Living in Grace: Freedom from Sin Through Christ

Today’s gathering was a beautiful tapestry of worship, community, and deep reflection on what it means to live as followers of Christ. We began by connecting as a church family, welcoming guests, and sharing in the joys and sorrows of our community—celebrating new beginnings and supporting those walking through loss. We prayed over our AWANA workers, dedicating this year’s ministry to God and asking for His protection, enthusiasm, and fruitfulness as we seek to plant seeds of faith in the next generation.

A special moment was set aside for child dedication, where we affirmed together that children are a gift from God, entrusted to parents and the church to be raised in the knowledge and love of the Lord. We recognized that while parents are the primary disciplers, the church is called to come alongside, supporting and encouraging families as they nurture faith in their children.

Turning to Romans 6, we explored the profound reality of what it means to be “dead to sin and alive to God.” The passage confronts a dangerous misunderstanding: that God’s grace is a license to continue in sin. Through the story of Rasputin and the concept of antinomianism, we saw the tragic consequences of abusing grace. Paul’s emphatic response—“May it never be!”—reminds us that genuine faith in Christ brings about a radical transformation. When we are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, our old self is crucified, and we are set free from the bondage of sin.

This freedom is not maintained by legalistic rule-keeping, nor is it a call to lawlessness. Instead, it is a living relationship with Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, that enables us to walk in newness of life. Sin always brings bondage, but Christ’s resurrection power breaks those chains and gives us the ability to choose righteousness. We are called to leave dead things behind, not to “feed the zombies” of our old life, but to live out the new identity we have in Jesus.

We closed by praying for those in need of healing and comfort, trusting in God’s sovereignty and goodness. Through every element—prayer, dedication, teaching, and intercession—we witnessed God at work, inviting us to participate in His redemptive story.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Grace Is Not a License for Sin, but the Power for Transformation God’s grace is not an excuse to continue in sin, but the very means by which we are set free from its power. Paul’s strong language in Romans 6 confronts the absurdity of using grace as a cover for ongoing rebellion. True grace leads to a changed heart and a new way of living, not a perpetuation of old patterns. [46:28]
• 2. Our Union with Christ Means Death to Sin and Newness of Life When we trust in Christ, we are united with Him in His death and resurrection. This union means our old self—enslaved to sin—has been crucified, and we now walk in the power of His resurrection. The Christian life is not about managing sin, but about living out the reality that we are no longer slaves to it. [47:18]
• 3. Legalism Cannot Produce Holiness—Only Life in the Spirit Can Attempts to control sin through rules and fear ultimately exhaust and discourage. Paul rejects both legalism and lawlessness, pointing instead to the “more excellent way” of new life in Christ. The Holy Spirit within us produces genuine holiness, not by external compulsion, but by internal transformation and love for God. [73:55]
• 4. Sin Always Enslaves, but Christ’s Resurrection Power Sets Us Free Every repeated sin forges new chains, binding us in ways we may not even realize. Yet, the resurrection of Jesus breaks the power of sin, giving us the ability to choose freedom and righteousness. We are called to remind ourselves—and the enemy—that we are dead to those old ways and alive to God. [59:07]
• 5. The Church’s Role Is to Walk Alongside, Not Replace, the Family Parents are the primary disciplers of their children, but the church is called to support, encourage, and partner with families. Whether through ministries like AWANA or through prayer and community, we share the responsibility of nurturing faith in the next generation, modeling grace and truth together. [34:06]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:00] - Connecting with Guests and Church Family
• [07:30] - Announcements and Prayer Requests
• [14:31] - AWANA Workers Recognition and Prayer
• [19:00] - Praying for the AWANA Year
• [30:15] - Introduction to Child Dedication
• [32:54] - Child Dedication Ceremony
• [34:06] - Congregational Commitment
• [34:54] - Prayers Over the Children
• [44:23] - Transition to Romans Series
• [45:11] - Introduction to “Zombie Christianity”
• [46:28] - Reading Romans 6:1-14
• [49:22] - The Danger of Abusing Grace: Rasputin’s Story
• [57:17] - Dead to Sin, Alive to Righteousness
• [59:07] - The Bondage of Sin and the Freedom of Christ
• [73:55] - Legalism vs. Life in the Spirit
• [78:54] - Living Out Our New Identity
• [94:34] - Prayer for Healing and Benediction
• [99:59] - Closing and Blessing

Bible Reading

Romans 6:1-14 (ESV) —
> 1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 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. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. 10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. 11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. 13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. 14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 6:1-2, what is Paul’s response to the idea that God’s grace gives us permission to keep on sinning? What strong language does he use?
2. In verses 3-5, what does Paul say happens to us when we are baptized into Christ Jesus?
3. The sermon described the story of Rasputin as an example of someone who abused the idea of grace. What was the main problem with Rasputin’s approach to grace? ([49:22])
4. What does Paul say about our “old self” and our relationship to sin after coming to Christ? (see verses 6-7)

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think Paul is so emphatic (“By no means!”) in rejecting the idea that grace is a license to sin? What does this reveal about the nature of true grace? ([46:28])
2. The sermon talked about being “dead to sin and alive to God.” What does it practically mean for a Christian to be “dead to sin”? How is this different from just trying harder to be good? ([57:17])
3. The pastor said, “Legalism cannot produce holiness—only life in the Spirit can.” Why do rules and fear fail to change us, and what does it look like to live by the Spirit instead? ([01:13:55])
4. The church’s role in child dedication was described as coming alongside parents, not replacing them. Why is it important for both the family and the church to work together in nurturing faith in the next generation? ([34:06])

Application Questions

1. The sermon warned against “feeding the zombies” of our old life. Are there any “dead things” (old habits, sins, or mindsets) you find yourself returning to? What would it look like to leave those behind this week? ([01:28:10])
2. When you face temptation, how can you remind yourself that you are “dead to sin and alive to God”? Is there a specific phrase, prayer, or action you could use in those moments? ([59:07])
3. Have you ever tried to overcome sin by following a set of rules or by sheer willpower? How did that work out for you? What would it look like to rely on the Holy Spirit’s power instead? ([01:13:55])
4. The sermon emphasized that grace is not “cheap” and that it leads to real transformation. In what area of your life do you need to experience God’s transforming grace right now? ([46:28])
5. The church prayed for AWANA workers and dedicated children, highlighting the importance of community support. How can you support or encourage someone in your church family this week—especially someone investing in the next generation? ([34:06])
6. The pastor shared about praying for those who are hurting or in need of healing. Is there someone you know who needs prayer or encouragement? How can you reach out to them this week? ([01:34:34])
7. The sermon said, “Sin always brings bondage, but Christ’s resurrection power sets us free.” Is there an area where you feel stuck or enslaved? What step could you take to walk in the freedom Jesus offers? ([59:07])