I'm Counting to 3

How do we know when a Mother is serious?

I believe there is something universal about the 3-count. I was first introduced to the 5-count and the 3-count when our church started AWANA Clubs. For those who may be uninitiated, the 5 count is a way to motivate silent listening. The 3 count was a system of 2 warnings before a serious consequence.

In our family we did not have a 3 count. When either mom or dad spoke, that was the final answer. Some of you were raised similarly and you knew from a stern look across the room that you were on the verge.

Whether you were raised with a no-count or a 3- count, we have learned that when Mom counts, she’s serious. The other way I’ve learned to identify when mom is serious is the middle name, or the full name. Some of you know exactly what I’m talking about. And my wife has learned the middle name trick from my mother. When I hear “David Earl” I know I’ve crossed into dangerous territory.

Today’s Scripture indicates that we have stepped into serious territory in a way I will explain in a moment.

These are serious words because they come from the heart to the inner being of the readers.

Personal Concern (v.11 & 18)

Concern expressed in penmanship (v.11)

The words translated large letters are not the most common adjectives we would expect: poly – many or mega – large. Rather the actual words mean “serious/significant writings”.

It was common at this time in History to have a scribe actually put quill to parchment for business correspondence, then the author may attach a Post Script at the end.

I don’t want to infer about eyesight or significance based upon the size of the font, because Paul goes on to say he is writing with his own hand.

I like to use blue ink because my signature and personal note will be easy to distinguish from something coming of a printer.

4. Just as a mother may begin counting or using middle names, Paul here draws attention to his penmanship to prove it is serious and coming directly from his personal concern.

Concern expressed in prayer (v.18)

Paul bookends his personal concern in v.18 when he prays for the inner man of those he considers brothers.

His desire is not to make himself look good, but that those who read this letter would experience the true gospel – grace that is only for in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Transition: This serious message can be found in the contrast between the boast of the Judaizers, and Paul’s boast.

Some Boast to Impress (vv.12-13)

Before moving forward let me draw attention to the precise way I am using words today. A word that may be used frequently this afternoon is pride or proud.

About a month ago I was listening to morning radio and the DJs on the station I was listening too were making a distinction between good pride and selfish pride in the athleticism of our children. Since pride can go both ways, I texted in a suggestion that I learned from my College professor, Dr. Bill Thrasher. He frequently used the phrase “take pleasure in” when talking about the noble type of pride, where Paul seems to use the word “boast” to mean something different than mere pleasure. I think the word boast implies that pleasure has been taken to critical level. I think boast is used to describe a feeling that is relationship essential. If the cause for one’s boast is not present, then something changes in the relationship. As friends and family, many of you will find great pleasure in the accomplishments of that graduate, and that is a proper way to be proud of him or her.. Many of you will derive great pleasure in honor cords that are worn and diplomas that are distributed, but only in very rare situations would your relationship with that graduate be different if she was not the Valedictorian or if He still was required to earn a few more credits before receiving that diploma. That is when pride has become a boast.

Compelling others for comfort (vv.12a, 13)

V.12 describes those who force others to do things because it makes them look good. We all know what that fan looks like in the stands.

Paul has already called out the Judaizers who placed a burden on the necks of the Galatians that is not part of the true Gospel.

Here he identifies the reason for this expectation—so that the Galatians would make these zealots look good.

V.12 says they are doing it so that they may not be persecuted. V. 13 says they don’t do it because they truly believe the law is important (or else they would keep it better themselves) but so that they can point to you as an example of their influence.

The Cross challenges status quo (v.12b)

1. Why might they be persecuted for the cross of Christ?

For the same reason that true Christianity is ridiculed today. Words like prayer and faith are tolerated in our culture until the direction of true prayer and the object of genuine faith are revealed. The cross and empty tomb of Christ make a difference, because it separated Christianity from all other religions or moral systems.

2. Religions of rule keeping indicate that there is something noble and honorable within human effort. The Gospel of Grace is that we are incapable of earning forgiveness and it requires the perfect God-man to die in our stead and be raised as victor over the old ways.

3. If the Galatians were shown to be moderate in their faith and capable of compromise by bowing to expectations of other religions, then there is no persecution. But to wholly cling to the cross erased any saving value in human ethics.

Do you recall the lyrics of the middle verses of that great hymn Rock of Ages? These lyrics predate the founding of our country... 2. Not the labor of my hands, can fulfill Thy law’s demands. 3. Nothing in my hands I bring, Simply to Thy cross I cling;

Transition: Rather than taking pleasure in a religion of the Galatians that was full of compromise and comfort, Paul called for an exclusive faith in an exclusive Christ.

Some Boast in Christ (vv.14-17)

How many of you have seen the movie Jesus Revolution? I watched it this weekend for the first time. I was already familiar with many of the lead characters and subsequent groups they have been associated with. In spite of all the positives about faith, grace and spread of the movement, a fissure developed between Lonnie and Chuck Smith over personal contribution and the work of God.

Verses 14-17 provide a warning for us when we place our boast in anyone other than Christ Himself.

At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry John the Baptist makes a statement that the Apostle Paul unequivocally endorses after Jesus had returned to Heaven.

He, not me! (v.14a)

John 3:30 ESV:2016

30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”

1. I took great pleasure in honoring our graduates last Sunday, I take great pleasure in honoring our Mothers today, in a couple weeks I will take great pleasure in honoring those who died in service to our country, but I don’t place my boast in any of them.

Galatians 6:14 ESV:2016

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

20 years ago the gospel group Casting Crowns recorded, “It’s not because of who I am, but because of what You’ve done. It’s not because of what I’ve done, but because of who You are.”

Nothing to prove, nothing to lose (v.14b)

Crucifixion language in 14b speaks of death, not improvement.

A week ago Ann and I drove to Abilene and considered the impact of President Eisenhower. His military prowess, His political influence, and the social changes that happened as a result of his presidency. This has left me thinking about my legacy.

2. I’ve heard both Casting Crowns’ Only Jesus with lyrics that say “I don’t care if they remember me, Only Jesus. And I’ve heard Nicole Nordeman’s Legacythat asks “Did I point people enough to you?

3. The Baptizer wasn’t the Savior, but He pointed people in His direction. Like a sign that points to a desert oasis, I may not be able to quench your thirst, but I want to be faithful to clearly point you to the one who can!

4. Because of 2-way crucifixion, Paul claimed he was dead to the world and the world was dead to him. There was nothing that this world could add to his boast and there was nothing this world could do to diminish his boast.

5. I challenge you to honestly finish this sentence, “I would be a better person if... Did you complete that sentence with anything the world provides, or something that only God can provide?

New creation, not a new circumcision (v.15)

Paul’s summary in v.15 is that death must take place if there is to be any hope of a better future. Death to self, and a new creation in Christ.

New situation, not a new surgery

New relationship, not new rules

New Lord, not new laws

New experience, not new expectations

New Master, not new methods

Conclusion: Have you been crucified and newly created?

Pride can go either way. Pride can be either pleasure or a boast. Pride rooted in pleasure can remain even if the cause of pleasure were not to exist. Pride rooted in a boast disappears if the act is not present.

Misplaced pride takes what should prompt pleasure and gives it the importance of a boast.

Pleasure happens when parents observe their child doing well in athletics or academics. That pride becomes a boast if the parent’s disappointment harms or lessens the relationship with their child. Taking pleasure means that my happiness increases when you do well in a particular feat, but my love for you does not decrease if it doesn’t happen.

A boast is integral with performance. If a particular performance is missing, then the nature of the relationship changes.

The Judaizers had placed their boast in the Galatians’ performance of keeping the law. Without their performance, their boast would disappear.

Paul placed his boast in the grace of the cross. Without the work of Christ on that cross, Paul had no reason for pleasure, pride or hope.

Application

With all the seriousness of a mother who is counting to 3.

1. Have you died to self or are you still trusting in your image or performance.

2. What is your relationship to the things this world has to offer?

3. Have you cried out to Jesus in repentance and faith asking Him to make you a new creation?

If you’ve never done that, today can be your day of Salvation.