Newness Of Life

 Temple Baptist Church - 4-27-2025

Romans 6:1-14

 

Introduction.

 

A. I missed being with you all at the services this past week. Barbara and I were out of sorts all day, though we watched and thoroughly enjoyed hearing Bro. Earl Green bring the messages.

 

B. Our text outlines the progressive aspects of salvation, which are a part of every believer's life.

 

1.  In Salvation, we have been saved from the Penalty of Sin.  Verse 2 – “dead to sin.” 

 

1 John 3:9  Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.

 

2.  In Salvation, we have been saved from the Practice of Sin.  Verse 4 – “newness of life.” 

 

Ephesians 2:2-3  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  (3)  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

 

3.  In Salvation, we have been saved from the Power of Sin.  Verse 9 – “no more dominion.” 

 

Romans 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

 

4.  In Salvation, we will one day be removed from the Presence of Sin.  Verse 6 – “that the body of sin might be destroyed.” 

 

Revelation 21:27  And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

 

C.  But, from Good Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday, I thanked God that Christ Jesus came to pay our sin debt on an old rugged cross, was buried, and bodily arose from the grave.  Because He lives, we live also.  Because He lives, we shall one day forever live with Him.

 

In our text, Paul asks five questions concerning our resurrection from death to life: Verses 1, 2, 3, 15, 16.  This resurrection is not something that Christ did. It occurs after salvation, as we are all new creatures in Christ Jesus.

 

D.  This morning, I want to look at the intended results of the Resurrection. 

 

1.  The first result is the completion of the Gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth, both Jew and Gentile.  One Gospel, one salvation. 

 

John 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. Hallelujah! 

 

2.  The second result is made plain in Romans, chapter 6. This chapter defines the intended result that comes after our salvation. The resurrection of the believer from sin changes our relationship with sin. The sixth chapter of Romans is about our relationship with sin after being saved. 

 

3.  There is a significant difference between possession and profession regarding salvation, heaven, or hell. We need to be cautious at this point because only God can truly judge a person’s heart. Some believers behave like the world, and those who are unsaved act like believers. These situations should not exist; however, in the Laodicean Church age, they are realities we must consider. I use the word "consider" because this remains both a mystery and a disappointment.

 

4.  We live in religious times.  As we look across America, we find that God and Jesus Christ are mentioned from the pulpits, but few have a testimony of a changed life.  I know that I quote this verse often, but the Bible says, not this pastor says:

 

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

a)  This does not make you and me perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but if your life is not different, it would be smart to go back and examine what you have. Self-examination is demanded in the Bible.  I examine myself!

 

b)  In March 2024, Dr. Adrian Rogers, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (1979–1980 and 1986–1988), said that 21% of Americans say they attend religious services every week, 9% almost every week, 11% report attending about once a month, 36% seldom attend church, 25% never attend.

 

2 Timothy 3:1-5  This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.  (2)  For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  (3)  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,  (4)  Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  (5)  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

 

c)  What was Paul prophesying?  At the end of time, our day, people would profess to be saved while continuing to live unholy lives, while saying that they are saved.  Most people in the Bible Belt will tell you that they are saved if you ask, and what their denomination is.  Yet the churches are not full, and services are canceled.  Notice the phrase “denying the power thereof.”  Paul is speaking of the POWER OF A RESURRECTED LIFE!

 

Romans 1:4-5  And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:  (5)  By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:

 

d)  Our resurrection is found in our text.  Christ’s resurrection was a declaration of power according to the spirit of holiness, so our resurrection is our declaration of a changed life lived for Christ.

 

Romans 6:4-5  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (5)  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

 

Romans 6:8-11  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:  (9)  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.  (10)  For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.  (11)  Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

E.  I am not trying to get a saved person to think that they are lost this morning. But I do want you to make sure that you know for sure this morning.

 

2 Corinthians 13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

 

Acts 8:39  And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing.

 

1.  The most important source of assurance is the Bible!  The Bible tells me that I am saved, and I believe that.

 

2.  The Holy Spirit assures me that I am saved because he bears witness.

 

3.  The Power of a Resurrected Life assures me that I am saved.  I have never been the same.  Failure, Yes.  Faults, Yes.  Falling at times, Yes.  But saved and forever I am.

 

James 2:17-18  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  (18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.