WHAT COULD BREAK US APART?
INTRODUCTION
This message is the third is a series of messages about the church. Let’s review the first two parts then get into today’s message.
PART 1 - WHAT IS HOLDING US TOGETHER?
Philippians (various passages)
I. SALVATION HOLDS US TOGETHER
A. Salvation offers freedom from the past.
B. Salvation offers purpose for the present.
C. Salvation offers hope for the future.
II. A SPIRIT OF SERVANTHOOD HOLDS US TOGETHER
A. We need to bear one another’s burdens.
B. We need to pray for each other.
C. We need to love one another.
D. We need to esteem others better than ourselves.
PART 2 - WHAT WILL KEEP US TOGETHER?
Colossians 1:9-14
I. (Verse 9) BEING FILLED WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIS WILL
II. (Verse 10) WALKING WORTHY OF THE LORD
III. (Verse 10) PLEASING THE LORD
IV. (Verse 10) BEING FRUITFUL IN WORKS
V. (Verse 10) INCREASING IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
VI. (Verse 11) BEING STRONG IN PATIENCE, LONGSUFFERING, AND JOY
A. According to his glorious power (not ours).
VII. (Verse 12) BEING THANKFUL
A. Thankful for the inheritance of the saints in light (light = never kindled and never quenched).
B. Thankful for deliverance from the power of darkness.
C. Thankful for being placed into the kingdom of heaven.
D. Thankful for redemption through the blood of Jesus Christ.
E. Thankful for the forgiveness of sins.
PART 3 - WHAT COULD BREAK US APART?
Galatians 1:6-10, 3:1-5, 4:8-11, 5:1-6, 5:13-15, 6:7-10
I. (Galatians 1:6-9) LISTENING TO THOSE WHO PERVERT THE GOSPEL
A. Anyone who preaches something other than the gospel is accursed (repeated in verses 8 and 9).
B. We have a responsibility and a right to make sure that we are hearing the truth by examining what others say about the gospel (Isaiah 2:22).
C. We have a responsibility to study the scriptures for ourselves (2 Timothy 2:15,16).
II. (Galatians 1:10) SEEKING TO PLEASE MEN
A. Seeking to please men creates a friendship with the world. This friendship is not of Christ (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17).
B. A servant of Christ does not seek to please men.
III. (Galatians 3:1-5,) LACKING IN FAITH
A. Salvation does not come by works, but by faith (Ephesians 2:8,9).
B. Lack of faith brings about a trust in the works of the law. Trusting in the works of the law is foolish. Paul calls the Galatians foolish twice (verses 1 and 3). Greek definition of foolish: lacking intelligence but demonstrating moral fault, one who does not govern his lusts, one without mind, the highest knowing power of man, the organ by which divine things are comprehended and known, being the ultimate seat of error.
C. The purpose of the law (Galatians 3:23-26)
IV. (Galatians 4:8-11) TURNING AWAY FROM THE TRUTH
A. The Galatians were returning to the gods they knew before and once again began practicing pagan worship.
V. (Galatians 5:1-6) TRUSTING IN THE LAW
A. Seeking salvation through following the law puts us in debt to the whole law.
B. Depending on the law makes Christ’s work on the cross meaningless.
C. Obedience to the law leaves no room for Jesus Christ and his grace. Grace has the law associated with it, but the law has no grace, only restrictions.
VI. (Galatians 5:13-15) CONSUMING ONE ANOTHER
A. Biting and devouring one another will bring us down. Slander, gossip and arguments among believers accomplish this. It can be avoided by serving and loving one another.
VII. (Galatians 5:16-21) FULFILLING THE LUST OF THE FLESH
A. Shows that someone is not walking under the guidance of the Spirit.
VIII. (Galatians 6:7,8) SOWING TO THE FLESH
IX. (Galatians 6:9,10) WEARYING IN WELL DOING
A. Do good, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
CONCLUSION
Galatians 6:16 – And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
