November 3, 2014
Morning Service

Galatians 6

 

We finish the Galatian letter this morning.  The Apostle Paul has told us in this letter that there is a true gospel message to be taught, and he is teaching it.  He told us after his conversion he didn’t go to Jerusalem to confer with the other Apostles, but went into Arabia, and there God revealed to him the gospel He wanted preached.  We find this gospel message in our Holy Bible.  Paul also, speaking in all authority of God, pronounced a curse on anyone preaching another gospel.  This gospel is not hidden, but easily found, as we study our Bible.

Not only do we have access to this gospel, but we have seen Jesus’s prophecy, of building a church, fulfilled.  God not only used the Apostle Paul to give us the gospel, but He also allowed Paul to teach us how to behave in this church.  So the Lord willing, we will begin studying the Pastoral letters to Timothy, and Titus, after Galatians.

 

Now let’s see what Paul has to say as he finishes his letter to the Galatians.

 

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

·         The idea here, forgiveness, understanding, love, are all a huge part of this gospel we’ve been given.

·         It also takes away judgment on our part.  We are not to judge anyone, but to pray for someone who has been led astray, or caught up in a fault.  We are not to bad mouth them, or to ridicule them, but to do our best to help them get back on the right track.

·         Consider thyself,  there’s not one of us that doesn’t need the prayers of others.  There are times when we all miss the mark, and need forgiveness.

·         To bear one another’s burdens, sometimes all we can do is pray, but it is enough.  Helping someone bear a burden is not listening to their problems, and then gossiping about it.  It’s listening, and having heart felt sorry for their need.  Everyone needs that from time to time.

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

·         Humility is another attribute taught in this glorious gospel message.

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

·         The idea of this verse is to take care of the physical needs of the one that is teaching you this gospel message.

·         This is Paul’s teaching on this matter;  1Co 9:14  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.  One should read  this whole chapter of ICor.

(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. 

·         We can only look back one chapter, and see the things of the flesh, and the things of the Spirit.  Christians are encouraged to walk in the Spirit, which is to sow the things of the Spirit, love, mercy, forgiveness, gentleness, meekness, against such there is no law.

·         Paul told the Colossian church;  “if you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.”  The things of the Spirit are heavenly, not earthly.

(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. 

·         This also is sowing in the Spirit.  The Spirit of sharing, and giving to those in need.

 

(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 shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised;

·         Paul calls this gospel the Jews are preaching, and fleshly gospel.

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 has dealt throughout this letter with the false teaching that you must be circumcised in order to be saved. 

·         If you recall in the book of Acts Aquila, and Pricilla, took Apollos aside, a man mighty in the Scriptures, and taught him more perfectly the true gospel message.  It was said of Apollos, that he knew only the baptism of John.

·         But on the idea of glorying in ones flesh, basically telling someone that has accepted, and obeyed the gospel of Jesus Christ, that they need something else.

·         For example:  The holiness movement teaches after you obey the gospel, one should tarry for the filling of the Spirit, which will sanctify you.

·         Then the Pentecostals will tell you if you don’t speak in tongues you are not filled with the Holy Ghost.

·         Some Christian groups will tell you what day you should keep Holy to the Lord.

·         I believe some of these people mean well, but to me, it is glorying in another’s flesh. 

·         The gospel I teach says that I am complete in Him.  How did I get into Him?  By obeying the gospel of the Bible.  Paul said, “for as many of you that have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ.”  You see, obeying the gospel is to hear, believe and receive the gospel, to confess Jesus as the Son of God, to be baptized into His death, burial, and resurrection, to walk in the newness of life.  Then you are complete in Him.  You begin a new life, a life of ever learning, studying God’s Word, that we might be pleasing to Him.  Growing in the grace, and knowledge of God.

(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. 

·         Our thoughts of Jesus on the cross should cause us to no longer care for the things of the world, but make us want to draw closer to God.  The worldly things being put to death in our lives, and the things of God foremost in our lives.

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

·         God wants a new you.  Like Paul said, 2Co 5:14-17  For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:  (15)  And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.  (16)  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.  (17)  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

·         Jesus Himself said, “Behold, I make all things new.”  This includes His followers.

(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. To the Galatians written from Rome.

·         Reading our Bible is what gives us the knowledge of what pleases God, and it is the Spirit within us, that helps us walk according to this rule;

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, PLEASE HELP US TO HUNGER FOR YOUR WORD, AND ALLOW THE SPIRIT IN US TO SHOW FORTH TO THE WORLD, THE GLORY, AND HONOR OF YOUR BLESSED SON JESUS.