​Faith Freedom!
Romans 6:15-23
Why do Christ followers disappoint us?
Spiritual maturity is a process
 
Faith Freedom Facts
Unbelievers are slaves to sin
-We can’t reform ourselves enough
-We lack the desire to honor God with our lives
            Some people live very moral lives, self-made people
             -they pridefully trust themselves instead of God
             -they are still enslaved to rebellion against God
 
Faith in Jesus sets us free from the slavery of sin
-vs 17  “used to be slaves of sin”
-vs 18 “having been set free from sin”
-vs 20  the fruit of a faithless life is “death”
-vs 23  we earn the “wages” of death when we sin
-dead people can’t save themselves!
 
Faith in Jesus sets us free to do what is right
-vs 16  “obedience leading to righteousness”
-vs 18  we are now “enslaved to righteousness”
 
Faith Freedom is immediate
-vs 15 we are “under grace” 
-vs 18  “you became enslaved to righteousness”
-vs 22 “the outcome is eternal life!”
-vs 23  “the gift of God is eternal life
-Romans 8:1-2
-We are already perfect and righteous…but not yet
 
Faith Freedom is progressive
-vs 15  Paul is having to explain how absurd it is for a follower of Christ to keep on sinning.  See also Rom 6:2 “absolutely not!”
-vs 19  “so now offer them [parts of yourselves] as slaves to righteousness.”   This is a constant choice we must make
-The result of submitting to God’s rule is sanctification
    Vs 19, 22
Faith Freedom Is Free!  Romans 6:23
Our sin earns us death
-Adam died, everyone dies!
-The Law can’t rescue us- reveals how wrong we really are!
 
God offers the gift eternal life
-Gift- we can’t earn forgiveness, can’t work our way out of death
-Eternal Life-  God offers us a forever answer!
    We don’t have to live under the sentence of death
 
We must place our faith in Jesus
-“in Christ Jesus” -  in a relationship with him
-Romans 3:26
 
 
We must give Jesus total control
-“our Lord”  our boss, ruler, master
-We become slaves to God, instead of slaves to sin!
-We must be willing to place our whole lives under His control
-the “fruit” of our lives is sanctification
    -true followers of Christ will begin to change
    -true followers of Christ will WANT to change!
       -no one set free from a cruel master wants to go back!
 
 
 
Experience the freedom of faith today!
Place your faith in Jesus Christ
 
Grow in freedom day by day
Stop obeying sin- you don’t have to!
    -run from the shame, you don’t live under that anymore!
 
Start obeying God- He has empowered you to!
    -experience the fruit of a life controlled by God- victory!
 
 
 

Faith Changes
Romans 6:1-14
Faith in Jesus Christ Changes Us!
 
 
Faith Changes Us!
1.  We can’t continue to sin     vs 1
-God’s abundant grace is not given to us so we can continue in abundant sin!  
-Sin NEVER glorifies God-  the end does not justify the means
-Once we are saved, we are forever changed to become like Jesus
-True believers begin to become who God has already made them
-Sanctification-  the process of becoming freed from sin or purified
 
2.  We are united with Jesus  
-Born again
-Baptized into Christ  vs 3
-Newness of life =we enter into a new sphere which is life,
        instead of death!   vs 4
 
 
3.  Sin does not control us
-vs 6 Old self was crucified, killed
-body ruled by sin is rendered powerless
-vs 7  freed from sin
-vs 8-9  Christ’s death was our death, His resurrection was ours too!
 
4.  We have a new life!
-vs 10  Christ died once for all, He now lives forever united with His   
   Father
-vs 11 consider yourselves dead to sin!  We must accept this truth!
-consider yourselves….alive to God in Christ Jesus!
   -We are alive spiritually, empowered to say no to sin!
   -this is “in Christ Jesus”= in a personal relationship with Him
     -He is the Savior, but must also be OUR PERSONAL Savior!
 
 
 
 
How to experience faith changes
1.  Put your faith in Jesus Christ alone 
-the just will live by faith   Romans 1:17;  3:26
-we are saved by grace, a gift, not through obeying God
 
2.  Stop obeying sin
-vs 12  Therefore-  since God saved us by His abundant grace
    -do not let sin be in control of your body! 
    -sin is powerless, stop saying yes to sin! 
-2 Corinthians 5:15  we live for Jesus now, instead of for ourselves
-Faith changes a person!   -No change might indicate no real faith!
 
