00:08:52,440 to God's love. 228 00:08:53,575 --> 00:08:54,475 Under the law, 229 00:08:55,014 --> 00:08:55,514 purity 230 00:08:55,894 --> 00:08:58,315 is pursued under the whip of despondency 231 00:08:58,774 --> 00:08:59,434 and despair. 232 00:09:00,534 --> 00:09:01,434 Under grace, 233 00:09:02,054 --> 00:09:03,995 we joyfully pursue piety 234 00:09:04,534 --> 00:09:06,554 under the direction of God's love. 235 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:08,580 But to succeed, 236 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:10,980 Paul says that we must surrender 237 00:09:11,519 --> 00:09:12,259 our weapons 238 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:13,779 to a new commander. 239 00:09:14,799 --> 00:09:16,799 In verse 13, Paul writes that you must 240 00:09:16,799 --> 00:09:19,620 present yourselves to God and your members 241 00:09:20,285 --> 00:09:22,625 to God as instruments or weapons 242 00:09:23,004 --> 00:09:23,745 of righteousness. 243 00:09:25,004 --> 00:09:26,785 So if Christ is your lord, 244 00:09:27,325 --> 00:09:29,404 you can say with Paul in Galatians 2 245 00:09:29,404 --> 00:09:32,065 20, I have been crucified with Christ. 246 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:34,720 It is no longer I who live but 247 00:09:34,720 --> 00:09:36,100 Christ who lives in me. 248 00:09:36,639 --> 00:09:38,639 And the life I now live in the 249 00:09:38,639 --> 00:09:40,879 flesh, I live by faith in the son 250 00:09:40,879 --> 00:09:43,940 of God who loved me and gave himself 251 00:09:44,720 --> 00:09:45,460 for me. 252 00:09:46,514 --> 00:09:47,975 So our passage this morning 253 00:09:48,595 --> 00:09:49,975 is not about our justification 254 00:09:50,754 --> 00:09:51,975 but about our sanctification. 255 00:09:53,634 --> 00:09:54,534 It's not about 256 00:09:54,914 --> 00:09:57,334 our post resurrection life. 257 00:09:58,115 --> 00:10:00,054 It's about born again life. 258 00:10:00,970 --> 00:10:03,309 It's not about our future life in heaven. 259 00:10:04,250 --> 00:10:06,409 It's about how we are to live on 260 00:10:06,409 --> 00:10:07,309 earth today. 261 00:10:08,330 --> 00:10:11,149 And the main point this morning is this, 262 00:10:11,850 --> 00:10:14,590 true freedom is found in slavery to Christ. 263 00:10:17,304 --> 00:10:18,045 True freedom 264 00:10:18,585 --> 00:10:19,965 is found in slavery 265 00:10:21,144 --> 00:10:23,785 to Christ. Now, that doesn't sound that great, 266 00:10:23,785 --> 00:10:24,524 does it? 267 00:10:25,465 --> 00:10:26,365 We're Americans. 268 00:10:27,465 --> 00:10:28,524 We value independence. 269 00:10:29,669 --> 00:10:32,149 The struggle against tyranny is part of our 270 00:10:32,149 --> 00:10:33,610 nation's origin story 271 00:10:33,990 --> 00:10:36,570 and so is the wickedness of slavery. 272 00:10:37,669 --> 00:10:39,850 So how can we give any credence 273 00:10:40,549 --> 00:10:43,210 to this proposition that true freedom is found 274 00:10:43,269 --> 00:10:44,089 in slavery 275 00:10:46,754 --> 00:10:48,914 to Christ? Well, that's what Paul teaches in 276 00:10:48,914 --> 00:10:49,574 these verses. 277 00:10:50,194 --> 00:10:52,194 He writes in verse 14 that you are 278 00:10:52,194 --> 00:10:55,074 no longer under law but in the same 279 00:10:55,074 --> 00:10:55,574 breath, 280 00:10:56,194 --> 00:10:57,574 he says you are 281 00:10:57,875 --> 00:10:58,694 under grace. 282 00:10:59,289 --> 00:11:01,370 And to be under anything is to be 283 00:11:01,370 --> 00:11:02,830 in subjection to it. 284 00:11:03,370 --> 00:11:05,210 Look at what Paul writes in verses 15 285 00:11:05,210 --> 00:11:06,990 and 16. What then? 286 00:11:07,769 --> 00:11:09,690 Are we to sin because we are not 287 00:11:09,690 --> 00:11:11,149 under law but under grace? 288 00:11:11,955 --> 00:11:12,855 By no means. 289 00:11:13,634 --> 00:11:15,315 Do you not know that if you present 290 00:11:15,315 --> 00:11:18,195 yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are 291 00:11:18,195 --> 00:11:19,975 slaves of the one whom you obey, 292 00:11:20,595 --> 00:11:21,575 either of sin 293 00:11:21,955 --> 00:11:23,254 which leads to death 294 00:11:23,634 --> 00:11:26,055 or of obedience which leads to righteousness? 295 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,139 Paul presents here an inescapable dichotomy. 296 00:11:32,399 --> 00:11:34,899 1 is either a slave of sin 297 00:11:36,160 --> 00:11:37,460 which leads to death 298 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:39,620 or a slave of obedience 299 00:11:40,559 --> 00:11:41,779 which leads to righteousness. 300 00:11:43,095 --> 00:11:44,394 There's no third path. 301 00:11:45,254 --> 00:11:47,115 So what path are you on? 302 00:11:47,815 --> 00:11:51,355 This text invites us to ask that question. 303 00:11:53,414 --> 00:11:54,875 But before we do that, 304 00:11:55,190 --> 00:11:56,629 there are a couple of things I want 305 00:11:56,629 --> 00:11:58,730 you to notice in these verses. 