Reigning Sin Romans 6:5-23

Introduction

1. (Ill.) Lets picture this scene, our President sends the Military - Cuba, Castro and some trusted men escape to the jungle. The U.S. Army assumes control over the entire Island of Cuba. -set up new judges, new money, its a brand new administration. The good news Castro's tyranny, rule, and authority has been destroyed. The bad news is Castro is still alive in the jungle, and his friends keep playing his tapes over radio. His authority is gone, but he still commands the Cuban citizens to obey him. Each one must chose to either obey the new Govt. or obey Castro. The new govt. is better, is in charge, has -authority, but we have served Castro for so long,we are accustomed to obeying his orders. The new govt. makes it illegal to obey Castro. We must now become a traitor if we go into - jungle to serve Castro or obey his orders. It will take our whole lifetime for Castro to be silenced. His control & authority is gone. Before we had to obey, now we can only obey him if we chose too. Rom. 6 = good news Sin's authority has been destroyed over every elect child of God. Castro has been dethroned. Reigning sin is over. Rom. 7 = bad news, Castro is still alive, powerful, waging war, deceptive and dangerous. Remaining sin, indwelling sin is in us until we die. It no longer reigns, no - is boss. It is no match for our New Commander-in-chief. But we in our own strength cannot out do indwelling sin. If we stop warring against it by God's method of mortification, killing sin, it will beat us all over the place. Castro is out of office, but he is not gone. His authority is gone. That's the good news we will focus on today. Sin's, dominion, rule, and authority has been destroyed in - life of every real Christian. If sin is still your master, you do not belong to Jesus yet, and if you will not forsake sin, divorce it & marry Christ, you will die in your sins. Paying for them forever & ever, separated from God's love, kindness & special presence. What your current relationship to Sin's mastery is, will tell you your destiny.

2. (Direction) Today we will study Rom. 6: 5-23 under these 3 headings:

a. The kingdoms have been changed for every genuine Christian. vs 5-11

b. Every genuine Christian is responsible to live like a regenerate person. vs 12-14 c.

Every human being serves either king Sin or king Christ. Vs 15 -23

I. THE KINGDOMS HAVE BEEN CHANGED FOR EVERY GENUINE CHRISTIAN. vs 5-11

A. The country of death has been replaced by the country of life. (5)

1. We are joined with Christ in His death.

2. We are united with Christ in His resurrection.

B. Sin's dominion has been broken. (6) (Rom 6:6 NIV) 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--

1. Sin's authority ended when we were crucified with Christ.

2. Sin's rule was rendered inoperative by the cross.

3. The destruction of our sin nature(old self) is the guarantee of the future removal of indwelling sin (body of sin)at our death.

4. We are no longer Sin's slaves.

C. Christ died once and removed Sin's dominion over His elect. (7-8)

1. Death breaks all ties & cancels all obligations. (ie)

2. Our union w/ Christ's death makes us separated & free from the old pagan nature & - person we were.

3. The only authority that can make a real Christian sin is his own will. (Ill) Geraldine - devil made me do it! (James 1:14-15 NIV) but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

D. Death's lordship was crushed by Christ (9) (Rom 6:9 NIV) For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery (dominion) over Him.

E. Christ victoriously & historically died for sin. (10)

F. Christ lives and glorifies the Father forever in His office as Lord. (10)

G. Everyone who is joined to Christ is free from Sin's dominion and rule. (11) (Rom 6:11 NIV) In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

H. (Ill.) One phone numbers we had -SC belonged to another family first - but they left that # and got a new number. We received calls from relatives & even patients, but they had left that #, to talk to them you needed - new one. Every born again Christian has left - old behind (Col 1:13) For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness & brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves,

I. Castro is no longer in authority, no longer our master, boss, sovereign. Sin's dominion was broken on the cross for every true child of God. Reigning sin is gone, remaining sin has no authority to control unless we surrender to it. It asks for surrender, but we give in to it.

II. EVERY GENUINE CHRISTIAN IS RESPONSIBLE TO LIVE LIKE A REGENERATE PERSON. vs 12-14

(Rom 6:12 NIV) Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.

A. Sin must not be allowed to reign or be obeyed in our lives. (12)

1. Continue to reject Sin's authority.

2. Continue to refuse to obey Sin. (Heb 3:12-14) See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

B. Stop surrendering your body parts as weapons for Sin's army. (13)

C. Start surrendering your body parts as weapons for Christ's army. (13) (Rom 6:13 NIV) 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.

D. Sin's authority & dominion has ended. It is over! (14) (Rom 6:14 NIV) For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.

