Remaining Sin Romans 7:1-25

Introduction

 

1.  (Ill.) Do you remember our last time - ill. about a  

     make-believe U.S. invasion of Cuba?  Castro is in

     the woods hiding w/ his authority gone.  Now,       

     when his guerilla forces attack, where do

     you think they will strike?  The strongest spot or

     the weakest?  The unprotected areas get hurt -         

     worse, but they will attack any effort to supply

     the new forces w/ strength.  They are deadly             

     when they are quiet, because you don't know             

     where they will strike.  And they will work               

     against in vulnerable spots in the supply lines for the new rulers troops. 

     Such is your indwelling sin.

  "When it is least felt, it is in fact the

     most powerful."  Thankfully - Christian is not

     schizophrenic, or w/ 2 separate personalities or

     2 natures, no we have one new nature, the old        

     one died w/ Christ.  But we do have 2 forces in          

     us, one is in control, one seeks control.             

     Our redeemed, new, inner man vs our indwelling       

     sin.  The battle has begun.

 

2.  (Review)  if you can remember a few - Rom. 6-

     Tells us the good news.

     Sin's, dominion, rule, and authority has been

     destroyed in - life of every real Christian.

     Authority is different than power.

     Sin's authority, dominion, rule, & reign is over

     Sin's guerilla warfare is not                                                  

          We saw from chpt. 6:

 

  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

       Sin no longer has authority over us.

       That leads in to our relationship w/ - law.

 

3.  (Direction) We will see today that our    

      relationship to the law also changed w/ our              

      conversion to Christ & from sin's rule.

 

  I.  The law has no power to justify - it can only bring condemnation.               

 II.  The law has no power to sanctify - it can only expose our failures in obedience. 

       vs 14-25        

      As we look at our relationship to the law, we will

      also learn about our indwelling sin, our enemy

      on the inside.

 

  I.  THE LAW HAS NO POWER TO JUSTIFY - IT CAN ONLY BRING                                 CONDEMNATION. vs 1-14

           

      A.  Paul challenges the Jews about the law's role.  

 

                

                                                                         

 

           1.  It never was designed to justify a fallen sinner.

           2.  It restrains sin, exposes sin, & reveals the

                right path to take.

 

      B.  Ever alive sinner is under the law's authority.

           1.  The law is written on every heart.

           2.  While you are living, the law says do this or you will die.

           3.  Once you die, the law is silent.

 

      C. Marriage relationships illustrate our new position.

           1.  Marriage to Mr. Law as - unbeliever.

           2.  Here is my list to have done, dear.

                Not a hair out of place, not a speck of lent on 

                his suit.  - Comes home exactly at 5:32 p.m. 

                every evening w/o exception.  He is so perfect.

           3.  Didn't finish - list, pow!  You must pay for not 

                being perfect every time.

           4.  Marriage to Mr. Christ.

           5.  Here's Mr. Law's list, let me help you do it, dear. No pow!  Power &                                  assistance to attempt to do what was impossible to do both now & before. It                  still the goal.  Mr. Law's stick is gone.  Mr. Christ has already bore our                            punishment for our failure.  No more beatings.

      D.  Sin and the law are not friends.

            But they do work together in - unbeliever.                 

      E.  The law provokes a person's sin nature.                

            1.  Only the unbeliever's & make-believers have one.

           2.  Don't touch, wet paint. Read vs 5-6

                What kind of fruit do you bear?  Two kinds

                 - fruit to death, fruit to God.

                Be your own fruit inspector.  Are you still married to Adam, or have you married Christ?  Are you different than you were?

              How are you different?  Are you a pharisee?

                Or are you a new creation in Christ?

               (Ill.)  John Newton had a Christian mother who died when he was a young                 boy, he made a profession of faith, but quickly forsook it for many years, then                 God saved him, he was a different man. Are you like John at 9 or at 40?  It                     makes a world of difference.

 

 II.  THE LAW HAS NO POWER TO SANCTIFY - IT CAN ONLY EXPOSE OUR FAILURES IN OBEDIENCE.  VS 14-25   

 

      A.  Every believer's puzzling situation.  (15)

           1.  I don't understand myself because of the war

           2.  I do the opposite of what I desire to inside of me.

      B.  Every believer's necessary admition.  (16)

          1.  The law shows me what to do - it is good.

          2.  I am the problem, I am the one who fails.  

      C.  Every believer's needed understanding.  (17-19)

 

(Rom 7:17-9 NKJV)  But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.  For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.