3.  Submit fully to Christ  vs 13
-We live in an ongoing spiritual battlefield!
-our body can be used for evil or godliness
   -we are either helping or hurting the cause of Christ with our lives
-Stop letting Satan use any part of your life to fight against God
-Let God use every part of your life to fight for His perfect will
 
4.  Trust God by faith!  Vs 14
-don’t turn sanctification into legalism
-We are “under grace” now as a follower of Jesus Christ
   -We have the power to overcome sin
   -The Holy Spirit is now living inside us, to show us what to do
-John 14:15-17, 23-25  If we love Jesus, we will keep His commands
-John 16:12 “…He [the Holy Spirit] will guide you into all the truth”
 
Unbeliever-  place your faith in Jesus Christ right now!
 
Believer- Let Faith Change You day by day!
-stop justifying all the reasons why you can’t stop sinning
 
Imposter- wake up!  The Holy Spirit is convicting you of sin!
-Your faith is fake, you must turn to Christ today!
-Make a real commitment to follow Jesus Christ, stop playing games
   -stop trying to follow rules to impress God
 
Make your decision real and public Today!
​

​Bad News, Good News!
Romans 5:12-21
Intro
 
 
 
 
Bad News 
Everyone has a problem:  we are sinners
-sin- missed the mark, not perfect, lawbreaker
-We became sinners naturally through Adam
-Adam sinned
-Adam passed his sinful nature on to us
More rules magify how sinful we are
 
 
We face certain death and condemnation
-Everyone died from Adam to Moses
-Mortality is still 100%
 
 
Good News 
Jesus Christ solved our problem
-God offers the gift of Jesus Christ
-God treats us better than we deserve (grace)
 
 
Jesus offers certain hope
-opposite of what Adam gave us (certain death)!
-justification
-righteousness
-life
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
How do we receive God’s gift?
Place our faith in Jesus Christ
 
Put Jesus Christ in authority over our lives
-as we live out our lives privately, in the church, in our homes, in the world!
 
 

​The Love Of God
Romans 5:6-11
Introduction
Today is Valentine’s Day!
 
God loves you more than any human ever could!
 
How to respond to God’s Love
1.  Accept God’s Great Love
-God reaches down to you and me through His Son
   -God is love!  1 Jn 4:8a  Love is His very nature!
   -He sent His Son Jesus to demonstrate His love
      Jn 3:16,  1 Jn 4:9-10
-God loves us just at the right time-  today, right now!
 
-God loves is greater than any human love!
   -Earthly love only goes so far-  vs 7
        -no one is lining up to die for death row inmates!
        -that is exactly where every human stands before God!
   -Paul mentions Christ’s death 5 times in these 6 verses
 
-Jesus died for the ungodly-  total opposite of perfect, pure
   -We are born hostile to God, rebellious, separated from Him
  
-Jesus died for us “while we were still sinners”  vs 8
    -We missed the mark in life, came short of doing God’s will
 
-Accept God’s Great Love!
   -Romans 1-4  we must simply place our faith in Him
   -Romans 3:23-24  We who have sinned are justified by grace!
 
2.  Apply God’s Love
-Stop living in fear
   -We are declared righteous/justified by Christ’s blood vs 9
      -legally acquitted of all our sin;  no longer guilty
   -We are reconciled with God  vs 10
      -Jesus made peace between God and us
      -this term is rarely used in other religions- man-made deities
        don’t personally relate to humans, unimaginable!
-Stop making excuses-
   -vs 9  If we are justified, then we don’t face God’s wrath!
        -stop living as if God is out to get you, punish you!
        -stop sabotaging your future by living in your past!
             -God has erased our guilt, our shame!
   -vs 10 If we are reconciled then we are saved right now!
         -stop making excuses for your sin, for not growing up!
         -Jesus empowers us to overcome sin! 
              See Hebrews 7:25  and  Romans 8:34
         -Jesus personally walks with us, lives inside of us! 
         -Jesus is a prayer away every moment!
 
-We must stop beating ourselves up and living in defeat!
-Stop making excuses for living a shameful, carnal life!
 
3.  Give God’s Love
-Declare your gratitude vs 11
   -We rejoice- boast in God, not in ourselves!
   -We give God all the credit when others see good in us
   -Humbly proclaim that Jesus is your personal Savior!
 
-Love others like God does  1 John 4:7-8
   -Be the first person to initiate reconciliation!  
   -Forgive completely- let them go, erase their guilt!
   -Practice humility- seek forgiveness immediately when wrong!
   -Ask Jesus for help!  Godly relationships require God’s help!
 
