Taken from a message preached on:
Romans Chp 6 Vs 12 to 20 : 'Because I Serve Another' by Dr J Stewart Gillespie
“Shall we continue in sin?” (Rom6:1)
We considered 4 reasons:
1.We are Dead to Sin (6:1-6)
2.We are Alive to Christ (6:5-11)
3.Because I Serve Another (6:12-20)
4.Because Sin remains Sin (6:21-23)
Because I Serve Another:
It is instructive by way of contrast to compare Romans 6 with Deuteronomy 6.
In Deut 6 why shouldn't I sin?
Why shouldn't I serve other gods: Deut 6:13ff – reason not to sin – because God will wipe you out if you do (Deut 6:15)
That's a good reason mark you!
The theme continues in Deut 7:4; 11:13-17.
The reason not to sin was really very clear!
The OT scriptures don't only present the rod mind you they do also present the staff – leading us into blessing
The bulk of Romans 6: verses 12 to 20, though deals with a positive reason not to sin.
How do we “reckon yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin” (6:11)
Only by being: “alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (6:11)
If I am 'dead unto God' none of this will work.
Sin will no longer “reign in your mortal body” (6:12) as I yield that body over to the practical service of and devotion to Christ (6:12-20)
Being “dead indeed unto sin” (v11) means not giving sin its way / freedom to use our body for its purpose / ends (v12), not to allow sin to use me for its purposes, to achieve its goals, but rather to take my body and give it over to Gods service (v13)
The best protection against sin is the practice of sanctification!
The best defence is attack
Amongst the armour of God in Eph 6 are the feet shod with the preparation of the gospel – not only defence but attack and progress!
The best protection against sin is the practice of sanctification!
What do I mean by sanctification?
I mean being actively, positively as well as negatively being set apart for the service of God!
(1)There's a man who struggles with alcohol. What are you going to tell him to do? Go to the pub with his pals and drink lemonade instead or go to the prayer meeting and pray fro the Spirits power to overcome the flesh? You see the different approach? That is the practice of sanctification: leaving the sin behind – the negative and cleaving to Christ – the positive!
(2)There's a sister who struggles with her relationship with another sister. What do you advise her to do? Avoid the sister? The world would advise that! How about pray for her? Positive sanctification. You're just making these up Stewart! This is the Biblical approach: “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom 12:20-21)
(3)There's a believer with a growing awareness that he is wasting a lot of his time on the TV / internet / Bebo / twitter / face book – what do you advise him to do? Switch off the TV / internet – that will just leave a gap that he may fill with something even less profitable! What did the Spirit counsel Timothy to do? “Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1Ti 4:13-16). This is the positive practice of sanctification.
The best protection against sin is the practice of sanctification!
How do I begin then to reckon myself dead indeed unto sin (v11)?
This is a deliberate exercise of the will!
I need to do it!
A man, his master, his motive and his members!
Consider how the whole body is used in service:
1.Our master (6:12) – Our Head
2.Our mortal body (6:12) – Our Human Desires / Lusts of the Body
3.Our members (6:13) – Our Hands
4.Our motive (6:17-19) – Our Heart
1.Our master (6:12) – Our Head
Know your master
We can say no!
We don't have to obey sin!
Sometimes we do things because we have always done it!
You don't have to!
Who is in charge? Who is my master?
There are only 2 possibilities:
i.Sin (5:21)
ii.Christ (5:21; 6:10,11)
Who is my head in this action?
The head controls the body – what the head says the body obeys, even when we don't want to: seizure, spasms, jerks, migraine
There are 2 great spiritual realities which are above us, we do not control them rather we choose between them – Christ or Sin!
Being “free from sin” and “dead to sin” we are now able to choose where before we had no choice
I no more control sin and Satan than I control Christ and righteousness.
There are many such examples in scriptures of men who thought they could control their sin but their sin controlled them:
i.Noah and his wine – Lost his dignity
ii.Lot's wife and a love for the world – Lost her home, family and life
iii.Achan and materialism – Lost his life
iv.Solomon and his wives – Lost his Kingdom
v.Israel and her idols – Lost the Glory of God
vi.Judas and his love of money – Lost his soul
Who exactly was in control?
We have a great advantage here, we are able to look back on these biblical characters and take in the whole scope and panorama of their life!
Our freedom lies in our ability to choose not in our freedom from the consequences of those decisions we make!
