Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley returns to the book of Romans and reminds us that Paul is calling for a mindset change. Too many people live as though they must do something to earn God’s favor, to get His attention, or to prove themselves worthy. But the gospel in Romans 6 tells us a different story. We don’t live in order to please God—we live because of what Christ has already done for us.

Paul gives us three crucial verbs: know, consider, present. To know that our old self was crucified with Christ. To consider ourselves dead to sin. And to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness. These three truths frame the believer’s identity and equip us to stand against the power of sin.

Sin is powerful, and temptation comes at us from every direction. But Paul is clear: don’t let sin reign in your mortal body. Don’t present your life as a weapon for unrighteousness. Instead, present yourself to God as one made alive in Christ. We are no longer under the law’s condemnation, but under grace. Grace transforms how we live and frees us to walk in the power of Christ.

Takeaways

Romans 6 teaches us to live because of Christ’s work, not to earn His approval.

Our identity is rooted in who we are in Christ, not in what we do.

Paul commands believers not to let sin reign like a king in their lives.

Sin seeks to master us, but grace empowers us to resist and live differently.

Believers must know, consider, and present themselves as alive in Christ.

The power of the Holy Spirit is greater than sin’s pull, enabling true freedom.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley reminds us that the Christian life begins with a new identity. Just as cicadas emerge from the ground, shed their shells, and take flight, believers are transformed the moment they trust Christ. We are regenerated, made new, and indwelt by the Holy Spirit who is committed to changing us day by day.

But many Christians wrestle with sanctification—trying to measure growth, compare progress, or put it in categories of “lordship” or “grace-only.” Paul gives us a better way in Romans 6. The Christian life is not an “in order to” relationship with God, as though we live to earn His approval. It is a “because of” relationship. Because of what Christ has already done, we live differently.

Paul outlines three essentials: know that your old self was crucified with Christ, consider yourself dead to sin, and present your life as an instrument of righteousness. Christ’s death was once for all, and His resurrection means sin no longer has mastery over us.

The call is simple but profound: stop living to please God as though you must earn His favor, and start living because of what He has already done for you in Christ.

Takeaways

The moment we trust Christ, we are regenerated and given a new identity.

Sanctification is God’s ongoing work of transforming us into Christ’s likeness.

Paul calls us to live “because of” what Christ has done, not “in order to” earn His approval.

We are to know our old self is crucified, consider ourselves dead to sin, and present our lives to God.

Christ’s death was once for all, and His resurrection ensures sin and death no longer rule.

Living under grace means we walk in newness of life as instruments of righteousness.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks Romans 6, where Paul addresses a dangerous misunderstanding of grace: if God’s grace abounds where sin abounds, should we continue sinning so grace may increase? Paul’s emphatic answer is, “May it never be!” Believers are not free to sin, but free from sin.

Through Christ’s death and resurrection, Christians are united with Him—baptized into His death, buried with Him, raised with Him, and called to walk in newness of life. Death in Scripture signifies separation, and for the believer, it means separation from sin’s controlling power. Though temptation remains, sin no longer rules our lives.

Dr. Easley also explores baptism, clarifying that it is not a requirement for salvation but a faithful response of identification with Christ. Grace is never meant to be exploited as permission to sin. Instead, it should fuel our gratitude and obedience.

Ultimately, Paul’s charge is clear: we are dead to sin but alive in Christ. Grace is not for sin-negotiation—it is the foundation for grateful living. Our lives should reflect not a return to the sewer of sin, but the newness of life Christ has secured for us.

Takeaways

Grace is not an excuse for sin but the reason believers live differently.

Death in Scripture signifies separation—believers are separated from sin’s power.

Baptism identifies believers with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

Justification and reconciliation are God’s work alone; we cannot add to them.

Sanctification is the lifelong process of becoming more like Christ and less like Adam.

Walking in newness of life is better than trying not to sin—it is living gratefully in Christ.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon Dr. Michael Easley unpacks Romans 5 by showing six striking contrasts between Adam and Christ that reveal the depth of the gospel. Through Adam’s disobedience came sin, condemnation, and death for all. Through Christ’s obedience comes grace, justification, and life for those who believe. We are reminded that every person is either “in Adam” or “in Christ”—and our eternal identity rests on that reality.

