(Rom 6:15-18) Be A Slave For God (Part 1)

Nathan Sehi

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Does freedom from the law equal a license to sin? Paul continues to address how sin in the Christian life is contrary to the Gospel we have received. It represents an ironic enslavement to sin rather then an enslavement to God. This idea of enslavement to sin would have startled many NT believers who would have been a slave at some point in their life.

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INTRODUCTION:

Two out of three Americans consider themselves burdened by debt.

Around 65% of Americans report over $35,000 of that on average. (Dave Ramsey)

For some of us that may be less for some of us are that may be in three figure digits.

Now imagine a world where there was no such thing as bankruptcy.

The ability to declare bankruptcy predates the founding of our country, but not by much.

Bankruptcy as a law did not come into existence anywhere in the world until the bankruptcy of law 1542 in England.

First time there was such a thing as bankruptcy.

Bankruptcy is a law did not come into existence until the bankruptcy law 242 New England. Prior to that, there was no such thing as bankruptcy.

Prior to that, there was no such thing as bankruptcy.

So what did you do if you found yourself in a massive pile of debt before there was bankruptcy?

The harsh reality of the ancient world - was that you had a massive debt,

you were forced to choose between homelessness and slavery.

Obviously, mothers and fathers cannot contemplate homelessness.

Homelessness doesn't even appeal to most unmarried without children.

The welfare system and the bankruptcy system of Paul’s day - was slavery.

In the Ancient world - You would serve as a slave until you were debt free and had enough economic position to be free.

It is in this background, that we come to our text.

- It is been estimated that of the people were found in the ancient Italian peninsula of the Roman Empire - 85 to 90% of people who were either a slave or once been a slave.

- Some have estimated that any given time there was somewhere between 1/5 and 1/3 of the population were slaves.

Some have estimated that any given time there was somewhere between 1/5 and 1/3 of the population were slaves.

- So many were slaves, that when ancient Roman Senate proposed an identification law are slaves – they voted it down because they thought the slaves would figure out to easily how many there were really were.>>>>>That they are outnumbered those who were not slaves.

So many were slaves, that when ancient Roman Senate proposed an identification law are slaves – they voted it down because they thought the slaves would figure out to easily how many there were really were.

How did so many in ancient Rome become slaves?

That they are outnumbered those who were not slaves.

That many people in the population had found themselves in debt or extreme poverty,

and without bankruptcy,

had to choose to become slaves or to be cast out on the streets.

What might surprise us, is that slavery in the ancient world was not forced most of the time.

>>>>>>>>>>>They chose it to save themselves from starvation.

You can imagine if you were a slave or had been a slave,

you were forced to sale yourself into slavery

- you might be surprised that our text this morning will challenge us to choose to be slaves to God

>>>>>>To literally give ourselves as slaves to God.

But that is exactly what Paul teaches us to do.

***********************PRAY***********************************

You may have noticed the striking similarity to the passage we just finished, and this one.

((((((It is remarkably similar to last week.))))

There are some differences.

warns us against thinking grace means we should sin for more grace., while warns us against thinking because I am not under the Law sin doesn’t matter.

focuses on us serving the King of sin or the King of grace, while focus on who we choose to become slaves too.

So there are some differences,

but if we were honest

- it is the same appeal.

It is the same argument.

It is the same logic.

They both are dealing with libertine antinomianism - the heretical belief that grace and not be under the law gives me a license to sin.

So why not just skip this section and go to chapter 7?

Besides making the point that Scripture is sufficient, even in its shape and form.

May I answer it apologetically today.

Maybe Paul is worried we would be too hardhearted

and too in love with sin to listen properly the first time - and so he gives it to us a second time.

In fact, his second illustration - be a slave to God, would have shocked most of his readers who had been or were slaves.

IF we understand the background of Ancient Roman slavery - we also would be shocked to hear Paul tell us to be slaves to God.

And I don’t think that is by accident.

I don't want to flatten this text out by saying it's exactly the same,

yet I have to say the immediate application is remarkably similar.

And so may Scripture be what guides our thoughts this morning

and may we take a second look,

May we re-examine our hearts as we consider -23.

Romans 6:15–23 ESV

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. 19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. 20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

-23

According to Paul

Romans 5:12–13 ESV

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.

Rom 5:12-13

-23

PROP: We Should Present Ourselves as Slaves to God.

