So What's The Point? Series

SO WHAT’S THE POINT?

Galatians 6:11-18

S: Jesus

Th: The Primacy of Jesus

Pr: JESUS CHRIST ALONE MUST BE THE FOCUS FOR OUR LIVES.

?: Why?

KW: advantages

TS: We will find three reasons in Galatians 6:11-18 that indicate why Jesus Christ alone must be the focus for our lives.

The _____ reason that indicates why Jesus Christ alone must be the focus of our lives is so...

I. WE WILL KNOW OUR ENEMIES (12).

II. WE WILL UNDERSTAND OUR WEAKNESS (13).

III. WE WILL CELEBRATE IN GOD’S WORK IN OUR LIVES

(14-18).

GBC 6/13/93 AM (2x)

RMBC 11/05/00 AM (revised)

INTRODUCTION:

1. Have you ever taken pictures that were out of focus?

Dondra and I used to have one of those 35 mm. cameras that you have to take the time to focus properly.

And although we can could get some pretty good-looking shots, it was too often true that when the pictures were developed, some of them come back out of focus.

We would then discuss with each other about who took that one.

We frequently said to each other, “You must have taken this one.”

I would always disagree until the evidence was present—like everybody in the family is in the picture except me.

Then my only excuse is, “The dog did it!”

Anyway, we would go through the pictures and find that we focused on something rather than what we wanted to, like the lamp behind the kids.

The kids may all be out of focus, but it is a stunning portrait of the lamp behind them.

2. In the same way, our lives can become out of focus.

Easily, we can become focused on things that really don’t matter.

And they become a distraction to us.

They draw us away from that which should occupy us.

This focus could be on people, either ones we admire greatly or ones for whom we have lost respect.

This focus could be on worldly items that we are trained to see as needs, rather than the luxuries they really are.

This focus could be an unhealthy concentration upon ourselves and our emotional needs.

This focus could be on financial success and a striving to find security in finances.

This focus could be on disciplined living, a system of spiritual behavior that guarantees godliness.

And there are many more...

And do you know what happens when such things become the focus of our lives?

We become exhausted.

We become frustrated.

Why?

Because all of these ultimately fail.

TRANSITION:

1. What is your focus?

If we were to take a picture of your life, where do you suppose the focus would be?

In other words, if you are going to take a picture of what best represented what your life should be characterized about, what would the picture be?

Would the picture be of...

…you,

…money,

…your kids,

…some addiction,

…some possession,

…another person?

Do you know where it ought to be?

Scripture helps us here for the beginning of Heb. 12:2 says:

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith..."

2. JESUS ALONE MUST BE THE FOCUS FOR OUR LIVES.

When a person fails you...

When a possession doesn’t satisfy...

When you cannot come up with the answer by yourself...

Remember this...

Jesus alone must be the focus of our lives.

Therefore...

3. We will find three reasons in Galatians 6:11-18 that indicate why Jesus alone must be the focus for our lives.

(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. (17) Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. (18) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

4. The final words that Paul writes here reflect the passion in which he writes (11).

Paul commonly used someone to write his letters, a scribe to whom he would dictate.

Now, he takes the pen in his own hands.

He does it, I believe to give it authentication.

Some have commented that he wrote with large letters because his eyesight was not good, or his handwriting was poor, but I think such reasons miss the point of the text.