Our Helper: Worship, Grow, Serve Gal 5:16-26, 6:6-10

Intro:

Story from this last week

Brief overview of Galatians

Galatians 1:6–7 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.”

It is constantly, one or the other

Galatians 2:21 “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose.”

Galatians 3:1–3 “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?”

Galatians 5:7–11 “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.”

Outline:

Worship: “Walk by the Spirit” (vs. 16-17)

Grow: “Led by the Spirit” (vs. 18-24)

Serve: “Keep in Step with the Spirit” (vs. 25-26; 6:6-10)

Summary: Where does God want me to grow more in 2024?

Illustration: one fuse that lights them all (fireworks),

Prayer:

Worship: “Walk by the Spirit” (vs. 16-17)

Walk by the Spirit: Renew Your Mind in Scripture (vs. 16-17)

But I say- Pay attention to what I am presently saying…

walk by the Spirit- “peripateite” pres, act, imp, 2nd, pl, to live or behave in a specified manner. Presently walk by the Spirit, command

and you will not- “ou + me” double emphasis

gratify - “teles-eh-te” aor, act, sub, 2nd, pl to satisfy, conceived of as if bringing something to completion without defect or blemish

the desire Singular, not plural!- “epithumei” pres, act, ind, 3rd, sg, to have an intense desire for some particular thing.

of the flesh (sg)- the body- just because you feel it doesn’t mean you have to do it.

why is that such a problem?

Why?

For -purpose statement #1 “Against” (preposition, origin)

the desire (singular!) of the flesh (singular) are against the Spirit- there is only one use of desire for both flesh and Spirit

and the desire of the Spirit are against the flesh- they both come from one source.

why is that such a problem?

For- purpose statement #2 “Opposed” (verb)

they are opposed to one another

2 Thes. 2:4 speaking of the antichrist

to keep you from doing the things that you want to do

Why do I do what I do? I do what I do because I want what I want

Who am I going to live for, and walk with?

Your desire or God’s

To walk by the Spirit means that just because I desire something doesn’t guarantee that desire will be acted upon.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

The text says, if you walk by the ______ you will not gratify the desires of the flesh? Right, SPIRIT! Not discipline, not tradition, not religion, or resolution.

There are plenty of false gospels out there that tell you there is another source of hope, salvation, growth, contentment, pleasure, satisfaction, , discipline, etc other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. We as humans are so proned to start well, but then move on from the Gospel. It sounds like this, “Well yes, I am a christian, but

How is it possible that we are innodated in a “self-help” culture and yet bemone our mental health crisis! It doesn’t add up, If you and I were truly ment to help ourselves by understanding ourselves better than why are we not getting any better?

Walk by the Spirit, renew my mind in the Scriptures, why? Well, because it teaches you the the desire of your heart is the fuse that leads to all the fireworks that come after!

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

You know what often characterizes my walk more than the Spirit: Discipline, anger, and fear.

What have you subtituted the Holy Spirit for in your life? Who or what do you walk with in order to deal with life’s desires?

Transitional phrase: Walking by the Spirit speaks of our ability to move, our life-source and purpose

Grow: “Led by the Spirit” (vs. 18-24)

Lead by the Spirit: Grow engaging your heart in Christ-like conversation (vs. 18-24)

If you are led- “agesthe” pres, pass, ind, 2nd, pl to be led directed, to willingly undergo an action or course of action (due to the influence of a moral or spiritual influence) presently by someone or something else.

by the Spirit- this is more of a rhetorical statement than a question, and he just clarified the difference between the flesh and Spirit (against and opposed).

you are not under the law- this does not mean that you are lawless or do not follow the law.

Coah K quote about rules

Now the (fire)…works (plural) of the flesh are evident (5 groups of “3”?)

sexual immorality- “porneia” sexual acts that are morally objectionable, especially related to prostitution

impurity- “akatharsia” immorality filth, immorality understood especially as dirty and impure, especially used of sexual sin

sensuality- “aselgia” sinful abandon, indulgence in sensual pleasure unrestricted by convention or morality

idolatry- “eidwlolatria” worship of a material representation of a deity

sorcery- “pharmakeia” magic, potion-making, sorcery especially exercised through the mixture of substances to make potions; especially used in poison-making.

enmity- “echthrai” hostility, a state of deep-seated ill-will

strife- “eris” bitter conflict; heated often violent dessension

jealousy- “z-eh-los” a greedy or prideful longing for something that belongs to another; even something intangible, such as a skill.

fits of anger- “thymoi” fury, a feeling of intense anger

rivalries- “epitheiai” selfish ambition, a strong drive for personal success without moral inhibitions

dissensions- “dichostasiai” divisive dissension, discord that splits a group

divisions- “haireseis” factions, a circle of people with a common purpose who dissent from another group

envy- “phthonoi” spite and resentment toward the success or possessions of another

drunkenness- “methai” a temporary state resulting from excessive consumption of alcohol.

orgies- “kwmoi” binge party, an occasion for excessive eating or dringking (with moral debauchery normally ensuing).

and things like (“homoia”) these- blanket statment, just in case he did not mention one…

I warn you

as I warned you before

Those who do them will not inherit the kingdom of God

But the fruit of the Spirit:

love

joy

peace

patience

kindness

goodness

faithfulness

gentleness

self-control

against such things there is no law

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have cruficied the flesh with its

passions-

and desires-

What will I allow to influence me?

the Flesh or the SpiritLet the one who is taught the Word

share all good things with the one who teaches

Do not be deceived:

God is not mocked

Whatever one sows, that will he also read

B (vs.)

For the one who sows to his flesh

will from the flesh reap corruption

But the one who sows to the Spirit

will from the Spirit reap eternal life

C (vs.)

And let us not grow weary of doing good

for in due season we will reap

if we don’t give up

So then

as we have opportunity

let us do good to everyone

and especially to those who are of the household of faith

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Transitional phrase:

Serve: “Keep in Step with the Spirit” (vs. 25-26; 6:6-10)

A (vs. 25-26)

Keep in Step with the Spirit (vs.)

If we live by the Spirit (presently)

Let us also keep in step with the Spirit (presently)

Let us not become

conceited

provoking one another

envying one another

What does my life presently show?A (vs.)

The Flesh or the Spirit?

B (6:6-10)

Let the one who is taught the Word

share all good things with the one who teaches

Do not be deceived:

God is not mocked

Whatever one sows, that will he also read

B (vs.)

For the one who sows to his flesh

will from the flesh reap corruption

But the one who sows to the Spirit

will from the Spirit reap eternal life

C (vs.)

And let us not grow weary of doing good

for in due season we will reap

if we don’t give up

So then

as we have opportunity

let us do good to everyone

and especially to those who are of the household of faith

C (vs.)

c

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

Enlist the Body (Words, actions, emotions):

Transitional phrase:

Summary

Discussion Starters:

a

b

c

Song:

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE