CLEAR VISION CHURCH · SUNDAY 9/20/26
Buried, Raised, and Free: New Life in Christ
A Study of Romans 6 — Bring a Friend Sunday & Baptism Celebration
Introduction: Buried and Raised
Today we celebrate a baptism, and there's no better passage to understand what it means than Romans 6. Baptism isn't just getting wet—it's telling the whole world a story: something has happened on the inside that changed everything. Paul walks us through three realities: we die to our old life, we rise to new life, and we walk in freedom from sin's grip. This is the journey every believer needs, whether you've followed Jesus for decades or are hearing this for the first time. ___________________________ ___________________________
Point 1: Dead to Sin
• Paul asks: should we keep sinning so grace can increase? Answer: Of course not! (v.1-2) • We 'died' to sin—not just forgiven, but our old self was crucified with Christ (v.6) • Baptism pictures a burial—going under the water is a funeral for the old self • You cannot manage or improve the old self—it needs a funeral, not reform • Application: Are you still trying to manage your old self, or have you let it die? ___________________________ ___________________________
Point 2: Alive to God
• Burial is never the whole story—resurrection follows (v.4-5, 8-11) • Christ died once and lives forever; united with Him, we now live for God • Coming up out of the water pictures rising to a genuinely NEW life—not recycled, not renovated • This resurrection life is available to anyone who trusts Christ—no one has to clean up first • Application: Are you living like someone alive to God, or still living like you're in the grave? ___________________________ ___________________________
Point 3: Free from Sin's Grip
• Sin is no longer your master—you've been transferred to a new Master (v.12-14) • Freedom doesn't mean sinless perfection; it means new power to choose righteousness • The Holy Spirit gives strength to resist temptation that we didn't have before • Freedom is a gift of grace, not something earned by good behavior • Application: Are you living like a slave to old patterns, or walking in Christ's freedom? ___________________________ ___________________________
Conclusion: Buried, Raised, Free
Baptism is a living sermon—water, a person, and the power of God on display. Going under the water = burial with Christ. Coming up = resurrection to new life. This story isn't just for the person being baptized today—it's an invitation for every one of us. Come and die with Christ, so you can rise and live free from sin's grip. If God is stirring your heart today, talk to a pastor after the service. ___________________________ ___________________________
SCRIPTURE REFERENCES
Romans 6:1-2(NLT)
“Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?”
Romans 6:3-4(NLT)
“Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we too may live new lives.”
Romans 6:6(NLT)
“We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin's power in our lives was broken. We are no longer slaves to sin.”
Romans 6:8-11(NLT)
“And since we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him... So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus.”
Romans 6:12-14(NLT)
“Do not let sin control the way you live... Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace