Life in the Spirit
Galatians, Part 12
Galatians 6:1-10
Introduction
- Originally, we were going to finish Galatians today
-- However, this final chapter can’t be just glossed over and completed in one
-- So, we will add one more week to our study and take Chapter 6 in two parts
- Recap from last week:
- We cannot live our lives seeking to devour and tear down one another
-- Churches experience this all time; let a little scandal happen and watch the buffet
-- It is like a feeding frenzy on Jurassic Park and you and I are the main course
- The focus is not only one of GRACE, but one of LOVE (agape: without limits)
-- John 15:12-13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
- APP: Thus, if we wage war against one another someone ALWAYS loses
-- Paul’s reminder to the church in v15 is that the loss will be on BOTH ends
- To be crucified with Christ means to be identified with Him
-- (v24) It is a desire we have of surrender and offering ourselves as His servant
-- To exclaim that HE is all that we will ever need; it is HIM that gets the glory
- It’s when we do things in our name that we get into trouble
-- Or, we do them in His name expecting Him to bless our own greedy desires
- Today, Paul sets before us an encouragement in living specifically for the Lord
- Read Galatians 6:1-10 / Pray
∆ Point 1 – Live what we Preach (1-6)
- Paul’s final notes to the Galatian church are ones of encouragement; instruction
-- This encouragement is based on real, applicable information to the church
- What is important is not only what he says, but the overall implication
-- There is much to gain here from Paul’s encouragement; especially in Grace
-- The Grace that is in Paul’s writings b/c of Jesus is really on display here
- Paul first gives us 6 practical points for living for others; for living honestly
(v1) Grant Restoration
- Sin is something that each of us commits; and something that none are immune
-- However, it doesn’t mean that we continue to hold people down b/c of it
-- Paul hinted at this very thing in Chapter 5 (v15) about devouring each other
(v2) Be Helpful
- We are never called to be an island and to live alone; Jesus came to free
-- Satan would prefer if each of us were in a dark hole alone and vulnerable
-- The temptation is always there to do so, but we are called to hold up one another
(v3) Live Selflessly
- Probably one of the best indications and proofs that life is not about “us”
-- We are not allowed to live with big heads; but live conscious of one another
-- Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”
-- When we live with considering others first … we live selflessly
(v4) Be Faithful to Christ
- The self-produced checklist of sin is something that we all have (honestly)
-- If we really need to compare ourselves, then compare ourselves to Christ
-- Paul writes quite clearly that we cannot boast about ourselves
-- We are truly a vapor (James 4:14); a temporary existence; here today/gone tom.
-- Our lives should be lived to honor Christ; not to compete with one another
(v5) Have a Work Ethic
- Paul was a tent maker; something that required labor and hard work
-- This is a personal encouragement to do pull your load; to not be lazy
-- Proverbs 10:4, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”
(v6) Earnings for work
- When we work (v5), especially when we work for the Lord; we earn for it
-- This is one of the most important verses for those who work for the Lord
-- Coupled with 1 Cor 9:14, “In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.”
-- There is a responsibility to not only receive, but to give to those workers
-- Consider supporting missionaries; ministries; etc. who go / share the Gospel
- TRANS: So, if we live what we preach, our results will match the work we do
∆ Point 2 – Our Results Match our Work (7-10)
- After these 6 points, we have, in strict “Christian doctrine” … brutal truth
-- Paul was known for his honest approach, hence the “brothers & sisters” in v1
- The next four verses are more than encouraging; but possible rebukes as well
(v7) Plant good crops
- Don’t pretend to be able to live a certain way and think God is fooled
- The implication here is taking part in all the wickedness of Ch. 5 is foolish
- We cannot think that our lives can be lived however we want
- God is not mocked; God is not fooled; and your sin is evident before Him
-- David confessed this in Psalm 51:3-4, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.”
-- Consider this: The fruit you harvest today is from the seed planted yesterday
-- Want good crops tomorrow? Plant good seed today … it’s really that simple
(v8) Check your motives
- Are you living for the recognition of mankind … or the recognition of God?
-- Paul’s words go right at the human ego here, without apology or sugar-coating
-- Do we live because we want to please an eternal God; or a temporary world?
- Matthew 6:5 is an excellent example of motive checking: Jesus said, “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
-- What’s the reward? Recognized by man …. So what? NO eternal reward!
(v9) Always look to serve
- Sometimes, even looking to serve others can get tiring and this is the warning
-- Don’t allow yourself to be tired just because there aren’t instant results
-- APP: (v7-8 ties in here); What are you working for? Is it your glory or God’s?
-- The time of the harvest is determined by God (proper); we are the servants
(v10) Be prepared always
- “as we have opportunity” is really the critical statement here to learn
- APP: Is there EVER a time when you won’t be able to share the Gospel?
-- Is there ever a time when we will not be able to do good unto others?
-- The answer, quite honestly, is NO – but we have to look for those moments!
- 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.”
- Be willing to look for opportunities to share what we’ve learned; to witness
- HUGE: If we will not witness … how can we do what Jesus has commanded?
-- Matthew 28:19 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit”
∆ Big Idea
- Paul is compelled to write these words to a church that needs to change
- True this is a church that needs to make some changes due to their behavior
- The challenge here today is doing that honest gut-check
-- Do you live eternally for Christ – for His glory and redemption?
- Paul’s words ought to ring pretty true for all of us today …
- Pray
