We must die to really live

Topics: freedom, grace, live for Christ

I. Die to sin and live in freedom

* Dying to sin frees us with forgiveness to pursue personal holiness!

1. But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found sinners, is Christ then a minister of sin? May it never be! (Galatians 2:17).
2. Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins? (John 8:24).
3. He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed (1 Peter 2:24).
4. What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? (Romans 6:1, 2).

II. Die to law and live in Christ

* Dying to the Law releases us to enjoy a loving relationship with God!

1. For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. For through the Law I died to the Law, so that I might live to God (Galatians 2:18, 19).
2. Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God . . . But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter (Romans 7:4, 6).

III. Die to self and live in grace

* Dying to self transforms us by grace through faith to be Christ-like!

1. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly (Galatians 2:20, 21).
2. Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin . . . For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:6, 7, 14).

Sermon by Pastor Rod Akins, October 13^th, 2024

Life group flow and discussion questions

"We must die to really live"

An important Guideline of Life Groups: Discuss this revolutionary truth within your Life Group: Why must we die to really live? What are some practical ways you can die to sin, the Law and to self?

Getting Started:

1. What are some biblical paradoxes that Christians believe which the worldly values would reject? (Look at Matthew 10:39; 19:30; 20:26; 23:12; Luke 6:38; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Peter 2:16).
2. How can you die to sin; die to the Law and die to self in your daily living?

Discussing Truths:

1. What is our new identity when we truly die to self and allow Christ to live in us (Galatians 2:20; Romans 8:11; 1 John 3:1-3)?
2. Why is legalism so destructive to our spiritual freedom (Galatians 5:1)?
3. How was Paul's opponents trying to suggest that being justified by grace through faith would lead to sinful living?
4. Why is believing in Jesus the only remedy for our sinful condition (John 8:24; 14:6; Acts 4:10-12)?
5. How can we help people who are enslaved to things in this world find true freedom (People in bondage to possessions, bad habits, drugs, alcohol, pornography, sexual lusts, angry temper, work, religion . . .)?
6. What does Jesus teach us about enjoying an abundant life and truly being free (John 8:34-36; 10:10)?

Now What? Application:

1. Pray everyday that you will walk in newness of life and not in your old self (Romans 6:4).
2. Recognize that obedience from the heart is the spiritual fruit of a transformed life (Romans 6:17, 18). Is your obedience just outward (religion) or lip service (ritual) or is it love motivated from the heart (relationship)?