 

           1.  Sin dwells inside of me.        

           2.  Sin is not just outside - my enemy - is on the inside.

           3.  This fact never fails, evil is present in me.

            4.  Indwelling sin is an operating force inside me.  (powerful & successful)

           5.  We must personally discover our indwelling sin  (found it).

           6.  We find this force in us when we desire to do

                good.  Indwelling sin fights against all the means of grace.

           7.  Notice the place and strategy of our remaining sin.

           8. Sin is not around us, it is in us.

               Indwelling sin attacks our new desire to do 

               good & our specific  attempts to do good.

               You sit down write tithe check, indwelling sin is

               there, you plan to come to worship God on His

               day, indwelling sin is ready to fight, you plan to

               call and  build up your brother, it is there.

          you sit down to read the Wounded Heart Book

          or Bold Love , along w/ Bible, whatever is good, it fights.

        John Owen "How woeful is the sloth and negligence then of so many who live                 blind and are asleep about this internal reality of sin in them. There is an                     exceeding efficacy and power in the indwelling sin of believers, for it constantly             inclines itself towards evil.  We need to be awake, then, if our hearts would know          the ways of God."

      D.  Every believer's clear conclusion. (22, 23)

           1.  My inner man delights in God's law.

           2.  My indwelling sin fights against obedience.

           3.  I am at war inside, new nature vs

                indwelling sin.

      E.  Every believer's painful confession.  (24)

           1.  I am a mess, a wretched person.

           2.  I seek to do & chose right, but I fall flat on my face.

      F.  Every believer's victorious proclamation  (25)

           1.  I am thankful for deliverance is coming.

           2.  Christ Jesus' return will correct my problem with remaining sin.       

     G.  Every believer's honest disclosure.  (25)

           1.  My inner man serves God's law.

           2.  My indwelling sin serves the law of sin.

          (Heb 3:13 NKJV)  but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

          (Jer 17:9 NKJV)  "The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?

           Indwelling sin is deceitful & resides in the heart & body of believers.

          3.  In my own power I will fail every time.

          4.  My sin lost its right to rule at my conversion,

               but not its power to exist.

          5.  The power that works, is not - law, not me in my own strength,

              Power- gospel, - Holy Spirit. (Rom. Chpt. 8)

          But He will not fight my sin for me

          He helps me every time I get up to

          fight, but I have to chose to war in dependent trust on Him

            and His power.

          (Gal 5:17 NKJV)  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

            H.  There is no escape from struggle & tension in the Christian life.                                     Life is a War, w/ many a battle.Indwelling sin must be killed, & chased                   just like a band of guerrilla soldiers.

                    Kill sin or it will kill you.

                    I have found you, oh, my enemy.

                    You are a walking Trojan horse, the enemy is on the inside, it seeks to                             deceive, guide you, destroy you.

                    You must walk by Faith, Battle w/ sin

                    be ready for its surprise attacks.

                    (ill.)  I have to be careful w/ alcohol

                    I was drunk for - 3 yrs. I can't make provision for the flesh, or I will return

                    to that sinful way of coping w/ the pains

                    of life, but using food to replace alcohol

                    is not spiritual either.  Dan Allender in Bold Love, drives the knife deep into                     my heart.  He writes, "Every time I come home from work, walk into -                            pantry, grab a few bags of processed junk food & engage in a fifteen-                           minute culinary orgy, I live out a foolish hatred of discipline."  Replacing                        one addiction or habit w/ another is not spiritual or wise.

                    The root problems must be dealt w/.

                    I thought, because you had the gift of teaching you didn't struggle w/ sin.                      That a lie, smells like smoke.  If Paul lived in Romans 7 what makes you                         think you can get a Pastor who doesn't? There is no higher standard or                         second blessing. Every Christian has indwelling sin.

                                   

Conclusion

 

      1.  The law has no power to justify - it can only bring condemnation. 

                

      2.  The law has no power to sanctify - it can only expose our failures in obedience.  vs 14-25        

          The gospel & the H. Spirit are the sources of power for justification & sanctification.

          The law restrains, exposes sin & guides the believer on the path of righteousness.

 

          Indwelling sin is deceitful, powerful, effective,

          it wars against our habitual desire to do good

          & all specific attempts to do what is right & good. 

          It is no match for the word of God and

          the Holy Spirit when we take advantage of God's

          grace & war against it.

          Indwelling sin ignored is like a bull in a china shop.

          You'll have a mess to clean up.

