Embracing New Life: Dying to Self Daily

Today’s gathering centers on the profound truth that in Christ, we are called to die to our old selves so that we might truly live in the newness of life He offers. Baptism is not just a ritual or a symbolic act; it is a public declaration that the old self has been buried, and a new creation has emerged. Just as it would be absurd to dig up a corpse after a funeral, it is equally absurd for believers to keep resurrecting old habits, mindsets, and sins that Christ has already put to death. The Christian journey is not about becoming a slightly improved version of ourselves, but about being made entirely new—transformed from the inside out by the power of God’s grace.

Water, throughout Scripture, marks the beginning of something new—creation, deliverance, ministry, and now, our own spiritual rebirth. The act of baptism is a burial of the old self, a declaration that sin no longer has dominion. Grace is not a license to continue in sin, but the power to break free from it. Paul’s words in Romans 6 challenge us: if we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? The answer is that we cannot, and we must not. Grace does not lower the standard; it raises our ability to live according to God’s calling.

Dying to self is not a one-time event but a daily discipline. Each day, the old self tries to rise again, but we are called to “slam the lid shut” and refuse to let sin reign. This is not accomplished by willpower alone, but by practical steps: starving the flesh, surrendering our weaknesses to God, and walking in step with the Holy Spirit. Accountability, intentional choices, and daily surrender are essential. The Spirit not only saves but sustains, providing the strength and guidance needed to walk in victory. Even when we stumble, God’s faithfulness remains—He forgives, cleanses, and empowers us to keep moving forward. The call is clear: die daily, so you can live eternally.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Baptism and the Power of Water: Water in Scripture always signals a new beginning—creation, deliverance, and spiritual rebirth. Baptism is not just a symbol but a spiritual burial of the old self, marking the start of a new life in Christ. This act is a public declaration that we belong to Jesus and that the old has truly passed away. Never underestimate the transformative power of this step of obedience. [10:21]
• 2. Grace Is Not a License, but Power: God’s grace is greater than any sin, but it is not permission to continue in old patterns. Grace is the power to break free from sin, not an excuse to indulge it. To think otherwise is as absurd as breaking bones because a doctor can heal them or crashing cars because you have insurance. Grace raises our ability to live righteously, not lowers the standard. [16:00]
• 3. Daily Death to Self: The Christian life requires a daily commitment to die to self. The old self constantly tries to resurface, but we must continually “nail it to the cross” so the new life can thrive. This is not a one-time event but a daily discipline, echoing Jesus’ call to take up our cross every day and follow Him. Only by dying daily can we truly live in the freedom Christ provides. [22:33]
• 4. Practical Steps: Starve, Surrender, and Stay in Step: Victory over the old self comes through practical, Spirit-led actions. Starve the flesh by changing your inputs and avoiding triggers; surrender your weaknesses and temptations to God, making a habit of saying “yes” to Him each morning; and stay in step with the Spirit through daily rhythms of prayer, worship, and obedience. These habits are not just spiritual but deeply practical, enabling real transformation. [27:25]
• 5. God’s Faithfulness in Our Weakness: Even when we stumble or feel ourselves drifting, God remains faithful. Confession and repentance are always met with forgiveness and cleansing. The Spirit not only saves but sustains, providing daily grace and a way of escape from temptation. Our hope is not in our own strength, but in God’s unwavering commitment to complete the work He began in us. [36:33]
  ** [36:33]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Children’s Ministry & Baptism Sunday
• [02:57] - The Call to Bold Faith
• [04:19] - Romans 6: Dying to Sin
• [08:21] - The Reality of Death and the Old Self
• [09:38] - Stop Resurrecting What God Buried
• [10:21] - The Power and Pattern of Water in Scripture
• [12:47] - New Creation: Not Just a Better Version
• [13:41] - Grace That Outruns Sin
• [16:00] - Grace Is Not a License to Sin
• [17:52] - Living as Dead to Sin
• [19:58] - The War for Your Soul
• [20:41] - The Need for Daily Death to Self
• [22:33] - Dying Daily: Practical Realities
• [24:02] - Taking Up Your Cross Each Day
• [26:55] - Three Bible-Backed Hacks to Die Daily
• [27:25] - Starve the Flesh
• [29:16] - Accountability and Changing Inputs
• [31:39] - Surrender Isn’t Weakness
• [33:08] - Start Your Day with Surrender
• [34:39] - Stay in Step with the Spirit
• [36:33] - God’s Faithfulness and Daily Cleansing
• [38:50] - Closing and Call to Die Daily

Bible Reading

Romans 6:1-4 (ESV) — > What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 6:1-2, what question does Paul ask about sin and grace, and how does he answer it?
2. In the sermon, what does baptism represent in the life of a believer? [[18:40]]
3. What are some examples from the sermon of how people might try to “dig up” their old selves after coming to Christ? [[09:38]]
4. What practical steps did the pastor mention for dying to self daily? [[26:55]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why does Paul use such strong language (“By no means!”) when talking about continuing in sin after receiving grace? What does this reveal about the seriousness of sin for believers? [[16:00]]
2. The sermon compares carrying around the “old self” to digging up a corpse after a funeral. What does this analogy help us understand about the Christian life? [[09:38]]
3. The pastor said, “Grace doesn’t lower the standard. It raises your ability to live it.” What does this mean for how we view God’s expectations and our own efforts? [[17:52]]
4. How does the idea of “dying daily” challenge the belief that following Jesus is just about self-improvement? [[12:47]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon said, “Stop digging up what I died to put down.” Are there specific habits, mindsets, or sins from your old life that you find yourself “resurrecting”? What would it look like to finally “bury” them? [[09:38]]
2. Baptism is described as a public declaration that the old self is dead and a new creation has begun. If you have been baptized, how did that moment impact your walk with Jesus? If you haven’t, what holds you back from making that public step? [[18:40]]
3. The pastor gave three practical “hacks” for dying to self daily: starve the flesh, surrender to God, and stay in step with the Spirit. Which of these is most challenging for you right now, and why? [[26:55]]
4. “Starve the flesh by changing your inputs and avoiding triggers.” What are some specific inputs (music, shows, social media, places, people) that you need to change or avoid to help your new life in Christ thrive? [[28:18]]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of accountability. Who in your life can help you stay accountable in your walk with Jesus? How can you invite them into your journey more intentionally? [[29:16]]
6. The pastor said, “Surrender isn’t losing, it’s choosing to let God win.” What is one area of your life where you need to stop struggling and start surrendering to God? [[33:08]]
7. When you stumble or feel yourself drifting, how do you usually respond? How can you practice confession and receive God’s forgiveness and cleansing in a more real and regular way? [[36:33]]