High Octane Gospel

Romans 6:20-23 | High Octane Gospel This week Pastor David Morris concludes his study of Romans 6 with a message titled "High Octane Gospel" from Romans 6:20-23. Have you ever felt like you were running out of gas spiritually — sputtering in your Bible reading, stalling out in prayer, low on motivation to obey? The only thing worse is putting the wrong kind of fuel in the tank: a fresh heap of legalism, more devotional material, more church attendance, anything but the gospel itself. These closing verses of Romans 6 contain no commands at all — only sweet gospel truth. And that's the point. It leads to one big idea: let the fuel of the gospel drive your engine of obedience. Pastor David works through three movements of the passage: Remember the freedom and fruit you used to have (vv. 20–21) — When you were a slave of sin, you thought you were free — and you were, but free in regard to righteousness. So what fruit did that arrangement actually produce? Things you're now ashamed of, with death as their end. Pastor David also addresses our culture's allergic reaction to the word "shame," walking through a brief word study showing there are things we ought not be ashamed of (the testimony of our Lord) and things we rightly should be. Realize the freedom and fruit you have now (v. 22) — But now you have been set free from sin and become a slave of God, and the fruit is entirely different: fruit leading to sanctification, and its end, eternal life. Every true Christian bears fruit. Look back honestly, then look at your life now and ask what love, joy, peace, patience, and hunger for God's Word He has been growing in you. Compare the bad news and the good news (v. 23) — One of the most memorized verses in Scripture, seen at last in its full context. It begins with "for" — this is Paul summarizing his entire argument for why you should fight your sin. Death is an earned wage; life is an unearned gift. As Tom Pennington puts it, Christ got my paycheck, and I got His. Along the way, Pastor David reflects on the Israelites longing to return to Egypt, why we do the same thing every time we return to a pet sin, and — following his own father's death — the death that can never touch anyone who is in Christ. The big idea: Use the high octane gospel to power your obedience this week. 📖 Scripture: Romans 6:20–23 🎙️ Pastor David Morris ⛪ Christ Community Church, Ripon