Life In The Spirit Series

Life in the Spirit

Galatians, Part 12

Galatians 6:1-10

Introduction

- Originally, we were going to finish Galatians today

-- However, this final chapter can’t be just glossed over and completed in one

-- So, we will add one more week to our study and take Chapter 6 in two parts

- Recap from last week:

- We cannot live our lives seeking to devour and tear down one another

-- Churches experience this all time; let a little scandal happen and watch the buffet

-- It is like a feeding frenzy on Jurassic Park and you and I are the main course

- The focus is not only one of GRACE, but one of LOVE (agape: without limits)

-- John 15:12-13, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

- APP: Thus, if we wage war against one another someone ALWAYS loses

-- Paul’s reminder to the church in v15 is that the loss will be on BOTH ends

- To be crucified with Christ means to be identified with Him

-- (v24) It is a desire we have of surrender and offering ourselves as His servant

-- To exclaim that HE is all that we will ever need; it is HIM that gets the glory

- It’s when we do things in our name that we get into trouble

-- Or, we do them in His name expecting Him to bless our own greedy desires

- Today, Paul sets before us an encouragement in living specifically for the Lord

- Read Galatians 6:1-10 / Pray

∆ Point 1 – Live what we Preach (1-6)

- Paul’s final notes to the Galatian church are ones of encouragement; instruction

-- This encouragement is based on real, applicable information to the church

- What is important is not only what he says, but the overall implication

-- There is much to gain here from Paul’s encouragement; especially in Grace

-- The Grace that is in Paul’s writings b/c of Jesus is really on display here

- Paul first gives us 6 practical points for living for others; for living honestly

(v1) Grant Restoration

- Sin is something that each of us commits; and something that none are immune

-- However, it doesn’t mean that we continue to hold people down b/c of it

-- Paul hinted at this very thing in Chapter 5 (v15) about devouring each other

(v2) Be Helpful

- We are never called to be an island and to live alone; Jesus came to free

-- Satan would prefer if each of us were in a dark hole alone and vulnerable

-- The temptation is always there to do so, but we are called to hold up one another

(v3) Live Selflessly

- Probably one of the best indications and proofs that life is not about “us”

-- We are not allowed to live with big heads; but live conscious of one another

-- Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves”

-- When we live with considering others first … we live selflessly

(v4) Be Faithful to Christ

- The self-produced checklist of sin is something that we all have (honestly)

-- If we really need to compare ourselves, then compare ourselves to Christ

-- Paul writes quite clearly that we cannot boast about ourselves

-- We are truly a vapor (James 4:14); a temporary existence; here today/gone tom.

-- Our lives should be lived to honor Christ; not to compete with one another

(v5) Have a Work Ethic

- Paul was a tent maker; something that required labor and hard work

-- This is a personal encouragement to do pull your load; to not be lazy

-- Proverbs 10:4, “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

(v6) Earnings for work

- When we work (v5), especially when we work for the Lord; we earn for it

-- This is one of the most important verses for those who work for the Lord

-- Coupled with 1 Cor 9:14, “In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.”

-- There is a responsibility to not only receive, but to give to those workers

-- Consider supporting missionaries; ministries; etc. who go / share the Gospel

- TRANS: So, if we live what we preach, our results will match the work we do

∆ Point 2 – Our Results Match our Work (7-10)

- After these 6 points, we have, in strict “Christian doctrine” … brutal truth

-- Paul was known for his honest approach, hence the “brothers & sisters” in v1