Romans 6:1-11 and Matthew 6:24 or 24-34
This pericope is in RCL for Proper 7A/Ordinary 12A/Pentecost +3, where it is paired with—and overshadowed by—the story of Hagar and Ishmael. See http://www.textweek.com/pauline/rom6a.htm
NL pairs it with Matthew 6:24 (?)
The theme of newness is also found in 2 Corinthians 5:(14-15), 16-20; Revelation 21:1-5, and in the psalms referring to singing a new song: Psalm 33(:3); 40(:3); 96(:1); 98(:1); 144(:9); 149(:1).
My congregation has communion the first Sunday of each month, so I am thinking about the relationship between baptism (once and done new birth) and communion (ongoing renewal). This also dovetails with emphases on being born-again (think Saul->Paul) and being a lifelong Christian (think Timothy). Both are needed and helpful; it’s more both-and than either/or.
I am thinking of a bulletin cover with tags marked: new/renewed/renewal/revived etc. Also see (many copyrighted): https://www.google.com/search?safe=strict&q=romans+6:1-11+bulletin+cover&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjMiPLD97jiAhVOdt8KHWWbAXMQsAR6BAgJEAE&biw=1707&bih=821
Resources on Baptism/Renewal of Baptism in Worship
Opening Prayer from Romans 6
https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/06/opening-prayer-romans-6.html
Call to Worship:
God calls his people together before him.
Our new life in Christ is celebrated and nourished
in the fellowship of congregations
where God’s name is praised,
his way taught;
where sins are confessed,
prayers and gifts are offered,
and sacraments are celebrated. (“Our World Belongs to God,” par.39)
Come, let us worship the Lord.
We come with praise and thanks!
To reprint the above Call to Worship for personal use, a ministry setting, or classroom use, include this credit line: © 1987, CRC Publications, Grand Rapids MI. http://www.crcna.org. Reprinted with permission.
CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 98, Good News Version) Reader [One] Sing a new song to the Lord
[Many] he has done wonderful things!
By his own power and holy strength
he has won the victory.
The Lord made his saving power known to the nations.
He kept his promise to his people, with loyalty and constant love for them.
All people everywhere can see the victory of our God. and so we gather to praise and give thanks. [ALL] LET US WORSHIP GOD TOGETHER. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource)
Opening prayer: God of grace, you have brought us from slavery to freedom, from despair to hope, from death to life. May our words and music, our thoughts and our prayers and our very lives bring honor and glory to you. This we pray in the name of Jesus, whose death and resurrection have brought us new life. Amen. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource)
*Call to Confession (Romans 6:10-11, Good News Version)
Because Christ died and rose again, death’s power to touch him is finished. He now lives for God forever. In the same way, we have died to the appeal and power of sin. We are alive and responsive to the call of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource):
*Prayer of Confession CALL TO WORSHIP (from Psalm 98, Good News Version)
O God, when we hear your call to new life, sometimes we just feel old and tired. The pains and sorrows of this life weigh us down. We don’t know how things can ever change. We do not see how we can be renewed and revitalized. We forget that nothing is impossible with you. We find it hard to believe that you can and do grant more than all we can ask or imagine. Forgive us and renew us. (Silent confession) by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource):
*Assurance of Pardon (Romans 6:10-11 The Message) When Jesus died, he took sin down with him. Now, alive, he brings God down to us. From now on, sin speaks a dead language that means nothing to us. Instead, God speaks our mother tongue, and we hang on every word. We are dead to sin and alive to God. This is the Good News for which we give thanks be to God: In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven. by Rev. Dr. Barb Hedges-Goettl (please give credit if using/adapting this resource)
Call to/Prayer of Confession and Assurance of Forgiveness from Romans https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2011/06/act-of-confession.html
COMMENTARIES/SERMONS
Romans was a very important book for the reformers
Calvin’s commentary https://biblehub.com/commentaries/calvin/romans/6.htm
Wesley’s commentary https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/wen/romans-6.html
Luther’s sermon https://oursaviormuscatine.org/sermons/luther-sermon-romans-6-3-11
Sermon about the “hole within” (Romans 6:1-11) Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, Waterloo, IA https://1517.org/1517blog/edkillian/sermon-romans-6-1-11
Beyond the above resources, this text seems to be a topic mainly addressed from what is sometimes considered the “conservative” side of Christianity; see resources below:
Blue Letter Bible Commentary: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/StudyGuide2017-Rom/Rom-6.cfm
Audio of sermon titled “Holiness: The Journey of God’s People” from an Evangelical Presbyterian Church
https://www.2pc.org/resources/audio-library/passage/romans-6:1-18/
Audio of sermon from the Village Church in Texas: “The Good Life Accomplished” https://www.tvcresources.net/resource-library/sermons/the-good-life-accomplished–2
Audio of sermon “A Call to Resurrected Thinking” from Baptist Church in Beach Haven (Long Beach Island), NJ: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C3Q6J9N4tQ
HYMNS
https://www.sermonwriter.com/hymn-list/romans-61-11-hymns/
| 6/2 hymns | Newness/baptism/Lord’s Supper |
| PCUSA | Presbyterian Hymnal 1990 (The .x means the x verse is particularly relevant) |
| 104.3 | Christ is Risen! Sing Hosanna! |
| 285.3 | God, You Still the Whirling Planets |
| 296 | Walk On, O People of God |
| 316 | Breathe on Me, Breath of God |
| 317.2 | (Author of the New Creation) |
| 353.5 | Great God, Your Love Has Called Us Here |
| 376.4 | Love Divine, All Loves Excelling |
| 442.1 | The Church’s One Foundation |
| 492 | Baptized in Water |
| 493.2 | Dearest Jesus, We Are Here |
| 495.4 | We Know That Christ Is Raised |
| 500 | Become to Us the Living Bread |
| 507 | I Come with Joy |
| CCM type | |
| https://worship-songs-resources.worshiptogether.com/music/Romans-6 | |
| Hope, 1984 | Worship and Service Hymnal |
| 201 | Come Ye Sinners, Poor and Wretched |
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