Dead or Alive - Rom. 6:8
The sermon emphasizes our identity in Christ through His death and resurrection, encouraging believers to live fully in the promises of God.
Bernard Fell preaches on the powerful symbolism of the Jordan River in the Bible, highlighting how it represents death, judgment, and the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. He emphasizes the importance of being dead with Christ to all that hinders us, including self, the world, and sin, and how through full committal to Him, we can experience a deeper life within. By daily dying to our fleshly desires and rising with Christ, we can live more fully in Him, finding life, peace, and full salvation in Jesus.
Text
Now if we be dead with Christ,
we believe that we shall
also live with Him.
Romans 6:8
Downward flows the shining Jordan
From Mount Hermon's lofty height,
Like a flood in time of harvest,
Who can stay its watery might?
On its banks the host of Israel,
With their faithful captain stand,
For the river must be parted,
'Tis Jehovah's firm command.
When the ark, the ark of covenant,
Borne by priests with feet unshod.
Reached the margin of the river,
Waters parted where they trod.
Say, what ailed thee, O thou Jordan?
Thou didst stand upon a heap!
While the people clean passed over,
Through thy solid, swollen deep.
From the heights of heav'nly splendour,
Downward, downward, Jesus came;
God Himself, the great Descender,
To the lowest place of shame.
Passing through both death and judgment,
Waves and billows, cold and deep,
Who can comprehend His anguish?
Who can measure all His grief?
O what ailed Thee, precious Saviour?
'Twas the bearing of our sin,
'Twas the lonely, sad forsaking.
Our poor stubborn hearts to win.
Now redemption's work is finished,
Death and judgment are behind,
Life, and peace, and full salvation
In Thyself Thy people find.
Canaan now our present portion,
Clean passed over, is the word,
To enjoy each fruitful promise
Till the Advent shout is heard.
And the stones swept o'er by Jordan,
With the twelve on yonder side,
Speak of death and resurrection,
With the Christ identified.
Dead with Christ to all that hinders,
Dead to self, the world, and sin;
For the cross is heav'n's gateway
To a deeper life within.
Risen with Christ in full committal,
Earth's attractions now grow dim,
And the more we die, yes, daily,
So the more we live in Him.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - '{''A'': ''The significance of being dead with Christ'', ''B'': ''The promise of living with Him''}' - Understanding Our Identity in Christ
- II points: - '{''A'': ''The symbolism of the Jordan River'', ''B'': ''The role of faith in crossing obstacles''}' - The Journey Through Death and Resurrection
- III points: - '{''A'': ''Christ''s sacrifice and its implications'', ''B'': ''The completion of redemption''s work''}' - The Work of Redemption
- IV points: - '{''A'': ''Understanding our present portion'', ''B'': ''The call to enjoy God''s promises''}' - Living in the Promise of Canaan
- V points: - '{''A'': ''Being dead to self and worldly distractions'', ''B'': ''The paradox of dying to live fully in Christ''}' - The Call to a Deeper Life
Key Quotes
“Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” — Bernard Fell
“Death and judgment are behind, Life, and peace, and full salvation In Thyself Thy people find.” — Bernard Fell
“The cross is heav'n's gateway To a deeper life within.” — Bernard Fell
Application Points
- Reflect on what it means to be dead to sin and alive in Christ in your daily life.
- Identify the 'Jordan Rivers' in your life and trust God to help you overcome them.
- Commit to living out the fullness of God's promises as you walk in faith.