Introduction:
A. I want to begin with a story from Max Lucado’s book, In The Eye Of The Storm - It is a story about a parakeet named Chippie.
1. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming - one second he was peacefully perched in his cage, and the next he was sucked in, washed up and blown over.
2. The problem began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s cage with a vacuum cleaner.
3. She put the end of the hose into Chippie’s cage to clean the bottom, but then the phone rang.
4. She turned to answer the phone, and barely said “hello” when she heard “ssssopp!”
5. Chippie was sucked into the vacuum.
6. The bird owner gasped, put down the phone, turned off the vacuum, and quickly opened the vacuum bag.
7. There was Chippie…very stunned, but still alive.
8. Since the bird was covered with dust and dirt, his owner raced him to the bathroom, turned on the water and held Chippie under the running water.
9. Then, realizing that Chippie was soaked and shivering, she did what any compassionate bird owner would do…she reached for the hair blow-dryer and blasted Chippie with hot air.
10. Poor Chippie never knew what hit him.
11. A few days after the trauma, a reporter who had initially written about the traumatic event called Chippie’s owner to see how the bird was recovering.
12. “Well,” the owner replied, “Chippie doesn’t sing much anymore…he just sits and stares.”
B. And it’s not hard to see why.
1. Sucked in, washed up, and blown over…that’s enough to steal the song from the stoutest heart.
2. “Sucked in, washed up, and blown over.” That about sums up how many of us feel at times when life hits us hard. Isn’t that right? You’ve felt that way before, haven’t you?
3. M. Scott Peck began his book The Road Less Traveled with a three word sentence that is packed with a simple, yet a profound truth…it reads, “Life is difficult.”
4. And he is so very right. Life indeed is difficult.
5. Life is filled with burdens that must be borne.
C. God’s intention for the church is that we become a family where we bear one another’s burdens and by so doing, we help each other through this very difficult life we live.
1. Look again with me at the verse we used as the Scripture reading, and let’s pick up the verses before and after it, to give us some context.
2. Paul wrote: 1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load. (Gal. 6:1-5)
3. Let’s examine the command, and then work toward its application.
I. The Command.
A. In verse 1, Paul gave instructions concerning our responsibility to help other believers who are stuck in sin.
1. He says that we are to come alongside the sinning brother or sister and help restore them in a spirit of gentleness.
2. Then in verse 2, Paul commands that we bear one another’s burdens.
3. The fact that the command of verse 2 follows the command of verse 1, suggests that this is one form of burden bearing.
4. Helping another believer overcome the burden of a certain sinful behavior is one way to help someone bear their burden.
5. But Paul is not implying that this is the only way to carry each other’s burdens.
B. The “burdens” that we are to help others carry include any sort of difficulties that people face.
1. The word that is used here is a general word that literally means “a heavy weight.”
2. It has been a normal practice to refer to something that is very heavy to carry as a “burden.”
3. That’s why certain animals are referred to as “beasts of burden.”
C. The word that is translated “bear” or “carry” is a word that in the original language meant “to carry or lift something.”
1. The most literal meaning of the words is “to pick something up and carry it away.”
2. As Paul employs it in a figurative sense, he means that we are to reach out to a brother or sister in their time of difficulty and help them in any way we are able.
3. Anything we can do to lessen the weight of the load they are carrying will be a great blessing to them.
D. The verb “carry” is in the imperative tense, which means that it is a command.
1. And as a command it implies a continuous, ongoing action.
2. The command is not worded in a way that suggests that it is something we are to do occasionally, but it is something we are to do continually.
E. If you were paying close attention to the reading of Galatians 6:1-5, you might have noticed something that appears to be a contradiction.
1. Verse 2 says: “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
2. Verse 5 says: “…each one should carry his own load.”
3. So, which is it? Should we bear one another’s burdens or not?
4. What we can’t see in the English language is the fact that the two verses are using two different words for “burden.”
5. The word in verse 2 refers to very heavy loads - more than a person can carry without help.
a. These are the kinds of overwhelming burdens in life that we must help each other bear, or they will overcome a person and destroy them.
6. But in contrast to that kind of burden, the word used in verse 5, was used to designate the pack usually carried by a marching soldier.
a. Although the pack might be heavy, it is not too heavy for a soldier to carry and every soldier is required to carry their own pack.
7. As followers of Jesus, there are certain Christian responsibilities or burdens that each believer must bear and these burdens or responsibilities cannot be lifted by others.
a. Thankfully, Jesus assured His disciples that such burdens were light – Jesus said: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:30)
F. The final thing I want us to notice about the command is that it comes with a promised result.
1. If we faithfully carry each other’s burdens, then we will be fulfilling the law of Christ.
2. What exactly is the law of Christ?
3. The law of Christ is the law of love.
4. The law of Christ is to love one another as Jesus loves us.
5. Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
6. Similarly, Jesus said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (Jn. 15:12)
7. Paul summarized it this way: The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)
8. Bearing the burdens of others is a genuine expression of love and ultimately fulfills everything God wants us to be and to do. How about that!
