Alive In Christ (Romans 6:11)

Introduction

Wooing us to heaven. Let me more of their beauty see. Sanctify forever. What an honor it is for me today to engage your mind on these most important things that are the graphic somewhat resembles a pulse or a heartbeat, unmistakably so. And you have one, or you wouldn’t be here today. But it is not that physical pulse that I am so much interested in, other than the fact that it gives me an opportunity to talk to you about your even more important spiritual heartbeat. How’s your spiritual taker do? And this comes on the heels of a sermon that I preached two weeks ago from John chapter five. You probably remember it verbatim. And you are unwilling to come to me that you may have life. We need to come to Jesus.

The possession of life is connected to coming to Him and only coming to Him. And so we call two weeks ago about the gospel of life, real life that comes to us from Jesus when we come to Him. But then there’s this question that was already stirring in my mind a couple of weeks ago. I only had so much time to develop a thought in any given lesson, and so I was already thinking about part two. What is the nature of this life that is to be had in Jesus? What does it look like? And even more, why do I need this? And the reason why I raised this question in the very beginning is because hopefully you’re still with me. And I raised this question in the beginning because I think I see in the faces of some and in the attitudes of many people in our world, I don’t need this.

I don’t want this. They don’t want this because they think they don’t need this when they really do need this. Jesus said, you need to come to me in order to have life, and yet people are sitting there sometimes listening to sermons, perhaps for a lot of different reasons. This is my tradition. I’m going to disappoint someone if I don’t show.

I understand intellectually that Jesus provides life, though I’m just not getting it. It’s not resonating with me. I would rather be doing something else. These are the thoughts that many people have. What is this life? Why do I need it? How can I be thrilled with the possession of it? And I must tell you as I talk about some of the thoughts that people have that, yes, there are some very real struggles that confront those who attempt to possess and even do possess this life in Jesus. And so I want to ask you are you indeed this morning alive in Christ?

Or would a better description be? I am born in Christ. I am unenthused. Over. And so as I thought of a passage that might help us in this vein to know what it means and to truly appreciate living in Christ to possess the real life that Jesus had to give, I thought of Romans chapter 6, verses 1 through 11, and I realize this is a very familiar text. But this is really the nuts and bolts of the whole thing. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace might increase? I mean, that is a natural question that flows out of the theological argument of the book of Romans. Grace is the answer for sin. A system of law was not that answer.

Grace through faith in Jesus is the answer that we all desperately needed. Oh, if grace covers sin, then perhaps we ought to sin all the more. No, you’re not quite getting it, Paul says. May it never be. No, that’s not the point of grace. As a license to sin. Oh, if we sin more, grace can do more. No, that’s not the idea at all. And he says, Now I want you to go back to where all of this started, where you became alive. And he says, how shall we who died to sin still live in it? First thing you need to know about alive in Christ. That’s where it starts. Death to sin. How shall we who have died to sin still live in it?

When did that happen? When in our spiritual heartbeat commence. Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death? Aren’t you glad there’s a point in your past, those of you who are in Christ and alive in him, that you can point to a time in your past where you did this concrete act of immersion in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and that’s where I got spiritual life.

Therefore, we have been buried with him. That’s our identification with Christ. Therefore, we have been buried with him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, to the glory of the Father, and the fulfillment of all of his purposes for man and the purpose of all history. In order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, just in imitation of Jesus’ resurrection, so we too might walk in newness of life. And while this passage does not specifically mention repentance, it is implied and all over it. Because he has just said, we have died to sin, therefore we should no longer live in it. And that points to the repentance that so many other passages talk about.

And he talked about in chapter 2. For if we have become united with him, see, there’s our intent. There’s our change of law. We have become united with him in the likeness of his death. Certainly we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Just as he was raised from the dead, we are spiritually resurrected unto a new life. Now, what did all of that mean? Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with him. Enough of my way that was bankrupt and empty and futile. There was only death there. I was crucified with him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. For he who has freed us, for he who has died is freed from sin.

