I have really good news. You are not trapped by your past or chained to the sins of the present. Whatever you have been in the past can remain in the past.
God has given us what we need to win the victory over sin.
Yesterday I preached from Romans 6 where Paul spoke about that victory.
I had two approaches for my sermon. This is the one I didn’t choose.
My title was “The Victory is Possible” and my thesis question was “Can I Win the Victory Over Sin?”
At that point I answered the question with four personal affirmations.
First, I can be forgiven and transformed. Paul used the word transformation to describe what happens when we allow God to work in our lives. The word is the same Greek word to describe the metamorphosis which occurs when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Paul counseled us (Romans 12:1-2) not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. The world wants to control your mind but God wants to transform your mind.
Second, I can live as dead to sin and alive to Christ. Paul used both of those figures to describe what Christ has done for us. The old person is dead and the new person is alive. Since I have died with Christ, I can live the new life God wants me to have.
Third, I can struggle against sinful desires. Because of the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit who indwells me, I can struggle with temptation and overcome it. I should not simply assume I cannot win the battle. That would be to deny the work of Christ within me. God has given us what we need to win the victory.
Therefore, I can win the victory in Christ. Own my on, I am weak and sinful. In Christ, I can experience the victory which comes through Him.
Take heart, our heavenly Father is at work within us to give us what we need to secure the victory.
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5 Responses
Interesting the way you introduced “reckon” into the sermon this weekend. It is a word I use as well, but perhaps not as often. However I have been heard to say, “I reckon so!” when in agreement or asked if I am intent on some task. As I pondered the differences in translations of the last phrase within Romans 12:1 which I included in my comment yesterday, “Reasonable Service,” I considered the application of that word. It fits! The Websters New World Dictionary has a few applications of the word, the first being the most common followed by variations of the same idea: “1) to count; figure up, compute. 2. to consider as; regard being: as I reckon him an enemy. 3. to judge; estimate. 4 [Colloq. or Dial.], to suppose: as, I reckon he’s tired. v.i. 1. to count up; figure. to depend; rely (with on). -reckon with, 1. to settle accounts with. 2. to take into consideration.”
WOW, a word so dependent on context and yet so expressive regardless of context!
As your sermon expressed Romans 12:1 this weekend, (and by the way, the early service and late service both explored different areas of the message masterfully. If it was intentional, well done. If it was entirely led by the Spirit. AMEN and Praise the Lord regardless of the methodology, as I reckon His superlative is paramount.) “this is your spiritual act of worship.” Holman translates it as, “this is your spiritual worship.” The NIV adds the word “act,” “this is your spiritual act of worship.” My Barclay M. Newman, Jr. prepared Greek-English Dictionary of the New Testament translates the King James “reasonable” as: rational, spiritual. It also translates the King James “service” as: serve, worship.
As I consider the case you made that Paul was building his logically based argument carefully pinning all the foundational aspects of presenting the purpose and function of what the “Good News” is, this verse, Romans 12:1 screams to me all the preceding is stated for you to understand what is required of you. Romans 12: 2 and all that follows is the “how to;” the context of understanding the methodology of the design and what is expected of the new entity created in that design as it interacts with the world fulfilling its purpose.
“Reasonable service” is the culmination of all that was done for this opportunity. Therefore, that “reasonable service’ is reasonable; and it is “spiritual worship.” It is an “act” that is required to proceed in order for the design to come to pass.
In short, it is reckoned to that point to cause a reckoning. If you ask me if Christ is the Grand Subject and our Good His Design? Well,… I RECKON SO!
Blessings.
I reckon that our God is able:
My 93 year old Dad was unresponsive at the end of your Sermon and Jay Sigl called 911. Within seconds the Body of Christ responded. I counted three EMT’s, two nurses, one Doctor and at least one Pastor at Dad’s side. There was a Sheriff in the hallway, and countless friends saying they would pray. Leslie Quartano prayed with you by laying hands on Dad. He responded with a loud “Amen.”
At the ER they ran numerous tests. Praise God- they found NOTHING! My Dad is his old self this morning.
So, I reckon prayer works. I reckon He is more than able. I reckon my Dad has more to do in the Kingdom of the King!
Thank you to FBC for all of the love and help.
As I have often said, “The body of Christ is beautiful.” No wonder the Bible describes the church as a bride! Thankful your dad came through ok. May God bless you all.
AMEN … Praise the Lord, Always!
😉 Reckon He works through us by His choice. His point exactly.
Thank you!
Blessings.