Crucifying the old self is easier than crucifying the New Church Budget.
Welcome to the Study: Romans 6:1-11
A Message for Those Who Lead
Hello, friends! It is such a joy to have you here today. I know many of you are coming into this space feeling the weight of ministry, perhaps balancing the demands of a second job, a growing congregation, or the many needs of your church family. Whether you are Busy Pastors, Bi-vocational Pastors, Worship Leaders, or Church Board Members, I want you to know that this time is for you.
We aren’t here to talk about more “work” you have to do; we’re here to talk about the “new life” you already have.
Let’s take a deep breath together and prepare our hearts to see how being “alive to God” can transform not just your ministry, but your soul. You are loved, you are valued, and I am so glad we are on this journey of discipleship together.
Understanding the Reality of the “Old Self”
Friends, before we dive deep into the verses, I want us to look at something very practical. As Church Leaders and Bible Study Leaders, we often feel like we have to be the ones who “have it all together.” We feel the pressure to perform, to grow the numbers, and to keep everyone happy.
But Romans 6 starts with a radical truth: the person who felt that pressure that “old self” is dead. Paul tells us in verses 1 and 2 that we cannot stay in our old patterns of stress and sin because we’ve had a change of nature. When you realize that your identity isn’t based on your ministry’s success but on your union with Christ, the heavy burden of “performance” begins to fall away.
Walking in Resurrection Power for the Busy Leader
For our Bi-vocational Pastors and Worship Leaders, the “newness of life” mentioned in verse 4 isn’t just a nice thought for a Sunday morning; it is your fuel for a Tuesday afternoon. Paul explains that just as Christ was raised by the glory of the Father, we too have been given a new kind of life to walk in. This means:
- Your Energy comes from the Holy Spirit, not your own caffeine-fueled efforts.
- Your Identity is “Hidden in Christ,” not tied to the “likes” on a social media post or the attendance in the pews.
- Your Freedom is a legal reality; you are no longer a slave to the “to-do list” that tells you you’re not enough.
The Practice of Reckoning in Ministry
In verse 11, Paul gives us a tool that every Church Board Member and Education Leader needs: the power of “reckoning.” In the Greek, this is a bookkeeping term. It means to look at the ledger of your life and see that the “Sin and Shame” column has been zeroed out, and the “Grace and Life” column is overflowing.
When you face a conflict in a board meeting or a discouragement in your music ministry, I want you to stop and “reckon” yourself. Remind yourself: “That old, defensive person is dead. I am alive to God, and I can respond with His patience and His love.”
Living as Instruments of Righteousness
As we move forward, remember that your hands, your voice, and your leadership are now “instruments of righteousness.” To the Pulpit Supply Preachers and Lay Speakers: when you stand up to speak, you aren’t just sharing information. You are a living, breathing example of a “dead man walking” someone who was dead in their sins but is now vibrantly alive. This is the heart of Christian discipleship: it’s not about working for God; it’s about letting the life of God work through you.
Remember: “We don’t lead to get God’s love; we lead because we have God’s love.” This keeps us from burning out because we realize our service is a response to His life, not a payment for His favor.
Ask Yourself This Question? Am I trying to lead out of my own exhausted “old self,” or am I leaning into the “resurrection power” that Jesus has already put inside me?
Scripture and Bible Study: Romans 6:1-11
Introduction to Romans 6:1-11
In the previous chapters of Romans, the Apostle Paul has been building a masterful case for justification by faith. He has shown us that where sin increased, grace increased all the more. But here in Chapter 6, Paul anticipates the natural, albeit misguided, human response: “If grace is so abundant, why not just keep sinning so we can get more of it?” Paul meets this “cheap grace” head-on. He isn’t just giving us a moral code; he is explaining a metaphysical reality. He introduces us to the profound truth that our union with Jesus Christ changes our very nature. To understand Romans 6 is to understand that the Christian life isn’t about trying harder to be good; it’s about realizing you’ve already died to the person you used to be.
The Events in Romans 6:1-11
The passage unfolds as a theological journey from the grave to the throne. Paul begins by posing a rhetorical question regarding the misuse of grace, immediately followed by a shocked “By no means!” He then moves into a detailed explanation of the spiritual mechanics of baptism, describing it as a burial where the “old self” is interred. The narrative transition moves from the legal reality of being “freed from sin” to the glorious promise of “living with Him.” The climax of the passage is a call to mental and spiritual realignment: the “reckoning.” Paul concludes by instructing the believer to count themselves as dead to the power of sin but vibrant and alive to the purposes of God through Jesus Christ.