Its tyranny is broken, he says in verse 7. Now, if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him, both now and forever, sanctified forever. Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead is never to die again. Death is no longer master over him. For the death that he died, he died to sin once for all. But the life that he lives, he lives to God. And there is a spiritual implication of that truth about him in our lives. And that’s verse 11. Even so, consider yourselves. Just like at this moment when we became alive in Christ. Even so, going forward as his people, connected to him, even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.

This passage uncovers several important aspects about my walk in this world. It speaks to my confidence in Christ to approach the throne of a holy God because I chose to imitate Jesus’ death and resurrection, and I at that point began to walk in newness of life. That is my confidence. Secondly, the task and mission that is set before me daily is the conquering of my flesh and the sin of my past. Do I consider myself dead to sin? Or am I dead in sin? Walking after the course of this world that Paul was talking about, talk about in Ephesians chapter 2. And then there’s a third observation I would make about this, and I spent some time emphasizing it as I read it. Our victory over sin, our living in Christ, our continuance in being alive in Him.

A successful ingredient, a key ingredient to our successful walk as God’s children is the emphasis of verse 11. We must consider, it’s about the frame of mind that we have. We must consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God.

So if I can convey that to you today about living in Christ.

Consider yourselves dead to sin. How are we going to overcome a sin that has been plaguing us? Areas where we have struggled to make the necessary transformation. There’s so many passages that talk about that later on in New Testament teaching. Lay aside all the remains of wickedness and receive the word implanted, which is able to save our souls. This ongoing battle, lay aside all guile and hypocrisy and evil speaking. These kinds of things continue to plague Christians from time to time. Grow with newborn base. 1 Peter chapter 2, verses 1 and 2. How are we going to know more success and less failure? How are we going to defeat a particular problem of sin that is manifesting itself in our lives on a frequent basis? Romans 6.11 is the key.

It is about considering yourself. We walk out these doors this morning, and I consider myself dead of sin and alive to God.

I was resurrected as Jesus was resurrected. From an old man of sin unto a life of holiness and devotion to my God. There are three initials that anyone in law enforcement and in the medical community are familiar with. They are the initials DOA. That means dead on arrival. And as I thought about these three letters that speak to physical demise, I realized that my purpose is to assist us in being alive on arrival. AOA. And two important ingredients to AOA for you and for me at the throne of God is that we must first exalt in God for what he has done. And then develop a passion for goodness. A passion for purity based upon the fact that God has made me alive. What does this living in Christ look like?

1. Attention to the Spirit Realm and Personal Devotion

I want to share a few things with you, and the lesson will be yours. Number one, it is apparent to me that being alive in Christ will require sufficient attention given to the spiritual realm and personal devotion. You can’t be enthused about spiritual activity, about worship like we’ve engaged in today. Again, you might find yourself just going through the motions, trying to find a spark spiritually, but you cannot constantly devote yourself to everything but the spirit realm and then somehow find some enthusiasm on the first day of the week for worship. Where throughout your life through the week, you have given no thought whatsoever to a very real spirit realm and Jesus the King who reigns therein. I think we sometimes think worship is like a light switch.

Well, someday, we just flip on the switch and we’re ready to go. No, we’re not. We must give constant attention to the presence of the spirit realm. It’s key in our defeat over sin to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God. Several truths must govern the choice and the choices that we make. Even as we regard the passing of time. These three things. Number one, we must consider that everything that we find pleasurable in this world that is so very alluring and distracting from the spirit realm and personal devotion, everything that this world is throwing at us and saying to us, your life would be better if it could be a lot more fun than this. This will really give you the z that you’ve been missing.

This is fun.

This is the best. The devil’s throwing that junk at us all the time. Wanting us to value that and devalue this. Living in Christ. Oh, forget about that boring spiritual stuff. Dismiss God from your thoughts. The world is where it’s at. And we’re getting bombarded with that every day of our lives. And we’ve got to consider in our minds. Okay, there’s some fun to be had there, but it’s temporary. And it’s a fear. And number two, getting attention to the spirit realm and personal devotion actually is in our best interests. It enriches and enhances our lives. Every investment in spiritual pursuit is done in the direction of a living and worthy God. And it makes me better. In ways that we probably can’t even begin to quantify.