2.Our mortal body (6:12) – Our Human Desires
Know your mortal body
What is driving the activities of my mortal body?
The body itself was created by God and has God given desires that are good and right:
i.Appetite for food
ii.Thirst
iii.Sexual desires
iv.Appreciation of beauty
v.Love of art
So all of these things are good aren't they?
So surely we can just follow our desires can't we?
The human body and its desires are not on 'automatic pilot' we are not computers preprogrammed and set to run automatically!
Our bodies are subject to our human nature and that nature is a fallen human nature corrupted by sin – referred to as the “flesh”
The flesh constantly pulls me in the direction of gratifying the natural desires of the body, those desires are physical and earth bound and keep me tied to earth.
Only with conversion and the power of Gods Spirit can I rise any higher that the desire to simply satisfy the natural desires of the body and only with His Spirit do I really appreciate that there is anything beyond the material to aim for and desire!
Rom 8:5-13
The desire and goal of the believer goes beyond simply enjoying the stimulation of bodily appetites satisfied: Rom 6:19, 22 – we have fruit to bring for God – our goal is “holiness”!
Is it the flesh driven by “lust” which is using:
i.My hands for its deeds?
ii.My eyes for its satisfaction?
iii.My lips for its message?
Are these desires lusts or:
i.Sinful desires (1 John2:16)
ii.Selfish desires (James 4:1-4)
iii.Satanic desires (Jo 8:44)
iv.Sanctified desires
3.“Our members” (6:13) – Our Hands
Know your members
Think about what you do and why you do it!
We often correctly regard laziness and slothfulness as an attribute worthy of condemnation and so it is:
i.2 Thess 3:6ff
ii.1 Tim 5:13ff
iii.Prov 6:6: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:”
and because of that we then wrongly deduce that any business is a virtue!
This section and other scriptures prompt us to look beyond mere activity.
Not only what are we doing but what are we achieving?
When I use my:
i.Time
ii.Treasure
iii.Talents
what am I actually achieving?
Consider Mary and Martha (Lk10:38-42)
Paradoxically when we apply the teaching of this section we may find that to be truly productive in the things of God we need to stop doing some things as we consider what they are actually achieving! I am a believer in that principle, of stopping service in a particular sphere as well as starting it! (Matt10:14; Mk6:11).
“Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin... your members as instruments of righteousness unto God... whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?...as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.” (Rom 6:13-19)
We are looking at outcome not only occupation!
Outcome in terms of “righteousness” - does it promote righteousness and “holiness” - does it further my pursuit of deeper holiness to God and encourage others in their pursuit of holiness, and “unto God” - is it acceptable to God?
But you say I am busy! Busy but barren?
Tests of worth / value:
1.What is the cause of my actions / activities (6:12-13). Is sin and the flesh the cause or is God the cause of this kind of action / activity / these words? If an ungodly person would do what I am about to do, say what I am about to say, go about tackling the problem the way I am about to tackle it, it is probably sin and the flesh that is the cause of my actions rather than the Spirit of God.
2.What is the character of my actions? Could I categorise it as “righteous” (v13) and consistent with Gods Word (v18) or is it “unrighteous”?
3.What are the consequences of this action (v19)? Where does it lead to? Is it “unto iniquity” (v19) or is it “unto holiness” (v19). This is a profound truth that certain actions / activities / conversations/ language / behaviour / interests can draw me towards God, ie. They promote “holiness” and certain actions / activities / conversations/ language / behaviour / interests can draw me away from God: “unto iniquity.” “Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place?” (Psa 24:3)
4.What about the conclusion of these actions? Do they end in death and with death (v16,21) or do these actions have eternal and enduring consequences (v22)? There are some things I can engage in, in time that have consequences that endure for eternity:
“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.” (Luk 16:9)
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”(Mat 6:20)
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” (1Co 9:25)
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?”(1Th 2:19)
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”(2Ti 4:8)
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”(Jas 1:12)
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.”(1Pe 5:4)
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”(Rev 2:10)
4.Our motive (6:19) – Our Heart
What is our purpose in this?
Holiness (v19)
What fruit have you?
Is it fruit unto holiness? (v22)
What fills my heart and drives me forward?