((((((It is remarkably similar to last week.))))

There are some differences.

warns us against thinking grace means we should sin for more grace., while warns us against thinking because I am not under the Law sin doesn’t matter.

focuses on us serving the King of sin or the King of grace, while focus on who we choose to become slaves too.

So there are some differences,

but if we were honest

- it is the same appeal.

It is the same argument.

And I recognize that this might sound really similar to last week. Yet I observe Paul purposely repeating himself in a very similar pattern.

TRANS: And this text gives us 4 reasons why.

Why?

So why not just skip this section and go to chapter 7?

Besides making the point that Scripture is sufficient, even in its shape and form.

May I answer it apologetically today.

Obviously, because he thought we needed to hear it.

Maybe Paul is worried we would be too hardhearted

and too in love with sin to listen properly the first time - and so he gives it to us a second time.

I don't want to flatten this text out by saying it's exactly the same,

yet I have to say the immediate application is remarkably similar.

And so may Scripture be what guides our thoughts this morning

and may we take a second look,

May we re-examine our hearts to see if it was too hard to listen to the message the first time.

Clarification:

Just to clarify - For time reasons We will look at two reasons this week (Part 1) and and two reasons next week (Part 2)

So first, We Should Present Ourselves as Slaves to God. because

1) Believing “Sin Doesn’t Matter” is Slavery to Sin. ()

Paul begins again with his introductory question –

Romans 6:15 ESV

15 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

Like I said a few minutes ago, this is nearly the exact same question.

But Paul does give a bit of variety here.

The Question last week - Should we sin more so we can get more grace?

We said last week that challenged us that sinning more doesn't make grace abound, but sin abound.

It was a manipulation of the life-giving grace that we have been given in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The question today, is – if we are not under the law then why not just go out and sin.

If we are receiving a righteousness apart from the law (),

then does my sin matter?

Why not just live life as though your gospel is an insurance policy?

*****Paul answers this question in two ways.

His gut instinct – God forbid.

This question is a horrendous question for someone who is a believer in Jesus Christ.

((((It may make perfect sense to someone who is not truly a believer in Christ.)))

But if we understood what our Lord and Savior has done,

we would understand why this is an irrational question.

To live for sin is to make yourself a slave to sin>>>>> and that is precisely why Jesus Christ died to set us free from.

He died in the grave so that our nature would die with him ()

and we would be set free to be a slave to someone else – God.

Romans 6:16 ESV

16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

What does this text teach us?

a. We all present ourselves as slaves.

Remember the historical background were talking about,

we are talking about a culture where 85% to 90% of the people at one time or another were slaves.

we are talking about a culture where 85% to 90% of the people at one time or another had to present themselves as slaves in order to get out of debt.

That is just the reality of living in Paul's day.

We could say this is something of Rome,

but we know this is also true of Ephesus is the true of Corinth, this would be true of anywhere we wanted to live in ancient.

Paul is saying we all present ourselves to someone.

***{{{{{{{{{This idea of presenting is the idea of someone being in debt, and so presenting themselves as a slave to pay for their debt. }}}}}**

EXHORTATION:

Don't be fooled into thinking that your free

because no matter where you live and what freedom you're guaranteed by law – you're still presenting yourself as a slave.

You are not autonomous ruler of yourself - you are slave to something.

The question is what?

ILLUSTRATION:

I think of Alexander the great – a person who had everything at his fingertips.

If Alexander the great wanted something he could get it.

Whether he had to buy it, or conquer it, he could get it.

Afterall - In his Empire Alexander had in his empire all 7 wonders of the Ancient World.

So often he the freest person on earth – he can do whatever he wanted.

And yet we know from history and from theology that he was a slave just like you and me.

Everyone is a slave.

There are no exceptions.

b. Our only freedom is to choose who we present ourselves too: Sin or God.

Romans 6:16 ESV

When our text says"obedience", it means obeying God.

We are either obeying sin unto spiritual and physical death,

or we are obeying God unto his perfect ways.

We all are presenting ourselves to one or the other.

To sin or to God.

But we are all slaves to someone.

I really only have the freedom to choose who I present myself too.

>>>>This is why it is the irrational to think my sin doesn't matter.

This is why it is the irrational to think my sin doesn't matter.

Because if I am obeying sin I'm presenting myself to sin as it’s slave.

ILLUSTRATION:

Perhaps a close comparison is our appetite.

