Sermons on Romans 6:17-18

Romans 6:17-18 Interpretation:

Living Righteously After Justification: A Call to Holiness (Asbury Church) interprets Romans 6:17-18 by emphasizing the transition from being slaves to sin to becoming slaves to righteousness, using the analogy of slavery both in the biblical context and in American history. The sermon uniquely highlights the idea of allegiance—Paul’s language of “obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance”—as a call to live out the Christian faith in tangible ways, not just as a status but as an ongoing, lived reality. The preacher draws a parallel between the illogicality of a freed slave choosing to remain in bondage and a Christian continuing in sin after being set free, using the story of Elizabeth Keckley to illustrate the difficulty and necessity of embracing new freedom. The sermon also uses the metaphor of the asterisk by Barry Bonds’ home run ball to contrast the taintedness of human achievement with the unblemished justification believers receive in Christ, suggesting that our names, though deserving an asterisk, are made clean by Jesus. The preacher does not delve into Greek or Hebrew terms but focuses on the lived, practical implications of the passage, especially the shift in allegiance and identity.

Embracing Transformation Through Fearless Self-Inventory (Trinity Church of Sunnyvale) interprets Romans 6:17-18 by focusing on the concept of freedom from sin as a release from chains, using the language of addiction and recovery. The sermon offers a novel perspective by insisting that, although God offers freedom, one must “name the chain to be changed”—that is, specific confession and fearless moral inventory are necessary for transformation. The preacher uses the analogy of a refrigerator inventory (inspired by Gordon Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares”) to illustrate the need for honest self-examination, paralleling the process of sanctification with the 12-step recovery model. The passage is interpreted as a promise of real, practical freedom, but only for those who are willing to specifically identify and confess the sins and patterns that enslave them. The sermon’s unique contribution is the insistence on specificity and thoroughness in confession as the means by which the freedom of Romans 6:17-18 becomes a lived reality.

From Trespasses to Transformation: Understanding Sin and Grace (Desiring God) provides a detailed linguistic and theological analysis of Romans 6:17-18, focusing on the Greek singular “sin” (hamartia) as a slave master or power, rather than merely a list of bad actions. The sermon distinguishes between “sin” as a ruling force and “sins” or “trespasses” as its outworkings, and interprets Paul’s language of being “set free from sin” as a transfer of allegiance from one master (sin) to another (righteousness/God). The preacher offers a unique insight by connecting the “lack of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) to the essence of sin as preferring anything to God, and thus, being a slave to those preferences. The passage is thus interpreted as describing a fundamental change in the believer’s heart and will, not just behavior, and the preacher uses the Greek term “hustereo” (to lack) to deepen the understanding of what it means to be set free from sin.

Embracing Transformation: The Power of Regeneration (SermonIndex.net) offers a notably fresh interpretation of Romans 6:17-18 by focusing on the phrase "obedient from the heart" and contrasting it with mere external or robotic obedience. The preacher uses the Greek linguistic detail that the word "committed" (paradidomi) is the same as the word used for Judas "handing over" Christ, suggesting that believers are "handed over" or transferred to a new standard of teaching, not just given a set of rules. The sermon also employs a vivid analogy of two dogs with different natures (a border collie and a golden retriever) to illustrate how regeneration changes a Christian’s desires at the core, making obedience natural rather than forced. The preacher further draws on the metaphor of a pig and a sheep in mud to show that a Christian’s new nature is fundamentally opposed to sin, even if they occasionally fall into it.

Radical Discipleship: Choosing Christ Over Worldly Wealth (SermonIndex.net) interprets Romans 6:17-18 by constructing a metaphor of two countries or islands: one where all are slaves of sin, and another where all are slaves of righteousness. The "bridge" between these countries is "obedience from the heart" to a particular form of teaching. The sermon critiques the modern emphasis on knowledge and faith that does not result in transformation, likening Christians with much knowledge but little obedience to infants with hydrocephalus—large heads but no real life. The preacher insists that true spiritual change is not about intellectual assent but about a deep, internalized obedience that results in a transfer of allegiance and citizenship from sin to righteousness.

Strengthened by Grace: Entrusting the Faith to Others (Desiring God) does not provide a unique or notable interpretation of Romans 6:17-18, but rather references the passage as another name for the body of teaching to be passed on, without further exploration or application.

Romans 6:17-18 Theological Themes:

Living Righteously After Justification: A Call to Holiness (Asbury Church) introduces the theme of “allegiance” as central to the Christian life post-justification, arguing that justification is not merely a legal status but a call to a new loyalty and way of living. The sermon warns against “cheap grace” (citing Bonhoeffer), and insists that true justification leads to a life of active discipleship, service, and transformation, not passive assurance. The preacher also develops the idea that the benefits of justification are not only future (eternal life) but present (holiness, the fruits of the Spirit), and that these are realized as believers live out their new allegiance in practical ways.

