Sermon Central
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Life In The Spirit Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 28, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: Paul is compelled to write these words to a church that needs to change. The challenge here today is doing an honest gut-check: do we live eternally for Christ – or for our own glory and recognition?
Life in the Spirit
Galatians, Part 12
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
