Taught 8/10/2008
Galatians 6:1-10
Love ~ Grace in Action
Open your Bible to…
John 13:35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Pray
Intro
√ Love ~ grace in action
In our study last week we discovered that through God’s Grace we have been set free!
Not free to sin…
…rather, free to serve one another in love!
In our text this morning Paul gives the Galatians some practical ways that we can demonstrate our love for one another.
The reason that these instructions are so important is that love is the testimony that we’re living in Grace…
…and the mark that distinguishes the spirit-led life from the life lived after the flesh.
That is, we can tell who is walking in the Spirit and who is walking in the flesh by the way that they treat other people…
…are they bearing one another’s burdens and are they sharing their blessings?
Ap. Our love for others is the mark of Grace
Jesus said that the mark that would distinguish His disciples from other people would be love, specifically, love for one another!
12 times in the New Testament we’re told to “love one another.”
Additionally throughout the New Testament we are exhorted to put that love into practice by…
“Pray one for another” ~ James 5:16
“Comfort & encourage” one another” ~ 1 Thess. 5:11
“Prefer one another” ~ Rom. 12:10
“Be hospitable to one another” ~ 1 Peter 4:9
To that list Paul adds in our text this morning…
“Bear one another’s burdens” ~ vs. 2
So, as we continue to consider the difference between Law and Grace this section of Galatians is a good reminder that the Spirit-led Christian is others-centered vs. self-centered.
Bearing Burdens (vs. 1-5)
Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal. 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Gal. 6:4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Gal. 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.
√ Bearing Burdens (vs. 1-5)
One of the easiest ways to discern between the legalist who is walking in the flesh, and the grace-filled believer who is walking in the Spirit is to look at how they…
…treat others!
The spirit-led believer looks for ways to free people from their burdens…
…while the legalist wants to add to their burdens!
Jesus captures that contrast in His rebuke of the Pharisees…
“For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” ~ Matt. 23:4
By way of practical example Paul points out in vs. 1 & 2 how Christians can help one another share a burden that is too heavy to carry alone, note…
Gal. 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Gal. 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Paul’s example is of a Christian who has been tripped up and fallen into sin and is suffering under the burden of guilt and condemnation.
It’s important to note that the phrase “overtaken in any trespass” is better understood to mean…
…”caught by sin”.
The word picture is of a Christian who is running their race, but sin runs faster and catches them!
The idea being described is of someone who didn’t set out to deliberately sin…
…rather, they were trying to live for Christ but got caught (or surprised) by sin.
Ex. Peter’s denial of the Lord ~ he didn’t set out to deny Jesus!
The reason that Paul uses this illustration is that nothing reveals the wickedness of a legalism better than the way that legalist treat sinners!
Ex. The woman caught in adultery ~ John 8
The legalistic religious leaders wanted to condemn and kill her…
While Jesus, our example of a Spirit-led life of Grace, sought to restore her and give her new life by lifting the burden of guilt and shame from her life.
So, in this first section of chapter 6 Paul contrasts the way that the spirit-led person would deal with a sinning brother…
…verses how the legalist would deal with that same man.
Compare conduct
The spirit-led Christian always seeks to restore the brother or sister who has been caught by sin.
The word “restore” in vs. 1 means to…
“Repair, set, or mend”
It’s the same word used to describe what a doctor does with a broken bone so that the bone can heal.
What a great analogy of how we are to help another Christian who has been caught up in sin!
Ex. Doctor setting a bone
It’s a painful process and it’s important to the person with the broken bone that the doctor is…
…gentle and skillful in their work!
The same is true when it comes to dealing with a sinning brother or sister.
The spirit-led believer is to approach that person with the same gentleness and skill that Jesus demonstrated to the woman caught in adultery.
Contrast that to the legalist who isn’t interested in mending the sinner…
…rather, they want to condemn him/her and publish their sin so as to make themselves look good by comparison.
So, you can discern a legalist from the spirit-led believer by how they treat those caught up in sin.
Ap. How do you view Christians who are sinning?
2) Compare attitudes
Another difference between the legalist and the Christian walking in liberty is found in their attitude toward sin and the person caught up in it, note vs. 1…
“considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
The spirit-led believer recognizes that before he can approach a brother who is caught by sin he must first look at his own heart and motives!
Jesus said…
Matt. 7:3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?
Matt. 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, “Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?