Adam’s one sin spread like a contagion, bringing death to all mankind. But in Christ, God gives the free gift of righteousness and eternal life. Where sin reigns, grace overflows in abundance. Dr. Easley stresses that justification is not earned—it is God’s declaration that the guilty are made righteous through Christ’s work on the cross.

The law only magnifies our sin, but grace rescues us. Christ took our place, bore our condemnation, and offers life everlasting. Dr. Easley challenges listeners to consider their true identity: are we clinging to the brokenness of Adam, or have we trusted Christ, who brings forgiveness, freedom, and eternal life? The decision is clear, remain in Adam, or step into the grace and life found only in Christ.

Takeaways

Adam’s sin brought judgment and death, but Christ’s obedience brings justification and life.

We are either “in Adam” or “in Christ”—our true identity is found in Him.

Justification means we are guilty but declared righteous through Christ’s work, not our own.

Death reigns through Adam, but life reigns through Jesus Christ.

Where sin increases, God’s grace abounds all the more.

The law exposes sin, but only Christ’s abundant grace saves and sustains us.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 5, unpacking the sobering truth that through Adam’s sin, death entered the world and spread to all humanity. Drawing from the historical use of primers and catechisms in early American education, Dr. Easley illustrates how generations once clearly taught the doctrine of original sin. Today, however, our culture resists the very concept of sin, preferring to redefine or dismiss it altogether. Yet Scripture is clear: sin is not simply a collection of bad choices but a condition that rules, spreads, and ultimately kills.

Dr. Easley explains the imputation of sin and contrasts differing theological views, emphasizing that in Adam, all humanity fell, but in Christ, believers are given life. Sin’s pervasiveness demonstrates our desperate need for redemption. The either/or reality Paul presents is simple but profound: we are either in Adam, under the curse of sin and death, or in Christ, where His one act of righteousness secures eternal life.

The good news is that through faith in Christ alone, we are no longer condemned but made right with God. Only in Christ can the guilt of sin be removed and the gift of eternal life received.

Takeaways

Through Adam’s sin, death entered the world and spread to all humanity.

Our culture resists the concept of sin, but Scripture affirms its power and pervasiveness.

Sin is not just an action—it is a condition that controls, spreads, and kills.

Theological views may differ, but Romans 5 is clear: in Adam, all sinned.

In Christ, believers receive the imputation of righteousness and the gift of eternal life.

The gospel’s hope is simple: we are either in Adam under death, or in Christ under grace.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon from Romans 5:9–11, Dr. Michael Easley explores the profound truth of reconciliation with God. Drawing from the story of Eric Lomax, a British POW who endured years of torture under Japanese captivity, Dr. Easley illustrates the unimaginable depth of forgiveness and reconciliation between bitter enemies. Lomax’s eventual reconciliation with his tormentor serves as a powerful picture of the greater reconciliation God offers to us.

Paul reminds believers that through Christ’s death we are justified—declared righteous before God—and through His life we are reconciled, no longer enemies but friends of God. Dr. Easley explains the difference between justification, a legal declaration of righteousness, and reconciliation, a relational restoration to peace and friendship with God. Because Christ died for us while we were His enemies, we can be assured He will also save us as His friends.

Dr. Easley challenges us to embrace the joyful confidence that comes from being reconciled to God. Our salvation is secure, not by our contributions but by Christ’s finished work. As reconciled enemies, we are called to live with humble confidence, rejoicing in the love and grace of God who declares us righteous and calls us His friends.

Takeaways

Through Christ’s death we are justified, declared righteous before God.

Reconciliation goes beyond justification, restoring relationships between former enemies.

Believers are assured they will escape God’s wrath through Christ.

If God loved us enough to die for us as enemies, He surely saves us as His friends.

Our salvation is secure in Christ’s finished work, not our own contributions.

Reconciled enemies of God should live with joyful confidence and humble worship.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 5:6–8, reminding us that God has already proved His love in the most powerful way possible: through Christ’s death for sinners. Our experiences—pain, betrayal, loss, injustice—often whisper the lie that God does not love us. Yet Scripture tells us the opposite. Paul writes that while we were helpless, ungodly, and even enemies of God, Christ died for us. Dr. Easley contrasts God’s sacrificial love with human love, pointing out that while some may be willing to die for a good person, Christ died for the undeserving. This is love beyond comparison, a demonstration that cannot be undone by our circumstances or doubts.

