Romans Chapter 6:16-18

We are free to live for God. You don't have that freedom before you came to the Lord asking to forgive you of yourself you can live for God and matter how hard you try, because it's not you, it's got any yielding to the Lord. It yielding to the Holy Spirit. Want to come to the Lord.

Then you can have that freedom to live for the Lord welcome to cross a bridge with David McGee when we come to Christ. Not only do we have our sins forgiven were made free to live for God.

Pastor David discusses this and more as he continues in Romans six today with his teaching power over a deadline, here's David McGee pollen and Romans chapter 6 is talking about live in and Diane and really important things and then talk about in a man that this separation/company Romans chapter 6 verse six point do you not know that the whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leave the death or obedience leading to righteousness words you're going to serve well. Bob Dylan said it what you will serve some. You are going to serve somebody. So understand you have a choice as a Christian on who you're going to serve your either going to serve the Lord, are you going to serve your selfishness and your sinful desires. God sets this choice before us is okay which one would you do a course we think will we serve ourselves. That's where real happiness and contentment are.

It's not. It's really not that we think will be happy when this happens, I'll be happy if that we think will add more money had a different car different house, different spouse, different kids that you know whatever your that's not to be happy for you not to find true joy to true joy comes in 9/11 for yourself but and 11 for the Lord. Deuteronomy 1319 says this I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you that I've set before you life and death, blessing and cursing.

Therefore choose life for both you and your descendents may live now when it's broken down the it's a it's a much easier decision and it is like okay life, death, blessing and cursing. This is a tough one life blessing cursing thing thing thing thing thing thing that is really an easy decision is broken down like that and it is really broken.

Knowing live in for the Lord, he promises not just a better life here, but he promises eternal life.

But if you go your own way leads to destruction, and new living translation and that versus today I'm giving you the choice between life and death between blessings and curses: heaven and earth to witness the choice you make all that you would choose life, that you and your descendents might live, so we should choose life. Notice the phrase again in verse 16 it pops up again.

Do you not know that don't you know don't you know these things and so there's a certain expectation. We talked about this couple weeks ago. There is an expectation when Jesus when he was talking to people he would like have you not read this. Have you not read that there was an expectation that people in the Bible so we need to know this, but get to know the word of God. Part of what I do and I want to partner with you to teach you the truth of this book because it's made such a radical and a revolutionary change in my life that I know I can and will in years so we can walk this road together so that we can know these things because once you know these things that will lead you to a more blessed life a better life sacrificed life, but the joy of the Lord in these things, so didn't look at that look of these choices. One choice spirit, blessing, freedom and life. The other choice is flesh, then bondage and that's a tough one.

And it spirit, blessing, freedom and life or flesh, then bondage and but understand when you choose sin. That's what you choose when you choose God's way you choose, and freedom to choose in life. Verse 17 but God be think that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. So Paul, here's San Paul wrote the book of Romans, to the church there and he says thank God that used to be slaves to sin. But now you've been set free by the truth that was delivered to and these things are not necessarily things that you jump up and shout hallelujah ever, but they're important to understand the understand your believes and why you believe this and how you've been set free when you use a sports analogy you were slaves of sin. In other words, you are playing in for the wrong thing.

You will plan for the wrong thing a lot of people coming to go. Your plan for the wrong thing.

What you need to do is try harder know that's not the answer will you need to hold your mouse right when you need not make seven promises and 12 steps. Your plan for the wrong team. What you need to do is switch sides and play for the right team. If you change jerseys are not to live like this and to live for the Lord.

Let me ask you question. You watch games on television. Some of you do some of you don't.

But have you ever seen two teams playing one another and the guy run off the field going change uniforms another place. Another topic up everything, not to Christians.

Sometimes sometimes, so we should live for the Lord yes were going to mess up will make mistakes but to live for the Lord when you're convicted come the Lord so you know I messed up guy. Please forgive me.

Because here's what Jesus said Matthew 1230 says he who is not with me is against me and he who does not gather with me scatters abroad so used to be that we were enslaved to sin. And if you asked Jesus to forgive you of your son.

Now you've been set free. Now how can you know that you been set free will first evolving prayed the prayer. The Bible talks about that is the truth of God. And if you're here this morning that is fruit of the Holy Spirit.

How many of us as were following the Lord, our priorities begin the change. I don't know what you used to do on Sunday morning. Maybe grown up going to church all your life and that's great. That's a great spiritual heritage, but I know that for a lot of us. We didn't we didn't do that all now they were doing that. That's an example that God is changing our and we need to be. We need to be careful as a church continues to grow in God blesses a church that we don't become all about this building. She got gives me passion.

