Preacher: Apostle Lawrence Khong
Scripture Reference: Romans 6:1-14 Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ 1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We 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.
5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
8Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 9For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. 10The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
11In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather 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. 14For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.
(my responses are in purple)
The root of the problem of stress is not the lack of rest of the 'outside', but the lack of rest of the 'inside'.
Stress is inevitable; So how are you managing your stress?
Inappropriate stress management may lead to sinful ways that may in turn lead to bondages.
Urge you to find rest in the midst of stress.
GOD can strengthen us to set us free from the will that paralyses us!
Accept our responsibilities in overcoming stress
Don't feel victimized by stress. See stress positively and use it to help yourself instead! 'Increased stress increases productivity till a certain limit'
There are two types of stress: (1) Acute Stress It comes suddenly and goes away suddenly. E.g. The momentary stress built up when you see an oncoming vehicle travelling at high speech towards you. (2) Chronic Stress It's longer term.. Say, you're not happy with an environment but there is no way for you to get out. Most people try to get used to this type of stress. But this is BAD! We can take responsibilities for such stress.
Don't react to stress with bad habits because they are addictive. It's not wrong to watch tv/ play computer games etc, but it's wrong to get addicted. Interestingly, Pastor recommends 'exercising' as a good way to cope with stress.
I concur to Pastor that exercising is a good way of stress relief. Actually I don't usually feel stressed, even when I have alot of things to do. I dance very often, perhaps I dance away my stress? I used to jog and play badminton very often during Sec sch and JC days. They helped me to relieve my stress pented up. Overcoming stress is 100% Man and 100% GOD.
Believe GOD has broken the power of sin (in our lives)
What happens when we sin? We not only do wrong things before the sight of GOD, but also become a slave to sin. What, then, is freedom in Christ? Freedom is NOT doing whatever you like, rather, freedom is doing that GOD wants in your life.
When we are baptised, we die to our sinful body and arise in newness in our lives. There is no addiction that cannot be broken.
I'm reminded of Gal 5:1 - 'It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.' Be freed from slavery. Dear ladies and girls, for those who have not get baptised, what are you waiting for? My personal testimony of my baptism is that indeed I am different after my baptism - in body, spirit and soul. Body: I'm cleansed. Spirit: I will follow JESUS for the rest of my life. Soul: JESUS is my pillar of strength and support. I may be emotionally weaker, but He sustains me.
Consecrating our lives to GOD (as instrument of righteousness)
Pastor asked why, then, are there Christians who still live in sin. As a believer in Christ, you are entitled to your right to choose to go back to Satan - sinful life or NOT to yield to sin.
On a daily basis, renew yourself in the LORD. Make the choice and rededicate yourself to GOD. GOD is never tired if us running back to Him.
What an apt question Pastor had asked. Indeed, from what I observed in Christians who find no breakthrough in their sinful lives, are that either (1) they do not understand why it is a sin to do certain thing or (2) they choose to be disobedient. For those who are in the former category, I encourage you to trust your leaders. When they say it's a sin, accept it for they will surely want the best for you. There is no need to doubt. If you fall under the latter category, ask yourself what good does it do to you as you choose to be disobedient. Why shortchange yourself to be disobedient? Wake up to your senses.