Who has made all of this possible for me? Who went to tremendous and extraordinary lengths and personal cost, of which no one has ever experienced anything similar. At the utmost personal cost and sacrifice, He has provided my spiritual life. And so what that ought to do in regard to fuel for us to do Romans 6 and verse 11 to consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to God through Jesus Christ is that we ought to be so enamored with him, so full of appreciation and gratitude, and that our loyalty will then be off the charts, and we say, even like someone who did not have the example of Christ, but still made the connection, how can I do this great wickedness and sin against God? We even more ought to be able to ask that question.

Because of our loyalty to Jesus. Well, what does this look like? I’ll tell you, if you get this right, I think you’ll find naturally that you’ll be more devoted to prayer. Well, the New Testament talks about that. He’s going to mention that verse. Pray without ceasing. It’s hyperbole, I know. Because I don’t think you were praying when you were sleeping last night. So you cease at least for a few hours while you slept. It’s hyperbole. He’s just saying pray all the time. Be devoted to prayer, Paul said that in Romans, in Romans chapter 12 and verse 12. He’s saying, pray all the time. If we are not praying beyond our assemblies, beyond meal times, something is amiss. That’s right. Something’s lacking in our spiritual life. I think one of the things is a procedural problem.

I think we make prayer too hard. There has to be some kind of formula that involves a certain number of words. And yeah, it needs to be lengthy at times. I understand that. But sometimes, and perhaps we ought to do something. Can I help you with this? See if this works for you. Just came up with it this week. Trying something new. Ten words. A prayer of ten words? Yeah. Hear me. Cleanse me. Mold me. Strengthen me. Use me. Ten words. For every day. Give attention to prayer. And model what Jesus modeled. Selfless than this. Okay, you’ve probably been doing pretty good till now. Then you’re going, oh yeah, that’s that’s done. I’ll tell you what selfless. It is going against the grain of natural inclination.

I mean, our natural inclination says self is keen. And that’s true of every one of us. I mean, I don’t think there’s an exception. If you can raise your hand and say I have the exception, then you’re probably going to be teaching. I mean, I think all of us, the natural inclination is self. But I want to tell you something about the pursuit of self that’s destroying our culture, by the way. Destroying the very fabric of the goodness of our nation in its past. That’s right. Selfishness is an unfulfilling path. No matter how much it promises. And man, it promises the world. You can walk down that path as it promises so much, and you will come up empty. That’s right. And without life. That’s what Jesus says.

And when you choose selflessness, I’m going to be a benefit and service to others. I am going to enhance and enrich other people that I can come into contact with other people that I can serve. And that’s what selflessness will lead us to do. Then you have the abiding reward of knowing something. I’m imitating the Lord. This is what my Savior modeled. Concrete acts of assisting others in the highest way possible. Helping another person in the journey along this canvas of time. Because I want to tell you. I think we’re losing more people than ever. I’m not all knowledgeable. Obviously.

And you know, we talk about evangelism, and it’s hard work. It’s hard to reach someone who is encumbered with false ideas about religion and people who are affluent. We have our work cut out for us in evangelism today. Those of us who’ve been having the neighborhood Bible studies can attest the process is not easy in rescuing souls. But can I share something with you? Should we not give equal, perhaps even more attention to those who are already in Christ? Since we are losing so many? And is that not just as much evangelism? It doesn’t matter to me the souls that we save. Whether it’s souls without or souls within. I just need to do what I can to save souls. And look, here are people who are already in our midst, some of whom may well fall away.

That’s right. Here are people who have had a spiritual heartbeat. It may be just as a flicker right now, and we don’t know the circumstances that they’re dealing with. Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians chapter 6 and verse 2. Some of those burdens may be spiritually, they’re struggling. They need us to take an interest in a small, concrete act of service. Show them that we care and that we’re here to help.

