Romans 6 v 1 – 4
1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (ESV)
Sunday is the Lord’s day – it’s resurrection day!
God wanted to achieve newness of life – just as Christ was raised from the dead.
What brought it about?
1. The glory of the Father.
God displays His glory when He:
a. Forgives your sin.
b. Calls you to faith in Christ.
c. Displays His power, raising you to walk in newness of life.
If you don’t have it, you need to want it – the glory of the Father that raised Jesus from the dead.
2. The power of God
Paul wanted us to know “what is the exceeding greatness of God’s power unto us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.” (Ephesians 1:19-21).
a. Christ could not be held captive by the bonds of death.
b. The resurrection is the ultimate manifestation of the glory of God.
c. Sin kills everything – it has a tremendous power, but Peter says God raised Christ from the dead. Death could not hold Christ because He is the Holy One of God.
d. Our Lord’s resurrection is the ultimate proof that He has finally conquered the power of sin and death – it has been crushed – defeated!
Our Lord has also risen to a new sphere – newness of life.
This is what gives the believer assurance of salvation (Heb. 2:9; Gal. 4:4-5).