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Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. Hymns Invitation Red Songbook - Supplemental

Romans Slavery Romans 6:16-23 ROMANS 3:1-18

Having Our Sins Removed Matters Justification is peace with God by vanquishment Death at the cross is accessed in baptism Baptism releases us from slavery Israelite slavery ended at baptism (1 Cor. 10:1-4)

Understanding Slavery Sometimes slavery is used to discredit Scripture - All Scripture is perfect or none is (2 Tim. 3:16) - Generally this mindset fails to understand: - The meaning of Slavery - The meaning of Scripture - Slavery in Scripture If in 100 years men abhor the Pro-Choice movement and abortion, they will point to the Scriptures and declare that there is no condemnation of such, and discredit Scripture. Yet just as Christians led the movement against slavery centuries ago, we today do so.

Understanding Slavery Slavery is a very general concept - Working without the opportunity of release - Working for unfair or unworthy wages Ac 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Mr 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.

Understanding Slavery Slavery is a very general concept The American mind towards slavery - Slavery is our shameful heritage - All slavery is morally evil All slavery is evil is like saying “all killing is evil”; it requires close discernment to understand it

Understanding Slavery Slavery is a very general concept The American mind towards slavery Acceptable “slavery” today would include: Apprenticeships Internships Military service Ironically, in a general definition slavery still exists today

Understanding Slavery in Scripture In the Law of Moses: - Jewish slaves - Slavery due to crime (Exodus 22:1-3) - Slavery due to debt (Leviticus 25:39-41) - Free at Jubilee (Exodus 21:2)

Understanding Slavery in Scripture In the Law of Moses: - Jewish slaves - Gentile slaves - Free from abuse (Exodus 21:20-21) - Entitled to “an eye for an eye” PLUS freedom If a slave owner caused permanent injury, the slave was immediately freed - Exodus 21:26-27  This is likely in addition to the normal punishment inflicted on an abuser - Deuteronomy 19:21.

Understanding Slavery in Scripture In the Law of Moses: All slaves had human rights: Exodus 21:20-32 - Right to life - Right to family - Right to freedom - Right to the Sabbath & Feasts

Understanding Slavery in Scripture In the Law of Moses: All slaves had human rights: Exodus 21:20-32 All slaves were slaves by choice(s) - War (Leviticus 25:44) - Debt (Leviticus 25:39-41) - Crime (Exodus 22:1-3) No one was a slave without choice (Exodus 21:16) Ex 21:16 "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.

Understanding Slavery in Scripture In the Law of Moses: All slaves had human rights: Exodus 21:20-32 All slaves were slaves by choice(s) - War (Leviticus 25:44) - Debt (Leviticus 25:39-41) - Crime (Exodus 22:1-3) No one was a slave without choice (Exodus 21:16) Ex 21:16 "He who kidnaps a man, whether he sells him or he is found in his possession, shall surely be put to death.

Slavery in Scripture In the New Testament: Slavery is both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE Depending on the MASTER Depending on the REWARD Overall Slavery is negatively viewed 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 1 Timothy 1:10 1Co 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 1Ti 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Slavery in Scripture In the New Testament: Slavery is both POSITIVE and NEGATIVE Depending on the MASTER Depending on the REWARD Overall Slavery is negatively viewed 1 Corinthians 7:21-23 1 Timothy 1:10 Based on Scriptures, our spiritual ancestors were correct to deem American style slavery a sin, by both its practice and its principles 1Co 7:21 Were you called while a slave? Do not worry about it; but if you are able also to become free, rather do that. 22 For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 1Ti 1:10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching,

Slavery in Romans The Wages of Sin vs. the Gift of Righteousness All men have a choice as to their Master Sin or Righteousness The Wages of Sin vs. the Gift of Righteousness

Slavery in Sin Slavery: owned by that which we serve Owned by sin = owned by Satan Hebrews 2:14-15 Mark 3:26-27 Mr 3:26 "If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but he is finished! 27 "But no one can enter the strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

Slavery in Sin Slavery: owned by that which we serve Owned by sin = owned by Satan Owned by sin = son-ship to Satan Galatians 4:7-8 John 8:44 Ga 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. Joh 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Slavery in Sin Slavery: owned by that which we serve Owned by sin = owned by Satan Owned by sin = son-ship to Satan Results: Death Spiritually cut off from God Ephesians 2:1-3 Eph 2:1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest

Slavery in Sin Slavery: owned by that which we serve Jesus: delivering us to His authority Titus 1:1 “Paul, a slave of God” 2 Peter 1:1 “Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus” James 1:1 “James, a slave of God and the Lord” Jude 1 “Jude, a slave of Jesus Christ” Revelation 1:1 “communicated… by (Jesus’) slave John” Ga 4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God. 8 However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which by nature are no gods. Joh 8:44 "You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Slavery is by Choice Whom do you choose to serve? Yourself – a slave to the flesh and sin Ultimate reward – eternal death Jesus Christ – a slave of righteousness Ultimate reward – the free gift

Romans Road of Salvation Hearing and Believing ……….Romans 10:17 Confessing Jesus as Lord ……..Romans 10:9 Repentance from sin ….….Romans 6:11-13 Baptism into Christ ……………Romans 6:3-4 Remaining faithful ……………Romans 12:1-2