 
How will you respond to God’s love right now?
1.  Make it personal
 
  
 
 
2.  Make it public!
 
 

​How to Grow Hopeful During Affliction
Romans 5:1-5
Intro
The righteous will live by faith!
-Affliction is the real world moment to see if we really trust God
 
-Many people like the idea of being a Christian
   -Fewer people want to live for Christ when times get tough
 
Affliction tempts us to give up
-Think that God has abandoned us
 
-Think that we are all alone- no one else knows how bad it is
 
-Think that there is no point living for God
   -The lie from Satan:  Christians will never suffer
      -Popular false teachers are claiming health and wealth
 
 
 
How to grow hopeful when afflicted
Trust God’s promise
-We become righteous through faith in Christ
 
-We are at peace with God
 
-Affliction does not mean God has abandoned you!
  -God isn’t being cruel because of your sinful nature
  -Affliction due to sin brings discipline, not condemnation
    -Romans 8:1
    -Hebrews 12:5-11
 
 
Keep worshipping God
-Rejoice in affliction- keep your focus on God!
-This does not mean we are happy about affliction
  -bad things are bad:  cancer, COVID-19, job loss, strife
-Philippians 4:4  Rejoice in the Lord always. 
                           I will say it again: rejoice!
Hebrews 12:2  keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and
                        perfector of our faith.
 
 
Don’t give up
-Galatians 6:9  we will reap a blessing if we do not give up
-Affliction proves God’s faithfulness
  -God empowers us to endure
  -Our proven character leads to greater hope in God
     -we see Him changing us into the likeness of Christ
 
     -God will not put us to shame for our faith in Him!
        Romans 10:11
 
 
 
What is affliction revealing in you?
Place your hope in Jesus Christ alone!
 
 
Return to Jesus Christ as your only hope!

Stay With Faith!
Romans 4:13-25
The righteous will live by faith
 
 
 
Stay with faith!
Don’t add a second way to God   vs 13-16
-vs 13-14  Abraham made righteous 430 years before the Law
-The Jews benefited from God’s promise to Abraham before
   The Law
-vs 15  The Law “produces wrath”- it shows how sinful we are!
-“There is no deliberate disobedience of positive commands
   where there is no positive command to disobey”
-The more we know the more accountable we are to God!
-vs 16  We are made righteous by God’s grace
     -“God’s riches at Christ’s expense”
-Abraham’s faith is the only kind of faith that God accepts!
 
-Stop heaping onto new believers rules and regulations that
    Even mature believers are learning to obey!
 
 
Follow the example of Abraham    vs 17-24
-vs 17 “I have made you the father of many nations”
   -Past tense- it was already true, before it became true
   -Gentile followers of Christ are the fulfillment of this promise!
-Trust God like Abraham trusted God!
-vs 18  He was “hoping against hope”-   humanly impossible
-vs 19  He did not weaken in his faith- as he waited for the
     Promise, even when he and Sarah were both “dead” for
     childbearing
-vs 20 He did not waver in unbelief,
-He was strengthened in his faith as he gave glory to God
-Abraham applied his faith day by day against the impossibility
   of God’s promise to him, and this made his faith grow.
-Our faith grows day by day when we apply God’s promise to
   save us and provide the necessary power to over come the
   temptations of our flesh!
-vs 21  Abraham was fully convinced God keeps his promise
-vs 22  This is the faith that saved Abraham! That saves us!
    -We trust God for who God is, not what we will get from God
    -the “getting from God” may be years in coming- be patient
    -God may give you more than you can ever imagine
-vs 23-24  Abraham was saved by faith as an example for us!
   -Just as God credited Abraham’s faith with righteousness,
      So also, we are made righteous by trusting in Jesus Christ
 
 
Trust what Jesus did for you   vs 25
-Faith is always tied to God promise to fully pay for our sins!
-Abraham looked forward to what Jesus would do for him
-We now look back at what Jesus already did for us
-Romans 3:24  “justified freely by his grace through the
   redemption that is in Christ Jesus”
-Galatians 3:13  Christ became “cursed” in our place!
-Gal 3:14 “The purpose was that the blessing of Abraham would
    come to the Gentiles by Christ Jesus, so that we could
    receive the promised Spirit through faith”
 
 
Let God grow your faith
Trust God’s promises
-Trust that God makes you righteous through faith in Jesus
-Trust God to do the impossible of making you like Jesus!
    -of giving you love for enemies, compassion for others
    -trust God to heal your heart from broken relationships
    -trust God to restore relationships His way, in His timing
 
 
Keep trusting God’s promises-  Stay with faith!
-Hope against hope for the impossible in human ability!
-Give glory to God for what he has already promised you!
-Apply your faith day by day to that which does not yet exist
-Wait for God to make alive what is dead!
-Trust in the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ
 
