Sermon Central
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The Manifestation Of God's Grace Series
Contributed by Scott Kircher on Mar 27, 2009 (message contributor)
Summary: Sermon 8 in Galatians series
The Manifestation of God’s Grace
Restore Brothers Gently
Carry Burdens Gladly
Share Blessings Generously
Let Boasting Give God Glory
Slide 1
School ended this week and I know there is a lot of rejoicing in my house.
Slide 1 I remember when I was in school. The things I learned in school
did not seem to give opportunity right away to be put to good use. Math, vocabulary, etc are all things you need and help you, but they did not seem to always help you right away at least not when summer first began.
Well, We are finishing up the book of Galatians today. Throughout the book, Paul has talked about the essentiality of grace.
And it is my hope that the grace that has been spoken of will not just sit there in your life through the summer but will manifest itself in your life.
Paul has taught the Galatians and us that
It is only by God’s grace that we are saved and
it is only by God’s grace that we can live fruitful, fulfilled lives.
Trying to do things in our power and strength will only lead us back into bondage and slavery that we have been set free from in Jesus Christ.
And that is why Jesus came to set us free.
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Free from the bondage of sin
Free from spiritual death
Free to live life to the full
We also talked last week about not using our freedom to indulge in the sinful nature. And we discussed what those were.
And we talked about the fruit of the Spirit.
Love, Joy Peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
We learned that we should live to love, that that is what true freedom enables us to do by the power of the Spirit in our life.
But how should that love be lived out?
How should God’s grace in which he helps us to love be manifested?
That is what we are going to be looking at today as Paul closes his letter to the Galatians:
How should God’s grace manifest itself in our lives?
Slide 2
And we will see as Paul writes here that
It is through how we deal with others that we will see the manifestation of God’s Grace in our lives.
Specifically, how we love others in various circumstances.
Slide 2
Illustration – William Booth – Salvation Army
The story has been told of how William Booth, the founder of the salvation army could not attend their international convention because of ill health so he sent a message that contained one word.
OTHERS!
That is Paul’s message too. God’s grace will manifest itself as you deal with others
We will be reading chapter 6 of Galatians. (p. 826)
Slide 3
Paul gives a variety of ways that God’s grace should manifest itself in our life so that love is being shared no matter what the circumstances.
Slide 3
1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!
12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God.