The word is sown: “form of doctrine”
Sown in the heart
An army doesn't fight on an empty stomach
To fight I need food
The food for the fight is “that form of doctrine”
Faulty doctrine results in faulty behaviour
Satan attacks the doctrine and disables the believer
1 Samuel Chp 30
David finds an Egyptian in the field
A strange incident – the Egyptian appears and then disappears from the pages of scripture
What is it all about?
There are too many pictures, patterns and prophecies of Christ links with David for it not to mean something!
David is full pictures of Christ:
i.1 Samuel 16: David “anointed” : “mâshîyach” from the Hebrew word Messiah
ii.1 Samuel 16: David, now the anointed one, heads out to the valley of Elah: the valley of the oak tree
iii.1 Samuel 16: David heads out to the valley of Elah with bread in one hand and wine in the other!
iv.1 Samuel 16: oh yes and transport has been provided as he heads out to the valley of the oak tree: an ass (16:20)
v.1 Samuel 17: at the valley of the oak tree David will meet Goliath of Gath, a giant of a monster, marked by 666 – 6 items of armour, the spears head weighing 600 shekels, his height 6 cubits and a span
vi.1 Samuel 17: at the valley of the oak tree David will slay Goliath with his own sword (Heb 2:14).
vii.1 Samuel 18: The victory in the valley of Elah brings him a bride: Michal
viii.1 Samuel 19 - 31: Such a victory ought to bring David the throne but instead he now knows rejection
ix.1 Samuel 19: David in rejection ascends to Naioth : 'the residence' in Ramah 'high place'
x.1 Samuel 19: David having ascended to Naioth : 'the residence' in Ramah 'high place' there is a descent of the Holy Spirit and a pouring out of the Spirit of prophecy in 3 distinct waves
xi.1 Samuel 25: David will call his bride by missionary endeavour announcing a 3 fold “peace” to those who are afar off by sending his representatives to Nabal (25:6)
xii.1 Samuel 25: those like Abigail who have a heart for and an appreciation of David will respond with repentance (25:28)
xiii.1 Samuel 25: Abigail exhorts the person, power, privilege and purpose of David in terms reminiscent of Psalm 110 (25:28)
xiv.1 Samuel 30 – having called his bride in chp 25, David will now come for and claim his bride in chp 30.
xv.2 Samuel 5 – David will be crowned with his bride and will reign over all of Israel after a gap of 7 years – difficult years of tribulation for Israel.
It is hard in view of all these pictures and pointers to Christ to lack the desire to ask why and what is the purpose of this Egyptian in the field?
This Egyptian, a man of the world , is found in a “field” in 1 Sam 30.
The “field” sometimes occurs in the language of parables as a picture of the world (Matt 13)
Consider the Egyptian and:
1.His master (6:12)
2.His mortal body (6:12)
3.His members (6:13)
4.His motive (6:19)
The Egyptian is brought to David (30:11,12)
David will:
1.Refresh his thirst with water to drink cf. John 4.
2.Feed his hunger with bread to eat cf. John 6.
3.Bring fruit; figs and raisins cf. John 15.
This Egyptian has been left for dead by the Amalekites like the man left by the side of the road in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke chp 10.
This man has known death to the flesh and sin.
There has been a gap of 3 days and 3 nights
The phrase 3 days and 3 nights only occurs on 3 occasion in scripture:
1.Jonah 1:17
2.Matt 12:40
3.1 Sam 30:12
On the other 2 occasions it is linked with resurrection and specifically the resurrection of Christ, of which Jonah is a picture.
This Egyptians death and burial and resurrection is then followed by
Life at the hands of David, sustained by:
1.water to drink cf. John 4.
2.bread to eat cf. John 6.
3.fruit; figs and raisins cf. John 15.
Do you think Amalek would ever have had a clue as to how David found them?
I doubt it – for as far as Amalek were concerned that Egyptian was dead.
This man had been left behind sick (30:13) and with no food and water (30:12) – he had been left to die!
Is this not how the world still leaves us?
This Egyptian was once a “servant” of the Amalekites (30:13):
i.“we made an invasion” (30:14)
ii.“we burned Ziklag” (30:14)
Now that he is restored to life and brought back by david will he return to serve Amalek?
This man sees a change of status from serving Amalek to serving David.
Not only will he serve David but he will destroy Amalek (30:15-17)
I don't continue in sin because:
I am happy not to sin.
https://graceinchrist.org/romans
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