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DELIVERANCE
FROM THE DOMINION OF SIN (John
8:34; 36) "Jesus answered them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever committeth sin is the servant of
sin. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free
indeed." Introduction:
Through Jesus Christ our Lord we have been delivered from the
domain of death, and as Paul is now going to demonstrate, we have also
been delivered from the dominion of sin. I.
FROM PRINCIPLE TO PRACTICE
(VV.13-14) It is not enough to make a resolution that our members will not be yielded to sin (v.13a). Many have tried this with little success; for victory does not rest upon our moral resolve but in the practice of a spiritual principle. Note three steps in translating the principle into practice. A. Give In To God’s Will (v.13) · It is only when we give in to God that we have victory (Illus: often misquoted verse - James 4:7). · God’s Spirit lives within every believer, but it is only when we submit to Him does He free us from the shackles of sin. ·
We are so made that when we are
tempted we have to give in; but notice that we do not have to give in to
temptation. Instead we can give in to God.
B.
Get Hold Of God’s Word (v.14a) · We must get a firm grip on this. (Illus: it was God’s original plan for man to have dominion; but in the garden Adam surrendered his sovereignty to Satan and doomed mankind into slavery to sin. · Praise God! Jesus has invaded human affairs and restored our lost dominion (Jn.8:34, 36). · We need to get hold of this clear Word of God! C. Go On In God’s Way (v.14b) · In other words, continuing victory for the freed believer does not depend on my own effort but on the abundant supply of God’s grace, sufficient for every need. · The old monarch is now defeated. ·
The old master
is now deposed. II.
FROM LIFE TO Freedom from the old master brings a new liberty.
A.
Commences With An Attitude (vv.15-16) · No one can expect victory who doesn’t really want victory. No one can expect victory if they have a soft attitude toward sin. · The attitude that grace gives license to sin, makes freedom from its power impossible. As long as that attitude is indulged, sin will remain the master and we will remain the slaves. ·
God expects sincerity as much
today as He did when He said to
B.
Consummates With An Attainment
(vv.17-18) · (Illus: 2000 years ago Jesus came and bought us off of the auction block of sin). Our decision to believe the gospel saves us to the uttermost as long as it is not mere mental assent but sincerely from the “heart.” · Doctrine and deliverance go together. The word “form” suggests a mold to which the believer is to take shape. The gospel not only delivers us from the penalty of sin; it shapes our character as well. · We have been freed from sin’s mastery and deliver over to the truth (v.18). III. FROM SLAVE TO SERVANT (VV.19-23) Freedom from the old master brings more than new liberty. A. A New Loyalty (vv.19-20) · (Illus: “even so…” spiritual comparasion - Moses lifted the serpent in the wilderness…as the days of Noah…) ·
Once we were loyal to the old
master and yielded our members as slaves to sin. Now we must be loyal to
out new Master, who has purchased us with His own blood at B. A New Longevity (vv.21-23) · A new quality of life altogether. We are to be ashamed of our old way of life (v.21). · There is nothing lasting about the old life of sin. In fact, it hurried us along to certain death. In contrast to that we are to be assured of the new way of life (vv.22-23). · Freedom from sin guarantees unqualified success in life, “fruit unto holiness”; and unqualified security for the next life, “eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Conclusion: The old master shamed us and paid us the wages of death. The new master makes us holy and gives us life forevermore.
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