Great Grace #10: Share Each Others Troubles Series

GREAT GRACE & FREEDOM #10: SHARE EACH OTHERS TROUBLES

THE BIG IDEA: As Christians, we are called to share each other’s troubles, help our pastors and teachers, and do good to everyone.

1. SHARE EACH OTHERS TROUBLES: (Galatians 6:1-5, NLT).

1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

• ILLUSTRATION: Contrast the legalist and the Christian: Using two speech bubbles.

• The legalist will condemn and criticize someone struggling with sin.

• The spiritual Christian will help that person – with love, acceptance and forgiveness.

2 Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

• ILLUSTRATION: Contrast the legalist and the Christian:

• The legalist will put more burdens on them: “For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them.” (Matt. 24:3).

• The spiritual Christian will help them with their troubles and problems: “But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help -- how can God's love be in that person?” (1 John 3:17).

3 If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody. 4 Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. 5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

• We are ALL called to help people in need – and there’s a joy that comes from that!

ILLUSTRATION: Too many people have adopted this worldly philosophy: “To me, it's a good idea to always carry two sacks of something when you walk around. That way, if anybody says: Hey, can you give me a hand? You can say: Sorry, got these sacks.” Sad because it’s true!

BEARING BURDENS AND CARRYING LOADS: Is this a contradiction?

• “Bear one another's burdens.” (6:2, NKJV).

• “For each one shall bear his own load.” (6:5, NKJV).

How do you distinguish between the two different kinds of burdens / loads?

• Burden = weight, burden, trouble = a weight too heavy for one person to carry

• Load = a burden, load; a soldier’s backpack = our personal responsibilities

If it’s a load – your personal responsibility – then you’re supposed to suck it up and carry it.

God allows us to carry loads for the purpose of strengthening us, to help us mature and grow.

If it’s a heavy burden – that’s going to overwhelm and crush us – then we need help with it.

ILLUSTRATE: Have someone carry a backpack (a load) and then a heavy box (burden) that needs the help of someone else to lift it.

HOW DO YOU KNOW IF SOMETHING IS A BURDEN OR A LOAD?

• Give some examples of different situations

• Some people treat everything as a load. They won’t tell anyone about their troubles.

• If you have a burden, share it with the family of God – ask for help! In hospital, etc.

• Other people treat everything like a burden. They freak out about everything.

• If it’s a load, you need to carry it on your own and grow up.

• (Thoughts from this section inspired by a message by Mark Driscoll).

WHY SHOULD WE HELP OTHERS? To follow the example of Jesus:

“Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, "How can I help?" That's exactly what Jesus did. He didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people's troubles, but waded right in and helped out. "I took on the troubles of the troubled," is the way Scripture puts it.” (Romans 15:2-3, The Message).

2. HELP YOUR PASTORS AND TEACHERS: (Galatians 6:6-8).

6 Those who are taught the word of God should help their teachers by paying them.

• QUOTE: “The teacher of the Word shares spiritual treasures and those who are taught ought to share material treasures… Paul repeatedly taught that the spiritual leader in the church was to be supported by the gifts of the people.” (Warren Wiersbe, Be Free).

“Elders (pastors) who do their work well should be paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not keep an ox from eating as it treads out the grain." And in another place, "Those who work deserve their pay!” (1 Tim. 5:17-18).

• The best thing a pastor can do for his church is to teach them the Bible.