What is God asking you to do right now?
​

Faith Starts It All!
Romans 4:1-12
Intro:  The Righteous Live By Faith
-Everyone can know God
-We must come to God by faith
-No one is good enough to be with God
-Jesus came to bring us to God
-We become righteous through faith in Jesus Christ
 
 
Faith started it all!    Romans 4:1-12
1.  Abraham believed God
-He had nothing to boast about to God
-Ephesians 2:9  “not from works so that no one can boast”
 
2.  God credited Abraham’s faith with righteousness
-Genesis 15:6
-God saved Abraham out of a pagan culture that did not have
  faith in Him
 
3.  David trusted in God’s unconditional forgiveness
-Psalm 32:1-2
 
 
4.  Abraham was declared righteous before he obeyed God
-Circumcised 14 years AFTER he was declared righteous
-Circumcision was the “seal” or mark that set Abraham apart
-Today: Baptism is the “seal” that sets us apart with God
-In the same way, faith and salvation occur BEFORE baptism
-Illust:  the thief on the cross was saved by faith, never worked!
 
5.  Abraham is the spiritual father of Jews and Gentiles
-vs 12 “who also follow in the footsteps of the faith” of Abraham
-Every Christian is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham!
   -descendants as numerous as the stars, as sand
-Abraham’s faith began a personal relationship with God that set apart the nation of Israel as God’s chosen people
-God continues to set apart a chosen people today—us!   
 
We must Start with faith!
1. Place our faith in Jesus Christ
-Stop trying to earn God’s salvation by works
-Stop boasting in self, thinking good works earns salvation
    -We may be able to boast in front of other people
    -We aren’t good enough to boast in front of God!
 
 
2.  Obey God to prove our faith
-John 14:15  If you love me, you will keep my commandments
-Matthew 22:37, 39  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… love your neighbor as yourself!
-Matthew 28:19-20  Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you.
-James 2:26  …faith without works is dead.
-Work comes after our faith
-But faith is always followed by works!
 
 
3.  Help others start with faith!
-Show them you trust God by faith alone, not your works
-Don’t make people obey before they trust
-Don’t mislead people to think obedience earns right standing
-Be REAL!  Let others know you aren’t boasting in front of God
   -Don’t hide your sin, pretend you are perfect
   -show them how to grow spiritually
   -show them how to keep asking forgiveness, continuing on!
 
 
What is your next right step today?
1 Corinthians 5:15    And he died for all so that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for the one who died for them and was raised.
​

Stop Trying!
Romans 3:9-31
The righteous will live by faith   Romans 1:17
 
 
 
Stop Trying To Be Good Enough!
1.  No one is good enough  (Romans 3:9-18)
-Actions and attitudes condemn us all
 
-Paul quotes the OT, aiming at self-righteous Jews
   -knowing the law didn’t make them perfect
 
-Today, we are told people are born with a  blank slate
   -Society/Government/Religion makes good children go bad
   -vs 10-18 says we by nature do bad, everyone!
 
-Any solution to world/society problems that rejects God, His Word, and Jesus Christ, will fall short!
   -Rules cannot cure the human heart
   -Good people may spring up, but they still aren’t good enough
 
-A Judeo-Christian worldview has led to the most moral, benevolent and just societies and governments- but they still fall short of perfection!
-Abolition of slavery, human rights, elevation of women legally, sanctity of human life, all have sprung up from the soil of a Christian worldview.
-However, a worldview isn’t enough- America still falls short of the glory of God!  We are still sinful, still unjust, still destroying human life in the womb, still corrupt
-Government rules and rulers won’t fix our hearts!
 
2.  We have no defense   (Romans 3:19-20)
-Illustration:  have you ever been caught doing wrong? 
   -unable to talk, you willingly accept judgment
-“every mouth” will “be shut” in front of God!
-The Law will condemn us!  (whether external or internal)
 
Stop trying to be good enough!
3.  Jesus removed our guilt    (Romans 3:21-26)
-God announced His plan through the Law and Prophets!
 
-vs 22  “The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ”  
   -John 14:6  Jesus is the only way, truth, life!
 
