Help Others On The Road Series

FOLLOWING JESUS INTO THE UNKNOWN 2018 - Help Others on the Road

January 28, 2018

Galatians 6:1-10 (p. 813)

Introduction:

I remember a couple of years ago being at Mom’s on a Friday to cut grass and the riding mower wasn’t acting right…and before you call me a wimp about using a riding mower…it’s almost 3 acres. The engine was running fine, but the transmission was slipping and the belt needed to be adjusted…the first step was to take off a cover plate…not a problem…the second step was to get both rear wheels off the ground…problem!!! I tried lifting one side and scooting a cinder block under it with my foot…I tried (not intelligently) to pick up the back end and set it on the cinder block alone. It was too heavy to move by myself. It was too big of a job for one person.

So, I went inside and got my big brother Sam. We lifted the rear of the tractor together and set it on the cinder block…then after I adjusted the pulley and belt we lifted the tractor blade off the block and put it on the ground. Sam is an awesome big brother. He even took Mom and I out to eat after I was done. After we got through I thought, you know, there are some things that are just too heavy for someone to carry alone…It’s the Christian principle we see here in Galatians 6…when it comes to sin, spiritual burdens and struggles, some of them are too big for us to carry alone.

King Solomon writes as the preacher in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work. If one falls down his friend can help him get up, but pity the man who falls and has no one to help him get up.”

“Pity the man” (I hear Mr. T’s voice in the back of my head… “Pity the Fool.”)

VIDEO OF MR. T “I PITY THE FOOL”

The guy who stumbles, he trips, he’s hurt…He’s fallen and he can’t get up.

He’s alone…no first alert button, the cell phone’s out of reach, he’s hurt bad and there’s no one to help him out…could it get any worse? Well maybe if some thugs showed up, beat the stuffin’ out of him and stole his wallet…and left him all alone.

As we follow Jesus into the unknown it’s essential we realize that others are on the same journey. They’re on the same road with us…and sometimes they need help.

They need:

I. RESCUE FROM A DEADLY TRAP

I don’t know why it happens, but many times when someone falls into the trap of sin people respond with judgment criticism and condescension…the cold shoulder and ostracism.

And folks, I’m not saying that we should treat sin lightly…It cost Jesus His life on a cross.

But, what I am saying is…when He was given the opportunity to throw rocks…he chose forgiveness.

I just don’t believe that we should treat other sinners as if we’re not!

The Apostle Paul uses a word picture in our text in regard to someone caught in sin…the original Greek word means a “snare.” The animal steps into the loop and before they know it…it tightens around their leg and holds them securely.

“Brothers (He’s speaking to Christians), if someone is caught in a sin…you who are spiritual should restore him gently.”

Satan isn’t nearly as powerful as God, but he is powerful and we are warned in scripture to be aware of his schemes and to be self controlled and alert…Why? “Our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

He’s not Garfield, he’s no kitty cat…He’s a hungry, angry, wild beast looking for a kill.

We get a clear view of how he operates in Ephesians 6:10-12

EPHESIANS 6:10-12 (p. 817)

Satan plans, he schemes, he works with his demonic forces laying traps, setting out snares.

And we know for sure, “someone’s gonna get caught.” We know because every single one of us has stepped into that snare…I’ve yet to meet a Christian whose told me…“Yep, got baptized and been perfect since that day!”

So let’s address what happens when a Christian is caught in sin and also how spiritual men and women respond.

As long as we live in this body here on earth we will be prone to sin, even after the Holy Spirit moves in, sin still attracts my flesh and it’s desires…we are drawn to quick pleasure and instant gratification…even if it only lasts a “season” or could have consequences.

It’s why we get caught…and there are times Satan’s snare is more likely.

1st when we’re babies in Christ…newer Christians with not a lot of foundation or roots. In fact I often warn new believers…be careful because after your commitment publicly here at Church, Satan’s gonna test that commitment privately in the world.