Embracing Transformation Through Fearless Self-Inventory (Trinity Church of Sunnyvale) presents the theme that freedom from sin is not automatic but requires active participation through honest self-examination and confession. The sermon’s distinct angle is the insistence that God’s power to free is only activated when believers are specific and thorough in naming their chains—general confession is insufficient. The preacher also explores the idea that holding onto resentments and refusing to forgive keeps one enslaved, regardless of one’s status as a believer, and that true freedom is relational and communal, not merely individual.

From Trespasses to Transformation: Understanding Sin and Grace (Desiring God) offers the theological theme that sin is fundamentally a power or master, not just a list of wrong actions, and that salvation is a transfer of lordship. The preacher’s unique contribution is the focus on the heart’s preferences—sin as preferring anything to God—and the idea that the new birth is a radical reorientation of desire and allegiance. The sermon also highlights the replacement of sin’s reign with the reign of grace, and the transformation of the believer’s nature as the core of Christian freedom.

Embracing Transformation: The Power of Regeneration (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that regeneration is not merely a legal change (justification) but a supernatural transformation of desires, making obedience from the heart the new default for the Christian. The sermon emphasizes that the Christian’s heart is no longer "deceitfully wicked above all things" but is now fundamentally good and honest (citing Luke 8:15), and that the evidence of regeneration is a genuine, internal desire to obey God. The preacher also challenges the "free grace" or "non-lordship" view, arguing that to deny the radical change of heart is to minimize the power and character of God.

Radical Discipleship: Choosing Christ Over Worldly Wealth (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that the true mark of Christian conversion is not knowledge or doctrinal precision, but a transfer of allegiance that results in practical, heartfelt obedience. The sermon critiques the modern church’s focus on doctrinal exclusivity and inherited traditions, arguing that these can become as much a hindrance to true discipleship as wealth was to the rich young ruler. The preacher insists that the "form of teaching" must lead to actual freedom from sin, and that the acid test of any doctrine is whether it produces slaves of righteousness, not just correct thinkers.

Romans 6:17-18 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Living Righteously After Justification: A Call to Holiness (Asbury Church) provides historical context by referencing the institution of slavery in both biblical times and American history. The preacher explains that Paul’s use of the slavery metaphor would have been immediately understood by his audience, as slavery was a pervasive reality in the Roman Empire. The sermon also references the story of Elizabeth Keckley, a real historical figure, to illustrate the social and psychological dynamics of slavery and freedom, drawing a parallel to the spiritual freedom described by Paul. The preacher further notes that in the ancient world, allegiance to a master was total, shaping every aspect of a person’s life, which deepens the meaning of becoming “slaves to righteousness.”

From Trespasses to Transformation: Understanding Sin and Grace (Desiring God) offers a brief historical insight by explaining that Paul’s use of the term “slave” (doulos) in Romans 6:17-18 would have been understood in the context of the Roman world, where slavery was a legal and social reality, and that the transfer of ownership from one master to another was a familiar concept. The preacher also notes the significance of the Greek terms used by Paul, such as “hamartia” (sin as a power) and “hustereo” (to lack), to clarify the original intent of the passage.

Radical Discipleship: Choosing Christ Over Worldly Wealth (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by describing the rarity of personal Bibles in the first century, noting that most early Christians had less access to Scripture than modern believers, yet were able to turn the world upside down through radical obedience. The preacher also references the cultural weight of tradition in both Indian and Western Christian contexts, likening the grip of tradition to the rich young ruler’s attachment to wealth, and highlighting the challenge of breaking free from inherited religious customs in order to follow Christ wholeheartedly.

Romans 6:17-18 Cross-References in the Bible:

Living Righteously After Justification: A Call to Holiness (Asbury Church) references several other biblical passages to expand on Romans 6:17-18. The preacher cites 1 Corinthians 11:1 (“Follow my example as I follow Christ”) to illustrate the pattern of teaching and discipleship Paul refers to, and Matthew 25 and the Sermon on the Mount to describe the practical outworking of allegiance to Christ—acts of forgiveness, mercy, and service. The sermon also references Isaiah 53 (“by his wounds we are healed”) to connect the work of Christ to the believer’s freedom from sin, and Galatians 5 (fruits of the Spirit) to describe the present benefits of living as slaves to righteousness.

Embracing Transformation Through Fearless Self-Inventory (Trinity Church of Sunnyvale) cross-references 1 John 1:9 (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”) to support the necessity of specific confession, and Matthew 6:14 (“if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you”) to emphasize the relational aspect of forgiveness and freedom. The preacher also references Acts 19:17-20, where believers publicly confess and burn their scrolls, as an example of the power that comes from open confession and renunciation of past sins. Romans 12 is cited to encourage sober self-assessment, and Romans 3:26 is used to explain the justice of God in justification.

From Trespasses to Transformation: Understanding Sin and Grace (Desiring God) references multiple passages to support and expand on Romans 6:17-18. Romans 3:23 (“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”) is reinterpreted as “lack the glory of God,” and Romans 1:23 is used to explain this lack as the exchange of God’s glory for lesser things. The preacher also cites Romans 5:12-21 to distinguish between sin as a power and trespasses as specific acts, Romans 7:8 and 6:12 to describe sin’s reign as a master, and Galatians 5:19-21 to illustrate the works of the flesh as the outworking of sin’s power. Ephesians 2:1-5 is referenced to describe the transition from death in sin to new life in Christ.

Embracing Transformation: The Power of Regeneration (SermonIndex.net) cross-references several passages: Ezekiel 36:27 ("I will put my Spirit within you..."), to show the Old Testament promise of a new heart; 1 Corinthians 6 ("you are the temple of the Holy Spirit"), to reinforce the new identity of believers; Romans 13:10 ("love is the fulfilling of the law"), to summarize the standard of teaching; 1 John 5:3 ("his commandments are not burdensome"), to illustrate the new desire to obey; and 2 Timothy 1:13 ("pattern of sound words"), to connect the "standard of teaching" to apostolic doctrine. The preacher also references Romans 6:6 ("our old self was crucified with him") and Romans 7, as well as Galatians (walking by the Spirit), to show the continuity of the theme of transformation and new desires.

Radical Discipleship: Choosing Christ Over Worldly Wealth (SermonIndex.net) references John 8:32-34 ("you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free... everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin") to reinforce the idea that true doctrine must result in freedom from sin. The preacher also alludes to Luke 14:26 ("hate father and mother...") to illustrate the radical break with tradition and family ties required for discipleship, and 2 Peter (abundant entrance into heaven) to encourage wholehearted commitment. Romans 6:14 ("sin shall not have dominion over you") is cited as a promise to be believed even if others deny it.

Romans 6:17-18 Christian References outside the Bible:

Living Righteously After Justification: A Call to Holiness (Asbury Church) explicitly references Dietrich Bonhoeffer, citing his concept of “cheap grace” to warn against a superficial understanding of justification that does not lead to transformed living. The preacher uses Bonhoeffer’s critique to challenge the congregation to embrace the costly grace that demands a life of discipleship and allegiance to Christ.

Embracing Transformation: The Power of Regeneration (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Tom Schreiner’s commentary on Romans, quoting his explanation that "people do not submit to sin against their will; rather, they freely and spontaneously choose to sin... only God can release them from such subjection, for new desires are necessary to escape the bondage of sin." The sermon also cites Daryl Wingerd’s book Delivered by Desire, summarizing its thesis that the Christian is "delivered by desire"—that is, the new heart given in regeneration makes obedience a matter of new affection, not mere duty. The preacher recommends the book and its audiobook as a resource for understanding and counseling others in these truths.

Romans 6:17-18 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Living Righteously After Justification: A Call to Holiness (Asbury Church) uses several detailed secular illustrations to illuminate Romans 6:17-18. The preacher tells the story of Barry Bonds’ 756th home run ball, which was branded with an asterisk due to allegations of steroid use, to illustrate the idea of tainted achievement and contrast it with the unblemished justification believers receive in Christ. The story of Elizabeth Keckley, a slave who bought her freedom and became a prominent dressmaker, is used to parallel the spiritual journey from slavery to freedom, emphasizing the need for outside help (Christ) to achieve true liberation. The preacher also references the movie “Spider-Man” (“with great power comes great responsibility”) to underscore the responsibility that comes with the gift of justification.

Embracing Transformation Through Fearless Self-Inventory (Trinity Church of Sunnyvale) uses the analogy of Gordon Ramsay’s “Kitchen Nightmares” and the process of taking inventory in a failing restaurant to illustrate the necessity of honest self-examination in the Christian life. The preacher describes how Ramsay’s inspection of the refrigerator reveals the true state of the restaurant, paralleling the need for believers to take a “fearless moral inventory” of their own hearts. The sermon also references Garth Brooks’ song “Standing Outside the Fire” to challenge cultural notions of independence and to highlight the courage required to trust God and engage in vulnerable self-examination. The preacher further uses the image of an ostrich burying its head in the sand to illustrate the futility of avoiding painful self-truths, and references the American ethos of rugged individualism to contrast with the biblical call to dependence on God.

Embracing Transformation: The Power of Regeneration (SermonIndex.net) uses several detailed secular analogies: the first is the comparison of two dogs, a border collie and a golden retriever, to illustrate the difference in natures and desires between the unregenerate and regenerate person. The border collie’s instinct to herd, even after being injured, is likened to the Christian’s new, persistent desire to obey God, while the golden retriever’s different instinct shows that not all "dogs" (people) have the same desires. The preacher also uses the analogy of a pig and a sheep in mud: a pig is comfortable in the mud (sin), but a sheep, though it may fall in, is uncomfortable and seeks to get out, illustrating the Christian’s new nature. Additionally, the preacher references the book title "What I Wish I Knew Before I Started Woodworking" and the example of learning to barbecue brisket as analogies for the value of learning spiritual truths early in the Christian life, to avoid pitfalls and grow in wisdom.