Does anybody here have a choice not to eat?

And you're going to tell me sin doesn't matter.

The answer self-evident, we all have to eat sometime.

You don’t believe - go without food for 3 days and your body will scream .... I need food.

So the real question is - what are we going to eat?

The only question is - what are we going to eat?

And you might say we are all on some type of diet.

Every one of us.

We're either on

a healthy diet

or seafood diet.

If we were all honest we all like the seafood diet,

(((I seafood and I eat it.)))

But none of us can truly and forever live on a seafood diet.

Eventually

weight,

blood pressure,

heart issues,

blood sugar … Will catch up to us.

And so inevitably for one reason or another we go on a healthy diet.

No one likes a healthy diet because the flesh craves the seafood diet.

But it is what our bodies need.

Our sin nature's like that.

We are either directing our bodies to be slaves to sin (a seafood diet of pleasure)

or we are directing our bodies to be slaves to God (a diet surrounded by the wisdom and goodness of God)

We don't have the option to choose whether we have that appetite,

we only have the freedom to choose to be slaves to God or slaves to sin.

So,

Who do you call master?

I also think this speaks of the power of sin indirectly.

We can’t simply say for the moment we are obeying sin, but I will quit in a few.

Many people have been tricked that way.

Paul’s making the point that when we obey sin we become a slave to sin.

He's making the point that when we obey sin we become a slave.

If I'm a slave too someone I have given my control the someone else.

I no longer own my own choices my slave master owns them.

EXHORTATION:

Don't you think for a minute sin doesn't matter,

because sin will put you under shackles and bondage in a heartbeat if it can.

If you are feeling a temptation today - realize it has the power to make you it’s slave.

If we looked at sin nature like a slave master

- I think we would have a different opinion about sin.

So First,

We should choose to be a slave to God,

because choosing sin always means becoming a slave to sin.

Notice how the fruit of our lives follows who we present ourselves as slaves.

Secondly, We should choose to be a slave to God because

2) The Grace of God Leads us to Slavery to God. ()

Not if we present ourselves as slaves, but who we present ourselves as slaves.

Have you ever considered where the grace of the Gospel leads us?

Right now we are in the middle one of my favorite times of year - hiking season.

During the summer months we try to get out and take hikes in

the snowy range,

Veudavoo,

and make special trips to other places where we can do hiking and camping.

Over we don't just pick any trail we find on the side of the road because we don't know where it goes.

Now, we don’t just pick any trail we find on the side of the road because we don't know where it goes.

So pick a trail for we know it leads to somewhere we want to go – Mountain View, beautiful Lake, alongside a river.

Last summer Ted was kind enough to point me to crater Lake, is one of the trails we want to take is to crater Lake trail.

Crater lake is the bug hole with pine tree’s all around.

It’s gorgeous.

I Remember walking into Crater Lake area and thinking,

man I had to take my kids and wife here.

Member walking into the crater Lake area and thinking, man I had to take my kids and wife here.

The point is - we know where our trail ended

As We begin this journey in the gospel of Jesus Christ – we have to ask where does it lead?

Versus 17 – 18 teaches us the gospel of Jesus Christ leads us to a wonderful place – slavery to God.

Now slavery to God might not sound like that great of a place to go.

I mean - who wants to be a slave.

But when we understand that God is a place of goodness, righteousness, and love. Then we might reconsider whether slavery is that bad when the slavery to someone that good.

Jeremiah 9:24 ESV

24 but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

Then we might reconsider whether slavery is that bad when the slavery to someone that good.

We ought to be praising God today because he is leading us to a wonderful place – place where he is our master and in his goodness he chooses our path.

Consider where slavery to God leads us in v. 17-18.

An v. 17-18 teaches us it leads us to be slaves to God.

Romans 6:17–18 ESV

17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Paul first says “give thanks”.

a. Give “thanks” recognizes the grace of God in our freedom.

We didn't not earn our freedom to choose.

We don't choose a wonderful slavery to God instead of hard slavery to sin on our own.

We don't choose wonderful slavery to God instead of hard slavery to som on her own.

Jesus does that.

Remember – taught us that we were set free from sin by Christ who died for us.

Romans 6:3–5 ESV

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 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.

So, our ability to choose this morning is what we call grace and we ought to give God thanks for his grace.

Grace is receiving blessings we don’t deserve.

