Zac Poonen - Romans 6 (Part 1) - February 5, 2012
Summary
The speaker emphasizes that true understanding of God's will, particularly regarding scripture, comes from a deep desire to do God's will, not just intellectual study. He contrasts this with the 'flesh' or self-will, which is the source of sin, arguing that holiness is defined by willingly doing the Father's will. The central message is that when one desires to do God's will, the truths of scripture become clear, leading to freedom from sin's mastery.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Romans 6:14 as a central turning pointThe speaker shares how Romans 6:14, promising that sin shall not have mastery over believers under grace, set a new direction for his life 36 years ago.Romans 6:14
The key to knowing God's teachingJesus taught in John 7:17 that anyone willing to do God's will will know whether a teaching is from God, distinguishing spiritual truth from academic study.John 7:17
Jesus's oneline autobiographyIn John 6:38, Jesus described His life's purpose as coming from heaven not to do His own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Him.John 6:38
Honesty in studying God's wordTrue belief in the Bible is proven by making the effort to study it and find out what pleases God, rather than treating relationship with Him casually.
Romans 3:23 as the definition of sinComing short of the glory of God is the clearest definition of sin in the Bible, encompassing any thought, speech, or action out of fellowship with Christ.
The availability of forgiveness and taking the blameEvery sin can be forgiven through Christ and God's grace if we confess and take the blame ourselves instead of deflecting like Adam.Romans 5:20–21
Comparing Old Testament sacrifices to cheap graceUnder the law, sacrifices for sin were costly, whereas today forgiveness is easily accessed, which can sometimes lead to a casual attitude toward sin.
Shall we continue in sin?Paul asks if we should continue in sin so grace may increase, responding with a strong refusal because believers have died to sin.
Chosen in Christ before the foundation of the worldEphesians 1:4 reveals that God chose us in Christ before creation, not merely to go to heaven, but to be holy and blameless.Ephesians 1:4
The testimony of baptismScriptural baptism by immersion testifies that we died, were buried with Christ to sin and the world, and were raised to walk in newness of life.
God raised Christ from the deadThe New Testament consistently states that God the Father raised Jesus from the dead, mirroring how baptism requires submitting to death while God performs the raising.
Crucifying the old man by faithThe old man—the mind that agreed with the flesh—was crucified with Christ, but this only becomes true in our experience when we accept it by faith.
Consider yourself dead to sinJust as forgiveness requires faith, we must deliberately reckon ourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus rather than expecting automatic results.
Understanding spiritual death and locationSpiritual death is like moving from one place to another; being dead to California means its influences no longer bother you while you live in New York.
Voluntary obedience and God's graceGod never forces anyone to obey or go to heaven, respecting our free will so we can choose to yield our lives for righteousness.