          My uncle was told he had cancer.  He would make it 6 months if they fought it.               He chose to live and endure - pain by warring w/ the cancer.  My boss at CBC              fought it & has been in remission for many years.  God has called us to war w/              the cancer inside us.  Short or long term is - Master's choice.

          Will you take the call to arms and begin the war?  And if you are a religious                  professor but you are not converted, you need to get rid of your sin nature.                  Come to Christ by faith & repentance.  Don't let sin deceive you & harden your             heart.  

                

 

 

 

        

Sheol--NASB Verses where The Hebrew Term Sheol is Used--66 times in BHS

^NAU Genesis 37:35 Then all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him, but he refused to be comforted. And he said, "Surely I will go down to Sheol in mourning for my son." So his father wept for him.

^NAU Genesis 42:38 But Jacob said, "My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he alone is left. If harm should befall him on the journey you are taking, then you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow."

^NAU Genesis 44:29 'If you take this one also from me, and harm befalls him, you will bring my gray hair down to Sheol in sorrow.' 

 ³¹ when he sees that the lad is not with us, he will die. Thus your servants will bring the gray hair of your servant our father down to Sheol in sorrow.

^NAU Numbers 16:30 "But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will understand that these men have spurned the LORD."

 ³³ So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.

^NAU Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in My anger, And burns to the lowest part of Sheol, And consumes the earth with its yield, And sets on fire the foundations of the mountains.

^NAU 1 Samuel 2:6 "The LORD kills and makes alive; He brings down to Sheol and raises up.

^NAU 2 Samuel 22:6 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me. 

^NAU 1 Kings 2:6 "So act according to your wisdom, and do not let his gray hair go down to Sheol in peace. 

 ⁹ "Now therefore, do not let him go unpunished, for you are a wise man; and you will know what you ought to do to him, and you will bring his gray hair down to Sheol with blood."

^NAU Job 7:9 "When a cloud vanishes, it is gone, So he who goes down to Sheol does not come up.

^NAU Job 11:8 "They are high as the heavens, what can you do? Deeper than Sheol, what can you know?

^NAU Job 14:13 "Oh that You would hide me in Sheol, That You would conceal me until Your wrath returns to You, That You would set a limit for me and remember me!

^NAU Job 17:13 "If I look for Sheol as my home, I make my bed in the darkness;

 ¹⁶ "Will it go down with me to Sheol? Shall we together go down into the dust?"

^NAU Job 21:13 "They spend their days in prosperity, And suddenly they go down to Sheol.

^NAU Job 24:19 "Drought and heat consume the snow waters, So does Sheol those who have sinned.

^NAU Job 26:6 "Naked is Sheol before Him, And Abaddon has no covering.

^NAU Psalm 6:5 For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks?

^NAU Psalm 9:17 The wicked will return to Sheol, Even all the nations who forget God.

^NAU Psalm 16:10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.

^NAU Psalm 18:5 The cords of Sheol surrounded me; The snares of death confronted me.

^NAU Psalm 30:3 O LORD, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit.

^NAU Psalm 31:17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon You; Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol.

^NAU Psalm 49:14 As sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; And the upright shall rule over them in the morning, And their form shall be for Sheol to consume So that they have no habitation.

 ¹⁵ But God will redeem my soul from the power of Sheol, For He will receive me. Selah.

^NAU Psalm 55:15 Let death come deceitfully upon them; Let them go down alive to Sheol, For evil is in their dwelling, in their midst.

^NAU Psalm 86:13 For Your lovingkindness toward me is great, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

^NAU Psalm 88:3 For my soul has had enough troubles, And my life has drawn near to Sheol.

^NAU Psalm 89:48 What man can live and not see death? Can he deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah.

^NAU Psalm 116:3 The cords of death encompassed me And the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow.

^NAU Psalm 139:8 If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

^NAU Psalm 141:7 As when one plows and breaks open the earth, Our bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.

^NAU Proverbs 1:12 Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, Even whole, as those who go down to the pit;

^NAU Proverbs 5:5 Her feet go down to death, Her steps take hold of Sheol.

^NAU Proverbs 7:27 Her house is the way to Sheol, Descending to the chambers of death.

^NAU Proverbs 9:18 But he does not know that the dead are there, That her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

^NAU Proverbs 15:11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD, How much more the hearts of men!

 ²⁴ The path of life leads upward for the wise That he may keep away from Sheol below.

^NAU Proverbs 23:14 You shall strike him with the rod And rescue his soul from Sheol. 

^NAU Proverbs 27:20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, Nor are the eyes of man ever satisfied.