G. So that’s the command, now let’s work on its application.
II. The Application
A. Before we get into specific burdens that must be borne and how to bear them, let’s make an important observation.
1. Just like everyone else, Christians also have burdens to bear.
2. There is a common misconception and popular idea among some Christians and churches that says that Christians are exempt from the difficulties, troubles and burdens of everyday life, but that is not a biblical idea.
3. The Bible is clear about the fact that Christians will face adversity.
4. James wrote: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)
5. When we examine the Biblical story, we notice that even great people of faith had their share of suffering and burdens – consider Job, Abraham and Sarah, Joseph, Naomi and Ruth, and the apostle Paul, just to name a few.
B. And so, as Christians, we need to accept the fact that we too will have burdens to carry.
1. Our burdens may vary in kind and in intensity, but all of us have, or will have, burdens of one kind or another.
2. Once there was a woman who had lost her son and could not get over her grief.
a. She went to see an old wise man and asked him what to do.
b. He told her to go find a home that has no sorrow or grief and bring back a mustard seed from that home, and when she did, he would restore her son to her.
c. She threw herself into that search for many days and then returned to the wise man.
d. When she approached the wise man she simply said, “I have been so selfish in my grief…I have discovered that sorrow is common to every home.”
3. Let’s take a minute to look around in our congregation today and let’s understand that all of us have burdens.
a. There is some kind of heartache in every person’s life.
b. We all have problems and cares that weigh us down and are a burden to bear.
c. And there are some burdens that are so heavy that we need others to help us bear them.
C. What are some of the burdens that we may need help bearing?
1. There is the burden of sorrow and grief.
2. There is the burden of sickness and aging.
3. There is the burden of emotional difficulties and emotional scars of the past.
4. There is the burden of a difficult marriage or a failed marriage.
5. There is the burden of children with special needs or rebellious spirits.
6. There is the burden of unemployment or under-employment.
7. There is the burden of the consequences of lawlessness and sin and foolishness.
8. These are just a few of the many kinds of burdens that people might need help carrying.
D. Now that we know that God wants us to help people with their burdens, the question is: HOW?
1. Once we have a heart that is willing to help carry the burdens of others, then two very important things are required to bear the burdens of others:
2. First, we have to know that a brother or sister has a burden.
3. Second, the person with the burden has to be willing to allow us to help them.
E. So how can we discover that someone has a burden and may need assistance to bear it?
1. To some degree, the responsibility for discovery is on both people: both the one needing help and the one who is willing to help.
2. If the person needing the help isn’t open and honest enough about their struggle or burden, then no one will know what their burden is.
3. But on the other hand, if the person who is willing to help is not observant enough or interested enough, then they won’t notice what someone is struggling with even if the person tries to tell them about it.
4. But both things suggest that there needs to be real Christian relationship being experienced.
5. Real Christian relationship requires love and trust, and contact and communication.
F. Once it is clear that someone has a burden that is too heavy to carry alone, and there is a person who is willing to help carry the burden, then the person with the burden needs to be willing to be helped.
1. Why are those who need help with their burdens sometimes reluctant to allow others to help?
2. Often the reason is pride.
a. Pride often causes us to think we must bear our burdens alone, or it causes us to be too embarrassed to allow someone to help us.
3. But sometimes the reason is a misunderstanding about our relationship with God.
a. Unfortunately, sometimes we have accepted the false notion that our faith in God alone should be enough and that strong Christians must depend on God alone and on no one else.
b. Afterall, doesn’t the Bible say that we should cast our cares upon the Lord? Yes it does.
c. Psalm 55:22 says: Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.
d. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you”
4. It is true that we should take our troubles to the Lord, no matter what those troubles are.
a. And it is true that we should trust that the Lord will give us the grace and strength we need to endure.
5. But, we should also recognize that God often uses people as His agents to help us carry our burdens.
a. In other words, God helps us carry our burdens through his people.
b. This is what Paul said happened in his own life: For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever. (2 Cor. 7:5-7)
c. Isn’t that amazing? Paul knew that God comforted him through Titus and the Corinthians!
6. Ultimately, we are God’s eyes, ears, tongues, and hands that help others carry their burdens.
G. So, let’s be sure we are cultivating relationships that are close enough that we feel comfortable sharing our burdens, and allowing others to know what we are struggling to carry.
