The RADICAL CHANGE

Roman's 6:1-14
Sanctification - A lifelong process?
This verses are vital to our understanding of the Christian life.
Discipleship counseling

WHAT WE MAY SAY (1)

A. Are we to continue in sin?
It is not a physical death. Comprehensive death. Death to all your desires. Old things
had passed away; new things are here.
Lawson: "We died to sin but sin has not died to us"
 B. Will sin increase grace?

HOW WE MUST ANSWER (2)

A. May it never be!

B. We died to sin

C. We cannot live in sin

WHAT WE MUST KNOW (3-10)

A. We were crucified with Christ (See John Murray's Redemption Accomplished and
Applied, chapter on Union with Christ)
The ruling power of sin is broken. Sin is no longer the driving principle of my life. I do not
have to obey sin. Sin has no authority over me.
B. We were buried with Christ. Raised to an entirely new life. We became an entirely
different person when we were born again.
C. We were raised with Christ. (4b-5) eternal life like no other. There can be no lack of
assurance when we are under this kind of teaching and doctrine. If there's a resurrection
there should have been a crucifixion.
D. We were freed from sin (6-7). We are no longer slaves of sin. No longer Obedient to sin.
E. We live with Christ (8-10). Everything begins with knowing. Will, mind, affection.
Knowledge of truth. First intellect then affection then will. Battle for the Christian life is
battle for the Christian mind.

WHAT WE MUST RECKON (11) logizomai - to reckon, calculate

A. We are dead to sin (11a)

B. We are alive to God (11b)

HOW WE MUST LIVE (12-14) "SO WHAT?" APPLY! APPLY! MOVE PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT
DIRECTION. Lawson: Great preaching gets to the "therefore."
A. Do not let sin reign in you (12)
Jonathan Edwards: Exposition- Doctrine- Application. Do not stop with stuffing
gunpowder into the cannon. Fire the cannon!
Two parts: (a) Negative denial (b) Positive assertions

B. Do not present yourself to sin

C. Present yourself to God
D. Do not let master you. 14a
E. You are not under law 14b
F. You are under grace (14c)
THE NEW OBEDIENCE: ROMANS 6:15-23
Obedience is the important thing. Obedience of faith. Obedience that grows out of faith. Every
true believer will live in obedience to Christ.

THE QUESTION 15a

A. Shall we sin because we are not under law? 15a
B. Shall we sin because we are under grace? 15b

THE REPUDIATION 15c

Answer: MAY IT NEVER BE! That's a ghastly thought.
17b
THE ILLUSTRATION 16
A. Slaves obey their master 16a
How sin controls us: being primed to do it; having opportunities to do it; driven by goal
we cannot resist; embracing a lie; etc.)
Bondservants
B. Slaves of sin obey sin.
C. Slaves of Christ obey Him.d

THE EXPLANATION 17-22

A. You were once slaves of sin 17a, 19a
A neglected theme in preaching: the new birth; regeneration
Ezekiel 36:25-27
(Tell me what you believe about a particular doctrine and I will tell you what you believe
about 20 other doctrines.)
B. You are now obedient to God 17b paradidomai- 1
C. You have been freed from sin 18a
D. You are now slaves of righteousness 18b, 19b (slaves of righteousness- how are
believers become "enslaved" to righteousness? Wanting it does not make him a slave;
there must be an irresistible compulsion. )
"No church can live up to all that is being taught but no church can live beyond what is
being taught. " (Lawson)
E. You once were free from righteousness 20
F. You once were dying 21
G. You are now being sanctified 22 "If the Bible is unclear to people, it is not because the
Bible is unclear but because people are blinded by the darkness of sin."
J C Ryle on the new life in Christ

THE FOUNDATION (22)

A. You were once earning death 23a
B. You now have received life 23b It is the life of God in the soul of men.

THE INTERNAL PROBLEM ROMANS 7:1-13

THE ILLUSTRATION 1-3
Distinguishing between moral law and ceremonial law. Ceremonial law was fulfilled in Christ.
Third part is civil law. Applicable to Israel in their land. Ex: an eye for an eye and tooth for a
tooth. Moral law is embodied in the ten commandments and is still binding. However the
Sabbath commandments are complex.
A. The law has authority while one lives 1
B. A wife is bound to her husband while he lives 2a
C. A wife is released from her husband when he dies 2b-3. "We are released from the law
in the sense of justification but not in the sense of sanctification."

