The effect that baptism should have on our lives.
Text: Romans
6:1-18.
Introduction.
1. Most of us here have been baptized.
2. That is wonderful!
3. But what does it mean to be baptized?
4. How does it affect our lives?
5. What has changed?
6. For a text, let us use Romans
6:1-18.
Body.
I. The Old Man is Crucified.
A. The person that we were before we were baptized no longer exists.
1. Paul said that he was crucified with Christ (Galations
2:20).
2. When we are baptized, we die to that life of sin (Romans 6:7,11,14).
B. We are no longer servants to sin (Romans
6:16-17).
1. We all serve a master.
3. Jesus told the Jews that they were of their father, the Devil (John
8:44).
4. Christians are called the sons of God (1
John 3:1).
II. We Arise to Walk in Newness of Life.
A. A New Condition.
1. We are no longer separated from God (Isaiah
59:1-2).
2. We are no longer held accountable for our previous sins (Acts
22:16; Revelation
7:14).
3. We are no longer on the broad way that leads to destruction (Matt
7:13-14).
B. A New Master.
1. We no longer serve self and Satan.
2. Now we are servants of righteousness (Rom.
6:18).
C. A New Life.
1. We must walk in newness of life.
2. Christianity is a walk / way of life.
d. Walk not as the gentiles (Ephesians
4:17).
g. Walk in the light (1
John 1:7).
h. Walk worthy of our vocation (Ephesians
4:1).
D. Does this mean that we can never sin?
1. Only one perfect man has ever lived on the face of this earth.
2. If we say that we have no sin, we lie (1
John 1:8-10).
3. The important thing to remember is 1 John
1:9.
4. As Christians, we can no longer live a life of sin (1
John 3:8-9).
III. Does the World Know that You are a Christian?
A. By your speech...
B. By your actions...
C. By your love...
D. Do you bring glory to God in your every day life?
Conclusion.
1. Have you been baptized?
2. If you have, are you walking in newness of life?
3. Are you showing the world your love for God?
-- Ralph Price, 2001
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