Let’s not see evangelism as merely an outside perspective. Well, who’s struggling? Just pick somebody and start surfing. Be the encouraging word that they need. Take an interest in their circumstances. Hebrews 12. It says, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble. On the heels of God’s chastening, it says this. Difficult times that are meant to mold us and shape us, he says, but some people in the midst of all of this, their hands are weak and their knees are feeble, and we need to strengthen them and make straight paths for your feet so that the lame, the limb which is lame may not be put out of joy, but rather be healed. Secondly.

2. Ongoing Evaluation of the Affection Battle

And secondly, there needs to be an ongoing evaluation of the affection battle. That’s really the crux of the whole problem. Now, related to some thoughts I just gave you, the person sitting next to you is most likely not a heavy prior. Now, there can be hypocrites among the Lord, people who profess something, but the majority of their lives is spent in something other than what they profess. There is no real attempt to battle temptation and selfishness and sin. They put in their time in a religious way, but their lives do not reflect what they’ve seen on the first day of the week. There are people like that. And perhaps none of them. But I would suggest that’s not typically the case. But there will still be struggles where we will occasionally probably think or speak or act in a way that is not completely consistent with the holiness this book is teaching us, with what the life of Jesus teaches us.

And I think we all sometimes feel guilty. And why is that? Because there is an affection battle going on all the time. Between love for Jesus and his cause, and love for the world. Going back to even so consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God. We do not look to the things which are seen, but to the things which are unseen. That really summarizes the struggle, doesn’t it? When we get our attention too focused and riveted on the scene, that’s where our problems take place. When the light afflictions that come our way begin to overwhelm us. But he says, our momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison. And then he says, don’t fixate on the scene.

Look at the unseen. See the spirit realm. You must constantly be about the business of monitoring this battle for the affections of your heart. It’s very real. It’s a struggle every one of us deals with.

Sometimes I feel defeated. You ever feel that way?

3. Faith's Victory Is Accomplished One Day at a Time

Man, I still don’t know if I can win this battle. It’s too arduous. It hurts. I struggle. How am I going to win? Final point. Face victory is accomplished one day at a time.

That stuff in the past. Man, I’d like to go back and fix a lot of that, but it’s too late to change it. Thanks me to God that I can rectify. That by the blood of Christ I can be cleansed from it, and I can start over. Alive in Christ. Asking God to cleanse me, as I said, to cleanse me and help me to move forward. And here’s the thing. Oh, but what lies down the path? There’s some big mountains out there. And there may well be. But guess what? Those are mountains down there.

I’ll tell you what I have promise of, and that is right here, right now. That’s all I got. I’m pretty much planning to go to lunch here in just a minute. But I don’t know if I’m going to get there. You don’t either. Faith’s victory is accomplished right here, right now. Decisions and determinations I’m going to make right here. And I can fix my life spiritually in this moment.

Conclusion

And if you are not alive in Christ, you need to fix it in this moment. You need to be immersed in the likeness of Jesus’ death and rise to walk in newness of life as he rose from the dead if you’ve not done that. In this moment you can do it. I know the path is going to be difficult. I’m concerned about what the devil is going to throw your way, but you can choose the Lord today. And then you wake up the next day if you wake up and you say, I’m going to choose the Lord today. And I’m going to do it the next day. For how long? For however long I have a day. Consider yourselves. Dead is it.

And divine assistance and fellowship will be there. That’s the thing. Don’t miss that. Divine assistance and fellowship will help you win in the journey. Hear me. Cleanse me. Mold me. Strengthen me. Use me. And he who began a good work in you will complete it. At the day of the Lord Jesus. Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you. Both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 1 and verse 6, Philippians 2, 12 and 13. And I preach lessons like this because I am confident that everyone here can be AOA.

Alive on a right at God’s throne. Can we help you? Let’s stand a second.