1. And let’s love each other enough to want to help those who are burdened.
2. And then, let us be humble enough to be willing to receive the loving assistance of others.
H. A few weeks ago, I drew our attention to the movie, “Fellowship of the Ring.”
1. I mentioned that one of the things I appreciate the most about the movie is the camaraderie that Frodo had with his friends, as they helped him carry out the mission to destroy the powerful, evil ring that was a threat to all mankind.
2. The journey had been long and arduous and many of them did not complete the journey.
3. In the end, both Frodo and his friend, Sam, were at their physical and emotional limit.
4. As they climbed the mountain toward the cave entrance that would lead to the place Frodo must drop the ring, Frodo couldn’t go another step - He could not even stand.
5. All of Sam’s encouraging words were no longer effective because Frodo just didn’t have any more to give - he was exhausted.
6. Since he was the only one who could carry the ring because of its mysterious power to tempt and overwhelm, there was only one thing that Sam could do.
7. Sam said, “I may not be able to carry the ring, Mr Frodo, but I can carry you!”
8. Sam lifted the exhausted Frodo, put him over his shoulder, and carried him the rest of the way to their goal.
I. Brothers and sisters, that is how the family of God is supposed to work.
1. We may not be able to take the burden away, but we can bear one another’s burdens.
2. We can lift each other up and make sure that no one gets left behind – that no one is left alone.
J. This was illustrated well in the powerful story of the Quecreek Mine Rescue.
1. On July 25, 2002, nine coal miners entered Quecreek Mine in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
2. About 9 p.m., the miners were drilling near the abandoned Saxman Mine when 50 million gallons of water was released into their own shaft, cutting them off from the surface.
3. In a desperate race against time, more than 200 rescuers worked to save the trapped miners.
4. The men were trapped in a small chamber just over four feet high and 18ft wide, in frigid 55 degree water.
5. The area of entrapment was approximately 240 feet underground and about one and a half miles from the mine entrance.
6. The miners “decided early on that they were either going to live or die as a group.”
7. In the end, they were all rescued, as a group, 77 hours (3 days) after being trapped in the mine.
8. The 55 degree water threatened to kill them slowly by hypothermia, so according to one report: “When one would get cold, the other eight would huddle around the person and warm that person, and when another person got cold, the favor was returned.”
9. Miner Harry Mayhugh told reporters, “Everybody had strong moments, but any certain time maybe one guy got down, and then the rest pulled together. And then that guy would get back up, and maybe someone else would feel a little weaker, but it was a team effort. That’s the only way it could have been.”
10. What a great description of the way the church is supposed to work.
11. Those who are up are supposed to help those who are down, but because of the way that life happens, those who are up will some day be down, and visa versa, and so we take our turns carrying the burdens of one another.
K. So how can we bear one another’s burdens?
#1. We can hold each other up in prayer (which is the one another we talked about last week).
#2. We can offer a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.
#3. We can offer hopeful and encouraging words.
#4. We can look for simple and practical ways to help.
a. Visit those who are shut in or in the hospital – ask if there is anything you can do.
b. Look for ways to help those who are advanced in age.
c. Look for ways to help those who have young families or families with special needs.
d. Look for those who are struggling emotionally, socially, or financially.
#5. Most importantly, we can just be present and offer ourselves – our love - our life – be a friend.
L. I want to end with an old song that the younger ones probably haven’t even heard of, and us older ones probably haven’t heard in a long while.
1. When you get home look it up on YouTube.
2. The song is “He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.,”
3. It was a hit single for the Hollies in 1969 and for Neil Diamond in 1970.
4. Here are the words of the song:
The road is long
With many a winding turn
That leads us to who knows where
Who knows where
But I’m strong
Strong enough to carry him
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.
So on we go
His welfare is of my concern
No burden is he to bear
We'll get there
For I know
He would not encumber me
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.
If I'm laden at all
I’m laden with sadness
That everyone’s heart
Isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another.
It’s a long, long road
From which there is no return
While we’re on the way to there
Why not share
And the load
Doesn’t weigh me down at all
He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.
M. I hope and pray that that will be our sentiment – I hope that will be our commitment to each other.
1. I hope that we will love each other enough to carry each other’s burdens.
2. I hope that our love for each other will cause us to feel that no burden is too heavy to help a brother or sister to bear.
3. “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother.”
4. “She ain’t heavy, she’s my sister.”
5. That’s the way of Jesus and His followers.
6. May God help us to love one another by bearing one another’s burdens.
7. Whose burden will you help to bear this week?
Resources:
“Bear One Another’s Burdens,” Sermon by Mark Fuss, SermonCentral.com
“What To Do With Your Burdens,” Sermon by Jerry Shirley, SermonCentral.com
“Helping People in Need,” Sermon by Chris Jordan, SermonCentral.com
“Carry Each Other’s Burdens,” Devotional by Peter Kennedy, pkennedy@devotional.com
“Bear One Another’s Burdens,” Sermon by David Owens