The Scripture: Romans 6:1-11 (NIV)
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.
8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10 The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Bible Study Title: Dead Man Walking: The Power of a New Identity
The Conflict of Grace (Verses 1-2)
The Scandal of Forgiveness. Church, we often struggle with the logic of the Gospel. If God’s grace is a gift that covers all our failures, our human nature asks if we can simply exploit that kindness. Paul’s response is an emphatic “No!” He reminds us that grace isn’t a license to sin; it is the power that kills the desire to sin. We cannot live in a house that has been demolished. Because we have died to sin’s authority, returning to a lifestyle of sin is not just wrong it is a logical impossibility for the new creation.
The Union of the Grave (Verses 3-5)
Buried into Breakthrough. When we stepped into the waters of baptism, we weren’t just performing a ritual; we were participating in a funeral. Paul explains that we were united with Christ in His death. This means the version of you that was defined by your mistakes, your shame, and your rebellion was buried in that tomb with Jesus. But the story doesn’t end at the cemetery. Just as the Father’s glory raised Jesus, we are pulled out of those waters to “walk in newness of life.” Our union with Him in death guarantees our union with Him in His unstoppable, resurrected life.
The End of Slavery (Verses 6-7)
Breaking the Chains of the Old Self. The “old self” was a slave to sin, bound by habits and natures we couldn’t break on our own. Paul declares that this old master has lost his legal right to your life. The crucifixion of the old self was necessary so that the “body of sin” might be rendered powerless. You are no longer a slave waiting for a command from your former captor. In Christ, the chains are not just loosened; the prisoner has died, and a free person has been born.
The Reckoning of Life (Verses 8-11)
Living for the Father’s Glory. Finally, we move from what Christ did to how we must think. Paul tells us to “count” or “reckon” ourselves dead to sin. This is a deliberate, daily accounting of our identity. We look at the cross and see our death to sin’s power; we look at the empty tomb and see our life toward God. Since death no longer has mastery over Jesus, it no longer has mastery over you. Our call as leaders and believers is to live every moment with the awareness that we are vibrant, breathing, and fully alive to the purposes of God.
Leading from the Identity of the “New Self”
Shifting from Performance to Position. For the busy pastor and the exhausted church leader, the temptation is to find our identity in the growth of the congregation or the success of our programs. However, Romans 6 reminds us that our primary identity is found in our union with Christ. When we lead from a place of being “alive to God,” our ministry becomes an overflow of His life rather than a desperate attempt to justify our own existence. We must lead not as slaves to the expectations of others, but as those who have been set free to serve from a position of grace.
Navigating the “Bi-Vocational” Grave
Managing the Tension of Two Worlds. To the bi-vocational pastor or the lay leader balancing a secular career with sacred service, the “death to the old self” is a daily reality. The struggle to remain “alive to God” while dealing with spreadsheets, deadlines, and workplace politics can be draining. This passage encourages us that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is available in the boardroom just as much as in the sanctuary. Your secular work is not a distraction from your “real” life; it is the arena where you demonstrate that sin and death no longer have mastery over you.
Discussion Questions for Bible Study
Deepening the Understanding
- The Reality of Death: Paul uses the word “death” or “died” multiple times in these eleven verses. Why is it necessary for the “old self” to die rather than just “get better” or “be reformed”?
- The Power of Baptism: How does viewing baptism as a funeral and a resurrection change the way we explain this sacrament to new believers and our congregations?
- The Concept of Reckoning: Verse 11 tells us to “count” or “reckon” ourselves dead to sin. How do we practically do this when we feel the pull of old habits or the weight of leadership burnout?
- The Mastery of Grace: In your specific area of ministry whether music, education, or administration what does it look like to live as an “instrument of righteousness” instead of being ruled by the stress of “the way we’ve always done it”?
Concluding Thoughts and Closing Prayer
Final Summary
The Finished Work. Church leaders, let us never forget that the victory of Romans 6 is a finished victory. We are not fighting for a position of freedom; we are fighting from a position of freedom. The “old self” is not on life support; it was crucified. The chains are not just loose; they are gone. As you go back to your boards, your pulpits, your classrooms, and your music stands, go as those who are breathing the air of the resurrection.
A Leader’s Prayer
Seeking Resurrection Power. “Heavenly Father, we thank You that we are no longer defined by our past failures or our present anxieties. We thank You that through Jesus Christ, the power of sin has been broken in our lives. Lord, for every pastor, every teacher, and every leader represented here, I pray for a fresh ‘reckoning.’ Help us to see ourselves as You see us dead to the mastery of sin and vibrantly alive to Your Spirit. Grant us the strength to walk in newness of life today, and may our leadership be a reflection of the glory of the Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Worship Songs for Romans 6:1-11
Glorious Day (Passion feat. Kristian Stanfill)
- Modern Worship Anthem.
- This song vividly illustrates the movement from the “grave” to “walking in the light,” perfectly capturing the heart of verse 4. It is a high-energy celebration of our new identity that makes the concept of spiritual resurrection feel tangible and joyful.
Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) (Chris Tomlin)
- Adult Contemporary / Award-Winning Classic (Dove Award).
- By adding the refrain about broken chains, this song emphasizes the freedom from the “slavery of sin” described in verse 6. It blends a familiar, comfortable hymn with a powerful modern declaration of our current state of grace.
In Christ Alone (Keith Getty and Stuart Townend)
- Modern Hymn / Recognizable Church Classic.
- The lyrics focus on our union with Christ in His death and resurrection, echoing the “united with Him” theme of verse 5. Its clear, theological storytelling helps newer believers understand that their strength now comes entirely from Jesus’ finished work.
Living Hope (Phil Wickham)
- Modern Worship Anthem / Dove Award Winner.
- This song highlights the “great chasm” that was crossed when Christ pulled us from death to life. It is an invitational and hopeful anthem that celebrates the “living hope” we have because the grave no longer has mastery over Him—or us.
I’m No Longer a Slave (Bethel Music)
- Modern Worship / Dove Award (Worship Song of the Year).
- This song personalizes the legal reality of verse 7, moving the truth from the head to the heart. It provides an emotionally safe space for worshippers to let go of their old identity and embrace being a child of God.
Death Was Arrested (North Point Worship)
- Contemporary Christian / Hopeful Folk-Rock Style.
- The imagery of life beginning when “death was arrested” aligns perfectly with Paul’s teaching that we are now alive to God. It is a thought-provoking and conversational song that makes the miracle of the Gospel feel like a personal breakthrough.
Victory in Jesus (Traditional Hymn)
- Recognizable Traditional Classic.
- This beloved hymn summarizes the entire journey of Romans 6, from the “cleansing blood” to the “victory” over the grave. Its familiar melody creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that connects generations through the shared story of redemption.
Resurrecting (Elevation Worship)
- Modern Worship Anthem.
- This powerful song focuses on the resurrected King living inside of us, mirroring the “reckoning” of verse 11. It encourages leaders and congregants alike to lead from a place of victory rather than defeat.
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The Sermon: Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
The Conflict of Grace (Verses 1-2)
Explanation of the Section: Friends, we start today by looking at a question that almost everyone asks when they first hear about the radical, unconditional love of God. If God’s grace is a free gift that covers all our mistakes, does that mean we can just keep on making them? Paul’s answer is so clear: “By no means!” Grace isn’t a license to do whatever we want; it’s the power to do what we ought. When we understand that we have “died to sin,” we realize that going back to our old ways is like trying to move back into a house that’s already been torn down. It just doesn’t make sense anymore.
Personal Thoughts: I’ve always felt that grace is the most misunderstood word in the English language. We often treat it like a “get out of jail free” card, but Paul reminds us that it’s actually a “get out of the graveyard” card. It’s heart-wrenching to see people settle for a mediocre life of repeat mistakes when God has offered them a completely new existence. I want you to feel the warmth of God’s invitation today He loves you too much to let you stay stuck in the things that hurt you.
Personal Commentary: In these first two verses, Paul is setting a boundary. He is showing us that the “Old You” and “Grace” cannot occupy the same space. You can’t live in the light and stay in the dark at the same time. This is the foundation of everything else he’s about to say: your relationship with sin hasn’t just changed; it has ended.
Personal Commentary on Christian Discipleship: Discipleship begins with a change of mind. To follow Jesus, we have to stop seeing grace as an excuse for our weakness and start seeing it as the source of our strength. A disciple is someone who says, “Because I am loved, I want to live differently.” It’s not about following rules to get to God; it’s about following God because He already came to us.
Personal Reflection Commentary on Spiritual Growth: Growth is impossible if we are still trying to hold onto our old identity. You can’t grow into the person God wants you to be if you are still clinging to the person you used to be. Real spiritual maturity happens when we finally accept that the “old version” of us is truly gone.
Remember: “We don’t live to sin because we have grace; we have grace so we don’t live to sin.” This means that grace isn’t the finish line of our bad behavior; it’s the starting line of our new life.
Ask Yourself This Question? Am I using the goodness of God as a reason to stay the same, or as a reason to change?
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