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Sermon Notes of Rev.Dr.I.J.W.Oakley (29-3-1998
Guisborough Evangelical Church)
Romans 6:1-14; Galatians 2:16-21
We have seen the Cross as a Sacrifice, Ransom,
Propitiation, and Finished work, and that the result is Justification,
Redemption, Reconciliation and Covenant. It is enough that Jesus died.
Question that arises in
people’s minds – If saved now and sure of heaven, can we live as we like?
License to sin? Question which has been raised many times since Paul’s time,
when he posed the question Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound (Romans
6:1). Certainly not. Though not saved by good works, we are saved for
good works. Saved from sin and consequences for lives of holiness.
Sanctification means being made
holy and Christ-like. Christ died not only to give pardon but purity, not only
that we might be redeemed but renewed, not only that we might be forgiven but
changed. In theological terms, Justification deals with the past, Sanctification
deals with the present. The very act of faith which justifies me is very act
which begins God’s work of sanctifying me.
Justification – declared
righteous before the law. Sanctification – made righteous inwardly.
Justification – complete and final. Sanctification – process of growth and
development. Justification – Christ’s work for us. Sanctification –
Christ’s work in us. Justification – our standing before God.
Sanctification – the state of our hearts. Justification – peace with
God. Sanctification – peace of God.
Leads to deeper meaning of
Cross. Not only took sin but old unconverted self that I might begin a new kind
of life, under new management. Cross not only affect past but present also. Here
is something many Christians scarcely think about. Resources available to them,
but do not know how to appropriate them. Result is they are floundering and, if
truth told, disappointed especially when first flush of enthusiasm has
disappeared.
Galatians 3:20 contains three
“I”s. The Old “I” – I have been crucified with Christ. The New
“I” – Christ lives in me. The
Little “I” – Life which I now live in flesh I live by faith in the Son
of God.
Reference here to myself, person I used to be before
Christian, old man, i.e. old self that was crucified with Christ. Christ died as
substitute in my place. He represented me. Died as me. What happened to Him
happened to me. Member of parliament – represents not just himself but his
constituency. Sports team. England scored a goal – not all 50 million, but a
team in their name. West Indies declared at 503 runs – 11 men playing for the
West Indies. So, when Jesus died, representing all His people. They died also.
Cross and resurrection – not
just events that happened in history to Jesus but have meaning in own
experience. I died when He died. I rose to new life when He rose from dead. Old
Man died. Person I used to be. Under condemnation and judgement. Guilty with all
shame of sins on me. Often very personal person – boasting of how good I was.
Living for self. Duped by the Devil. At mercy of certain temptations. Living to
please self. Enslaved and mastered by sin.
On God’s reckoning and
purpose, I – that old person – died in Christ. What happened to Him happened
to me. I died with Him. All visibly portrayed in believer’s baptism. Public
funeral service setting forth end of old life. No longer what we were. Different
person now. Effected inwardly by faith and manifested outwardly by baptism.
Appeal of Bible – unthinkable
to go back to old life. Can no more think of going back to old way of living
than adults going back to childhood, married back to single state, discharged
prisoner back to prison cell. So when temptation or sin from old life comes, the
answer is that we have finished with that life. Flesh, the sinful nature, world
with all its seductions, which ruled us before becoming Christians, is still
there. But I have died to sin and flesh and to the world. Therefore it has no
right or claim of authority over me.
Augustine, one of the greatest
of the early fathers, sowed his wild oats before conversion. When a temptress
from his old days came face to face with him, wanted to have him back, looked
amorously at him, and said “Augustine, it is I”, Augustine replied, “Yes,
but it is not I”.
Decisive break with the past. Finished in Christ. Old Man is dead. Don’t wear his clothes and keep up his habits. Different person now.
New person, distinguishing mark is Christ living in me.
New person has taken up residence within. Christ indwelt person.
Christ represented us in His
death. I died with Him. Then He rose from dead. I am also risen. Begun a new
life with Christ within. Life is like a biography written in two volumes: Volume
1 – the person I was before Christ lived in me; Volume 2 – the person I am
now Christ lives in me. Faith, with outward sign of baptism, is door between 2
rooms. New life free from condemnation. New life in fellowship with God. New
life as part of His family. New life with entirely new outlook, new power, new
appetites, new resources, new direction – because Christ lives within.
Martin Luther said, “If
someone should knock at my heart’s door and ask ‘Who lives here? I shall
answer Jesus Christ lives here. Martin Luther used to live here but he died.
