How many times have you said about yourself: I am what I am, and concluded that nothing will ever change? This sermon shows that beneath those seemingly defiant words lies helplessness, and that on the lips of a follower of Christ they contradict the very heart of the good news. Working through the sixth chapter of Romans (Romans 6), the speaker distinguishes being safely moored in harbour from the refit that must follow, and points to the practices that train us for the marathon of faith. Listen if you want to trade resignation for the hope of who you might yet become.
Discussion questions
For your small group or for personal reflection after the sermon.
- In Romans 6 Paul answers the question of whether we should go on sinning so that grace may increase. Why does the picture of baptism as being buried into Christ's death and raised to new life rule out that way of thinking?
- What does it mean in practice to count yourself dead to sin and alive to God, as Romans 6:11 says, when you still face temptation?
- The sermon compared justification to a broken ship safely moored in harbor that still needs repairs. In which areas of your life do you most see the need for that kind of repair?
- In what situations do you catch yourself saying "I am what I am" or "I'm only human," and how does that phrase take away the power of what Christ did on the cross?
- The speaker described sanctification as the Holy Spirit and our own effort working together, not faith alone or effort alone. Which of these extremes do you tend to lean toward, and why?
- Which spiritual practice mentioned in the sermon, such as reading Scripture, prayer, silence, fasting, generosity or serving, could become your first "marathon training" this week, and how will you plan it concretely?
