Sunday Words of Encouragement December 6, 2020

We opened service with continuing prayers for families (including local friends who lost husband and father to Covid this week) and prayers for our country.

This morning Pastor concluded the series Shattered from Romans 5 and 6.

Sometimes we struggle with unhealthy thoughts, even if not sinful. We have a choice between sin and freedom. Romans 6:15.  The type of slaves revered to in the time of Roman history would be the result of indebtedness that resulted in indentured, slave position to pay off the debt.

Because of the weakness of your human nature (verse 19) our human nature is prone to sin. We drift that way like a car out of alignment. Unless we choose to stay on path to live like Jesus; righteous living. You get to choose.
God gives us Choice. (Have you ever wished that God wouldn’t give you a choice?)
We are going to obey something, someone. Will you obey sin or will you obey God?

The Choice is clear: Slave to sin – or – obey God.
If we choose to live with sin then we are choosing to be a slave to sin. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. We see this in secularism and humanism. (And lawlessness.)

People can say it is okay to live their way and do what they want without realizing they are slaves to sin. But Paul explains that God gives us grace and freedom. There is a much more powerful, satisfying, fulfilling way to live… in freedom.

God’s grace is powerful! Grace doesn’t take count of each sin like the law does. When we repent and give our lives to God, God accepts the heart direction and gives us pardon. Can we go on sinning in the light of Grace? No.

If you choose to serve Christ, the gift of eternal life is free (verse 23).
If God sets you free, you are free indeed. John 8:36

The Point: You can choose full freedom today. When Jesus sets you free, you are free!

What if you are caught, stuck, in a soft slavery? Fear, doubt, worry, perfection? Satan will lie to you whenever he can. You need to let these go and rely on Jesus.

This song fits today’s message: No Longer a Slave

Verses for Today:
Romans 6:20-23
20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.


Lord, help keep me from sin and thank you for giving me freedom in Christ.