Spiritual Mentoring

Introduction

Some things are hard to hear...

Note in high school...

Feedback from my sermon from Don...

In many ways, Galatians is a hard letter. There are parts that are hard for us to interpret. There are parts that were likely very hard for the churches of Galatia to hear. And it was a very hard letter for Paul to write.

We can see this throughout the letter as we see Paul anguishing over the state of the churches since the Judaizers started creating problems.

Paul believed that he’d equipped them for this, so he’s disappointed that they are turning away from what he taught them.

In this morning’s passage, we will see Paul’s very personal rebuke against the churches of Galatia.

In fact, in this section alone Paul uses phrases like:

I’m afraid I may have labored over you in vain;

I entreat you;

What then has become of your blessedness?

Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

I am again in anguish of childbirth;

I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Here we see Paul’s pastoral heart, breaking over the spiritual condition of his people.

This morning we are going to look closely at what Paul is warning the churches of Galatia about, but also consider two important Christian disciplines that are rarely talked about today: 1) the importance of having spiritual mentors that we connect with regularly; and 2) how important it is that we learn to receive guidance, challenges and even rebukes from our spiritual mentors.

Body: Galatians 4:8-20

Verses 8-11

Formerly, when they believed in the Greek/Roman pantheon and other cultic religions...

Enslaved in false belief...

Enslaved in works-based religion...

Paul makes an important theological point in verse 9: God takes the initiative when it comes to saving sinners from their sins.

We like to say, “I found Jesus” but, in reality, He found us.

If not for God drawing us to Himself through the work of the Holy Spirit, we could never come to faith in Christ.

John 6:44 ESV

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

John 6:65 ESV

And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

1 John 4:10 ESV

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Why is this so important? Because it tells us that God doesn’t wait for man to decide he wants to come to God, and therefore is a passive observer of our circumstances.

Additionally, it tells us that our value as believers is tied to how God sees us, not as how the world sees us, or even we see ourselves.

So, in this first section, Paul is saying, in essence, “You are known by God, so how can you turn back to that which cannot justify you?”

Days and months and seasons and years has to do with the Judaizers requirement to observe Jewish religious days to be right with God.

Paul’s pain comes through as he suggests that he may of labored over them in vain.

Meaning, that they may either get stuck as immature believers, or they may not have actually in saved in the first place.

Verses 12-16

Paul wants them to reject justification by works, as he has.

Like any good spiritual mentor, Paul wants them to follow his example.

No doubt he wanted this in many areas of their lives, but specifically here in reference the Christian freedom.

What’s more, when he was with them he became like them, in that he didn’t stand far off and preach at them, but lived, worked, and interacted with them personally.

1 Corinthians 9:20–22 ESV

To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

Next Paul reveals why this situation hurts him so much: because when he was with them they treated him so well.

He’s asking, “What happened to the relationship we had developed?”

Paul points back to when he was with them and got sick. We don’t know historically or physically what was going on, but Paul reminds them of it because they showed their real concern for him.

In fact, Paul believes they would have gone to any links to help him during his ailment.

Gouging their eyes out might suggest that the ailment had something to do with his eyes, or he’s just simply making a point using hyperbole.

Again, “What happened? Am I now your enemy because I taught you the truth?”

Verses 17-20

Paul now turns his attention on the reason why they have turned from what he taught them: the Judaizers.

Paul makes the point to say, in essence, that the Judaizers don’t have their best interest at heart.

In fact, they use flattery in order to manipulate the Galatians into seeing things their way.

Paul ends this by stating that it hurts him that they are putting their confidence in people who don’t have their best interests at heart, as he did.

So What?

Paul exemplifies something we all need in our spiritual walk: a spiritual mentor.

Spiritual mentors are vital to our growth as believers. But only if we carve out time with them, heed their advice and guidance, and attempt to emulate their walk.

in 1 Corinthians Paul lays out what the heart of a spiritual mentor should be:

1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

What should we look for in a spiritual mentor?

People who are theologically grounded...

People who are willing to say hard truths...

People who put a high priority on personal evangelism...

People with high levels of discernment...

People who will love you enough to walk by your side during the hard times...

How should we respond to a spiritual mentor?

Do the work to grow in your understanding and application of God’s Word...

Listen and respond to the hard truths without being defensive and/or easily offended...

Put a high priority on personal evangelism...

Recognize that a discerning voice isn’t always easy to hear, but it’s always worth it...

Share the hard times with your mentor...

I’m not ready to be a spiritual mentor:

For some, you are right…but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make it a goal to grow into one...

For some, that’s a cop out. The only thing hindering you is you…(something I’ve learned coaching girls basketball…)

For some, you are hesitant because of fear…mentees don’t need perfect mentors (they already have Jesus). They need to see how a regular man or woman overcome, endure, apologize, admit failure, struggle, and everything else that comes with being human.

So, no excuses! The church desperately needs spiritual mentors and people who are being mentored.