-vs 23-24  A compare and contrast analysis
   -We all sinned, we all fall short of God’s glory  (vs 23)
   -HOWEVER, God justifies us freely, by his grace (unmerited
     Favor)  through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus
-Heb 10:10 “sanctified…through Jesus Christ once for all”
 
    -received through faith-  trust, surrender
 
-God remains righteous-  not a corrupt judge overlooking sin
 
-God declares righteous the one who has faith in Jesus!
   -Give up
 
 
Christian, Stop trying to be good enough!
4.  We cannot boast in ourselves   (Romans 3:27-31)
-Stop trying to steal God’s glory!
-Hebrews 10:14  For by one offering he has perfected forever those who are sanctified.
-Ephesians 2:8-9  saved by grace through faith….not from works, so than one can boast
-Luther:  by grace alone, through faith alone, to God alone be the glory
 
Stop Trying And Start Trusting!
1.  Trust what Jesus did for you- place your faith in Him
 
2.  Keep trusting what Jesus did for you- live for Him
​

​Stop Trusting Rules and Rituals
Romans 2:17-29
Introduction
 

 
Knowing the rules (the Law) isn’t enough  vs 17-24
Knowledge can make us arrogant
-we think we are a guide, a light, instructor, teacher
-we look down on others who don’t know what we know
-we feel morally superior,
 
Knowledge can blind us to our own sin
 
No one cares about what we know!
 
 
Ritual isn’t enough  vs 25-29
Outward obedience cannot replace inward faith
-Jews expected circumcision to give them salvation
 
-Today, someone might think baptism saves them
 
 
God examines our hearts
-Have I fully admitted my wrongdoings to God
-Am I trusting completely in Jesus Christ to forgive?
-Have I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ completely?
 

Our failure doesn’t stop God’s plan
The Jews had it made!
-They knew God’s plan before anyone else
 
-God chose them to be a guide, light, instructor, teacher!
 
 
The end does not justify the means
-God does not need my failure to make Him look good!
 
-Example:  Adam and Eve brought God glory before they sinned
   -They lived in perfect relationship with God
   -They were completely obedient to God in the Garden
       (until they ate the forbidden fruit)
 
My past sin was never God’s plan for my life!
-My sin…
            -reminds me of how much I need Jesus
            -teaches me that wrong living has consequences
            -negatively affects other people
            -was never God’s plan for my life!
 
 
Stop Trusting Rules and Rituals!
Place your whole faith in Jesus Christ!
-Romans 1:17  The righteous will live by faith
 
Repent and be baptized to declare your faith!
-don’t depend on outward works to save you
-illust:  wedding rings don’t make us married
 
Thank God for how much you know about Him!
-Be a true guide, light, instructor and teacher!
-Stay humble: knowing you needed someone just like you to lead you to Jesus Christ

​The Tragedy of Rejecting God Part 4
Romans 2:12-16
The righteous will live by faith
Our problem- we want to save ourselves!
-Self-made gods can’t save us
-Fulfilling our lusts can’t save us
-Self-focused living can’t save us
-Comparing ourselves to others can’t save us
-We just become even more enslaved to whatever we worship
 
Today:  The Law Can’t Help Us!
Read Romans 2:12-16
 
We know what is right and still do wrong
The Jewish Law exposes wrong
-they will be judged for what they have been told is wrong
 
The “law on our hearts” exposes wrong
-Gentile behavior reveals they know right from wrong
-they will be judged according to what they know is true
 
God will excuse or accuse us on the day of judgment!
-How good is good enough?
 
 
The tragedy of trusting the Law
Faith in the law results in condemnation!
-no one perfectly observes God’s law!
-the law was designed to make us give up and give in to God
 
Faith in the Good News of Jesus Christ results in salvation!
-We must admit that we fall short of fulfilling the entire law
-we must reject the law as our savior!
 
Will you be excused or accused?
Stop trusting in God’s rules to save you
-you can’t impress a perfect God- He isn’t asking you to!
 
Trust in what Jesus did to save you today!
The Lord’s Supper reminds us…
Of what Jesus did to erase our sins
 
 
Of our need to continually trust Him to save and change us
-don’t participate in an “unworthy manner”
   -we must confess and turn from anything we are doing wrong
   -we must be in right relationship with others
 
Of Christ’s promise to come again
-this world is heading towards a final destination
-God’s kingdom is more important than any earthly kingdom
-We can trust that God will accomplish His purposes
    -stop worrying about what is going on around us
    -stop fighting in ungodly ways to get your way with others
 
The Lord’s Supper is a church family practice
Only believers can participate
-Someone who has openly professed Jesus Christ as Lord
-the Lord’s Supper cannot save an unbeliever!
-Visitors who are followers of Christ may participate
 
Believers practice the Lord’s Supper by faith alone
-a believer can’t get any more saved through the Lord’s Supper
-The bread and the cup symbolize the price Jesus paid for sin
   -they don’t help us pay the price- that would diminish Jesus
-Do not turn the Lord’s Supper into a new “law” that saves you
 
 
The righteous live by faith in Jesus Christ!