I have a heart for the Waspy. I don't care where they are less let's go where they are.

That's what were doing things and we thought it's always been about reaching people and teaching the truth of the Bible how follow Jesus. That's why we do the stuff we do.

That's why we went over to Italy. That's why we we go to Peru. That's why we have a clothing closet. That's why we have a blessing room. That's why we do radio and television, Internet stuff. What because it's important to God to reach people and it was important to God to reach people should be important to us yet. Should it should. That's awesome and I think were united as a body because I'm in had anybody come up yet so he got better here. You need to quit that little and you will pray for the lost people over yonder but were not sending you any nobody said that if you send email and ready so can't take an email back the what's important to God becomes important us. That's were especially going up.

Proverbs 10 file puts it like this. He who gathers in summer is a wise son who sleeps in harvest of the sun causes shame there's a harvest going on as a harvest going on through this fellowship to just continues to blow me away. We we hear through the television through the radio people coming to the Lord.

It's awesome friend doesn't matter to that there's people in this world.

The donor Jesus as her Savior doesn't matter to you that a lot of been driven away in the name of religion doesn't matter to you that all over even this country. There's a lot of people that cannot enjoy the simple verse by verse teaching that were doing this morning is that on any level body. It bothers me. It bothers me know when we have the connection people come in and some people say will we draw from here we draw from their weed would be of some people drive like an hour and 1/2 two hours to come to church armies.

I can't praise God that they're willing to make that sacrifice the beer within my heart breaks thinking they probably drive past 300 churches in that hour and 1/2 and yet they say I can't find a place that teaches verse by verse. This is important. This concept of harvest were in this harvest season that started in acts chapter 2 and they were they were in acts chapter 2 the birthday of the church of the will. They were celebrating the feast of Pentecost is happenstance. It was a fulfillment of biblical prophecy that the Pentecost was a it was a harvest festival.

It was the only Festival where they actually had unleavened bread, the only face they used unleavened bread were still in that that season is people all around us and they need us to caringly need us to tell in Romans chapter 10 verse 14 to but how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in them and how can they believe in him. They've never heard about and how can they hear about them unless someone tells him and how will anyone go and tell them without being sent. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news to Obama's and all these things because this is part of Diane to the old life and live in the as taken on God's priorities in our life, not only in our life but also in our churches broken down simple. Jesus died for our sins. We should died to sin. He died for me I should live for him. Jesus died for you. Jesus died for you and you understand it you know maybe drive an hour and 1/2 an hour to church or maybe we got we would manage just like pandemonium to try to get the church sometimes but Jesus died for you. Jesus gave his life so that you can live a life free from sin, free from not only the stain of sin, but also shamans will and after what he did for us. Should we be willing to do anything for him. Start 2012 off right with the new daily devotional book from David McGee cross the bridge every day pick up for yourself what has already helped thousands cross the bridge every day. Features 365 daily devotionals that are sure to make everyday life of God -sized adventure. This book is perfect for your quiet time lunch break evening wind down or can even be used as a small group resource with anti-subject index you can look up various topics on your life's unique circumstances to help encourage you to live every day for Jesus cross a bridge every day is available for a donation of $25 or more to cross the bridge ministries to order simply go online to cross a bridge.com or call our friendly representatives at 877-458-5508. That's 877-458-5508 cross the bridge every day with David McGee and find hope along life's journey. Now let's return to our study birthday thing says, and having been set free from sin and become slaves of righteousness. What is that mean were set free, would become a slave understand he is trying to run in Rome, 1/3 of the population were slaves. They were indentured servants mean a neighborly choice about what they did, how they lived where they live anything like that since he's talking about slaves he's talking about something that they understand that's in the language of the day that you know your set free from one you would go in and serve another actually saying here you been set free from sin, which said is a dark and deep and harsh taskmaster you been set free from that to become a servant of Jesus Christ. Jesus said, my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Is Jesus talking about well part of it was whenever Rome conquered another nation they would bring back to Rome. They would show all the stuff that they really stole from them and they would have this big progression and part of what would have to happen is the king and leadership from that nation would have to pass under a yoke yoke was a wooden object that was two bulls would pull her flower mules or donkeys or whatever and it means that you are now under our control. Your under our power. The power dominance of Rome severe was harsh.

Jesus is my yoke is easy, my burden is light.

Units are will serve sin you want to serve success your survey you want to serve me.

That's a choice. All of us are free to make the life lesson, we are free to live for God. We are free to live for God even have that freedom for you came to the Lord asking to forgive you of your sin. You can live for God then matter how hard you try one because it's not you gain it's got any. It's yielding to the Lord. It yielding to the Holy Spirit. Want to come to the Lord. Then you can have that freedom to live for the Lord to yield instead of to send the bondage in the death and destruction feel the God first John chapter 5 verse forces. It for whatever is born of God overcomes the world that is overcome the world. Our faith to friend you can live in victory by serving the Lord strengthens 15. The big thing big fear factor. The will of everybody. I think his death is something we fear. And you know that's probably somewhat normal and healthy for non-Christian but Christian fear death. The greatest enemy of the greatest unknown. You don't have to fear anymore. You can now what have you know I attended funerals and preach the funerals where we knew that the person was with the Lord is a sweet thing also preached funerals were nobody was really sure is a tough thing while because the sting of death is first Corinthians 1550 forces. So when this corruptible hospital and corruption and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, death is swallowed up in victory over death, where is your single Hades, where is your victory.

The sting of death the sand. The strings strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, amen Jesus is like death is that all you got any pops about this. Nothing on me know about you but some appeals to me about following sunlight. It's been there bend of the grade change the grave into change and called Bob back out like a story goes a target date is Arimathea say is unexplained to his wife Allie given the family tomb, what I gave the family came when she said you didn't want he said.

I gave the team boy Joseph we we work hard. We say we place builders for the family time. How can you give it away to somebody because all it's okay.

They only needed for the weekend. Here's the thing I was at one time a really bad center who is really good at sending.

I don't want to be good assenting anymore. I will live for war want to be a really good Christian. I want to live a victorious life this like the Jesus talks about live life abundantly.

The author of the creator of life itself came down from heaven came here and said look, I'm not only going to tell you about it under show you how it's supposed to go to share with you how you can know that you have life eternal, that you can know the joy of the Lord that you will be empowered and chained anymore course, a lot of us right now.

Well, whatever John chapter 8 verse 31 Jesus is speaking to some religious leaders sit and it reads then Jesus said to those Jews who believe them. If you abide in my word, and you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. What an incredible statement.

Jesus, the creator of the author of life that you know if you do this if if you're behind my words are my disciples will know the truth and the truth shall make you incredible statement we refer to that office. What you think. Your response was such an incredible statement well continues in verse 33 and they answered him back to the then Jesus said to those Jews or believe them. If you abide in my word in your my disciples indeed you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, we are Abraham's descendents and have never been in bondage to anyone.

How can you say you will be made free.

Jesus answered them, most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave and a slave is not about the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore, in the son makes you free, you shall be free in the in there something in your heart today when you hear those words free recall this country, the land of the free home of the brave for a lot of good reasons and yet Jesus goes beyond he says you can be made free, but how many of us not enslaved anything I can quit anytime I want is a really sad commercial where this guy was a heroin addict and he's talking about how he can quit anytime he wants. And meanwhile the show on the shanty that is living in some of us think like that.

Talk like that. I'm good.

These Jewish leaders said were Abraham's descendents and have never been in bondage to anyone. What a statement they been in bondage the Babylonians had been in bondage.

This Aaron at the time they were in bondage to the Romans and yet there is not one good example will print some decisions are tough in this life who to marry, what job to do or not to do some real real obvious this falls in the camp of real real obvious the choices you should make yeah I recognize I should make this choice, but I'm gonna wait on the wait till I'm ready to make this choice friend you're here I'm here you have the opportunity today to make the choice every summer go well yeah you know next week I'll make the choice, friend, there's a lot of awesome promises in this problem are some really great ones never leave you never forsake you know there's one promise in here. You will not find us the promise of tomorrow.

You may have that luxury, but it's not as a promising Jesus stands before you right now says choices.

I'm the one who created life of the one who created you and came down the dock that you can live for me, friend. You know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him.

Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things. Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen it friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again, so congratulations for you just made the greatest decision that you will ever make.

God bless you if you've prayed this prayer with Pastor David receiving Jesus Christ for the first time or re-dedicating your life to the Lord. Please call and let us know want to send you our exclusive first steps package for free. This package will help you grow in your new life receive your first steps package by calling 877-458-5508. That's 877-458-5508 or visit us online@crossthebridge.com when you call that are called team representative know where you heard about our broadcast if you enjoyed today's teaching and would like to hear more.

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Visit us@aboutthebridge.com my name is Pastor David McGee and I am a bridge builder that cross the bridge were continually amazed by what God is doing to the teaching of his word every day we hear from people who again saved in her becoming real disciples of Jesus. Now these men and women and men, boys and girls there crossing the bridge from sin and defeat eternal death and separation from God to abundant and eternal life in Jesus Christ.

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