Power Over Sin

Trevor S Ferguson

August 24, 2013

Scripture Setting: Romans 6:1-4, 12-14; Romans 8:1-2

Today we reflect on word the of God from Romans chapters 6 to 8, as I share with you on the topic: Power Over Sin.

The bible emphatically declares that all men have sinned. Every human being that is born on the face of this earth is born with a sinful nature. This, of course, is the consequence and legacy of Adam’s sin. Left to our selves, without instruction or encouragement, we all will commit sinful acts. The good news today, however, is that we do not need to be slaves to this sinful nature! God has provided a way, through the death burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Ghost, that gives us power over sin.

Let us look at how this works out in practice. The unregenerate man, that is the man or woman who has not yet received salvation, is in a constant struggle and fighting losing battle with sin. This is best illustrated by Paul’s expression in Romans 7:19-24. Look at what Paul says as rendered by the New Living Translation:   

“I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death?”

All of us can at some time identify with this statement, as we struggle to do the right things on our own accord, but soon discover that our efforts are futile. Some persons give up the struggle and conclude that since God readily forgives our sin, we can rely on this forgiveness and continue in our sin. Such an approach is however is emphatically rejected by Paul. Most of us are familiar with the question asked and the answer given in Romans 6:1-2:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

Two points should be noted here: Firstly, God does not condone, or endorse sin in any shape or form. God by nature is Holy and thus abhors sin at all times. He cannot have fellowship with sin. Therefore while God loves and willingly forgives a repentant sinner, God hates sin. If God hates sin, then we must not sin. Secondly, in order to have power over sin we must become dead to sin. But what does this mean?  According to Adam Clarke's Commentary ‘to die to a thing or person’, is to have nothing to do with it or him; to be totally separated from them. Therefore in order to become dead to sin we must become totally separated from sin. This can only occur through repentance and baptism into Jesus Christ or alternatively stated repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ.

At repentance we die to sin. We acknowledge that we have sinned, asks God to forgive us of these sins and pledge that from now on we will no longer live in sin but will live in righteousness. Having died to sin, it is appropriate that that which is dead is buried. This burial is accomplished by baptism. (Let me pause to emphasize that baptism as a burial requires full immersion in water, as was practiced by the early church. Sprinkling, as is practiced by some today, does not accomplish a burial and is therefore inadequate and incorrect as a mode of baptism.) Baptism into Christ identifies us with his death, which was the sacrifice he paid to purchase our salvation and to free us from the death penalty for sin. We then rise, in like fashion to his resurrection, to walk in newness of life. Note however, that the completion of this resurrection process requires the infilling of the Holy Ghost, which will give us power over sin. Without the Holy Ghost we will still struggle to win the battle over sin because the power of God is not yet in us.

Power over sin, however, even for those of us who have the Holy Ghost, requires an attitude and a mindset that does not allow the sinful nature to overpower us. Let me remind you that although we are saved and have become new creatures we still live in a human body and still have a sinful nature. The difference is that prior to receiving salvation we had no power over the sinful nature and thus were slaves to sin but now whether we sin or do not sin is a matter of choice. Verse 12 of Romans 6 therefore tells us that we should not let sin reign in our mortal bodies! Living above sin is a decision that each of us will have to make on a daily basis. Paul further instructs us that we should not yield ourselves as instruments of unrighteousness but we should yield ourselves to God. It is a decision that we must make. When we take this approach then we become powerful. Paul says: “sin shall not have dominion over you”!

I want to say to someone today that you don’t have to sin! You are not a slave to sin! You have power over sin! Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world.  The choice is yours. Let us look at verses 16-18 (again from the New Living Translation):

“Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.”

When you commit yourself to righteous living, righteousness becomes like second nature, you think right and do right. Any time evil thoughts or temptation comes into your mind, the Spirit of God immediately awakens your conscience so that you recognize sin and can make the decision to walk away from sin. The Christian who is living for Christ will only succumb to sin when we learn to ignore the gentle nudging of the Holy Spirit. The true Christian can only become comfortable with sin if he has allowed the Spirit of God in him to become cold, so that his conscience is no longer activated by sin. To sin or not to sin is a choice!

