Real Life/Real Faith - Sermon 9

A Gospel Shaped Faith For Real Life

Text: Galatians 6:1-10

Introduction

This will be the end cap of the series called Real Life/Real Faith. As we have seen through a very short survey of real people through Biblical history, life is nothing less than challenging and difficult when it comes to living out the model Jesus left us through His own life’s example.

When the believer confirms in his/her heart the previous stated reality, he/she must make a choice: Am I to handle this circumstance with what my human faculties can provide me with to glorify Jesus (or) will I lean in to Jesus and trust Him completely to provide me with what is needed to glorify Him?

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Liberty of Love (Galatians 6:1–10)

“One another” is one of the key phrases in the Christian’s vocabulary. “Love one another” is found at least a dozen times in the New Testament, along with “pray one for another” (James 5:16), “edify one another” (1 Thes. 5:11), prefer one another (Rom. 12:10), “use hospitality one to another” (1 Peter 4:9), and many other like admonitions.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Liberty of Love (Galatians 6:1–10)

The Spirit-led Christian thinks of others and how he can minister to them. In this section, Paul describes two important ministries that we ought to share with one another.

1) Because Burdens Are Real

VERSE 1-5

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Liberty of Love (Galatians 6:1–10)

The legalist is not interested in bearing burdens. Instead, he adds to the burdens of others

Matthew 23:4 “4 For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.”

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Liberty of Love (Galatians 6:1–10)

Paul presents a hypothetical case of a believer who is suddenly tripped up and falls into sin. The word overtaken carries the idea of being surprised, so it is not a case of deliberate disobedience.

The Bible Exposition Commentary Chapter Eleven: The Liberty of Love (Galatians 6:1–10)

Legalists do not need facts and proof; they need only suspicions and rumors. Their self-righteous imaginations will do the rest.

Real life is full of opportunities to fall into sin and therefore fail our Savior.

This reality surrounds every Believer in Jesus Christ.

Christ followers have found themselves victim to this!

A practice of REAL FAITH toward those who have been caught is that of gentle correction and direction.

You may one day need or desire the same gentleness one day!!!

“Restore” = to mend, as a net, or to restore a broken bone

The legalist will EXPLOIT, but the Christian will RESTORE.

two choices: 1) Set the bone with judgment (or) 2) Set the bone with love and gentleness.

“Consider yourself”

When we think on this, we are prompted to ponder what we are aiming at in our relationship with the one who has fallen.

Aiming at the RIGHT ATTITUDE!

VERSE 2

The “law of Christ” can be found at the very heart of the Gospel.

Jesus bore the burden of all our sin.

Jesus bore = He received it without retaliating in the flesh. He responded with following through with the Gospel work His Father sent Him to do.

VERSE 3

It is wise to reflect on who YOU are before you start dish out out labels and pride filled criticism.

“to be something”

Thinking of one’s self as a higher quality than others.

A person often bases that on thinking, “Well at least I have never done that!” or “I would never let that happen to me.”

Personal deception will eventually lead you to personal destruction.

VERSE 4

“Prove” = to examine (check out) v. — to observe, check out, and look over carefully or inspect.

What are some benefits of self-examination?

Noticing weakness, strengths, mistakes, progress.....

In others words, areas to improve and rejoice over.

2) Because The Harvest Will Come

VERSE 6-7

(v6) There is a primary and broader application to this principal.

We see that the application of how the spiritual leader of the church should be supported through the gifts of the people.

Luke 10:7 “7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.”

This was not just a call to give, but that the giver would receive the greater blessing (vv7-8)

(vv7-8) There is also the BROADER application:

There is no fooling God when it comes to your contribution!

This carries both NEGATIVE and POSITIVE connotations:

Negative — Contributions with imbalance; object or motive.

Positive — Others may be critical, judgmental and disrespectful toward what you have done for God’s kingdom. However, God keeps precise records.

NEVER put the pressure of having to prove your GOD CALLED service or ministry to ANYONE! God’s perspective is all that matters!!!!!!!

With every seed sown, a promise is sown with it!

Corruption or Eternal reward.

If this instruction is so CLEAR, why do we find so much corruption in the harvest season???

God’s Word is simply not considered or consulted.

Sowing is not done with the future in mind.

The hand of the sower is following a heart that is center on the sower.

LISTEN.....your heart and hand belong to GOD!

QUESTION — Has God ever sown a corrupt seed in your life? NO NO NO!

Why are you repaying the loving Shepherding sower with seed that has no love attached to it?

ANS.....you are too busy loving yourself more!

Those who SOW seed for the betterment of others have first SOWN their HEARTS to the person of Jesus Christ.

For your hands to follow the heart of Jesus means your hands are willing to look like His!

Received, rejected and even crucified.

LISTEN.....You can’t change the harvest once the sowing is finished!

VERSE 9

Here is another vulnerable reality for all of us; GROWING WEARY.

As of recent, COVID has shown us this.

All you have to do to take the MAN out of the WORK, is to take the HEART out of MAN.

“Us” speaks to the fact that we are not to be indifferent toward the weight of the work that is on our fellow brother/sister in Christ.

VERSE 10

Looking back to the vulnerability stated in verse 9.... “therefore.”

“Opportunity” — Pray for it, look for it and SEIZE IT!!!

Imagine this.....If every believer planted his material wealth according to God’s direction, there would be no lack for the work of God!!!

SADLY, many are wasting their wealth on seasonal returns.

You are not called to do good only to those who you think deserve or who will be thankful for the good you are offering. You are called to ALL THE BRETHREN!

Some take more pride in being RIGHT against his brother or pastor instead of being RIGHT WITH them.

YOU deserved NONE of what Jesus gave YOU! Others probably won’t deserve what you are CALLED to give them.

Matthew 5:16 “16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

If Jesus gave up His life to save them (and He did), you should be WILLING to give up your life to help them practice a REAL FAITH through the trials of their REAL LIFE.

Conclusion

So, who are you helping to grow their faith?

Are you an asset to their faith or someone who motivates them to walk away from it?

Are you an encourager to the brethren to PRESS FORWARD or someone who’s discouragement who rips their heart out for the work?

Each one of you need to check your heart and life! Because those two parts of you were made to be a part of GOSPEL MINISTRY!