1st, 306 00:11:59,990 --> 00:12:01,049 in verse 15, 307 00:12:01,509 --> 00:12:03,750 the Greek tense behind the question, are we 308 00:12:03,750 --> 00:12:07,350 to sin, refers not to habitual sin but 309 00:12:07,350 --> 00:12:08,250 to the occasional 310 00:12:08,629 --> 00:12:09,129 lapse 311 00:12:09,589 --> 00:12:10,329 in sin. 312 00:12:12,605 --> 00:12:15,024 Yet Paul Paul's answer is an unequivocal, 313 00:12:15,485 --> 00:12:16,465 by no means. 314 00:12:17,804 --> 00:12:18,785 By no means. 315 00:12:19,565 --> 00:12:21,804 The reason for this is that as Jesus 316 00:12:21,804 --> 00:12:24,545 says, a slave cannot serve 2 masters. 317 00:12:25,829 --> 00:12:26,569 To carelessly 318 00:12:27,029 --> 00:12:28,569 serve sin on occasion 319 00:12:29,110 --> 00:12:31,289 is a betrayal of your new master. 320 00:12:32,230 --> 00:12:34,230 This is why Paul in verse 11 had 321 00:12:34,230 --> 00:12:36,169 written, you must consider yourselves 322 00:12:36,709 --> 00:12:39,429 dead to sin and alive to God in 323 00:12:39,429 --> 00:12:40,329 Christ Jesus. 324 00:12:42,044 --> 00:12:43,504 If you are dead to sin, 325 00:12:44,205 --> 00:12:45,504 you cannot occasionally 326 00:12:46,285 --> 00:12:47,665 be alive to God. 327 00:12:48,285 --> 00:12:49,424 One cannot be 328 00:12:49,725 --> 00:12:51,424 mostly dead despite 329 00:12:51,725 --> 00:12:54,684 the princess bride's best efforts to convince us 330 00:12:54,684 --> 00:12:55,184 otherwise. 331 00:12:56,579 --> 00:12:58,120 If you are dead to sin 332 00:12:59,059 --> 00:13:01,620 you can only be alive to God in 333 00:13:01,620 --> 00:13:04,259 Christ Jesus. It is to him that you 334 00:13:04,259 --> 00:13:05,159 owe your allegiance. 335 00:13:06,419 --> 00:13:08,199 And the discipline of your life 336 00:13:08,714 --> 00:13:11,834 ought to manifest your unfailing devotion to your 337 00:13:11,834 --> 00:13:13,774 Lord with growing clarity. 338 00:13:15,034 --> 00:13:16,334 This is why prayer 339 00:13:17,434 --> 00:13:18,574 and bible study 340 00:13:18,954 --> 00:13:20,894 and service to others, especially 341 00:13:21,429 --> 00:13:23,850 service to our brothers and sisters in Christ, 342 00:13:24,070 --> 00:13:25,690 ought to be your regular practice. 343 00:13:26,710 --> 00:13:29,190 These are the disciplines of the soldier of 344 00:13:29,190 --> 00:13:29,690 Christ. 345 00:13:31,110 --> 00:13:32,809 2nd, note the dichotomy 346 00:13:33,110 --> 00:13:33,929 Paul presents 347 00:13:34,315 --> 00:13:36,715 here is between being a slave of sin 348 00:13:36,715 --> 00:13:38,555 which leads to death or a slave of 349 00:13:38,555 --> 00:13:40,175 obedience which leads to righteousness. 350 00:13:41,115 --> 00:13:42,495 So does Paul mean 351 00:13:43,035 --> 00:13:45,774 that we become righteous through our obedience? 352 00:13:47,610 --> 00:13:50,009 Did he previously write in Romans that we 353 00:13:50,009 --> 00:13:53,070 are justified by faith and not by works? 354 00:13:54,649 --> 00:13:56,889 The key to understand this passage is the 355 00:13:56,889 --> 00:13:58,110 metaphor of slavery. 356 00:13:58,730 --> 00:14:01,149 Paul writes that being a slave of obedience 357 00:14:01,290 --> 00:14:02,350 leads to justification 358 00:14:03,795 --> 00:14:04,535 and righteousness. 359 00:14:05,715 --> 00:14:06,535 In other words, 360 00:14:06,995 --> 00:14:09,894 we must not forget that all our blessings 361 00:14:10,195 --> 00:14:13,095 are under the umbrella of union with Christ. 362 00:14:14,195 --> 00:14:16,115 Our union with Christ is what makes us 363 00:14:16,115 --> 00:14:16,615 righteous 364 00:14:17,269 --> 00:14:19,450 which is the same word as justified. 365 00:14:20,389 --> 00:14:21,929 It is what makes us holy. 366 00:14:23,029 --> 00:14:25,769 It is what renews our body and soul 367 00:14:27,190 --> 00:14:28,730 after the image of Jesus. 368 00:14:29,674 --> 00:14:31,375 In other words, it is our justification, 369 00:14:31,754 --> 00:14:34,475 our sanctification, and our glorification that is all 370 00:14:34,475 --> 00:14:35,534 under the umbrella 371 00:14:36,074 --> 00:14:37,454 of union with Christ. 372 00:14:38,314 --> 00:14:41,034 Last week, Paul explained that our union with 373 00:14:41,034 --> 00:14:41,534 Christ, 374 00:14:42,670 --> 00:14:43,170 is 375 00:14:43,550 --> 00:14:45,550 he used the metaphor of explaining our union 376 00:14:45,550 --> 00:14:46,210 with Christ, 377 00:14:46,670 --> 00:14:49,149 that he used the metaphor of planting being 378 00:14:49,149 --> 00:14:52,610 planted with him. It was this agricultural metaphor, 379 00:14:52,990 --> 00:14:53,810 if you will. 380 00:14:54,615 --> 00:14:56,695 This week, we see that he is using 381 00:14:56,695 --> 00:14:59,415 the metaphor of slavery to communicate the very 382 00:14:59,415 --> 00:15:00,154 same thing. 383 00:15:01,014 --> 00:15:03,335 What Paul is saying is that because the 384 00:15:03,335 --> 00:15:05,595 Christian is united to Christ, 385 00:15:06,215 --> 00:15:09,195 because Christ lives in and through the Christian, 386 00:15:09,899 --> 00:15:12,240 the Christian's actions are inexorably 387 00:15:12,620 --> 00:15:13,120 patterned 388 00:15:13,500 --> 00:15:14,959 after Christ's actions. 