Sharon Reformed Presbyterian Church · Sermon study sheet

Alive to God (Part 2)

Bryan Schneider · October 3, 2026

Romans 6:5-11

sharonrpc.org/sermons/alive-to-god-part-2

Main points

Those united to Christ have a new Lord. Jesus paid the ransom with his blood, freeing his people from ownership by sin.
Living with Christ includes both the future bodily resurrection and the new spiritual life believers already share with him now.
Fighting sin requires effort, but relying on personal strength leads to failure and despair. Look to Jesus rather than inward for righteousness.
Putting sin to death involves more than guilt or hatred of sin. As love for Jesus becomes our chief delight, our desires and actions change.
Jesus truly died and rose again, and he will never die again. His victory is the assurance that those united to him are no longer slaves to sin.
Reckon yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ. Resist returning to old patterns because you belong to Jesus and desire to glorify him, while recognizing that perfection awaits glory.

How does belonging to Jesus change the way you answer the question, “Whom will I serve today?”
What difference does the future bodily resurrection make to how you live with Christ now?
Where are you tempted to rely on determination alone in your struggle against sin?
How does loving Jesus differ from merely feeling guilty or fearing that someone will catch you?
What does your behavior when nobody is watching reveal about what you most desire?
Why does the preacher insist that Jesus’ death and resurrection are real?
How could Romans 6:11 shape what you say to yourself when temptation or discouragement returns?
How can you strive for holiness without pretending you will attain perfection in this life?

Union with Christ: Belonging to Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit, sharing in the benefits of his death and resurrection. The preacher describes Christ as the source and lifeblood of the believer’s life.
Sanctification: Growing in holiness and becoming more like Christ by God’s grace. The sermon calls for real effort that depends on Jesus rather than self-reliance.
Mortification: Putting sin to death. The sermon explains that hatred of sin must be joined with love for Christ and dependence on him.
Already but not yet: Believers already have new life in Christ, while the full glory of bodily resurrection and life with him is still to come.
Resurrection: Being raised from death. Jesus truly rose from the dead and will never die again; believers look forward to being raised to live with him.
Reckon / consider: To reason about yourself in light of what is true in Christ: dead to sin and alive to God. This is the instruction of Romans 6:11.
Dominion: Rule or mastery. The passage declares that death no longer rules over the risen Jesus, and the sermon applies his victory to those united to him.