God has given us power over sin and the sinful nature. Let us look at Romans 8:1-2:    

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Once we have the Spirit of God in us we have power over sin.”

Reliance on ourselves and our human nature will lead to failure. Reliance on our human spirit, our intellect, human philosophy, ethics or moral codes will also lead to failure. Several verses from chapter 8 illustrate these principles: Verse 3 tells us that the law could not accomplish victory over sin because it was weak through the flesh. Verse 8 tells us that they that are in the flesh cannot please God. Verse 13 tells us that if we live after the flesh we shall die, but if we through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body we shall live! So here is the answer: In order to have power over sin we must live by the Spirit of God. Galatians 5:16 tells us that if we walk in the Spirit we shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

The call of God therefore goes out to all today reminding us that we can have power over sin. In order of have such power over sin, we must first die to sin through repentance, we must bury the old sinful nature through baptism by complete immersion in water  in the name of Jesus Christ and rise to walk in a new life through the power that comes with the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Finally we must walk in the Spirit and allow the Spirit to rule in our lives so that we can have power over sin.

You can have power over sin! You can have power over sin! You can have power over sin!

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost

Trevor S. Ferguson
August 17, 2013


Acts 2:1-4 (KJV)
¹  And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
²  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
³  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
⁴  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

There is much misunderstanding today with regards to the baptism of the Holy Ghost.The lesson in the link below outlines the main tenets of biblical teaching on this subject. Click here to access the lesson: The Baptism of the Holy Ghost
 
Summary Points
- The Holy Ghost is the manifestation of God in the Church
- Being filled with the Holy Ghost means that the Spirit of God come to live in our hearts
- Several Old Testament  and New Testament prophesies concerning the Holy Ghost are found in the Bible
- The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the day of Pentecost
- Several passages in the book of Acts records how persons received the Holy Ghost
- The baptism of the Holy Ghost is accompanied by the physical sign of speaking in tongues – this is how we know when people receive the Holy Ghost
- The Holy Ghost is available today to all who seek Him

Living Life The 3rd John 1:2 Way: Fulfilling God's Plan for the Body, Soul and Spirit

Trevor S Ferguson

August 14, 2013

3^rd John 1:2

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest PROSPER and BE IN HEALTH, even as thy soul prospereth.

DECLARATION: 

WE ARE WELL ABLE TO LIVE HEALTHY, PRODUCTIVE AND PROSPEROUS LIVES!

Click on this link for a full presentation on this topic:
Living Life the 3rd John 1:2 Way

Summary Points:

The bible is clear in its teaching that God wants us to prosper and in good health

God is our source of health and prosperity

We have been appointed as stewards over or bodies and over our lives

As stewards me must act responsibly and be faithful in the care of our bodies and management of our lives

We must be prepared to give account of our stewardship

Living by faith does not relieve us of the requirement to live responsibly

We should not allow fear to prevent us from acting in faith and so receive healing or achieve success

Applying these principles will ensure that we can live healthy and productive lives 

Spiritual Transformation

Trevor S Ferguson

August 12, 2013

Today we reflect on the topic Spiritual Transformation, as I seek to show how God through His grace can transform our lives from a state of spiritual deadness, to new life in Jesus Christ. Our text for refection is from the second chapter of the book of Ephesians, focusing on verses 1-10. Let us begin, however, by looking back at God’s creative work in the book of Genesis.

The bible tells us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. We further understand that in His creative works, God made everything out of nothing. Hebrews 11:3 tells us that: “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”. God’s creation was marvelous! We can’t help but stand in awe when we look at the brightness of the sun, compared to the blackness of the night; we marvel at the depth and power of the seas and the beautiful wonders and expanse of the skies. Despite this magnificence, few, if any, persons would dispute that the most magnificent of God’s creation was the creation of man. The Bible told us that God made man in His own image, breathed into him the breath of life and gave him dominion over all the earth. Thus man was the crowning glory of creation! In verse 31 of Genesis 1, the bible tells us that God looked upon his creation and concluded that it was very good.