389 00:15:16,220 --> 00:15:18,000 Like a slave single mindedly 390 00:15:18,699 --> 00:15:20,399 obeying the will of his master, 391 00:15:20,940 --> 00:15:22,159 the Christian does 392 00:15:22,539 --> 00:15:24,000 what Christ does. 393 00:15:26,504 --> 00:15:29,725 And because it is Christ's work that justifies 394 00:15:29,784 --> 00:15:30,284 us, 395 00:15:30,664 --> 00:15:32,445 our obedience will manifest 396 00:15:32,985 --> 00:15:33,725 his righteousness 397 00:15:34,745 --> 00:15:35,245 more 398 00:15:35,704 --> 00:15:36,445 and more. 399 00:15:38,070 --> 00:15:38,570 Thus, 400 00:15:39,029 --> 00:15:41,210 slavery to sin leads to death 401 00:15:41,590 --> 00:15:43,050 because it demonstrates 402 00:15:43,590 --> 00:15:45,450 who our owner is. 403 00:15:45,830 --> 00:15:47,830 It shows that we come from the household 404 00:15:47,830 --> 00:15:48,570 of Adam 405 00:15:49,670 --> 00:15:51,290 whose inheritance is death 406 00:15:52,214 --> 00:15:53,834 But slavery to obedience 407 00:15:54,774 --> 00:15:55,914 leads to righteousness 408 00:15:56,454 --> 00:15:59,914 because it demonstrates that our owner is Christ, 409 00:16:00,694 --> 00:16:03,115 that we are members of his household. 410 00:16:04,419 --> 00:16:06,179 I know that as human beings, we like 411 00:16:06,179 --> 00:16:08,679 to think of ourselves as free, 412 00:16:09,299 --> 00:16:12,419 as having freedom of choice, as having freedom 413 00:16:12,419 --> 00:16:13,320 of the will. 414 00:16:14,100 --> 00:16:16,120 And Paul will address this very, 415 00:16:17,065 --> 00:16:19,544 issue with remarkable clarity, I may add, in 416 00:16:19,544 --> 00:16:20,764 Romans chapter 9. 417 00:16:21,384 --> 00:16:22,924 For now, let me just state 418 00:16:23,304 --> 00:16:24,605 his present implication. 419 00:16:25,945 --> 00:16:27,404 He says that there is only 420 00:16:27,784 --> 00:16:30,205 one truly free being 421 00:16:31,789 --> 00:16:32,929 and it's not you. 422 00:16:34,990 --> 00:16:36,850 God is the only being 423 00:16:37,230 --> 00:16:38,209 who is truly 424 00:16:38,589 --> 00:16:39,089 free. 425 00:16:40,429 --> 00:16:42,029 God is the only being who is truly 426 00:16:42,029 --> 00:16:43,569 free. Everyone else 427 00:16:43,870 --> 00:16:45,329 is somehow contingent. 428 00:16:46,065 --> 00:16:47,764 Everyone else is enslaved 429 00:16:48,144 --> 00:16:50,085 to someone or to something. 430 00:16:51,425 --> 00:16:54,304 Paul writes that your obedience, the ideals that 431 00:16:54,304 --> 00:16:56,245 dictate the pattern of your life, 432 00:16:56,945 --> 00:16:59,684 betray who your master really is. 433 00:17:00,929 --> 00:17:02,309 So who is your master? 434 00:17:03,570 --> 00:17:05,890 Not who is your master here but who 435 00:17:05,890 --> 00:17:07,970 is your master here? Who's your master in 436 00:17:07,970 --> 00:17:08,789 your heart? 437 00:17:09,730 --> 00:17:11,809 Paul says that the true answer to that 438 00:17:11,809 --> 00:17:13,509 question is not in your words 439 00:17:14,365 --> 00:17:16,044 but in your actions, in what you do, 440 00:17:16,044 --> 00:17:17,345 in the way that you live. 441 00:17:20,044 --> 00:17:21,664 Do your actions lead to death? 442 00:17:24,605 --> 00:17:26,625 Do your actions lead to death, to destruction, 443 00:17:28,000 --> 00:17:28,819 to dissension, 444 00:17:29,759 --> 00:17:30,419 to deception, 445 00:17:32,319 --> 00:17:33,059 to derision? 446 00:17:34,960 --> 00:17:37,619 Do these things appear to follow your life? 447 00:17:38,880 --> 00:17:40,500 Or do your actions lead to righteousness, 448 00:17:42,144 --> 00:17:42,884 to restoration, 449 00:17:44,065 --> 00:17:44,805 to reconciliation, 450 00:17:46,305 --> 00:17:47,125 to refreshment, 451 00:17:48,224 --> 00:17:49,045 to rejoicing? 452 00:17:51,184 --> 00:17:53,444 Remember, your good works don't save you 453 00:17:54,240 --> 00:17:56,000 But your good works do give you a 454 00:17:56,000 --> 00:17:58,259 diagnosis for the state of your heart. 455 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:00,880 So based on your actions, how is your 456 00:18:00,880 --> 00:18:01,700 heart doing? 457 00:18:02,720 --> 00:18:03,619 What report 458 00:18:04,320 --> 00:18:05,940 would your spiritual cardiologist 459 00:18:06,320 --> 00:18:07,220 give you today? 460 00:18:09,244 --> 00:18:11,024 The health of your spiritual heart, 461 00:18:11,325 --> 00:18:12,144 its vigor, 462 00:18:12,524 --> 00:18:13,264 its strength, 463 00:18:13,565 --> 00:18:15,884 its rhythm, is dictated by the one who 464 00:18:15,884 --> 00:18:18,605 is sitting on its throne. It's dictated by 465 00:18:18,605 --> 00:18:19,984 the one who rules it. 466 00:18:20,524 --> 00:18:22,144 And from the moment of conception, 467 00:18:22,869 --> 00:18:25,349 because we proceed from Adam, our hearts are 468 00:18:25,349 --> 00:18:27,210 under the tyranny of sin. 469 00:18:28,390 --> 00:18:30,630 This is why we don't have to teach 470 00:18:30,630 --> 00:18:32,649 our adorable babies to sin. 471 00:18:33,509 --> 00:18:34,809 They figure it out. 472 00:18:35,349 --> 00:18:36,890 They're really good at it. 473 00:18:38,085 --> 00:18:40,005 In fact, we have to work really hard 474 00:18:40,005 --> 00:18:42,025 to teach them not to sin. 475 00:18:43,125 --> 00:18:43,625 75% 476 00:18:44,404 --> 00:18:47,285 of the job description for parents is sanctify 477 00:18:47,285 --> 00:18:48,265 your little angel. 478 00:18:50,440 --> 00:18:53,000 But Paul gives us good news here, doesn't 479 00:18:53,000 --> 00:18:55,100 he? Look at verses 17 18, 480 00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:57,740 But thanks be to God 481 00:18:58,519 --> 00:19:00,840 that you who were once slaves of sin 482 00:19:00,840 --> 00:19:03,080 have become obedient from the heart to the 483 00:19:03,080 --> 00:19:05,580 standard of teaching to which you were committed, 484 00:19:06,894 --> 00:19:08,914 and having been set free from sin, 485 00:19:09,295 --> 00:19:10,434 have become slaves 486 00:19:11,055 --> 00:19:11,795 of righteousness. 487 00:19:14,414 --> 00:19:16,835 The good news that Paul delivers for us 488 00:19:17,055 --> 00:19:19,535 here is that we are no longer slaves 489 00:19:19,535 --> 00:19:20,275 of sin. 490 00:19:20,650 --> 00:19:22,890 However, Paul does not say that we are 491 00:19:22,890 --> 00:19:24,029 now free. 492 00:19:24,809 --> 00:19:26,730 He writes that we are not slaves of 493 00:19:26,730 --> 00:19:29,549 sin but we are slaves of righteousness. 494 00:19:30,569 --> 00:19:32,650 In other words, having been a slave of 495 00:19:32,650 --> 00:19:33,150 sin, 496 00:19:34,105 --> 00:19:34,924 you are now, 497 00:19:36,184 --> 00:19:37,484 not your own master, 498 00:19:38,424 --> 00:19:40,605 rather you now have a new master, 499 00:19:41,384 --> 00:19:41,884 righteousness. 500 00:19:42,904 --> 00:19:43,964 You have been purchased. 501 00:19:44,984 --> 00:19:46,684 Sin no longer owns you. 502 00:19:47,144 --> 00:19:48,845 Your allegiance has changed. 503 00:19:49,650 --> 00:19:52,230 In fact, when Paul writes in verse 17 504 00:19:52,289 --> 00:19:55,029 that you have become obedient from the heart 505 00:19:55,410 --> 00:19:56,869 to the standard of teaching 506 00:19:57,330 --> 00:19:58,710 to which you were committed, 507 00:19:59,570 --> 00:20:02,390 the word translated as committed has the connotation 508 00:20:03,090 --> 00:20:04,789 of changing allegiance. 509 00:20:06,265 --> 00:20:07,164 Your allegiance, 510 00:20:08,025 --> 00:20:10,984 the affections and obligations that govern the pattern 511 00:20:10,984 --> 00:20:11,805 of your life 512 00:20:12,345 --> 00:20:14,525 now rests upon a righteous 513 00:20:15,224 --> 00:20:15,724 standard 514 00:20:16,505 --> 00:20:17,244 of teaching. 515 00:20:18,750 --> 00:20:20,430 Your life used to be governed by a 516 00:20:20,430 --> 00:20:21,890 manual written by sin 517 00:20:23,230 --> 00:20:25,789 but now your heart follows the instructions set 518 00:20:25,789 --> 00:20:26,289 forth 519 00:20:27,150 --> 00:20:27,650 in 520 00:20:28,029 --> 00:20:29,250 this righteous standard, 521 00:20:30,904 --> 00:20:32,125 in the word of God. 522 00:20:32,904 --> 00:20:35,085 This is the standard which now governs 523 00:20:36,585 --> 00:20:37,325 our hearts 524 00:20:37,944 --> 00:20:39,804 according to what Paul writes here. 525 00:20:41,784 --> 00:20:42,284 Amazingly, 526 00:20:43,619 --> 00:20:46,519 though the fallen heart is wicked and corrupt, 527 00:20:47,539 --> 00:20:49,480 this new allegiance that you enjoy 528 00:20:50,180 --> 00:20:51,480 comes from the heart. 529 00:20:53,059 --> 00:20:54,200 How is this possible? 530 00:20:55,460 --> 00:20:57,460 Well, this is because the Holy Spirit has 531 00:20:57,460 --> 00:20:59,079 given you a new heart 532 00:21:00,144 --> 00:21:02,325 and which is precisely what God had promised 533 00:21:02,865 --> 00:21:04,085 in Ezekiel 36 534 00:21:04,625 --> 00:21:06,244 verses 26 and 27 535 00:21:06,545 --> 00:21:07,684 where he writes this, 536 00:21:08,625 --> 00:21:11,184 and I, that is God, and I will 537 00:21:11,184 --> 00:21:12,724 give you a new heart 538 00:21:13,450 --> 00:21:15,130 and a new spirit I will put within 539 00:21:15,130 --> 00:21:15,630 you, 540 00:21:15,930 --> 00:21:18,009 and I will remove the heart of stone 541 00:21:18,009 --> 00:21:18,990 from your flesh 542 00:21:19,529 --> 00:21:21,549 and give you a heart of flesh. 543 00:21:22,170 --> 00:21:24,430 And I will put my spirit within you 544 00:21:24,730 --> 00:21:27,150 and cause you to walk in my statutes 545 00:21:28,045 --> 00:21:29,585 and be careful to obey 546 00:21:29,964 --> 00:21:30,464 my 547 00:21:30,845 --> 00:21:31,345 rules. 548 00:21:32,684 --> 00:21:33,904 Does the Holy Spirit 549 00:21:34,365 --> 00:21:36,065 is the chief heart surgeon 550 00:21:36,525 --> 00:21:38,945 who performs a heart transplant on you 551 00:21:39,565 --> 00:21:42,224 causing you to walk according to God's statutes 552 00:21:42,919 --> 00:21:44,299 in complete allegiance 553 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:47,339 to the righteous standard of teaching 554 00:21:48,200 --> 00:21:50,619 that Paul writes about in verse 17. 555 00:21:52,039 --> 00:21:53,339 This standard of teaching 556 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:56,279 is a reference to the gospel of Jesus 557 00:21:56,279 --> 00:21:56,779 Christ. 558 00:21:57,825 --> 00:22:01,505 Remember that Paul's thesis statement for this letter 559 00:22:01,505 --> 00:22:03,744 of Romans is found in chapter 1 verses 560 00:22:03,744 --> 00:22:04,724 16 17, 561 00:22:05,505 --> 00:22:06,964 which read like this, 562 00:22:08,224 --> 00:22:10,005 for I am not ashamed of the gospel, 563 00:22:10,609 --> 00:22:12,210 for it is the power of God for 564 00:22:12,210 --> 00:22:14,529 salvation for everyone who believes, to the Jew 565 00:22:14,529 --> 00:22:15,029 first 566 00:22:15,330 --> 00:22:17,830 and also to the Greek. For in it, 567 00:22:18,609 --> 00:22:19,509 in the gospel, 568 00:22:20,529 --> 00:22:23,250 the righteousness of God is revealed from faith 569 00:22:23,250 --> 00:22:24,869 for faith as it is written, 570 00:22:25,170 --> 00:22:25,910 the righteous 571 00:22:26,295 --> 00:22:27,275 shall live 572 00:22:27,815 --> 00:22:28,634 by faith. 573 00:22:29,575 --> 00:22:32,535 In other words, the reason the Christian is 574 00:22:32,535 --> 00:22:33,914 a slave of righteousness 575 00:22:34,695 --> 00:22:35,835 is that his allegiance 576 00:22:36,215 --> 00:22:37,195 is to the righteousness 577 00:22:37,654 --> 00:22:39,434 that is revealed in the gospel. 578 00:22:40,700 --> 00:22:42,859 And that righteousness that is revealed in the 579 00:22:42,859 --> 00:22:43,359 gospel 580 00:22:43,740 --> 00:22:44,720 is none other 581 00:22:45,019 --> 00:22:47,920 than the person and work of Jesus Christ, 582 00:22:48,299 --> 00:22:49,200 your savior 583 00:22:49,579 --> 00:22:50,319 and Lord. 584 00:22:52,299 --> 00:22:54,884 The Old Testament is all about the promised 585 00:22:54,884 --> 00:22:56,825 Messiah who would one day come 586 00:22:57,605 --> 00:22:58,984 and deliver his people 587 00:22:59,684 --> 00:23:01,945 from the guilt and the curse of sin. 588 00:23:03,365 --> 00:23:04,424 And the New Testament 589 00:23:05,285 --> 00:23:08,085 is all about the promised Messiah who has 590 00:23:08,085 --> 00:23:08,585 come 591 00:23:09,089 --> 00:23:12,210 and delivered his people from the curse and 592 00:23:12,210 --> 00:23:13,750 the guilt of sin. 593 00:23:15,169 --> 00:23:17,109 It is the gospel that captivates 594 00:23:17,730 --> 00:23:20,150 our hearts and guides our steps. 595 00:23:21,404 --> 00:23:22,465 So to be a Christian 596 00:23:22,924 --> 00:23:24,705 is to be a slave of obedience, 597 00:23:25,325 --> 00:23:26,765 which is the same thing as being a 598 00:23:26,765 --> 00:23:27,664 slave of righteousness, 599 00:23:28,045 --> 00:23:30,045 which is the same thing as being a 600 00:23:30,045 --> 00:23:32,785 slave of Christ who is our righteousness. 601 00:23:34,109 --> 00:23:36,210 In fact, the original meaning of the word, 602 00:23:36,269 --> 00:23:36,769 Christian, 603 00:23:37,950 --> 00:23:40,589 is slave of Christ. That's what that word 604 00:23:40,589 --> 00:23:41,089 means. 605 00:23:41,549 --> 00:23:44,430 Christian means slave of Christ. And what I'm 606 00:23:44,430 --> 00:23:47,470 proposing to you is that true freedom is 607 00:23:47,470 --> 00:23:49,250 found in slavery to Christ. 608 00:23:50,804 --> 00:23:53,365 I know this terminology can seem unsavory to 609 00:23:53,365 --> 00:23:55,224 Americans in the 21st century 610 00:23:56,005 --> 00:23:58,804 but don't worry, it was unsavory to Christians 611 00:23:58,804 --> 00:24:00,184 during Paul's time too. 612 00:24:00,484 --> 00:24:02,424 This is why Paul writes in verse 19, 613 00:24:03,605 --> 00:24:05,464 I am speaking in human terms 614 00:24:05,940 --> 00:24:07,639 because of your natural limitations. 615 00:24:08,740 --> 00:24:11,059 For just as once you presented your members 616 00:24:11,059 --> 00:24:13,000 as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, 617 00:24:13,539 --> 00:24:14,919 leading to more lawlessness, 618 00:24:15,619 --> 00:24:17,940 so now present your members as slaves to 619 00:24:17,940 --> 00:24:18,440 righteousness 620 00:24:18,980 --> 00:24:20,039 leading to sanctification. 621 00:24:21,554 --> 00:24:23,014 Paul almost apologizes 622 00:24:23,634 --> 00:24:25,815 for having to use the imagery of slavery 623 00:24:25,954 --> 00:24:29,394 to help us understand the unbreakable bond between 624 00:24:29,394 --> 00:24:30,694 Christ and his people. 625 00:24:32,514 --> 00:24:34,855 As we bring this sermon to a close 626 00:24:35,059 --> 00:24:36,740 or as we begin to bring this sermon 627 00:24:36,740 --> 00:24:38,819 to a close k. Let me qualify that. 628 00:24:38,819 --> 00:24:40,500 So we begin to bring this sermon to 629 00:24:40,500 --> 00:24:43,000 a close. Let me give you five reasons 630 00:24:43,299 --> 00:24:45,619 why true freedom is found in slavery to 631 00:24:45,619 --> 00:24:46,119 Christ. 632 00:24:46,819 --> 00:24:47,319 1st, 633 00:24:48,154 --> 00:24:50,815 slavery to Christ means that you are delivered 634 00:24:51,194 --> 00:24:52,815 from the bondage of sin. 635 00:24:53,755 --> 00:24:56,015 In Romans 3 verses 9 to 20, 636 00:24:56,394 --> 00:24:58,954 Paul made it clear that no human being 637 00:24:58,954 --> 00:25:01,934 is righteous. No, not one, he wrote. 638 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:04,839 That under the domain of sin, no one 639 00:25:04,839 --> 00:25:05,580 does good. 640 00:25:06,759 --> 00:25:08,920 That the mind is corrupt so no one 641 00:25:08,920 --> 00:25:09,420 understands. 642 00:25:10,279 --> 00:25:12,440 That the heart is corrupt so no one 643 00:25:12,440 --> 00:25:15,400 seeks after God. That the will is corrupt 644 00:25:15,400 --> 00:25:17,500 so everyone turns away from God. 645 00:25:18,285 --> 00:25:19,184 That the throat, 646 00:25:19,805 --> 00:25:22,684 the tongue and the lips are corrupt so 647 00:25:22,684 --> 00:25:25,025 everyone sins with their speech. 648 00:25:26,045 --> 00:25:29,404 That feet are corrupt so everyone is swift 649 00:25:29,404 --> 00:25:30,305 to shed blood. 650 00:25:31,090 --> 00:25:33,990 That everyone's actions are corrupt, so no one 651 00:25:34,049 --> 00:25:35,830 walks on the path of peace. 652 00:25:36,690 --> 00:25:39,670 That everyone's eyes are corrupt, blind to justice 653 00:25:40,049 --> 00:25:42,210 and without fear of God. All of this 654 00:25:42,210 --> 00:25:43,990 Paul wrote in Romans chapter 3. 655 00:25:44,975 --> 00:25:45,795 And such 656 00:25:46,414 --> 00:25:48,115 were some of you, 657 00:25:48,815 --> 00:25:50,994 Paul writes in 1st Corinthians 6:11. 658 00:25:51,535 --> 00:25:52,035 But 659 00:25:52,654 --> 00:25:53,634 you were washed. 660 00:25:54,975 --> 00:25:55,955 You were sanctified. 661 00:25:57,169 --> 00:25:59,490 You were justified in the name of the 662 00:25:59,490 --> 00:26:02,049 Lord Jesus Christ and by the spirit of 663 00:26:02,049 --> 00:26:03,990 our God, Paul writes. 664 00:26:05,089 --> 00:26:07,269 Yes. True freedom is found in slavery 665 00:26:07,890 --> 00:26:08,630 to Christ. 666 00:26:09,794 --> 00:26:11,634 The second reason you know that true freedom 667 00:26:11,634 --> 00:26:14,034 is found in slavery to Christ is that 668 00:26:14,034 --> 00:26:16,054 obedience to Christ leads to righteousness. 669 00:26:17,554 --> 00:26:20,274 Your inheritance in the domain of sin was 670 00:26:20,274 --> 00:26:20,774 death. 671 00:26:22,039 --> 00:26:23,740 You were a corrupt seed 672 00:26:24,440 --> 00:26:26,140 planted in cursed soil, 673 00:26:26,679 --> 00:26:28,539 awaiting a harvest of misery. 674 00:26:29,720 --> 00:26:30,700 But in Christ, 675 00:26:31,319 --> 00:26:33,480 your inheritance is to become a tree that 676 00:26:33,480 --> 00:26:35,419 yields its fruit in its season, 677 00:26:36,365 --> 00:26:38,785 a tree whose leaf does not wither, 678 00:26:39,884 --> 00:26:42,045 a tree that enables you and all who 679 00:26:42,045 --> 00:26:43,904 take refuge under your shade 680 00:26:44,605 --> 00:26:45,345 to prosper. 681 00:26:46,365 --> 00:26:48,845 Yes. True freedom for you and for your 682 00:26:48,845 --> 00:26:51,505 loved ones is found in slavery to Christ. 683 00:26:52,309 --> 00:26:54,150 The third reason you know that true freedom 684 00:26:54,150 --> 00:26:55,529 is found in slavery to 685 00:26:55,910 --> 00:26:57,509 Christ is that as a member of Christ's 686 00:26:57,509 --> 00:26:58,009 household, 687 00:26:58,549 --> 00:27:00,809 you can enjoy assurance and rest. 688 00:27:01,990 --> 00:27:04,329 Whereas sin is death's handmaiden 689 00:27:04,789 --> 00:27:06,490 ever serving up her subjects 690 00:27:06,950 --> 00:27:07,849 to be devoured, 691 00:27:09,325 --> 00:27:10,944 Christ is a benevolent master 692 00:27:11,404 --> 00:27:13,484 who invites you to enjoy a seat at 693 00:27:13,484 --> 00:27:14,224 his table, 694 00:27:14,684 --> 00:27:16,304 who anoints your head with oil, 695 00:27:16,684 --> 00:27:19,424 who lavishes you with a cup of overflowing 696 00:27:19,644 --> 00:27:20,144 blessing. 697 00:27:20,890 --> 00:27:21,630 In his 698 00:27:22,009 --> 00:27:24,569 care, your real needs are always met even 699 00:27:24,569 --> 00:27:25,710 when there are struggles. 700 00:27:26,410 --> 00:27:28,029 Your peace is always protected 701 00:27:28,730 --> 00:27:30,429 even when trials come. 702 00:27:30,730 --> 00:27:33,609 Your inheritance is always secure even as the 703 00:27:33,609 --> 00:27:34,109 world 704 00:27:34,410 --> 00:27:35,390 falls apart. 705 00:27:36,615 --> 00:27:38,855 Christ has come to me, all who labor 706 00:27:38,855 --> 00:27:41,015 and are heavy laden, and I will give 707 00:27:41,015 --> 00:27:41,755 you rest. 708 00:27:42,214 --> 00:27:44,855 Yes. True freedom is found in slavery to 709 00:27:44,855 --> 00:27:45,355 Christ. 710 00:27:46,454 --> 00:27:48,295 The 4th reason you know that true freedom 711 00:27:48,295 --> 00:27:49,974 is found in slavery to Christ is that 712 00:27:49,974 --> 00:27:52,609 obedience to Christ leads to spiritual maturity. 713 00:27:54,589 --> 00:27:56,190 God made you to be conformed to the 714 00:27:56,190 --> 00:27:58,609 image of God in Jesus Christ. 715 00:27:59,150 --> 00:28:00,849 But under the domain of sin, 716 00:28:01,230 --> 00:28:03,569 you resemble your master, the devil. 717 00:28:04,085 --> 00:28:06,644 That's what Jesus told the Pharisees and the 718 00:28:06,644 --> 00:28:07,144 scribes. 719 00:28:08,085 --> 00:28:09,305 In the house of sin, 720 00:28:09,765 --> 00:28:12,345 your actions are characterized by sexual immorality, 721 00:28:13,765 --> 00:28:14,505 by impurity, 722 00:28:16,164 --> 00:28:16,904 by idolatry, 723 00:28:18,005 --> 00:28:18,825 by superstition, 724 00:28:20,380 --> 00:28:21,119 by strife, 725 00:28:22,299 --> 00:28:23,039 by jealousy, 726 00:28:23,980 --> 00:28:25,279 by fits of anger. 727 00:28:26,859 --> 00:28:28,700 To be enslaved to sin is to be 728 00:28:28,700 --> 00:28:30,319 in chains to death. 729 00:28:31,419 --> 00:28:32,799 But in the house of Jesus, 730 00:28:33,515 --> 00:28:35,275 as you live for him and as he 731 00:28:35,275 --> 00:28:36,335 lives through you, 732 00:28:36,715 --> 00:28:39,215 your actions will increasingly be characterized 733 00:28:40,075 --> 00:28:40,894 by love 734 00:28:41,434 --> 00:28:42,174 and joy 735 00:28:42,634 --> 00:28:43,455 and peace 736 00:28:43,995 --> 00:28:44,815 and patience 737 00:28:45,434 --> 00:28:46,255 and kindness 738 00:28:46,875 --> 00:28:47,615 and goodness 739 00:28:48,230 --> 00:28:49,049 and faithfulness, 740 00:28:49,910 --> 00:28:50,650 and gentleness, 741 00:28:51,190 --> 00:28:52,410 and self control. 742 00:28:53,190 --> 00:28:55,029 In the house of Jesus, prayer will become 743 00:28:55,029 --> 00:28:56,089 your daily practice. 744 00:28:57,029 --> 00:28:58,970 Scripture will become your daily bread. 745 00:28:59,509 --> 00:29:01,529 And worship will become your joy 746 00:29:01,830 --> 00:29:04,515 and your anchor. Yes. True freedom is found 747 00:29:04,515 --> 00:29:05,815 in slavery to Christ. 748 00:29:06,755 --> 00:29:08,515 The 5th reason you know that true freedom 749 00:29:08,515 --> 00:29:10,054 is found in slavery to Christ 750 00:29:10,994 --> 00:29:13,095 is that in Christ, your hopes rest 751 00:29:13,394 --> 00:29:14,615 on eternal promises, 752 00:29:14,994 --> 00:29:17,174 not on fleeting, worldly passions. 753 00:29:18,109 --> 00:29:19,490 In the domain of sin, 754 00:29:20,349 --> 00:29:22,529 success is measured in material possessions 755 00:29:23,309 --> 00:29:24,130 that decay 756 00:29:25,150 --> 00:29:27,330 or in accomplishments that are forgotten 757 00:29:28,430 --> 00:29:29,410 or in prestige 758 00:29:29,869 --> 00:29:30,690 that fades 759 00:29:31,724 --> 00:29:33,505 or in opinions that are fickle, 760 00:29:34,285 --> 00:29:35,184 or in popularity 761 00:29:36,125 --> 00:29:38,704 popularity that is prone to treachery. 762 00:29:39,964 --> 00:29:41,644 To live for these things is to build 763 00:29:41,644 --> 00:29:42,304 a house 764 00:29:43,244 --> 00:29:44,785 on a foundation of sand 765 00:29:46,220 --> 00:29:48,320 and to close on a mortgage whose interest 766 00:29:48,619 --> 00:29:50,000 is measured in anxiety, 767 00:29:51,660 --> 00:29:53,119 and to pay for a house 768 00:29:53,660 --> 00:29:55,759 whose value always depreciates. 769 00:29:57,755 --> 00:29:59,934 But in the domain of Christ, your inheritance 770 00:29:59,994 --> 00:30:00,735 is imperishable, 771 00:30:01,674 --> 00:30:02,174 undefiled, 772 00:30:02,795 --> 00:30:03,535 and unfading. 773 00:30:04,075 --> 00:30:05,994 And it is kept in heaven for you 774 00:30:05,994 --> 00:30:06,894 by God himself 775 00:30:07,434 --> 00:30:09,755 who, together with Christ and with the Holy 776 00:30:09,755 --> 00:30:12,095 Spirit, hold you, seal you. 777 00:30:13,009 --> 00:30:15,329 And nothing and no one can snatch you 778 00:30:15,329 --> 00:30:17,429 away from that safe place. 779 00:30:18,289 --> 00:30:21,089 Yes, true freedom is found in slavery to 780 00:30:21,089 --> 00:30:23,409 Christ. This is why Paul urges you, in 781 00:30:23,409 --> 00:30:26,049 verse 19, to present your members as slaves 782 00:30:26,049 --> 00:30:26,789 of righteousness, 783 00:30:27,514 --> 00:30:28,894 leading to sanctification 784 00:30:29,755 --> 00:30:31,514 because to be united with Christ is to 785 00:30:31,514 --> 00:30:32,494 become like him 786 00:30:32,954 --> 00:30:34,974 and to experience fullness of joy. 787 00:30:36,554 --> 00:30:39,194 Perhaps the idea of being, of freedom being 788 00:30:39,194 --> 00:30:41,595 found in slavery to Christ is repulsive to 789 00:30:41,595 --> 00:30:42,255 your senses. 790 00:30:43,170 --> 00:30:45,009 But when you realize that Jesus is the 791 00:30:45,009 --> 00:30:45,990 source of life, 792 00:30:46,369 --> 00:30:47,190 of pleasure, 793 00:30:47,570 --> 00:30:49,430 of peace, and of joy, 794 00:30:49,970 --> 00:30:52,150 then the offense will begin to fade away 795 00:30:54,210 --> 00:30:55,750 and you want to be bound 796 00:30:56,049 --> 00:30:57,430 to that Lord. 797 00:30:59,404 --> 00:31:02,304 This is how Paul understood things. In fact, 798 00:31:02,444 --> 00:31:04,304 this is how Paul viewed his own identity. 799 00:31:05,404 --> 00:31:07,484 Look at how Paul introduces himself in verse 800 00:31:07,484 --> 00:31:09,744 1 of his letter to the Romans. 801 00:31:10,285 --> 00:31:11,424 He writes, Paul, 802 00:31:11,950 --> 00:31:13,970 a servant, that is to say, a slave, 803 00:31:14,109 --> 00:31:15,809 same word Paul, a slave 804 00:31:16,190 --> 00:31:17,250 of Christ Jesus, 805 00:31:17,789 --> 00:31:20,269 called to be an apostle, set apart for 806 00:31:20,269 --> 00:31:21,970 the gospel of God. 807 00:31:23,230 --> 00:31:24,210 Saul of Tarsus, 808 00:31:24,670 --> 00:31:27,230 as Paul was primarily known before coming to 809 00:31:27,230 --> 00:31:27,730 Christ, 810 00:31:28,325 --> 00:31:30,585 enjoyed all the freedoms and privileges 811 00:31:31,045 --> 00:31:32,825 of being a citizen of Rome. 812 00:31:34,085 --> 00:31:36,025 He was a brilliant rabbinical student, 813 00:31:36,484 --> 00:31:39,065 enjoying the prestige of learning under the renowned 814 00:31:39,445 --> 00:31:41,464 1st century rabbi, Gamaliel. 