We owe thanks to God that we are not slaves this morning to sin because we didn’t earn it.

Because it was grace that caused us to obey in our hearts - the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Paul not saying here that we obeyed a set of rules,

but that we listened, believed, trusted the teachings we were given - that Jesus alone came to save us from our entrapment to sin.

SALVATION CHALLENGE:

You can’t say - I am saved by Jesus Christ

>>>> unless - I can say Jesus and only Jesus paid for my sins and set me free from slavery to my sins.

He did that on the cross, not me.

Only then are we truly slaves to God - obeying the teachings of the Gospel.

But how does that relate to what were talking about?

b. Grace Should Lead Us to Slavery to Righteousness.

By the grace of Jesus Christ we are no longer slaves to sin,

But that doesn't mean we are now free and neutral agents.

This isn't a freedom to autonomy - so I can do whatever I want.

This isn't a freedom to autonomy - I can do whatever I want.

AKA - I can sin however and whenever I want.

The freedom that Jesus bought us is the freedom to freely choose to be slaves of God.

>>>> Because the only other option is to obey sin and make it my master.

Because the only other option is to obey sin and make it my master.

>>>>>whoever I present myself to becomes my master.

But - whoever I present myself to becomes my master.

The grace of God found in Christ should lead us to slavery to God.

The grace of God leads us to slavery to God.

Further,

c. The Leading of Grace is to bl (perfecting) righteousness.

What does it mean to be a slave to God?

And part of that believe is that we follow and faithfully represent our master.

The best slaves were always the ones who brought honor to their master.

ILLUSTRATION:

I think of Joseph in Potphers house in Genesis 39

What does it mean to be a slave to God?

If you recall the story of Joseph, he wassold as a slave and later was purchased as a slave for a Wealthy Egyptians house.

Joseph worked hard, and honored his master so well, that he was placed in charge of his entire house.

Romans 6:18 ESV

18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

We ought to choose slavery to God because

- Believing “Sin Doesn’t Matter” is Slavery To Sin.

When you are a slave - a good slave will follow and faithfully represent their master.

And part of that believe is that we follow and faithfully represent our master.

The best slaves were always the ones who brought honor to their master.

ILLUSTRATION:

I think of Joseph in Potphars house ()

If you recall the story of Joseph,

he was sold as a slave

and later was purchased as a slave for a Wealthy Egyptians house.

Joseph worked hard, and honored his master so well, that he was placed in charge of his entire house.

In the same way, we ought to honor our master.

If we are slaves to God, then we ought to honor God.

In other words, we ought to live as slaves to righteousness.

See how our text makes obeying God and being a slave to God as the same thing.

As we understand grace, it leads us to be slaves of righteousness for our God.

- Salvation leads us to become the slaves of God.

As we understand grace, it leads us to be slaves of righteousness for our God.

ILLUSTRATION:

Consider the significance of v. 17-18.

Right now we are in the middle one of my favorite times of year - hiking season.

During the summer months we try to get out and take hikes in

the snowy range,

Veudavoo,

and make special trips to other places where we can do hiking and camping.

Now, we don’t just pick any trail we find on the side of the road because we don't know where it goes.

So pick a trail for we know it leads to somewhere we want to go – Mountain View, beautiful Lake, alongside a river.

Last summer Ted was kind enough to point me to crater Lake, is one of the trails we want to take is to crater Lake trail.

Crater lake is the bug hole with pine tree’s all around.

It’s gorgeous.

I Remember walking into Crater Lake area and thinking,

man I had to take my kids and wife here.

The point is - we know where our trail ended

As We begin this journey in the gospel of Jesus Christ – we have to ask where does it lead?

Versus 17 – 18 teaches us the gospel of Jesus Christ leads us to a wonderful place – slavery to God.

Now slavery to God might not sound like that great of a place to go.

I mean - who wants to be a slave.

But when we understand that God is a place of goodness, righteousness, and love. Then we might reconsider whether slavery is that bad when the slavery to someone that good.

Jeremiah 9:24 ESV

We ought to be praising God today because in grace he is leading us to a wonderful place – place where he is our master and we as his slaves honor our master.

Why should we be slaves to God,

because the gospel of Jesus Christ leads us to be slaves to God.

CONCLUSION:

Thirdly, We ought to choose slavery to God because

3) We are Obligated as Believers to Choose Slavery to God. ()

My primary point this morning has been – we should choose to being slaves to God.

