October 25, 2020
Morning Service

Last week Paul violated the social distancing law and got up very close and personal with us.  He encouraged us to “Walk in the Spirit” allowing the Holy Spirit in our lives to assist us in removing the “works of the flesh” and to display the “Fruits of the Spirit.”  I challenged each of you to read both lists last week and to be open and honest with yourself on what areas needed work.  We are not alone in this spiritual battle that Paul describes in verse 17, as the Phil 4 tells us; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  By walking in the Spirit we allow God to control our mind and heart and then our actions will soon follow their leading and come naturally to us.  We also are given another gift to help us overcome this world and its many temptations; each other.  We are better together!

Gal 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.  (2)  Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

          We touched briefly on this last week as we discussed overcoming any works of the flesh that are in our life and we struggle to remove them; sometimes we need to ask for help.  Paul looks at this from the other side of the fence now, and encourages us who see a brother struggling in a trespass need to help to restore them.  Notice the attitude we are to take use a “spirit of gentleness” humbly stepping in and offering to help; not with a finger pointing tongue lashing.  The conversation could begin with a sincere question; “how are you doing, I notice you are not yourself lately?”  We also need to be go in being prayed up and very cautious to not get caught up in sin ourselves.  God did not create us to be alone, an island, we all need help from time to time and we all need to be able to ask for help. Feeling alone and isolated makes us very vulnerable to the attack of our enemy so ask for help. Paul says here that we also need to be willing to offer help as well.  We need to be able to have the tough conversations with a brother that has detoured from the path and do our part to lovingly and humbly restore them.  We are better together! 

 Paul even takes this a step further as he commands us to “bear one another’s burdens.”  It may not be sin that is bogging someone done, but simply the troubles that life brings.  Sometimes they may just need someone to talk to vent on.  We can help bear a burden by listening, praying with them, giving advice, and maybe also getting our hands dirty and helping out.  This is not something only the pastor or deacons do, but each of us need to be active in this area within our circle of people God has put us in contact with.  Be Jesus to them by helping them carry their life load by using the fruits of the Spirit in your life to help them.  Paul now gives us a warning:

 

Gal 6:3-5 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.  (4)  But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  (5)  For each one shall bear his own load.

          None among us should think we are too good to help others, if you do you are deceiving yourself and displaying the wrong spirit.  We are responsible for our own actions and need to follow the path God has laid out for us.  Each of our paths are different so there is not room to compare myself to others, but to simply faithfully follow my path.  We are better together and the work is lighter when carried by many.  What gifts and talents do you have, and how can you use them to lift up others?  Don’t let your lack of confidence stop you because remember; “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”  God sometimes just needs a willing vessel to complete His work; be that tool in His hand.  Paul now summarizes this point very well and challenges us with the fact that there is no place to quit; keep on the firing line!

Gal 6:6-8 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.  (7)  Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.  (8)  For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Paul first of all encourages the church to take care of its teachers (leaders).  It is important that the church supports its pastor for the work he is doing.  He then actually summarizes his entire point of this letter in the next two verses.  The NLT reads like this:

NLT: “Don’t be misled.  Remember you can’t ignore God and get away with it.  You will always reap what you sow!  Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful desires will harvest the consequences of decay and death.  But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.”

          Paul again uses something we all understand to help us understand a spiritual truth.  You would not plant corn and expect pumpkins to come up.  God created certain seeds to produce certain fruits.  Every seed we sow in our lives, whether it be words or actions, produces certain results.  If you gossip about your friends, you won’t have any.  If you always try to be honest and true to your word, then people will trust you.  The seeds you sow reveal who owns your heart.  You can fool a lot of people, but you can’t fool God, so why do we try?  “God is not mocked.”

            These verse also spells out the single most important choice we need to make in our lives.  It is our choice which path we choose to follow.  When we choose to sow to the flesh we will reap corruption, decay and death.  Our lives will be filled with the works of the flesh; hatred, contentions, jealousy, selfish ambitions and envy.  Or we can choose to sow to the Spirit and reap everlasting life.  Our life can be filled with love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness.  That was an easy choice for me to make as a 12-year-old boy, but it can be difficult for many who are deeply in bondage to sin.  Choose life, choose Jesus and you will not be sorry you will only wish you had done it sooner.  Walking in the Spirit with Jesus is a very fulfilling and joyful life with a great retirement plan!  Paul now reminds us to never quit!

 

Gal 6:9-10 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.  (10)  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

          Paul compares gardening to following Christ.  We sow the seeds, water them, and pull the weeds anticipating the harvest.  We accept Christ and begin to follow him sowing the seeds of the Spirit along the way anticipating the time of harvest where we will enter into His perfect rest forever more.  Can pulling weeds get tiring?  Absolutely!  Can following Christ get tiring?  Absolutely!  But there is no place to quit in either circumstance because “in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”  Giving up is easy but has no reward.  Staying on the path can be tough, but it is worth it.  Keep your eyes on the prize because at the end of your path you will meet One who gave His life for you!

  Always be ready and available to help other when you can when give the opportunity.  Do good to all but especially be looking out for your brothers!  We are better together!  Look for those opportunities and be willing to invest yourself in those around you that need help.

          In summary today, we are better together.  God has commanded us to do life together.  We are to be there for each other and lend a helping hand when it is needed.  We are to love one another as Jesus loved us.  Let’s walk together the path of righteousness God has laid out for us and be the loving and faithful church that He wants us to be.  A light in this community pointing them to Jesus Christ the Son of God who takes away the sins of the world.

 

Heavenly Father mold us together into a church that shines for You.