THE APPLICATION 4
A. We died to the law through Christ 4a
B. We are joined to the risen Christ 4b
C. We bear fruit for God 4c

THE PRE-CONVERSION 5
A. The law aroused our sinful passions 5a
B. Sin bore the fruit of death 5b

THE CONVERSION 6
A. We were released from the law 6a
B. We died to the law 6b
C. We serve the law in the Spirit 6c

THE CLARIFICATION 7-12

A. The law reveals sin 7
B. The law arouses sin 8-9c
C. The law brings death 9d-11
D. The law is holy 12

THE CONCLUSION 13
A. The law is good and not the problem 13a
The problem is not the mirror but the ugliness of your face due to the sin.
B. Personal sin is the problem 13b
C. Sin uses the law to effect death 13c
D. The law makes sin become utterly sinful 13d

THE ONGOING CONFLICT ROMANS 7:14-25

THE CONFLICT EXPLAINED 14

A. The law is spiritual 14a
B. I am of flesh 14b
 Growing believers grow in their sensitivity to sin. More mature Christians are more aware
of sin in their lives than the less mature.
C. I am sold into bondage 14c

THE ENEMY IDENTIFIED 15-20

A. Sin is a perplexing mystery 15a,,,5
B. Sin is a total contradiction 15b
C. Sin is legal offense 16
D. Sin is an indwelling force 17
E. Sin is a contrary power 18
F. Sin is a continuing reality 20Q

THE LAWS COLLIDING 21-25

A. The law of sin is in me 21
Galatians 5:16,17
B. The law of God is in me 22
C. These laws are warring in me 23a
D. The law of sin imprisons me 23b
E. The longing to be free is in me 24
Being honest to God about sin.
F. The deliverance is in Jesus 25a
It's not over; there will be victories and there will be defeats.
G. I serve the law of God 25b
H. I serve the law of sin in my flesh 25c

Recognize that the conflict is real and the stakes are high.
Resist sin. Amount a major offensive against sin. Stay awake and alert.
Repent of all sin. Make an audit of sin.

Rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.

The greatest need of your church is your personal holiness. Your holiness should exceed your
giftedness.
The Westminister divines identified 3 essential characteristics of the church
1. The preaching of the gospel
2. Baptism and the Lord's table
3. Church discipline

THE INDWELLING SPIRIT ROMANS 8:1-16

If the Bible can be viewed as a ring, Romans 8 can be regarded as the diamond.
Preaching tips: note the dominant thrust; watch for repeated words; cut the long passages into
manageable pieces. Great preachers are linear--one point leading to the next point. Great
preachers speak in sharp contrasts. Be alert to small words; be observant like an investigator.
You cannot preach what you did not see.
THE SPIRIT LIBERATES US 1-2
Justification and sanctification are inseparable. If there's no sanctification, there has
been no justification.
A. Jesus delivered us from condemnation 1
B. The Spirit delivered us from sin and death 2

THE SPIRIT EMPOWERS US 3-4

The Christian life is not difficult; it is impossible. It is impossible without God's Spirit. The
Spirit liberate us and empower us.
A. The law is powerless without God’s power 3
B. The law is fulfilled by the Spirit’s power 4

THE SPIRIT FOCUSES US 5-8

A. Unbelievers are absorbed with the flesh 5a
οἱ γὰρ κατὰ σάρκα ὄντες τὰ τῆς σαρκὸς φρονοῦσιν,οἱ δὲ κατὰ πνεῦμα τὰ τοῦ πνεύματος.
B. Believers are absorbed with the Spirit 5b
C. Unbelievers are subject to death 6a
D. Believers are subject to life 6b
E. Unbelievers are hostile toward God 7 (ἔχθρα εἰς θεόν)
F. Unbelievers cannot please God 8

THE SPIRIT INDWELLS US 9-11

A. Believers are indwelt by the Spirit 9a
B. Unbelievers are without the Spirit 9b
C. Believers are indwelt by Christ 10a
D. Believers have life because of Christ 10b
E. The Spirit resurrected Jesus 11a
F. Believers have life by the Spirit 11b

THE SPIRIT PURIFIES US 12-13

A. Believers are not obligated to the flesh 12
B. Unbelievers in the flesh will die 13a
C. Believers by the Spirit mortify sinful deeds 13b
D. Believers by the Spirit will live 13c

THE SPIRIT LEADS US 14

A. Believers are led by the Spirit 14a
B. Believers are led into holiness 14b

THE SPIRIT ASSURES US 15-16

A. Believers are not slaves to sin 15a
B. Believers are adopted as sons 15b
C. Believers enjoy intimacy with God 15c
D. Believers enjoy assurance of salvation 16
Q&A THOUGHTS
● Good biblical preaching will draw young men who love the world.
● Disciple the young men, elders and deacons into sound theology and godly life.
● Two involvements with members of a big church: the big group involvement and the
small group involvement. Leaders of small groups disciple the members of their
respective groups.
● Involve lay leaders in discipling the members of the church.
● Personal: Study hard, disciple men, pray ceaselessly, love your family.
● SYSTEMATIC THEOLOGY its role in exegesis.

THE FUTURE HOPE ROMANS 8:17-27

I. BELIEVERS ARE BOUND FOR GLORY 17-18

A. We are heirs with Christ 17a
B. We suffer with Christ 17b
C. We will be glorified with Christ 17c
D. We will experience incomparable glory 18

II. CREATION GROANS FOR GLORY 19-22

A. Creation awaits believers’ glory 19
B. Creation is now subjcted to futility 20
C. Creation will be released from its slavery 21a
D. Creation will share in future glory 21b
E. Creation now groans and suffers 22

III. BELIEVERS GROAN FOR GLORY 23-25

A. Believers have the Spirit 23a
B. Believers await bodily redemption 23b
Those who are most suffering in their present life, they are
most longing for glory.
We have a redeemed soul but not a redeemed body.
C. Believers hope for the unseen 24
D. Believers persevere with hope 25

IV. THE SPIRIT GROANS FOR BELIEVERS 26-27

A. Believers are weak in prayer 26a
B. The Spirit prays for believers 26b
We have two intercessors praying for us
whose prayers are always answered.
C. God searches believers’ hearts 27a
D. God knows the mind of the Spirit 27b
E. The Spirit prays according to God’s will 27c
THE SOVEREIGN PURPOSE ROMANS 8:28-30

I. THE CERTAINTY 28a,b

A. Believers know this truth 28a
B. God works all things for good 28b
Nothing is outside of this all things. Evil things, though not coming from God,
are allowed by God for His good purpose.
II. THE OBJECTS 28c,d
A. Believers love God 28c
Two calls related to salvation: the external call and the internal call. The preacher
gives the external call and the Holy Spirit provides the internal call.
B. Believers are called by God’s purpose 28d
III. THE CHOICE 29a,b The most comprehensive verse in the Bible covering from eternity
past up to eternity future.
A. Believers were foreknown by God 29a
What it is NOT
That God looked into the future and adapted his plan to people's foreseen
responses.
That God saw what people would do in the future. (God did not foreknow
people's actions; he foreknow people.)
Acts 13:48
B. Believers were predestined by God 29b
IV. THE INTENT 29c,d,e
A. Believers are being conformed into Christ-likeness 29c
B. Christ has the preeminence in all things 29d
C. Christ has many brethren 29e
V. THE OUTCOME 30
A. Believers are called by God 30a
B. Believers are justified by God 30b
C. Believers are glorified by God 30c

THE ETERNAL SECURITY ROMANS 8:31-39

I. THE OPPOSITION QUESTION 31

A. What shall we say? 31a
B. God is for us 31b
C. Who can be against us? 31c
II. THE PROVISION QUESTION 32
A. God gave us His Son 32a
Argument from the greater to the less.
B. Will he not give us all else? 32b
III. THE PROSECUTION QUESTION 33
A. Who can bring a charge against believers? 33a
 B. God justifies believers 33b
IV. THE CONDEMNATION QUESTION 34
A. Who can condemn believers? 34a
B. Christ died for us 34b
C. Christ was raised for us 34c
D. Christ is enthroned for us 34d
E. Christ intercedes for us 34e
V. THE SEPARATION QUESTION 35-37
A. Who can separate us from God’s love? 35a
B. Nothing can separate us from God’s love 35b-36
Nothing that we do or anything that they do can separate us from God's love.
C. Believers conquer through Christ 37
VI. THE FINAL CONCLUSION 38-39
A. Paul is convinced of God’s inseparable love 38a
Strong Christian's have strong conviction. Weak Christians have weak
convictions.
B. Death nor life cannot separate us 38b
C. Angels nor authorities cannot separate us 38c
Example is Job who suffered under Satan's provocations.
D. Things present nor future cannot separate us 38d
E. Height nor depth cannot separate us 39a
F. Created things cannot separate us 39b
G. Nothing can separate believers from God’s love 38e
H. God’s love is in Christ Jesus 38f
Application
HUMILITY - our only contribution to our salvation is our sins laid on Jesus
BOLDNESS -
FIRE IN PREACHING