Baptism
Notes from Scott Sutton's sermon on Sunday, May 19, 2024.
Sermon text: Romans 6:1-7
Last week Pastor Lance shared a new phrase with us about God's grace. In 5:20 Paul says, "Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." OR Grace "Super-Abounded". Which begs the question for us this morning... If grace can super-abound when sin increases; if as sin goes higher, grace goes even higher; then why not sin? What keeps us from saying, "I want to glorify God as much as possible, so if when sin increases, grace superabounds... and God's grace brings him more and more glory, shouldn't we just sin more and more for the glory of God? Many of us sitting here might say, “No of course you can’t do that.” But the important point for us this morning is “why”?
It is a deep question that Paul is anticipating, but he is dealing with this concern: Is Christianity the kind of religion that rewards sin, and thus promotes sinning? Ex. Rewarding dysfunction… budget season…
6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
In Paul’s time, it was apparent that some had a concern with this religion of Jesus Christ, because it seemed possible to them that you could say you have died to sin, and somehow still live in it. Do you believe that? Do you believe that you can continue to live in sin because of grace? Do you believe that the little lies and deceptions and vices are still ok because grace super-abounds?
Some may see that as a loophole to keep sinning. Scripture calls that presuming upon the kindness of God that was meant to lead you to repentance. Some may see that as a flaw in Christianity. Scripture, through Paul, says “There is no flaw. The system is not broken.” And the way he explains this is Baptism!
I’m encouraged to get to talk very specifically about baptism today, because I know that many of you are considering baptism, and many of you have been baptized. [Try to emphasize the significance of baptism…] Baptism is this expression of what we have laid hold of and what has laid hold of us, by faith!
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
- We are baptized into Christ’s death.
What does it mean to die with Christ, to be buried with Christ?
- Our old self is crucified.
The old self isn’t just the parts of you that still struggle… or the parts that you think need work. It is your entire self that is buried with Christ in Baptism. The old self had Adam as a representative head. Conceived in iniquity and brought forth in sin, the old self still tries to pay his own penalties, to justify himself, to feel better by living better. The old self still wants to be in charge, because he thinks he knows best when it comes to his provision, his protection, and his plans. The old self doesn’t want to need God. He craves a life free from dependence. The old self struggles with God-given limitations and weaknesses. With a distaste for submission, he wants to lord over others. To him praise is sweet. Recognition and power are treasures. He looks only to his own interests, because how could anyone else know better what he needs? The old self is attracted to the independent spirit of the serpent. He may use other people, but never love them. Relationships are a means to another end. Money is for more consumption. Time is for what the flesh desires. To him, the first shall never be last. To him, a meek and teachable spirit is a sign of weakness. The old self suppresses truth by making up his own version of it. He willingly trades the truth about God for a lie because truth and God get in the way of his ultimate objective, control. He wants to order his life in a way that he doesn’t have to depend on anyone, especially God. The old self does not fear God, because he thinks he is God.
- Christ died for the old self, so that the old self would die.
- The body of sin must be brought to nothing.
- We are no longer enslaved to sin, for we have been set free.
If the old self has died, then the old self is dead. What does a dead person do when they are presented with an opportunity to give way to the solicitations of the flesh? They’re dead! Which gives us an idea of what this freedom looks like!
4 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.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
This really has two parts… a “now” part, and a “then/forever” part…
- We are raised to walk in newness of life
- We don’t have to submit to sin.
To say that we are dead to sin means that we are no longer under its reign and rule. Scripture tells us that the wages of sin is death. The worst part of the old self is not what he does, but what he earns. Death… eternal separation from God. Under the law, we are doomed. Eternal anguish and punishment. But, when you hear me say, “we don’t have to submit to sin”, you might say, “then why do we still sin?” And the answer is because we choose to. Rather than walking in the newness of life, we choose to walk in the deadness of the old self. There is a direct correlation between how much we treasure Christ and how much we walk in the newness of life.
- There is always a way of escape.
1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”
One of the beautiful realities of the newness of life is that God is in control. The old self was not faithful, but God is faithful. And Paul explains God’s faithfulness in terms of how He actively helps us to fight against sin and temptation. First, notice that temptation is common. Second, notice that for those raised to walk in the newness of life, giving way to temptation is not common. Why, because God provides a way of escape! So, in every moment of temptation, in Christ, you can cry out, “What is the way of escape?!” And often you will find that escape is found in accountability, in community, and in confession. Kids, God has given you parents to help with this. When you are tempted to sin, go to your parents, and tell them, for it is their joy to raise you in the fear and discipline of the Lord! 3 John 4 literally says, “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” So in those moments of doubt, fear, anxiety, selfishness, anger, and fleshliness, the home is meant to be a place of honesty, where sins are confessed, God’s truth is proclaimed, and joy is celebrated as we walk in that truth!
7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.
- We walk in who we are, not who we were.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
- We will be united with Christ in resurrection.
This is the best part. When Christ died, and was buried in a tomb, the unprecedented happened on the 3rd day. There was a moment where Jesus is lying there dead. And when I walk adults and kiddos through the details of their baptism, I ask them, “What do you think was the first thing that Jesus did when he came back to life?” Many say, “He prayed” or “He worshipped God”, and I say no… the FIRST THING. You see, there was a moment in that tomb where all was silent, and then Jesus did this… [deep breath]. And then I ask them what will be the first thing that they do when they come out of the water after they have been baptized? And the answer is the same… [deep breath]. In that moment you are as alive in your newness of life as Christ was alive after he conquered death. It is meant to be exhilarating! He conquered his death, and in doing so, conquered your death. In the same way that, at Christ’s baptism, when He came up out of the water, the clouds parted and the Spirit descended like a dove and the voice of God said, “This is my Son in who I am well pleased”, so your faith in Christ means that God looks at you in the same way… “This is my son [insert names], my daughter [insert names] in who I am well pleased.” And that goes on FOREVER. That is also why baptism is described as an appeal to God for a good conscience. What more is there to clear your guilty conscience than knowing that the God of the universe is well pleased with you?!
- This urges us to have an eternal perspective.
While there is a newness of life in the here and now, we can stop asking for this life to provide us with the joy and comfort that only eternity with God can provide. We can hold more loosely to our belongings. We can stop freaking out when things don’t go our way, or when we receive bad news. We can trust God for our provision, protection, and plans. We can stop trying to control others. We can prioritize the things in our life now, that will still be important eternally. Or as Ecclesiastes taught us, we can live with the end in mind.
We are baptized into Christ’s death, we are raised to walk in the newness of life, and we will be united to Christ in resurrection. How can we who have died to sin still live in it?
Discipleship Questions:
1.) Why is it a problem if more grace leads to more sinning?
2.) How did you relate to the old self described in the sermon? How would you describe your old self? Make it personal...
3.) As you think about your old self, why is it encouraging to know that you are buried with Christ in baptism?
4.) What are the differences between walking in the newness of life and walking in the deadness of the old self?
5.) Why is it sometimes hard to trust that God is in control?
6.) How does the resurrection shape our expectations of this life?
7.) Is your household a place of honesty where sins are confessed, truth is proclaimed, and joy is celebrated? If not, what is one step you can take this week to move in that direction?
8.) How does an eternal perspective keep us more in touch with reality, not less?
