3. There is no better expression of God’s love for mankind than the finished redemptive work of our Savior Jesus Christ. On the cross of Jesus, we receive the benefits of redemption and justification. We are no longer condemned. We have been justified, forgiven and set free!

4. But in the process of sanctification (i.e., being made holy or sinning less and less), how can the cross represent for us the victory personalized? Begin to experience the power of the cross to change you and to live a righteous life by remembering four truths.

5. If I have received the righteousness of Jesus Christ and I have the Holy Spirit in my life, why do I still sin now that I am a Christian?

6. Dr. Thomas L. Constable

7. How can I consistently experience in my daily life the victory already attained by the power of the Cross?

8. “Christian living depends on Christian learning; duty is always founded on doctrine. If Satan can keep a Christian ignorant, he can keep him impotent.” Warren Wiersbe

9. We were “dead in sin.” Ephesians 2:1-3

10. 1. We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3) Paul declares in Ephesians chapter 2 that we were dead in our sins. At that time, we followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air and we gratified the cravings of our sinful nature. We followed our sinful nature’s desires and thoughts. Paul declares in Ephesians chapter 2 that we were dead in our sins. At that time, we followed the ways of this world and the ruler of the kingdom of the air and we gratified the cravings of our sinful nature. We followed our sinful nature’s desires and thoughts.

11. 1. We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3) We couldn’t do otherwise. We were under the grip of the cravings of our warped nature. We were slaves to sin. And because of sin, we were dead – spiritually dead! We couldn’t do otherwise. We were under the grip of the cravings of our warped nature. We were slaves to sin. And because of sin, we were dead – spiritually dead!

12. 1. We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3) We were Dead We were Dead (spiritual condition) We were Disobedient We were Disobedient (spiritual compulsion) We were Depraved We were Depraved (spiritual corruption) We were Doomed We were Doomed (spiritual condemnation)

13. 1. We were “dead in sin.” (Ephesians 2:1-3) Fallen World – FLEE! (1 Tim. 6:11) Fallen World – FLEE! (1 Tim. 6:11) (atheistic humanism) Fallen Angel – RESIST! (I Peter 5:8) Fallen Angel – RESIST! (I Peter 5:8) (Satan, the accuser & tempter) Fallen Nature – DENY! (Rom. 6:12-13) Fallen Nature – DENY! (Rom. 6:12-13) (egocentric self, flesh )

14. We have been “crucified with Christ.” Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20

15. 2. We have been “crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20) “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” Romans 6:6-7

16. 2. We have been “crucified with Christ.” (Romans 6:6-7; Galatians 2:20) Romans 6:6-7 says that our old self, our sinful nature, was crucified with Christ (identified with Christ) so that the body of sin might be done away with (rendered powerless and inoperative). We are no longer slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin! Romans 6:6-7 says that our old self, our sinful nature, was crucified with Christ (identified with Christ) so that the body of sin might be done away with (rendered powerless and inoperative). We are no longer slaves to sin because anyone who has died has been freed from sin!

17. We have become “dead to sin.” Romans 6:1-5, 8-10

18. 3. We have become “dead to sin.” (Romans 6:1-5, 8-10) From being “dead in sin” we have been “crucified with Christ”. And having died with Christ, we have become “dead to sin.” We no longer belong to sin. Sin no longer has authority over us. Sin is no longer our master. From being “dead in sin” we have been “crucified with Christ”. And having died with Christ, we have become “dead to sin.” We no longer belong to sin. Sin no longer has authority over us. Sin is no longer our master.

19. We are now “alive with Christ.” Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10

20. 4. We are now “alive with Christ.” (Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10) So who is our new master? God is our new master! He made us alive with Christ. If we desire to live a victorious Christian life, we must allow Jesus Christ who now lives in us to take full control of our lives. So who is our new master? God is our new master! He made us alive with Christ. If we desire to live a victorious Christian life, we must allow Jesus Christ who now lives in us to take full control of our lives.

21. 4. We are now “alive with Christ.” (Romans 6:11-14; Ephesians 2:4-10) This is what it means to live by faith in the Son of God. We must offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. This is what it means to live by faith in the Son of God. We must offer ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness.