Road Signs "Caution"

INTRODUCTION:

Stories about my Prius.

2017—Debate story. 2018—Hitting the deer. What does a caution sign for?

Warning signs are used to alert highway, street or road users to unexpected or dangerous conditions ahead that might call for a reduction of speed, situations that might not be readily apparent, or an action in the interest of safety and efficient traffic operations such as a curve, detour, side road, etc.

They usually have a yellow or orange background with black symbols or letters on a diamond-shaped or rectangular sign.

Yellow pennant-shaped signs caution motorists where passing is unsafe. Round yellow warning signs alert motorists that there's a railroad crossing ahead. Warning signs are made with the highest quality .080 aluminum, coated with the industries best 3M or Avery reflective sheeting and printed to last beyond the sheeting warranty.

Traffic Warning Signs Object Markers  Railroad Signs  Crossing Signs Dead End  Construction Signs vii.Speed Bump  Today, we want to look at the cautionary signs provided for us in scripture. Let’s get started.

I. SIGN#1—PEOPLE WILL STUMBLE.

Some will be “caught by surprise” and stumble.

Like a deer jumping in front of a car, some will be caught off guard and crash.

Galatians 6:1

Overtaken (προλαμβάνω) prol-am-ban’-o.

Taken by surprise. Taken unawares. This person goes out and, through weakness sins.

Restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness.

If we broke our arm, then we would want the doctor to fix it gently

This must be done carefully. Medical term for setting bones or healing wounds.

Compare “mending” and “prepared” in the following two verses:

Matthew 4:21

Hebrews 10:5

The word literally means to bring back to working condition.

Like with a broken bone or net (as was the case with James and John mending the nets back.

The stress here is on the cure, not punishment!

The spiritual need to get involved.

Paul commanded them to be active in restoration.

Those who live in the Spirit.

The ones not overtaken.

This requires us first to consider ourselves.

Considering thyself.

Do it in meekness because you consider yourself.

How do you want to be treated?

Matthew 7:12

If we had a sore hand, we would not cut it off without trying to do anything we could to save it.

Our modern world is no different.

We have problems.

Things come up that make things difficult for us to get along. Worse yet, sin can come in between us. Those who are spiritual need to help restore them.

How can we truly do this? Is it even possible?

II. SIGN #2—BE A BURDEN SHARER, TAKE CARE OF YOUR SPIRITUAL LIFE AND DO GOOD.

When problems come, we need to rely on help.

People have problems that can be too great for them to handle.

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Burden—a large boulder.

One he cannot bear himself. Lit: “keep on bearing.” Burden sharing is a team effort.

One another: (ἀλλήλων) al-lay’-lone.

A mutual understanding that you are to help your fellow brother or sister. So, this means that we are expected to bear every one’s burden. Even the burdens of those that we do not get along with. I am appalled by the mistreatment at times in the Lord’s church.

Some people treat each other as though Heaven will have cliques. Brethren the Bible teaches nothing about being separate from each other (the Church). We are told to get away from the worldly views. 2 Corinthians 6:17 Therefore "COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, SAYS THE LORD. DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN, AND I WILL RECEIVE YOU.” We are not better than other people.

It is easy to point out the sins of others.

Galatians 6:3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Matthew 7:3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:4 Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Matthew 7:5 Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. This happens too often.

This is where Gossip is such an issue.

Many in the Lord’s Church today are more concerned with telling others about your burdens, than they are actually helping carry the load. Even if what you are saying is true, ask yourself: “Is this something I would want done to me?” Remember Matthew 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

What makes us helpful to others is the realization that we ourselves amount to so little. Be conceited, get cheated. Beware!

Check on yourself.

Galatians 6:4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

Another = neighbor. We need to take heed to ourselves. Prove his own work = beat the test.

We should take an inward look. We need to be the best that we can. Don’t glory ourselves over other people. Bear the burdens that are yours to bear.

Bear your own backpack.

Galatians 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load. Burden = backpack. Lit: “a soldier’s pack.” There are some burdens that we have to bear. This is not a contradiction and is seen in scripture.

It is not a contradiction because…

Eric Lyons wrote an article: Bear One Another’s Burdens, or Just Bear Your Own? In that article he stated how some try to use Verse 2 and Verse 5 as contradictory passages.

There are some responsibilities that no one can carry for us.

No one can become a Christian for someone else. No one can worship for another. And no one will be able to “appear before the judgment seat of Christ” for someone else. Rather, “each one” will receive “the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10, emp. added).

Therefore, “Let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another” (Galatians 6:4). Just as a soldier is expected to carry his own “load” in battle, the servant of Christ the King recognizes his individual responsibilities to the Lord. At the same time, as soldiers assist fallen comrades on the battlefield in hopes of saving their lives, dedicated servants of Christ look to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the Law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2). Scripture shows us…

Jesus had a burden that He felt the weight of (Luke 22:41-44). Paul had a thorn in the flesh that he had to bear (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). Individually everyone will be judged (Jeremiah 17:10; 32:19; Ezekiel 18:20; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6; Revelation 2:23; Revelation 20:13).

You reap what you sow.

Share the good that is given/shown to you.

Galatians 6:6 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Those who are taught ought to financially support those who are teaching them Communicate=support each other (Philippians 4:15-16). Bear or be forgotten.

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

What are we sowing? This passage is not only saying that in general terms you reap what you sow so if you sow sin you will reap sin. That principle is true.

However, the context is this: If you will not be a burden bearer do not expect others to rush to bear your burdens. Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Corruption/Decay. This is not a pretty picture.

Corrupt things are the ones that are spoiled and rotten. Food that has been left out is not as appetizing as it was when first set before us. Do good.

Don’t have poor conditioning.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Weary = don’t be slack in pace

If we faint not. Sometimes it gets hard. It is not going to be easy always.

We will reap if we faint not. He is not saying we will not get tired. Everyone matters to God so treat them like it!

Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Unto all men. Think of what Christ has done for the human race. This would include physical and financial blessing on all men. Just as God is good to both then we should be good to both the Christian and non-Christian .

III. TEXT TAKEAWAYS.

The road provides many problems and trouble.

Accidents happen.

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Watch out for signs to be able to avoid certain accidents.

Matthew 24:42 Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. Do good.

Show Jesus to others on your journey.

The man who helped with my car did not have to do so. He could have made any excuse in the book. Every other tow-company had. Yet, he did what was not going to be pleasant nor easy and came and helped get me out of a bind. Let’s do good.

On May 5, 2000, ABC’s popular show Boy Meets World came to an end after seven years. In the final scene of the entire show, Mr. Feeny (their mentor) gives them some final advice. “Believe in yourselves. Dream. Try. Do good.” After hearing this, one of the characters says: “Don’t you mean do well?” “No. I mean do good.” While that show was not centered around spirituality, that exchange is pertinent for us today.

If you and I focus on doing good everyday of our lives we will have little time to do that which is evil. This also means that if temptation comes our way, we will be ready!

CONCLUSION:

Brethren, we really need to evaluate ourselves. Are we truly sharing another’s burden?