Alive to God

Text: Romans 6:1–11

Theme: Dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ

Romans 6:1–11 – Baptism as dying to sin and living to God.
Romans 1–5 (summary) – Humanity accountable before God; salvation by grace through Christ; justification by faith.
Psalm 51 – David’s prayer of repentance.
Acts 23–24 – Paul’s witness before Felix.

Freedom from Sin: Paul compares liberation from sin to Roman manumission—the legal freeing of slaves. In Christ, believers are freed from the mastery of sin.
Baptism as Burial & Resurrection: Baptism signifies death to the old life and resurrection to a new one, reflecting Christ’s death and resurrection.
New Identity: Just as freed slaves took on new names, Christians bear Christ’s name—our lives now represent Him.
Transformation from Within: True change begins internally before it is visible externally, like metamorphosis of a caterpillar to butterfly.
Danger of Delay: Felix heard Paul’s testimony but postponed a decision. Salvation requires immediate response.

Grace is not a license to continue in sin but a call to holiness.
Believers are a new creation in Christ—our old self is buried, and a new life begins.
We are called not only to be freed but to live as part of God’s royal priesthood.

If baptism symbolizes death to sin, in what practical ways should your daily life reflect resurrection into newness of life?
What “old identities” or habits still try to claim authority over you, and how can you actively “reckon” yourself dead to them?
How can we, as representatives of Christ’s name, ensure our actions honor Him in workplaces, homes, and communities?

Transformation begins inside—what areas of your inner life (thoughts, desires, attitudes) need the Spirit’s renewing work today?
Like David, do you truly abhor sin, or do you sometimes look back on it with nostalgia? How can prayer help shift your heart to hate what God hates?
Felix delayed responding to Paul’s message—what spiritual decisions might you be postponing that need to be made today?

Am I ready to identify fully with Christ, even if it means letting go of old desires, reputations, or relationships?
Do I live daily with the awareness that I am part of a royal priesthood, called to serve God with honor?
Will I choose to “reckon myself dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” not just in words, but in consistent action?

Thanksgiving for New Life: Thank God for the freedom from sin and the gift of new life in Christ.
Inner Transformation: Pray for the Spirit’s work of true metamorphosis—deep inner change that produces visible fruit of holiness.
Courage to Decide Today: Ask for strength to avoid delay like Felix, and instead to embrace full surrender to Christ now.