INSIGHT
 
   What comes to mind when you hear the saying, "The only thing you can be sure of is death and taxes". For most people, they get a feeling of fear and uncertainty. It is true that nobody is excited about paying taxes and most people are very much afraid of death; but thanks be to Christ, we can know the truth about death and the hope that lies behind it. When death is applied to the lower orders of living things such as plants and animals, it means the end of life. However when death is applied to the human life, it does not mean the end of life, but rather a transition from one form of existence to another. Scripture teaches that man is more than a physical creature; he is also a spiritual being. The Bible speaks of death in a twofold way: physical and spiritual. The first physical death of a human recorded in the Bible is that of Abel, who was murdered by his brother Cain (Gen. 4:8). However, death itself, in both the physical and spiritual sense, is first mentioned by God Himself (Gen. 2:17). In the Genesis account of the Fall, both physical and spiritual death come as a result of sin (Romans 5:12-21).
   Since all men have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23), everyone is spiritually dead and therefore separated from God who is the source of spiritual life. For this reason, Christ came to unite us unto God; and the goal of Christianity is to become more and more like Christ. When we became Christians, a conscious decision was made to die to self and the world.

   Therefore, let us heed the words of this song: On Sunday mornings, and weekdays too, people observe all you say and do. Let the life you live be a reflection of the man inside. E. Robinson Let Jesus take charge of your life in all you say, think or do. For those of us who have baptized have been clothed with Christ! (Gal 3:27) Amen!

Becoming Like Christ
Dying To Self

 

Key Text:                       1 Pet 2:24

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.

 

Theme:

Becoming a Christian requires a renewing of the mind and death to one's old way of life.  Romans 6:4 says “we were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Yet far too many Christians are allowing their old sinful life control them.  As disciples of Christ, we need to die to ourselves daily, and live for Christ.

 

Application:

Here are some practical suggestions:

1.    Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things.  Forget about keeping up with the Jones'.

2.    Pray to become like Christ.

     3.     Read through the Gospels focusing on the 
             parables that Jesus taught.

4.     In all you do, ask yourself “Am I pleasing the Lord?”

May the Lord richly bless you!

 

 

 

 

 

Sermon Outline


Dying to self

I. Death To Sin
  A. Romans 6:1-4
    1. We died to sin.
    2. Buried with Christ.
    3. Raised to live a new life.

II. Resurrected Self
  A. Romans 6:5-7
    1. United with Christ.
    2. Body of sin is done away.
    3. No longer slave to sin.
    4. Dying to self=Freedom from sin.

III. Our Hope
  A. Romans 6:8-10
    1. We will live with Christ.
    2. Christ has the victory over death.
    3. Christ died for all.
    4. Christ lives with God.

IV. 4 Steps To Glory
  A. Romans 6:11-14
    1. Count your self.
    2. Do not let sin reign.
    3. Offer yourself to God for righteous deeds.
    4. Be determined to not let sin be your master.

V. Conclusion
  A. Luke 9:23-25
    1. Take up your cross daily
      - Self-denial, complete dedication.
      - It must be done daily.
      - We must lose our lives for Jesus.

Small Group Study

Warm-up:

If you wanted to get your body in shape, what would you have to do?  What habits would you have to change?

 

See To It                         Colossians 3:1-17

1. What should we be striving to set our minds on?

 

2. List 3 reasons why we should set our minds  on things above.

 

3. From verse 9, what does Paul mean when he says you have taken off your old self?

 

4. What must we put to death? Why?

 

5.Read Phil 3:13-14. Why is “forgetting what is behind” such an important factor in a Christian’s life?

 

Seeing It Closer:            Romans 6:1-14

1.  How does one die to self?

 

2.  From vs 4, what does baptism represent?

 

3.  What must happen to the body of sin?

 

4.  From vs 13, what does “as instruments of wickedness” mean?

 

5. How can we offer our bodies to God?

Getting To It:

Go around the room and share with one another a struggle in your life that you need to die to and at the end of class have somebody close out in a prayer asking God to help us with these struggles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week's Quiet Times:

The Attitude of Christ: Dying to Self

MONDAY
When we were baptized in Christ, we were baptized into his death and resurrection to live for righteousness and not for sin.  Being baptized meant that the old self was no longer going to live, but to die.  If our old ways are dead, then we have no reason to look back on our old life, since we have died to it.  Examine Luke 9:57-62.  In verse 62 Jesus says, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God."  What does Christ mean by "looking back"?  If you’re plowing a field and decide to look back while plowing, would you still be able to plow a straight line?  Now examine your own life.  Is it possible to live a godly life and yet desire the worldly life you once had? Write Matthew 6:33 on an index card and memorize it. Call a brother/sister and share with them how you are seeking first these things in your life.

TUESDAY
When we watch the news, there are many unfortunate cases of people dying painful deaths; from things like shootings to fires.  In these deaths people are forced to be in pain and agony while they die.  Most of us would say we would never want to die that way, yet far too many of us are dying that way in our Christianity.  We are trying to hold onto our old way of life and still follow Christ.  By holding on to your old way of life you make living for Christ a painful process, when it should be a joy to live for Christ.  Examine Phil 3:7-8.  What was Paul’s attitude about his old life?  How did Paul feel about his knowledge of Christ?  How do you view your Christian life?  Are you proud to be a Christian?  Paul clearly saw that it is better to be a Christian than be a sinner.  Can you say the same thing about yourself? Write John 17:3 on an index card and memorize it. See to it that you know your Savior! Get together with a brother/sister and pray to depend totally on God and not on anything in the world.

WEDNESDAY
Read Eph 4:22-24. From these verses we can see two main points.  The first point being that the old self must be put off.  The scriptures teach that our old self was corrupted by its deceitful desires.  We need to treat our old self as old clothes that we are ashamed to be seen in.  The second point is that the new self must be put on.  Romans 13:14 says to clothe yourself with Christ.  What type of clothes are you wearing?  Write Isaiah 61:10 on an index card and memorize it.  When you wake up each day and get dressed, take time to pray to God and ask him to clothe you will clothes that will help your light shine.

THURSDAY
In the Bible the cross was used as an instrument of death.  With that in mind examine closely Luke 9:23-27.  What does it mean to take up one’s cross?  The taking up of the cross represents a total commitment of your life to Christ.  Cross-bearing is a willingness to suffer and die for the Lord's sake.  At the end of verse 23 it says, "and follow me". This implies that Christ's death would be by crucifixion and by following Christ we must be willing die like Christ.  Write Romans 6:1-4 on a index card and memorize it.  When you wake up each morning pray to God that you will have the strength to carry your cross today.

FRIDAY
What type attitude does an Olympic athlete have in regards to obtaining a gold medal?  What must he/she do in order to win?  Examine Phil 3:12-14.  As Christ servants we set our goals to be that of what Christ wants from us.  We should let Christ direct our steps and not us direct Christ's steps.  From verse 13 we can see that we need to forget about our sinful past and look forward to what is ahead.  In the end, after pressing on toward the goal, we can all share in the reward of everlasting life.  Write 1 John 4:17 on an index card and memorize it. Call a brother or sister and encourage them to press on towards the goal of love, just as Paul encouraged us.