1. The law can no longer condemn us.

2. Grace is to rule and empower us. (Col 3:2-7) Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Put to death, therefore, your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must put off all of these.

E. (Ill.) If someone receives a heart transplant, how pleased would the medical team be if the new heart had all the problems of the old? Unthinkable. The new heart is to be different. It is not acceptable for a Christian to surrender to their indwelling sin. It used to be their love & boss, now it is there enemy. Kill it, don't serve it. You are responsible to war w/ your remaining sin, keep it on the run. Don't let it reign. It has been put out of office. You are surrendering to the guerrilla forces of a defeated enemy. You have - tools to win. Fight, kill, war.

III. EVERY HUMAN BEING SERVES EITHER KING SIN OR KING CHRIST. VS 15 -23

A. Every person has a master. (15-16) (Mat 6:24 NIV) "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

B. The one we obey is our real master. (16) (John 8:34 NIV) Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. (Luke 6:46 NIV) "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?

C. Every genuine Christian was formerly a continual slave of Sin. (17)

D. Every genuine Christian surrendered to a new Master at conversion. (17)

1. We must obey to be saved.

2. We must obey a specific narrow doctrine (the gospel). (Heb 5:9) Jesus became the source of everlasting salvation for all who obey Him.

3. Our obedience is from the inner man, not merely outward performance.

4. We are to thank God for enabling us to obey by His sovereign power.

E. Every genuine Christian has been set free from Sin's mastery. (18)

F. Every genuine Christian has become a slave of Christ & righteousness. (18)

G. Christians are to serve Christ with the same dedication they formerly used to serve Sin. (19)

1. Why are people who were so committed to sin, so uncommitted to Christ & His church?

2. Use the same dedication & commitment now for obedience & service.

3. It's time for the complacency & fence sitting to go. We need some team players.

H. Remember your past dedication to Sin and your inability to do right. (20-21) (Rom 6:20-1 NIV)

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! I. Realize your present commitment to Christ and His kingdom of righteousness. (22) (Rom 6:22 NIV) But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is everlasting life. J. Realize that the fruits of your life display to all your master & destiny. (20-23)

1. If you serve Christ, you will live like Him more and more.

2. If Christ is your Master, you will have good fruits, works, service for His kingdom of righteousness. 3. If you serve Christ, you have everlasting life and will go to heaven.

4. If you serve sin, you will still be practicing things for which you should be ashamed.

5. If Sin is your master, you will produce bad fruits, works, and service for - kingdom of darkness.

6. If you serve Sin, your reward will be everlasting death in the lake of fire.

7. Your Master and your destiny is displayed by whom you serve w/ your life.

(Mat 7:15-20) "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from briar bushes? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

I. (Ill.) Race car drivers are dedicated. They are committed. After accident, hospital stay, rehab. what do say interview? I want to get back in the car. Got to race. Commitment. Examine yourself - see in - faith. Make your election & calling sure, be sure. Examine - fruits of others Are they wolves or sheep? Do they have good fruit or bad fruit? You are commanded - be And to test yourself. Just making a profession w/ - lips is not enough. Do you possess salvation? Are you even committed enough to faithfully attend & follow an expository series, or is feeding your soul a small thing in your eyes? If you don't follow it verse by verse it is confusing, & we are growing apart rather than together. No commitment, maybe no conversion. Is reigning sin dethroned or ruling in - ? Is Christ your Lord, or is comfort & ease? Do you love Him? Are you serving Him? Who is your king? We all know. Do you? You should. Righteous fruits follow a real conversion.

Conclusion

a. The kingdoms have been changed for every genuine Christian. vs 5-11 Darkness - Light, Sin - Christ b. Every genuine Christian is responsible to live like a regenerate person. vs 12-14

c. Every human being serves either king Sin or king Christ. Vs 15 -23 If you still have a sin nature, you still have reigning sin, the old self, & you are not converted. Some Bible foot notes and some Bible translations are confusing, NIV- sarx "Flesh" - mistranslated many times, its an interpretation, not translation. - giving you faulty two nature view J.N Darby, C.I.Scofield, C. Ryrie. Buy a New Geneva Study Bible. It will fix your problem. The error may still be in your head, just not in the footnotes or the text. Castro is in the jungle w/ a few supplies & a few men. His authority is gone. But he is still around. Reigning Sin's authority is gone. Remaining sin, indwelling sin is still present in the believer, both body & soul. You must learn how it works, & how to kill it. - Rom. 7 & 8 are about. Today, rejoice in good news. Sin's control, dominion, rule, & authority are all over!