Romans 6:1 to 6:23 Believers have died to the tyrannical rule of sin through union with Christ in his death, and are raised to walk in brand newness of life as servants of righteousness. Refute the antinomian lie that abundant grace encourages continuing in sin. Understand the meaning of baptism as identification with Christ's death and resurrection. Learn to present our bodily members to God as instruments of righteousness. Paul anticipates a slanderous objection: 'If God's grace abounds where sin increases (Romans 5:20), shouldn't we sin more so grace can abound even more?' Paul forcefully dismantles this absurdity. Shall We Continue in Sin? By No Means! Paul confronts the objection with passionate resolve: 'What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?' The Greek phrase me genoito ('May it never be!') expresses total horror. A genuine Christian cannot casually treat sin as a hobby, because our fundamental relationship to sin has been decisively severed through Christ. Buried and Raised with Christ Paul uses the visual reality of baptism to explain our spiritual union with Jesus. All who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death: 'We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.' Our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, and we would no longer be enslaved to sin. Instruments of Righteousness Paul gives practical commands for daily living: 'Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body... Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life.' We are no longer slaves to sin leading to death, but slaves to God leading to sanctification. 'For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.' For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 How did Paul respond to the question 'Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?' By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Yes, sin as much as you like because grace covers everything Only sin on the weekends It does not matter either way By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:2 categorically rejects antinomianism; union with Christ means death to the mastery of sin. What does baptism picture in Romans 6:3 to 4? Spiritual union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection Joining an earthly social club Earning salvation by washing with water A ritual only for elderly people Spiritual union with Christ in his death, burial, and resurrection Baptism visibly enacts being buried with Christ into death and raised to walk in newness of life. What stark contrast is presented in Romans 6:23? The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus The reward of hard work is money, but gold is better Sin is fun, but rules are boring Old age brings wisdom, but youth brings strength The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus Sin pays its earned wage (eternal death), while God gives unearned grace (eternal life). Take inventory of your physical senses and habits this week (eyes, hands, speech), and consciously pray: 'Lord, I present my body to you as an instrument of righteousness today.' Lord Jesus, thank you that through union with you, my old self was crucified and the power of sin was broken. Forgive me when I flirt with temptations you died to rescue me from. Take my eyes, my hands, my words, and my thoughts, and use them as instruments of your righteousness. Amen. Why is the claim 'God will forgive me anyway, so it doesn't matter if I sin' a complete misunderstanding of grace? What does it look like practically to present our phone usage and social media as instruments of righteousness? Youth understand that grace does not encourage license; rather, union with Christ breaks sin's slavery and empowers holy living. Bring an emancipation proclamation story or video clip. If a slave has been legally set free by the president, would they still take orders from their old abusive master? No! We have been freed from sin! If I still struggle with temptation, does that mean I am not dead to sin? Being dead to sin means sin is no longer your reigning king or master. Temptation still attacks from the outside, but you have the power in Christ to say no. 5 min Hook, 20 min Expository Examination, 10 min Practical Holiness Dialogue, 10 min Instruments of Righteousness Exercise, 5 min Prayer