Sermons on Romans 6:14
For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Romans 6:14 Interpretation:
Empowered by Grace: Overcoming Sin in Christ (Zion Church Media) interprets Romans 6:14 by using the metaphor of an invisible fence to illustrate how sin's power has been turned off for believers. The sermon suggests that, like a dog trained not to cross an invisible boundary, Christians are free from sin's dominion because the power switch has been turned off. The preacher uses the Greek concept of personification to describe sin as a separate entity, likening it to a gorilla that resides within but does not control the believer. This metaphor emphasizes the believer's ability to choose not to let sin reign in their lives.
Choosing Righteousness: Freedom from Sin's Grip (Underwood Baptist Church) interprets Romans 6:14 by emphasizing the believer's liberation from sin's dominion through Christ's death and resurrection. The sermon highlights the theological truth that believers are no longer slaves to sin, as they have been united with Christ in his death and resurrection. The preacher uses the analogy of a basketball player breaking free from a defender's grip to illustrate how believers can break free from sin's hold by relying on the authority and power of Jesus' name.
The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 6:14 by emphasizing the believer's transition from being under the law to being under grace. The sermon highlights that this transition is not merely a change in status but a profound transformation in the believer's relationship with sin. The preacher uses the original Greek text to explain that the phrase "sin shall not have dominion over you" is a definitive statement, indicating that sin's power is decisively broken. The sermon uses the analogy of a slave being freed from a master to illustrate the believer's liberation from sin's dominion.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) interprets Romans 6:14 by emphasizing the believer's union with Christ as the key to understanding the passage. The sermon highlights that Christians are no longer under the law but under grace, which assures them of victory over sin. The preacher uses the analogy of being in Adam versus being in Christ to explain how believers have died to sin and are alive in Christ. This interpretation is rooted in the Greek text, where the term "reckon" is used to mean "regard" or "account" oneself as dead to sin and alive to God, emphasizing the reality of this transformation rather than a psychological trick.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace (MLJTrust) offers a similar interpretation, focusing on the believer's union with Christ and the assurance of victory over sin. The sermon stresses that Christians are not engaged in a hopeless fight against sin because they are under grace, not law. The preacher uses the analogy of a slave being bought by a new master to illustrate the believer's new position in Christ. The Greek term "reckon" is again highlighted, emphasizing the need to realize and live out the truth of being dead to sin and alive to God.
Romans 6:14 Theological Themes:
Empowered by Grace: Overcoming Sin in Christ (Zion Church Media) presents the theme of identity in Christ versus identity in sin. The sermon emphasizes that believers are not defined by their sin but by their new identity in Christ. This theme is illustrated through the metaphor of the gorilla, which represents sin as a separate entity that does not define the believer.
Choosing Righteousness: Freedom from Sin's Grip (Underwood Baptist Church) introduces the theme of righteousness as a responsibility. The sermon explains that while Christ made righteousness available through his sacrifice, it is now the believer's responsibility to choose righteousness over sin. This theme is further developed by highlighting the believer's freedom to present themselves as instruments of righteousness.
The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the New Covenant, emphasizing that believers are no longer under the law but under grace. This theme is expanded by explaining that the New Covenant, ratified by Christ's blood, provides believers with a new way of approaching God, characterized by a holy boldness and assurance of forgiveness. The sermon also introduces the idea that the New Covenant includes the internalization of God's law, written on the believer's heart, which empowers them to live righteously.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) presents the theme of the certainty of victory over sin due to being under grace. The sermon emphasizes that this victory is not based on human effort but on the believer's position in Christ. The preacher introduces the idea that God's purpose is to bring believers to glory, and this assurance is a source of strength and joy.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace (MLJTrust) adds a new facet by discussing the role of God's chastisement in the believer's life. The sermon explains that if believers do not respond to the gospel, God may use chastisement to bring them to perfection, highlighting the seriousness of being under grace and the certainty of victory over sin.
Romans 6:14 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Choosing Righteousness: Freedom from Sin's Grip (Underwood Baptist Church) provides historical context by explaining the cultural significance of slavery in biblical times. The sermon uses the concept of slavery to illustrate the believer's former bondage to sin and their new freedom in Christ. This context helps the audience understand the radical nature of Paul's message in Romans 6:14, as it contrasts the believer's past enslavement with their present liberation.
The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the significance of covenants in the Bible, particularly how they were ratified by blood. The sermon references the Old Testament practice of covenant-making, such as God's covenant with Abraham and the Mosaic covenant, to illustrate the continuity and fulfillment of these covenants in the New Covenant through Christ's atonement.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the cultural understanding of being "in Adam" and "in Christ." The sermon discusses how the entire human race was considered to be in Adam, and thus, when Adam fell, all fell. This cultural norm is contrasted with the new reality for believers who are now in Christ, emphasizing the radical change in identity and status.
Romans 6:14 Cross-References in the Bible:
Empowered by Grace: Overcoming Sin in Christ (Zion Church Media) references Romans 7, where Paul discusses the struggle between the desire to do good and the reality of sin. The sermon uses this passage to support the idea that believers are not defined by their sin but by their identity in Christ. The preacher emphasizes that, like Paul, believers can find deliverance from sin through Jesus Christ.
Choosing Righteousness: Freedom from Sin's Grip (Underwood Baptist Church) references John 8:31-32, where Jesus speaks about the truth setting believers free. The sermon uses this passage to emphasize the importance of knowing the truth about one's identity in Christ and the freedom it brings from sin's grip. The preacher also references Galatians 5:1 to highlight the believer's freedom from the yoke of slavery to sin.
The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement (MLJTrust) references several passages to support the interpretation of Romans 6:14. Hebrews 7:22 and 8:6 are cited to explain the concept of a better covenant established through Christ. The sermon also references Hebrews 10:15-18 to emphasize the permanence of forgiveness under the New Covenant. Additionally, Galatians 4:4-5 and Romans 8:10-13 are used to illustrate the believer's transition from law to grace and the empowerment to live a righteous life.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) references several passages to support the interpretation of Romans 6:14. The sermon cites 1 Corinthians 1:30 to emphasize that Christ is made unto believers wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, underscoring the completeness of salvation. It also references Ephesians 2 to highlight the believer's position of being seated with Christ in heavenly places, reinforcing the idea of victory over sin.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace (MLJTrust) also references 1 Corinthians 15:56 to explain that the strength of sin is the law, supporting the argument that being under grace assures victory over sin. The sermon further references Hebrews 12 to discuss God's chastisement as a means of bringing believers to perfection, illustrating the seriousness of being under grace.
Romans 6:14 Christian References outside the Bible:
Choosing Righteousness: Freedom from Sin's Grip (Underwood Baptist Church) references a personal anecdote about a coach's advice to break free from a defender's grip in basketball. This story is used to illustrate the believer's authority in Christ to break free from sin's hold. The preacher emphasizes that, like the coach's advice, believers have the power to use Jesus' name to overcome sin.
The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians when discussing Romans 6:14.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) explicitly references the hymn "Praise the Lord for He is Glorious," which includes the line "God hath made His saints victorious, sin and death shall not prevail." This hymn is used to reinforce the sermon’s message of assured victory over sin and death for believers under grace.
Romans 6:14 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Empowered by Grace: Overcoming Sin in Christ (Zion Church Media) uses the metaphor of an invisible fence to illustrate how sin's power has been turned off for believers. The preacher explains that, like a dog trained not to cross an invisible boundary, Christians are free from sin's dominion because the power switch has been turned off. This metaphor helps the audience understand the concept of sin's power being rendered powerless through the gospel.
Choosing Righteousness: Freedom from Sin's Grip (Underwood Baptist Church) uses a basketball analogy to illustrate the believer's ability to break free from sin's grip. The preacher shares a personal story about a basketball game where a defender held onto their jersey, and the coach advised them to break free by using force. This analogy is used to emphasize the believer's authority in Christ to overcome sin's hold.
The Transformative Power of Christ's Atonement (MLJTrust) does not use any secular sources or illustrations to explain Romans 6:14.
Victory Over Sin: Living Under Grace in Christ (MLJTrust) uses a secular illustration of a man who overcame alcoholism by being shocked at his reflection in the mirror. This story is used to caution against relying on psychological experiences rather than the truth of Scripture for victory over sin. The preacher emphasizes that true victory is based on the believer's union with Christ, not on self-imposed psychological tricks.