Live because of Christ
Galatians, Part 13
Galatians 6:11-18
Introduction
- Recap from last week:
- Sunday we took a look at 10 applications of this letter to our lives
-- These applications give us great insight to living for Christ
-- 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 shows us several practical points for living for others; for living honestly
• (v1) Grant Restoration
• (v2) Be Helpful
• (v3) Live Selflessly
• (v4) Be Faithful to Christ
• (v5) Have a Work Ethic
• (v6) Earnings for work
- Paul was well known for his honest approach, hence the “brothers” in v1
- In the next four verses he gives some direct encouragement for living
• (v7) Plant good crops
• (v8) Check your motives
• (v9) Always look to serve
• (v10) Be prepared always
- There is a difference, as Paul demonstrates, between saying it and living it
- We must be willing to show others what we’ve received
-- APP: Grace received must be grace received!
- Read Galatians 6:11-18
- Pray
∆ Point 1 – A personal invitation
- Paul’s point here is one of emphatic exclamation to the church in Galatia
- His exclamation of the fact that he is writing this letter is very telling
-- Often times, Paul used several scribes to write for him; while dictating
-- But here, the investment is so personal; so important; he penned himself
- Imagine a teacher giving a foot stomp to an exam
- Or think about an inspector giving us a clear indication of an issue
- The words of Paul give us insight to the grace he’s received … How?
-- APP: Living under the impression of the fleshly rewards leads us nowhere good
- We’ve covered in several sections already the unimportance of circumcision
-- This medical procedure leads us to an act; rather than a response of worship
- (v13) those who are circumcised can’t maintain all the obedience of the Law
-- They are proud, arrogant, and vain when it comes to matters of God
-- But, their pride is in themselves – and not in the One who deserves worship
- Paul’s desire is that we would not concern ourselves with physical actions
-- That his own faith, love, and hope is in the One who redeemed him
- We see this earlier in Romans; encouraged in changing our hearts for Christ
-- Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
- (v14) And now, the best line ever for a Believer to EVER live by …
-- “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.”
- Life is NEVER going to be about us, no matter how much we want it to be
-- Life is but a vapor, we are here and then we are gone; but Jesus is eternal
-- IMP: This knowledge, this application, is CRITICAL before you can grow
∆ Point 2 – Live because of Christ
- Many who grew up in church can remember Sunday school awards
-- There were awards for quoting bible verses, attendance, and even attitude
-- Some even got little pins they could wear on their garments to show off
-- I remember one church had sashes for kids to wear as they got their pins
- Sadly for some, that has not changed in how they view Christ today
-- They tout the religious awards and make sure everyone knows it
- This is what Paul is speaking out against in verse 15 with heavy conviction
-- It is not about what we’ve done to be religious; but what Jesus has done
-- APP: It is not how much we give, what we do, how many times in church
- HUGE: If we will live for Christ, our lives will reflect Him to others
- Life is about WHO we have brought to Christ; and demonstrated Him to
-- We can really take out lesson of how to act from the life lived by Paul
-- 2 Corinthians 5:17, “… if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
- TRANS: Are we a new creation because of Jesus … or because of ourselves?
∆ Big Idea
- And now, Paul issues us a challenge to take away from this letter …
- (v17) What kind of marks do we bear on our body for the Lord?
-- What is our testimony to the world around us about living for Christ
-- Headstone of an old pastor: “He lived to tell people about Jesus.”
- Will we see the Grace of the Spirit because we are at peace with God?
- If we will apply the lessons of this letter, seriously, to our lives
-- It is only then that we will see the peace of God in our lives fully
- Growth in Christ must be because of our obedience to Him … nothing else
- Pray