815 00:31:42,480 --> 00:31:45,619 He was a zealous man, zealous for God's 816 00:31:45,759 --> 00:31:47,619 law as he understood it anyway, 817 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:49,539 proudly persecuting Christians 818 00:31:50,240 --> 00:31:52,660 and even presiding over the stoning of Stephen, 819 00:31:52,960 --> 00:31:54,500 the first Christian martyr. 820 00:31:54,799 --> 00:31:56,019 He was proud of this. 821 00:31:56,944 --> 00:31:58,244 As a Hebrew of Hebrews 822 00:31:58,625 --> 00:31:59,845 from the tribe of Benjamin, 823 00:32:00,384 --> 00:32:02,625 Saul of Tarsus considered himself to be free, 824 00:32:02,625 --> 00:32:03,845 a slave to no one. 825 00:32:05,105 --> 00:32:06,484 But his cloak of righteousness 826 00:32:06,785 --> 00:32:09,125 hid a slave to sin. 827 00:32:10,319 --> 00:32:12,179 He was then chased to death 828 00:32:13,440 --> 00:32:14,179 whose inheritance 829 00:32:15,119 --> 00:32:17,519 he would experience and taste soon, if he 830 00:32:17,519 --> 00:32:18,419 was not delivered. 831 00:32:19,599 --> 00:32:20,339 That is, 832 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:23,934 until he met his Lord Jesus Christ. So 833 00:32:23,934 --> 00:32:25,714 rather, until Christ sovereignly 834 00:32:26,894 --> 00:32:27,634 met him. 835 00:32:28,414 --> 00:32:29,474 Changed his heart. 836 00:32:29,855 --> 00:32:32,194 Changed his mission. And yes, change his Lord. 837 00:32:33,134 --> 00:32:35,454 Under Paul's new call, Paul tells us in 838 00:32:35,454 --> 00:32:36,755 2nd Corinthians 11 839 00:32:37,250 --> 00:32:39,029 that he endured numerous hardships 840 00:32:39,490 --> 00:32:40,470 including imprisonments, 841 00:32:41,570 --> 00:32:42,070 beatings, 842 00:32:43,009 --> 00:32:45,090 being near death multiple times as a result 843 00:32:45,090 --> 00:32:45,910 of these beatings, 844 00:32:46,210 --> 00:32:49,109 receiving the Jewish punishment of 39 lashes 845 00:32:49,570 --> 00:32:50,710 on 5 occasions, 846 00:32:51,944 --> 00:32:53,884 Being beaten with rods 3 times, 847 00:32:54,825 --> 00:32:55,724 stoned once, 848 00:32:56,744 --> 00:32:57,244 shipwrecked 849 00:32:57,784 --> 00:32:58,524 3 times, 850 00:32:59,544 --> 00:33:01,964 spending a day night adrift at sea, 851 00:33:03,464 --> 00:33:05,005 facing dangers from rivers, 852 00:33:06,509 --> 00:33:07,250 from robbers, 853 00:33:08,109 --> 00:33:09,170 from his own people, 854 00:33:10,349 --> 00:33:11,250 from Gentiles. 855 00:33:12,349 --> 00:33:14,930 Facing dangers in the city, in the wilderness, 856 00:33:15,230 --> 00:33:16,049 at sea. 857 00:33:17,309 --> 00:33:19,330 He also mentions enduring toil, 858 00:33:20,075 --> 00:33:20,575 hardship, 859 00:33:20,954 --> 00:33:22,015 sleepless nights, 860 00:33:22,315 --> 00:33:22,815 hunger, 861 00:33:23,434 --> 00:33:23,934 thirst, 862 00:33:24,474 --> 00:33:27,375 cold, and exposure alongside the daily 863 00:33:27,835 --> 00:33:29,295 pressure and worries 864 00:33:29,914 --> 00:33:32,494 of pastoral care for God's people. 865 00:33:34,409 --> 00:33:34,909 Ultimately, 866 00:33:36,009 --> 00:33:37,470 Paul will use his freedom 867 00:33:37,769 --> 00:33:40,009 as a Roman citizen to demand a trial 868 00:33:40,009 --> 00:33:41,390 before Caesar in Rome. 869 00:33:42,809 --> 00:33:44,970 And the reason he does this is because 870 00:33:44,970 --> 00:33:47,049 he longs for the opportunity to preach the 871 00:33:47,049 --> 00:33:48,704 gospel in Rome. So even if he has 872 00:33:48,704 --> 00:33:50,825 to be taken in chains, he will do 873 00:33:50,825 --> 00:33:52,365 that. He demands it. 874 00:33:52,904 --> 00:33:54,684 That's what he uses his citizenship 875 00:33:55,065 --> 00:33:55,565 for. 876 00:33:57,384 --> 00:33:59,325 And in Rome, Paul will preach the gospel. 877 00:34:00,025 --> 00:34:03,029 He preaches Christ and presents his members as 878 00:34:03,029 --> 00:34:04,169 instruments of righteousness, 879 00:34:04,549 --> 00:34:05,529 as weapons 880 00:34:05,910 --> 00:34:08,630 in in the spiritual battle that Christ, our 881 00:34:08,630 --> 00:34:10,969 general, is calling us to engage in. 882 00:34:12,309 --> 00:34:14,409 So when Paul was beheaded by the sword, 883 00:34:15,355 --> 00:34:17,215 he received a crown of glory 884 00:34:17,515 --> 00:34:20,094 whose radiance still shines before us. 885 00:34:21,594 --> 00:34:23,855 Don't fear the chains of Christ. 886 00:34:24,635 --> 00:34:26,015 They lead to life eternal. 887 00:34:27,449 --> 00:34:30,269 In those chains, God took Paul to Rome 888 00:34:30,409 --> 00:34:31,309 proving that 889 00:34:32,089 --> 00:34:32,589 Rome 890 00:34:32,969 --> 00:34:35,070 and this world did not own him. 891 00:34:35,849 --> 00:34:38,570 In those chains, Paul and countless others have 892 00:34:38,570 --> 00:34:39,630 found true freedom 893 00:34:40,708 --> 00:34:42,889 because the chains that bind us to Christ 894 00:34:43,268 --> 00:34:44,088 are forged 895 00:34:44,628 --> 00:34:46,489 in the ever burning fire 896 00:34:47,028 --> 00:34:48,088 of God's love. 897 00:34:48,628 --> 00:34:49,449 Let's pray.