Dr. Easley reminds us that the cross is not only about physical suffering but about substitution—Jesus taking the full weight of God’s wrath in our place. The cross declares: “God loves you.” Regardless of how you feel or what you’ve endured, this truth stands firm. The only way to truly know God’s love is through trusting Christ—believing He lived, died, and rose again for you. Once for all, God has proved His love.

Takeaways

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 5:1–5, highlighting three profound benefits of being justified by faith: peace with God, standing in grace, and hope in the glory of God. Before Christ, we were enemies of God—hostile and guilty. But through Jesus’ work, God not only forgives us, He declares us righteous and welcomes us into His presence. This peace is far more than the absence of conflict; it is a restored relationship with our Creator.

We also stand in grace—a position we did not earn and cannot lose—offered solely through faith in Christ. Out of gratitude, our lives become a continual “thank You” to God, not an attempt to earn His favor.

Finally, we boast in the hope of God’s glory. This hope sustains us through tribulation, producing perseverance, proven character, and deeper hope. Trials are not meaningless; they are God’s refining process, shaping us into what we could never become on our own. Because our hope is anchored in Him, it will never disappoint. Dr. Easley urges us to lift our eyes from life’s burdens to the eternal vistas God has promised—resting in the peace, grace, and hope only He provides.

Takeaways:

Justification by faith gives believers peace with God—a restored relationship, not just the absence of conflict.

Before Christ, we were enemies of God, but through His work we are declared righteous and welcomed into His presence.

Standing in grace means living in a permanent position of God’s favor, received through faith, not earned by works.

Tribulations produce perseverance, which shapes proven character and strengthens our hope in God.

God uses trials like a master craftsman tempers steel—refining us without breaking us.

True hope in God will never disappoint because it is anchored in His glory, not our accomplishments.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley unpacks Romans 4, where Paul uses Abraham’s life to explain what it means to be justified by faith. Paul is resolute: we are justified by faith apart from works of the law. Looking at Abraham, Paul illustrates that true faith trusts God’s promises even when circumstances seem hopeless. Abraham faced the reality of his own limitations—his age, Sarah’s barrenness—yet believed in the God who gives life to the dead and calls into existence things that do not exist. This kind of faith glorifies God, not self, and rests fully on His promises rather than human effort.

Dr. Easley challenges us to consider the nature of our faith. Are we trusting in our ability to believe, or in the object of our belief—Jesus Christ, who was delivered for our sins and raised for our justification? This passage calls us to turn from self-reliance and rest in the God who creates life from death and credits righteousness to all who believe in Him.

Takeaways:

We are justified by faith apart from works of the law, as seen in Abraham’s example.

True faith trusts God’s promises even when circumstances seem impossible.

God gives life to the dead and creates something out of nothing.

Abraham’s faith glorified God, showing us that faith rests on God’s ability, not ours.

Faith grows stronger as we understand the character and promises of God.

Our justification rests on Christ’s death for our sins and His resurrection for our life.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

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Summary

In this sermon, Dr. Michael Easley teaches from Romans 4 to remind us that salvation is never earned by works, signs, or laws—it is given by God through faith. Paul confronts Jewish objections that Abraham’s righteousness depended on circumcision or the Mosaic Law. Instead, Paul demonstrates that Abraham was justified long before receiving any outward sign. This truth is foundational: righteousness comes only by faith, not through religious rituals or lineage.

Paul explains that the law was never meant to save but to expose our sin and reveal our need for grace. God’s grace is His undeserved favor toward us even when we deserve His wrath. Abraham believed God’s promise, and that faith—not his works—was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6).

For believers today, this means we can trust God’s promises fully. Our salvation rests not on fragile human performance but on the solid foundation of Christ’s finished work. Like Abraham, we are called to walk in faith—not to crawl across life’s “ice” with fear, but to trust the One who secures our steps.

Takeaways:

Abraham was justified by faith before receiving any outward sign.

Circumcision and law-keeping do not save—faith alone does.

God’s promise always precedes human effort or religious ritual.

The law reveals sin and wrath; grace provides forgiveness and life.

Salvation is secure because it rests on God’s promise, not our performance.

Our only response to God is trust in Christ’s finished work.

To read the book of Romans, click here.

Click here for other Michael Easley Sermons.