24 The Book Of Galatians – Chapter 6:3-5 - Message 24 – Who Do You Think You Are? Do Not Deceive Yourself – You Who Are A Balloon Of Hydrogen. Examine Your Work; Carry Your Own Load Series

24 THE BOOK OF GALATIANS – CHAPTER 6:3-5 - Message 24 – WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE? DO NOT DECEIVE YOURSELF – YOU WHO ARE A BALLOON OF HYDROGEN. EXAMINE YOUR WORK; CARRY YOUR OWN LOAD

We continue in Galatians 6:3 from the last message looking at those who think they are so important, and are self-deluded. Sadly some in churches are like that and cause all sorts of friction and trouble. Then also we will study Galatians 6:4-5.

{{Galatians 6:3 “If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself”}}

[1]. INTRODUCTION

“I am the greatest.” Do you remember who said that? It was said by Cassius Clay as he was then. “I AM THE GREATEST! I'M THE GREATEST THING THAT EVER LIVED. I don't have a mark on my face, and I upset Sonny Liston, and I just turned twenty-two years old . . . . and I just turned twenty-two years old. I must be the greatest.”

This boxer turned to Islam and changed his name to Muhammad Ali. A little later on in response to a Harold Bell interview, he said this – “I believe in Allah and in peace. I don't try to move into white neighborhoods. I don't want to marry a white woman. I was baptized when I was twelve, but I didn't know what I was doing. I'm not a Christian anymore. I know where I'm going and I know the truth, and I don't have to be what you want me to be . . . I'm free to be what I want.”

He thought he knew where he was going but he is in hell today because there is no salvation outside the Lord Jesus Christ.

A film star does a movie and from then on the head is in the clouds and the person thinks how important he or she is because she is on the screen. That person has the head inflated in self-glory. (a balloon of hydrogen)

Alexander the Great thought he was something. At 30 he was lamenting the fact that he had no more places to conquer.

Nebuchadnezzar had been warned in a dream about pride but in time forgot the message. We read this – {{Daniel 4:29-31 “Twelve months later he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. The king reflected and said, ‘IS THIS NOT BABYLON THE GREAT WHICH I MYSELF HAVE BUILT as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?’ While the word was in the king’s mouth, a voice came from heaven saying, ‘King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared. Sovereignty has been removed from you’”}}

Nebuchadnezzar had built a wonderful spectacle, good enough to be included as one of the wonders of the Ancient World – The Hanging Gardens. However thinking you are something will lead to arrogance and pride and that was his problem. That is a noose that will hang anyone.

The man who thinks he is something and has accomplished much is probably considered to be satisfied with what he has done. Providing he does not become proud and arrogant, I guess we can understand that, but the man and woman who thinks he/she is something when in fact that are such lightweights and have achieved little, then they are fools. Such a person is nothing.

I see that in politicians, in film stars, in celebrities, in some church positions, in some in the sporting field, among teachers where my career was, and the list would continue.

[2]. WHAT WAS PAUL INFERRING BY HIS WORDS IN GALATIANS 6:3?

First of all he was speaking to Christians and behaviour found in the world is not acceptable for Christians. The world acts with no accountability but Christians must be aware of the consequences of self-deception at the Judgement Seat of Christ.

There is within human nature some facet I am not sure how to describe that is never satisfied with the status quo. Allow me to give some examples. A man begins with small betting and sometimes may win so he is more enthused to continue. Perhaps he loses from the start so he perseveres in the hope of winning the big one. A youth may take a drink at parties and the drug conquers him and he end up with no control over the alcohol.

A petty criminal may begin stealing small items and graduates from bigger to bigger. A young person may start with the school friend pot scent but the craving gets stronger and he advances to more potent drugs. The sex addict and even sex criminal may have started with Playboy magazines. Addiction is related to progression of sin and being taken over and controlled.

So often the bible uses the word “beware” and let us not forget in verse 1 of this chapter, the words, “Lest you too be tempted. The moment you think you are strong to resist and it won’t happen to you, that is the time when sin strikes. You may think you are something in resisting sin and temptation, but you are nothing, because your strength is of no avail and you are deceiving yourself.