Why is that my overarching point?

It is not simply because it's

a thematic point of this section,

or even an application I want to emphasize.

ohh, those are both true,

but my primary reason is because commands us to present ourselves as slaves to God.

It is my opinion that this is the overarching and main point of this passage.

It is the only command we find in the section and thus becomes the center of Paul's point.

We should be slaves to God.

So as we end here this morning,

Romans 6:19 ESV

19 I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

having considered the first two reasons we should be slaves to God.

CLARIFICATION:

Now you might be looking at the text and wondering - what does Paul mean he is speaking in human terms?

He Is not suggesting this part of Scripture is not inspired

or simply his ideas.

What he saying is that the analogy of school being slaves to God is not a perfect one.

After all,

I think we've and cringe a little that when we hear the idea we are to be slaves to God.

It's not that there's something wrong with being that devoted to God that causes us to cringe,

>>>> but there's a natural hesitation because of the harshness and brutality of slavery.

But lets look at the main point Paul's making.

We continuing to the main point Paul's making.

Remember when I began I started talking about how so many people became slaves in ancient Rome.

They came into poverty and so chose willingly to become slaves to a slave master.

We have to read that into the background of verse 19.

What does Paul mean they used to present themselves as slaves of impurity and now should present themselves as slaves to God?

First, this is a willing choice of someone who's in spiritual poverty.

You run from this hard master called sin,

and you run and present yourselves,

>>>>>freely choosing to come out of your spiritual poverty and into the blessings of God is your master.

4) Slavery to God is Better Then Slavery to sin. ()

First, because believing “sin doesn't matter” is to be a slave to God.

And secondly, because the Grace of God leads us to be slaves to God.

Romans 6:20–23 ESV

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

We will look at two more reasons next week in verses 19 to 23,

just consider the paradox of these first two reasons.

For too many Christians have used our liberty in Christ

>>>> to choose slavery to sin rather than to be slaves to God.

ILLUSTRATION:

And in his opinion, the problem with many of our churches is we live so perfectly nobody wants to be around us.

That

- We need to spend less time worrying about living holy lives

- and more time just being with people in their sin.

We need to spend less time worrying about living holy lives and more time just being with people in their sin.

Afterall - we are not under the law.

Now I would agree that we as Christians should not put on a fake reputation of perfection.

But on the other hand I hardly agree that the answer to evangelism is look more like the world.

But this kind of thinking is found throughout our churches.

Just like we manipulate grace at times, we so often manipulate not being under the law.

We justify our worldliness.

We justify our apathy towards sin.

We justify our passion for ungodliness and wickedness.

All while failing to faithfully obey and represent our master – the Lord Jesus Christ.

Our text challenges us - Who are you a slave to? Sin or God?

I would say that one of the greatest problems in evangelical Christianity today is the pervasive influence of what we call ‘Antinomianism’. Antinomianism says, ‘I am saved by faith, therefore I never have to be concerned in the slightest about obeying the law.’ Antinomianism says that the commandments of God have no binding influence on my conscience. That is not just a distortion of Christianity, it is a fundamental denial of Christianity. Yet this notion is commonplace in Christian circles. Good works that follow from your conversion will not count for your justification, but if they are not there, it proves that faith is not there either. (R.C. Sproul, The Gospel of God: Romans)

We've spent so much time as churches proclaiming we are not under the law,

we have failed to consider whether we are to be slaves to Christ.

And I challenge us to really consider this passage and what it means.

Paul repeats himself a lot in Romans chapter 6 - and we have to ask why.

The only reasonable explanation that I can come up with - is that we have a tendency not to apply Romans chapter 6 to our lives

The only reasonable explanation that I can come up with is that we have a tendency not to Romans chapter 6 to realize.

makes it very clear we all sinned.

1 John 1:8 ESV

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1 John 4:8 ESV

8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

So if you think this text doesn't apply to you - then you haven't really considered sin in your life.

Paul addresses a every day, practical struggle of the Christian life.

Whether we shall continue as slaves to sin or choose to be slaves to Christ.

Whether we shall continue as slaves to sin or show we choose to be slaves to Christ.

Every one of us has to make this choice

and we make this choice daily.

Don't forget .

Romans 12:1–2 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Rom 12:12

Romans 12:1 ESV

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

I challenge us, to really take time and consider whether you live as a slave to sin or a slave God.

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