Shortly after creation however, man found himself in big trouble. Despite being told by God that he should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man disobeyed and ended up in a state of spiritual death. God had warned that in the day that they ate of that fruit they should surely die. This state of spiritual death (i.e. separation of the soul from God) has plagued humanity from then until now. The good news however is that through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has made a way for spiritual transformation where man can move from spiritual death to a new life in Christ and candidates for eternal life.

Paul therefore in his letter to the Ephesians chose to speak on this issue so as to show the marvelous wonder of God’s grace in bringing about this spiritual transformation and so restore man from his state of sin and death and back to a state of life, hope and dominion!

Paul writes: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

Outside of Christ man is spiritually dead. Yes! You may be walking around, you may have riches, you may have power, but without Christ in you, you are spiritually dead. On the spiritual level you are worth nothing! A big fat zero! Dead!

Verse 4 tells us that “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ”. Therefore through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we now have access to eternal life. The word ‘quicken’ means to make alive or to re-animate. Note that we are quickened together with Christ. In a similar way to Jesus’ death and resurrection, we who were spiritually dead, have been buried with Christ in baptism, like as Christ rose again from the dead, we now rise, through the power of the Holy Ghost, to walk in newness of life.

The beauty of this salvation is that not only are we given new life but we are placed on new pedestals. Verse 6 tells us that we have been raised up and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

One may ask: How can I attain unto this lofty state? What can I do to accomplish this salvation?

Verse 8 tells us however that salvation is by grace alone (sola gratia): For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. We can do nothing to deserve this salvation; but God has made salvation possible by grace, i.e. his unmerited favour. Not only has he pardoned and forgiven our sins but he has also added to us the riches of his glory and the hope of eternal life. No wonder the song writers have described this grace as amazing! John Newton’s classic hymn captures it best:

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

This grace is available to all humanity. Titus 2:11 tells us that the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared unto all men. Therefore, whosoever will call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; whosoever will accept his offer of salvation, whosoever will put on His name in water baptism and will seek for and receive the Holy Ghost, will be saved.

Note also that this grace is applied through faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is therefore an absolute requirement for salvation. It is the means by which we accept God’s grace. Faith requires a firm persuasion or conviction, with absolute trust and confidence in God that propels us to act in accordance with what we believe. It is folly to say that we have faith in God and fail to act in accordance with His words. If we believe that Jesus Christ lived; if we believe that he was crucified; if we believe that he was buried and that he rose again on the third day, then we ought to act in obedience to his word. I challenge someone today who may be professing faith in Christ, but who has not been acting in accordance with the word of God to make a change today. God can transform your life. He can change you from a state of deadness to a state of new life in Him. Your life can take on new meaning, new hope, and new purpose. The emptiness and frustration that you feel today can be replaced by joy, peace and contentment.

This new life that God offers will create in you a work of art - a masterpiece. You can be transformed from a wretch to a saint; from a mess to a message; He will take you out of the mire and set your soul on fire; he will pull you from the pit and place you in heavenly places to sit. All this is God’s work of art. Look at what verse 10 says:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”

The word translated workmanship comes from the Greek “poiema” which speaks to a work or art or masterpiece. This brings us back to Genesis 1:31, when God looked at his creation and said it was very good. God’s work of grace brings marvelous results; we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Although we do not work for our salvation, salvation will produce good works in us.

A look at 1st Peter 2 will help to further illuminate this point – Peter says: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (vs. 5)

He goes on to say: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (vs. 9)

This grace of God has the power to transform miraculously. God can take anybody and transform them into a masterpiece by his grace. It does not even matter how deep in sin you might have descended. The bible says where sin abounded grace did much more abound.

Today, God is calling someone to spiritual transformation. Yes! You are now dead, in trespasses and sins, but you can be made alive by faith in Jesus Christ. God is calling on you today to recognize your sin and destitution. Don’t be fooled by apparent earthly success. All things in this life are temporary. Even though you are walking, talking and breathing; in God’s eyes you are dead. God extends to you His arm of salvation, through which you can receive new life. He offers you peace, joy and the hope of eternal life and will make your life into a master piece.

Accept him today, though repentance, water baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Your life will never be the same! God bless you. In Jesus Name!