October 9, 2011
Morning Service

Galatians 6

 

Review:

·                     Paul in this letter has told us what happened to him after his conversion to Christianity. 

·                     He told us how that the gospel he received was from Jesus Christ, and that no man taught it to him.

·                     He has also told us that if any man, or even an angel from heaven teach any other gospel, let him be accursed.  This should encourage anyone wanting to please God Almighty to search the Scriptures for this gospel.

·                     Paul tells us in this letter that his work, and ministry had been approved by the leadership of the church in Jerusalem. 

·                     Paul also rebukes Peter for his actions concerning eating with the gentiles, but when the Jews came from Jerusalem, he left the gentiles, and Paul said this was wrong.

·                     Paul also teaches us that we receive the Holy Spirit by faith, and not by works.

·                     How that Christ redeems us from the law.  That God made a covenant of promise to Abraham before the law was ever given.  The law was given as a schoolmaster to guide us to Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ.

·                     How that we should know that we are free from having to strive to keep the law that was given to the Jews. 

·                     Sam no doubt told you last Sunday morning how that there were two covenants,

Gal 4:24-28 KJVR  Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which engendereth to bondage, which is Hagar.  (25)  For this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.  (26)  But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.  (27)  For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband.  (28)  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

·                     Paul closed out chapter 4 by telling us how the spirit of the flesh, still persecutes the ones born of the Spirit.

·                     Bro. Steve would have continued this thought in the evening service.  Telling us to stand free in the freedom that we have from the law.  That we should not use this liberty that we have from the law for an opportunity to sin.

·                     Chapter 5 is the chapter that explains what it is to walk in the Spirit, and not in the flesh.  It gives us the fruits of the Spirit, the true way to know if one is filled with the Spirit of God.

 

As we finish the letter to the Galatians Paul begins chapter six by encouraging us to BEAR ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS.

Bearing one another’s burdens.

Gal 6:1-18 KJVR  Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.  (2)  Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 

• One of the statements that politicians often refer to is “to be thrown under the bus.”  It means to desert, or to leave behind, or to let them fall.  That’s the world’s way alright.  But Jesus teaches us to help one another.  To help one BEAR A BURDEN, OR HELP THROUGH A PARTICULAR PROBLEM THEY ARE HAVING.
• Every time I read this, or a similar passage I thing of an incident where I worked……………..

(3)  For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 

• The sooner we realize that we are only sinners saved by grace the better of we will be, and the easier it will be to look at someone who is struggling, and say all but by the grace of God goes me.
• We all have our battles to fight, our weaknesses to overcome.  That’s why the Hebrew writer encouraged us to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which does so easily beset us, and run the race with patience the race that is set before us.”
• And as we run this race, let us not forget to help someone that is carrying a heavy weight, or burden.

(4)  But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  (5)  For every man shall bear his own burden. 

• It is for sure, even if no one offers to help us carry our burdens, we have to carry them.  Just remember when you think that no one cares, Jesus is always there to help you.  He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He told us, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you, but I will be with you always.”

Do not be weary while doing good.

(6)  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. 

• Here the Apostle is instructing the ones taught the gospel to support the ones doing the teaching of the gospel.  Plain and simple. 
• The Apostle elaborates on this in ICor. Chapter 9.
• If you have been with us any length of time you know we don’t harp on giving.  We teach on good stewardship when we come to it in the Scriptures. 
• We don’t pick a certain Service, and preach entirely on giving to the Lord’s work, like some T.V. evangelists do.  Even though they are not correct in what they teach, it causes some Christians to examine their giving practices, and we benefit from it.
• The ministry should not live above, nor below the lifestyle of the congregation.  If anything they should live below.  Mainly because of the next statement by Paul.

(7)  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  (8)  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  (9)  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  (10)  As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

• The idea being, if you follow after the things of the flesh, or world, you are not going to be happy, or at peace.  If however, you follow after the things of God, you will be happy, and have the peace that passes all understanding, and it only comes from God.

 

Motives of the circumcised.

(11)  Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own hand.  (12)  As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.  (13)  For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. 

• Paul here explains the error in the church.  False teachers.  Teaching the people that they must be circumcised in order to be pleasing to God.   Paul says not so.

 

Motives of the Apostle Paul.

(14)  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

• Until you see Jesus on the cross of Calvary, and understand what He did for us, you will never be sold out to God.  His offering on Calvary is the most unselfish act ever done by anyone. 
• The song says, “He could have called ten thousand angels, but He died alone for you and me.”
• Our military, God bless them every one for allowing God to use them to protect our great country.  They are dying to protect our great country, which consists of many of their loved ones.  But listen to this:

Rom 5:6-8 KJVR  For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  (7)  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  (8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

• Jesus of Nazareth died for all mankind, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  What He did on Calvary was to offer His blood for a sacrifice for all mankind, and God showed that He accepted it by raising Jesus from the dead, and receiving Him up into glory. 
• And it’s for whosoever will.  

 (15)  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 

• 2Co 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.    This is what matters to God, a new you.

(16)  And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.  (17)  From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.  (18)  Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

 

FATHER HELP US TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF FOLLOWING AFTER THE THINGS YOU HAVE ASK US TO DO.  THAT WE MIGHT SOW THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT, SO THAT WE CAN REAP THE BLESSINGS FROM YOU.  AMEN.