^NAU Proverbs 30:16 Sheol, and the barren womb, Earth that is never satisfied with water, And fire that never says, "Enough."

^NAU Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

^NAU Song of Solomon 8:6 "Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the LORD.

^NAU Isaiah 5:14 Therefore Sheol has enlarged its throat and opened its mouth without measure; And Jerusalem's splendor, her multitude, her din of revelry and the jubilant within her, descend into it.

^NAU Isaiah 7:11 "Ask a sign for yourself from the LORD your God; make it deep as Sheol or high as heaven."

^NAU Isaiah 14:9 "Sheol from beneath is excited over you to meet you when you come; It arouses for you the spirits of the dead, all the leaders of the earth; It raises all the kings of the nations from their thrones.

 ¹¹ 'Your pomp and the music of your harps Have been brought down to Sheol; Maggots are spread out as your bed beneath you And worms are your covering.'

 ¹⁵ "Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, To the recesses of the pit.

^NAU Isaiah 28:15 Because you have said, "We have made a covenant with death, And with Sheol we have made a pact. The overwhelming scourge will not reach us when it passes by, For we have made falsehood our refuge and we have concealed ourselves with deception."

 ¹⁸ "Your covenant with death will be canceled, And your pact with Sheol will not stand; When the overwhelming scourge passes through, Then you become its trampling place.

^NAU Isaiah 38:10 I said, "In the middle of my life I am to enter the gates of Sheol; I am to be deprived of the rest of my years."

 ¹⁸ "For Sheol cannot thank You, Death cannot praise You; Those who go down to the pit cannot hope for Your faithfulness.

^NAU Isaiah 57:9 "You have journeyed to the king with oil And increased your perfumes; You have sent your envoys a great distance And made them go down to Sheol.

^NAU Ezekiel 31:15 'Thus says the Lord GOD, "On the day when it went down to Sheol I caused lamentations; I closed the deep over it and held back its rivers. And its many waters were stopped up, and I made Lebanon mourn for it, and all the trees of the field wilted away on account of it.

 ¹⁶ "I made the nations quake at the sound of its fall when I made it go down to Sheol with those who go down to the pit; and all the well-watered trees of Eden, the choicest and best of Lebanon, were comforted in the earth beneath.

 ¹⁷ "They also went down with it to Sheol to those who were slain by the sword; and those who were its strength lived under its shade among the nations.

^NAU Ezekiel 32:21 "The strong among the mighty ones shall speak of him and his helpers from the midst of Sheol, 'They have gone down, they lie still, the uncircumcised, slain by the sword.'

 ²⁷ "Nor do they lie beside the fallen heroes of the uncircumcised, who went down to Sheol with their weapons of war and whose swords were laid under their heads; but the punishment for their iniquity rested on their bones, though the terror of these heroes was once in the land of the living.

^NAU Hosea 13:14 Shall I ransom them from the power of Sheol? Shall I redeem them from death? O Death, where are your thorns? O Sheol, where is your sting? Compassion will be hidden from My sight.

^NAU Amos 9:2 "Though they dig into Sheol, From there will My hand take them; And though they ascend to heaven, From there will I bring them down.

^NAU Jonah 2:2 and he said, "I called out of my distress to the LORD, And He answered me. I cried for help from the depth of Sheol; You heard my voice.

^NAU Habakkuk 2:5 "Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man, So that he does not stay at home. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, And he is like death, never satisfied. He also gathers to himself all nations And collects to himself all peoples.

 

Gen. 37:35; 42:38; 44:29, 31; Num. 16:30, 33; Deut. 32:22; 1 Sam. 2:6; 2 Sam. 22:6; 1 Kgs 2:6, 9; Job 7:9; 11:8; 14:13; 17:13, 16; 21:13; 24:19; 26:6; Psa. 6:5; 9:17; 16:10; 18:5; 30:3; 31:17; 49:14f; 55:15; 86:13; 88:3; 89:48; 116:3; 139:8; 141:7; Prov. 1:12; 5:5; 7:27; 9:18; 15:11, 24; 23:14; 27:20; 30:16; Eccl. 9:10; Song 8:6; Isa. 5:14; 7:11; 14:9, 11, 15; 28:15, 18; 38:10, 18; 57:9; Ezek. 31:15ff; 32:21, 27; Hos. 13:14; Amos 9:2; Jonah 2:2; Hab. 2:5

 

Two verse have the term used twice (Psa 49:14, Hosea 13:14)

One verse, in the NASB has Sheol when the Hebrew is a different term in the BHS, yet it has the same consonants so it is a possible variant. Job 33:18

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!