Matt. 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
So, the spirit-led Christian will first make sure that their own heart is pure before they approach anyone else about the sin in their life!
Secondly, when they do approach that person they do so with great humility recognizing that they could just as easily fall into the same sin!
They have the attitude…
“But for the grace of God, there go I!”
By contrast the legalist would never “consider himself” first because he pretends that he could never commit such a sin and is sure that his heart is pure and that it’s his duty to ferret out sin in other people’s lives!
What the legalist fails to see until it’s too late is that he really is capable of falling into sin and usually when he does…
…he falls big!
Thus Paul warns here…
“For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.” ~ vs. 3
And as he writes to the Corinthians…
“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” ~ I Cor. 10:12
Or, watch out because when you think you’re above sin that means you’re ripe for a fall!
Ex. Paramedics vs. policeman
One of the best ways to illustrate the difference between the spirit-led believer and the legalist is the comparison between a paramedic and a policeman at an accident.
Ap. Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit
Obviously Paul isn’t saying that we’re to ignore sin, or to accommodate it or he wouldn’t be telling us to lovingly confront a brother or sister about their sin.
But, we do need to be sensitive to the leading of the Spirit regarding when we’re to get involved.
As a general rule I don’t approach a person who slips up every once in a while (unless it’s a serious sin)…
…rather, I only go to someone when I see a pattern of sinfulness in their life.
Remember, the goal of approaching a brother or sister in sin is for the purpose of “restoring” them. That is, helping to lift the burden of guilt and shame from them so that they can leave their sin to serve the Lord once more.
√ Compare self-esteem
The last area that helps us to distinguish between the spirit-led believer and the legalist is how they see themselves in relationship to other people.
The legalist, like the Judaizers in Galatia, are guilty of self-promotion.
These are the people who love to talk about themselves and boast about their spiritual achievements and the number of converts they have.
They also like to compare themselves with others so as to make themselves look good.
The spirit-led believer has a sober estimation of himself, neither boasting about himself, nor feigning false humility. Rather, as Paul writes…
Gal. 6:4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
The spirit-led believer is able to look honesty at his life and rejoice in the good works he has done for Christ…
…and in humility recognize the areas the Lord is still working on!
√ Bearing your own load
Before we move on I want to make sure you’re not confused by vs. 5 where Paul writes…
Gal. 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Didn’t he just tell us to “bear one another’s burdens”! The key is that Paul uses two different words to describe different kinds of burdens.
Vs. 2 the word for “burden” means a “heavy load”, more than one person can bear.
Vs. 5 the word for “load” or “burden” describes a soldiers back pack.
What Paul is communicating in vs. 5 is that each of us has a God-given burden to bear that is our responsibility to carry and we can’t foist it onto someone else.
Ex. Provision
Each of us has a responsibility to provide for our self and our family.
Specifically it’s not the job of the local church or individual Christians to provide food and the necessities of life to a person who is able to work but doesn’t.
Thus we find Paul instructing the church at Thessalonica…
“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” ~ 2 Thess. 3:10
By way of example it’s my God-given job to feed and care for my family. But, if I was injured and unable to work that’s when other believers should step in and help carry the load that I can’t.
Sharing Blessings (vs. 6-10)
Gal. 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.
Gal. 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Gal. 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
Gal. 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
√ Sharing Blessings (vs. 6-10)
The next mark of a spirit-led believer is that they handle their material goods with an eye toward eternal treasures.
That is, the spirit-led believer has his heart in heaven and that is demonstrated in a practical way by how he uses his money and possessions.
Contrasted to the legalist who under the guise of spirituality has his heart set on accumulating riches for himself.
Ex. The Pharisees
Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Luke 16:14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they derided Him.
The distinction then is that the legalist views their money and possessions as their own…
…while the spirit-led believer views everything they have as God’s.
Another way to see the distinction is ownership vs. stewardship.
Apparently since the arrival of the Judaizers in Galatia the people were confused about how they were to handle their money and the churches were suffering because of it.
Specifically vs. 6-10 imply that the people were neglecting the needs of the church leadership so as to invest their money into the false promises of the Judaizers.
So, Paul tells the Galatians how they should put the love into practice sharing their goods with the leaders whom God had given.
Ap. Disclaimer
This is like the 2nd time in 14 years I’ve talked about giving if you’re visiting today understand that this is not my weekly pep-talk to separate you from your money!
