Alive In Christ

Romans 6:5-11

“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. 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. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Dead To Sin

Romans 6:1-4

“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.”

The Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863, declaring all slaves shall be set free and nearly 3 years later slavery was officially abolished through the 13th amendment. Instantly, over 100,000 slaves were deemed free. But sadly for most, freedom never became a reality. Freed slaves didn’t know how to adapt to their newfound freedom, so many returned to the places they knew best even if it brought them back to their painful past. 

It’s sometimes difficult, as Christians, to accept the concept of grace. It can even be hard to adapt to a life of grace after being set free from the bondages of sin; and there’s a danger of returning to a life of sin and death when we lose sight of God’s grace. There’s also a danger of abusing God’s grace by willfully continuing in a life of sin. Either way, these dangers only lead us back to the enslavement of sin and death. Paul firmly reminds us of our identity in Christ and our baptism with him and rebukes the thought that it’s even possible to continue in sin after being saved by God’s grace. Christ died for our sins and through him we have put to death the sinfulness of our old selves. So, why would we want to go dig up the grave of our sinful past and enslave ourselves once again? That’s crazy talk. We have a new life of freedom in Jesus, by his grace. Be encouraged – You’re free!

Use the HEAR method as you spend time with today’s scripture.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Zach Gallman

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Sunday Edition

Good morning! We hope you’ll join us for worship today.  

On-Campus – Contemporary worship 9am and 11am, Blended 9:45am. 
Streaming online 11am at mybelmont.org/sermonsonline or facebook.com/mybelmont/live 

Verses for the week:

  • Monday – Romans 6:1-4
  • Tuesday – Romans 6:5-11
  • Wednesday – Romans 6:12-14
  • Thursday – Romans 6:15-19
  • Friday – Romans 6:20-23

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Small Group Discussion

We’ve been reading this week about how we are saved from sin and covered by grace.

Discuss with your small group what you’ve drawn from your reading this week and how God has spoken to you. You can also pull from the questions in each day’s reading.

The HEAR method is also an excellent structure for your discussion as a group. If you aren’t currently in a group we’d love to help you connect with one. Contact sharon@mybelmont.org or go to mybelmont.org/smallgroups

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

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Why Come?

John 3:17

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

When our church studies a book for a lengthy time, I have often written a theme song for the congregation. When Belmont focused on “The Purpose Driven Life” my song was “What On Earth Am I Here For?” A quote I have in my Bible reads: “Lord, help my life to have a significant impact for the kingdom of God.”  

Nothing compares to the significance of what Christ came to do. He impacts every person on the earth! What we do with why He came determines our eternity.

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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Grace Covered

Romans 5:18-21

“Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous. Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

 A gift is not a gift until it is given and received. 

My mom would shop early for Christmas and hide gifts in a place where no one could find it, including her. Sometimes she would tell me of a gift purchased for me that I would receive once she remembered where it was hidden. I have received gifts for my birthday in April that were supposed to be Christmas presents; at times it had the Christmas wrapping on my April birthday present.


A gift is not a gift until it is given and received.

 

In July 1999, Treva and I took our first cruise to celebrate 20 years of marriage. The table we were assigned to for our evening meal was a colorful group of folks. None really understood what we did for a living. In fact, one couple caught Treva and I, side by side, at a grand piano playing and singing love songs. I know it sounds pretty sappy. That night they commented we knew “real” music. One of our new acquaintances pulled me aside and told me he was going to give us a bottle of Dom Perignon Champagne for our anniversary. I said that was very kind of him, but we did not drink alcohol. He got very upset at me and proclaimed now much this present was worth! (Note – he never offered me the cash.) 

 

A gift is not a gift until it is given and received. 

 

Romans 6:23 states “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”


A gift is not a gift until it is given and received. 

Highlight – what words or phrases jump out at you
Explain – what does the passage mean?
Apply – how does the passage intersect with your life today?
Respond – how is God leading you to respond?

Today’s post is by Jim Sellers

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