Free to be Christlike
March 12, 2023 Preacher: Wes Pastor
Topic: Topical Scripture: John 8:36
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Sermon Outline
Sermon Theme → Through the new covenant, though sin’s presence has not yet been vanquished, sin’s penalty has been wholly forgiven and sin’s power wholly broken.
I. Perspective on Sin
A. Essence of Sin → Not Loving God/Neighbor (Mt. 22:34-40)
B. History of Sin
1. Original Creation: Sinless but still able to sin
2. Fallen Creation: Slaves to sin (Rom. 6:17)
3. New Creation: Slaves to righteousness (Jn 8:36, Rom 6:18)
II. Reason for Ongoing Sin
A. Father Promised Redemption, Son Secured Redemption
B. Spirit Applies Redemption by Faith . . . in Stages
1. Sin’s Penalty Forgiven & Sin’s Power Broken Already
a) God Forgives Sin’s Penalty (Rom. 4:5-8)
b) God Breaks Sin’s Power (Rom. 6:6-7, 17-18, Gal. 2:24)
2. Sin’s Presence Not Yet Vanquished
a) Still Constant Struggle (Rom. 8:23, Col. 3:5, Heb. 3:12)
b) Still Blurred Vision of Christ (I Cor. 13:12, I Jn. 3:2)
III. Confusion Regarding Struggle with Sin
A. Confusion Over Sin’s Power (Rom. 7:13-25)
1. Sin’s Power Wholly, Not Partly Broken (Rom. 6:1-7:6, 8:2)
2. Rom. 7 Man an Unbeliever Enslaved to Sin (Rom. 7:13-25)
3. Objection: Unbelievers cannot delight in the Law (7:22)
B. Confusion Over Spirit’s Control (Gal. 5:16-18, Rom. 8:5-14)
1. Believers are Led by & In the Spirit (Gal. 5:18, Rom. 8:9, 14)
2. Believers Walk in Spirit, Not in Flesh (Rom. 8:5-9)
3. Objection: Believers commanded to walk in Spirit (5:16)
IV. Pathway to Victory over Sin
A. Clarify Your New Identity
1. New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34); New Creation (II Cor. 5:17)
2. New Spirit & New Heart (Ez. 36:26, Rom. 2:29, Heb. 10:16)
B. Understand Your Real Freedom (Power)
1. Free to Behold Christ (II Cor 3:15 -18)
2. Free to Be Like Christ
a) Obey God (Heb. 10:7, Rom. 6:5, 12-14, 12:1-2, I Jn 3:9)
b) Thank God (Heb. 2:12, I Thess. 5:16, Jas 1:2-4, Psalms)
c) Groan for God (Heb. 5:7, Mt 6:10, Rom 8:23, I Cor 15:54)
As new creations, believers are no longer slaves to sin, but are now free (Jn. 8:36) to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4), mortifying the deeds of the flesh (Rom. 8:12-13)!