Precept ~ vs. 6
Paul writes…
“Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. “
That is, individual believers have a God-given duty to share their earthly treasures with those who give them spiritual treasures through teaching the Word of God.
The reason is that the man who is called by God to provide spiritual food and direction to a group of people can’t do that effectively if he also has to work outside the church.
One can only do both for a short period of time before they either burn out or become totally ineffective.
Ex. The bi-vocational pastor
What most Christians, make that most people, don’t realize is that for every hour of teaching a pastor will invest between 8-20 hours of preparation!
A pastor who teachers twice a week will invest 16-40 hours a week in study!
Doesn’t include hospital visitations
Counseling
Drop-ins
Writing cards
Looking for lost sheep
Answering e-mails
Researching questions from the flock
Oh yeah, and trying to be a good husband and father by giving your wife and kids the time they deserve and need!
Add that on top of trying to hold down a 40 hour a week job and you start to understand why pastors burn out!
So, that’s why we see in both the Old and New Testament that God makes provision for those who serve Him through the gifts of His people.
Jesus told His disciples…
“And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages.” ~ Luke 10:7
And Paul’s instructions to the Christians in Corinth…
“Even so the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.”
I Cor. 9:14
The sad truth is that a few pastors and evangelists, like the Judaizers in Galatia, have abused this precept and the result is that many pastors and church leaders have been neglected.
Additionally the work of God suffers because churches lack the resources to do what God has put on their hearts.
So, Paul reminds the Galatians that a precept of God’s word is that those who are taught should demonstrate their love by sharing their resources with their teachers.
Ex. Anonymous card!
Principle ~ vs. 7-8
Behind the precept of giving there is a principle.
That is, Paul’s exhortation to provide for church leaders isn’t just so pastors, leaders, and missionaries can have their material needs met…
…in addition there is an inherent blessing for those who do give!
As Paul writes…
Gal. 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Gal. 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.
The principle of sowing and reaping is woven throughout the Bible having both material and spiritual applications.
That is, God has ordained that we reap what we sow.
We see that clearly in the physical universe as the principle of “cause and effect.”
We see it on the farm where a farmer can expect to get reap wheat when he plants wheat!
We see it lived out in our lives in both positive and negative ways.
Here in vs. 7-8 Paul draws the connection of that principle to the use of our earthly treasures.
That is, we can either invest our treasures in the work of God and reap eternal rewards…
…or we can invest our treasures in the temporary pleasures of the world and end up with nothing but rust and dust!
Jesus said…
Matt. 6:19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal;
Matt. 6:20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
Matt. 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Ex. Emily Chapman
When she was only 11 she went on a mission trip to Haiti and confronted by the poverty and hopelessness of the orphan’s she met decided that she needed a little sister!
Saved the money she received at Christmas to buy a book on international adoption.
Led to her parents adopting a number of children and starting an adoption agency that gives grants to help parents adopt needy children.
To date they’ve given out 1500 grants!
That’s an example of sowing to the Spirit! No doubt her small sacrifice of Christmas money will produce a great harvest both now and in eternity!
Ap. How do you use your “disposable income”?
Promise ~ vs. 9-10
Paul ends his instructions about sharing our blessings with others by reminding us that what we sow will produce a harvest!
Gal. 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Gal. 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Paul’s point is that just like farming where there’s a season to plant and a season to harvest…
…so it is with our giving.
That is, you don’t see the “fruit” right away!
There’s often a delay, sometimes a long delay between the time that we sow and the time that we reap the rewards of our faithful giving.
However, we can have full confidence that we will reap a harvest of incomparable blessings because God is the One who made the promise!
Ex. Investment in the Kingdom
Jesus’ disciples were concerned about their investment of time and resources into His ministry so He encouraged them…
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” ~ Matt. 19:29
I don’t pretend to know what Jesus meant by a “hundredfold” return, but this much I’m sure of…
…if Jesus promised a good return on our investment in His kingdom we can be sure that we won’t regret following His advise!
Close
√ Love ~ Grace in action
We can discern the spirit-led believer from the legalist by how they treat other people…
Do they bear others burdens or add to them?
Do they share their blessings with others or do they hoard them for themselves?
The spirit-led believer who is walking in God’s Grace is motivated to help others and share with others because of the love of God in their hearts.
Ap. Vision
Can’t reach the high school without a youth pastor
Can’t finish the remodel without the resources
Can’t focus on my duties without an assistant pastor