Jesus Christ lives here now.”
New Testament description of
Christian – by power of Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus Christ lives within. Still
have personality. Not blotted out but enriched. We and Christ are in closest
union and relationship. But now our personality is receptacle for new resident.
I supply the vessel, He fills it with living water. Now true personality. God
revealed his Son in me (Galatians 1:16), If anyone is in Christ he is a
new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), branch in the vine – Abide in me and
I in you (John 15:4), If any man open the door, I will come in (Revelation
3:20), That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17).
Most astonishing truth. Entirely
new person. Committed to entirely different kind of life. Whole tenor of life
has changed. Everything different because we are different. Old things passed
away, all things new. Reason – Christ lives in me, lives life within me,
everything revolves around Him and centres on Him. In me, in His life, nature,
holiness, purity, love, grace. Here is secret of victory over sin, freedom,
fruitfulness, peace, grace for today and every day. New desires for God and His
holiness. I can still sin, but it is a grief to me now, and out of place,
because I am new man.
Abundance, sufficiency, adequacy here. I can do all things in union with him who keeps on pouring strength into me (Philippians 4:13). Sin shall not have dominion over you (Romans 6:14). Christ indwelling, possessing, outflowing, shining out. What resources, riches and potential when Christ lives in me. You are complete in him (Colossians 2:10). Spiritual millionaires, not paupers. Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water (John 7:38).
This is the reality of Christian
conversion. This truth has been proved countless times century after century.
Yet tragedy is how few Christians seriously consider this. Some act as if
conversion is when Christ comes into the heart, and that seems to be the end of
the story. Problem is they are unaware of riches in Christ. Or if they are
aware, they feel they are of no practical importance or relevance. Never draw
on, or use, their resources. To many Christians, the Christian life is only a
past experience, not an up to date one.
Story of a man who went to London to buy a suit. Ready to make purchases, looked in inside pocket – no wallet – must be in the suit he wore yesterday. Had to return his purchases and go home empty-handed. Money was in wallet in hip pocket all the time. Plenty of money – but had not done any good because he did not know he had it, unable to draw on resources.
So “I” is still there – but now a little “I”.
Very weak, feeble, dependent “I”. Most important factor is the Son of God
who loved me and gave Himself for me. Attitude to Christ is dependence,
submission, surrender, yieldedness, reliance. Not till this is response to
Christ will facts become force in life.
Basic problem – too much
reliance on self. We run the show and are master of own resources. Say we must
pray to get help and support – but then forget to do it. Not begin with total
submission, yet this is where it should begin. Offer yourselves to God, as
those who have been brought from death to life, and offer the parts of your body
to him as instruments of righteousness (Romans 6:13). In your hearts, set
apart Christ as Lord (1 Peter 3:15). That Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith (Ephesians 3:17). katoikhdai suggests being at home in the heart. Not the guest,
but the host. No rooms in the house should be marked “private” – He should
have access to every part. Not on the porch but on the throne in life.
F.R.Havergal, Advent Sunday, 2
December 1873 – “I saw the blessedness of true consecration. There must be
full surrender before there can be full blessedness. God admits you by one into
the other.” If we would know more of His power in us, we must acknowledge Him
in His rights over us. We have more of the Holy Spirit when he has more of us.
C.T.Studd speaking at Cambridge
Guildhall: “What I would have you gather is that God does not deal with you
till you are wholly given up to Him. And then He will tell you what He wants you
to do.”
We want God’s blessings
without the conditions and it cannot be done. We worship nowadays a friendly and
appealing Jesus, instead of an imperial and commanding one. We prefer a Gospel
of good fellowship, and not downright obedience.
Robert Murray McCheyne: “For every look at self, take ten looks at Jesus”. This is how Paul lived his daily life. The life I live in the body, (at home, at work, in the family, among friends, in the church) I live by faith in the Son of God (submission, trust, surrender) who loved me and gave himself for me. Paul lived relying on Christ, drawing all from His resources. For every moment and every situation, he knew that to look and depend on self would bring disaster. No short-cut and quick answer to enjoying power and grace of Christ who indwells us. Daily trust, appropriation, vigilance, fight and obedience.
Sanctification - state of spiritual experience. Realized wonder of dying and rising with Christ. Then indwelt by Him. Realized resources. At His disposal. The life which I now live – not two or three years ago – take Galatians 2:20 as standard of life. Allow God to take what we offer, cleanse, fill and use.
