GALATIANS 5:13-15 | TO THRIVE OR TO DESTROY
Kyle Gilstrap
Galatians : No Turning Back • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 36:42
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TEXT: GALATIANS 5:13-15 | TO THRIVE OR TO DESTROY
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:13-15 | TO THRIVE OR TO DESTROY
INTRO
INTRO
ILLUSTRATION: I’ve shared before that I have grown up in church.
ILLUSTRATION: I’ve shared before that I have grown up in church.
I began going to church 9 months before I was born.
It’s all I’ve ever known.
I’ve only ever been in 4 different churches in my entire life.
I was saved at 9 years old when we were attending Salem Separate Baptist Church.
When I was in around 5th or 6th grade my parents moved our family to Lifeway Baptist Church because they wanted us kids to have a solid youth program to be a part of.
And I’m grateful for that decision.
That decision by my parents was likely the most important decision they made in determining the direction of my life.
When I was in Bible college I was a member of Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA
And then when I graduated and we got married I became a member of the Whitehall Baptist Church!
Through decades now of going to church I have had the privilege of seeing some very healthy churches and some awesome ministries.
But unfortunately I have also seen some times in which churches have been nearly destroyed or at the very least their impact very much diminished because of things that took place.
EXPLANATION: Paul has been writing this letter of Galatians to the churches of Galatia.
EXPLANATION: Paul has been writing this letter of Galatians to the churches of Galatia.
We must remember that these were fairly young Christian and believers in the faith.
I just celebrated 25 years ago of having trusted Christ as your Savior.
For the majority of these believers here in Galatia, they had only accepted Christ a short time before.
And don’t forget, they didn’t have the Bible like we have it today.
They primarily had the verbal stories and testimonies that had been passed down to them.
No one had the Scriptures bound and recorded in a book like we have it today.
In many ways, we are far more accountable today than they were back in the first century because we have the Word of God accessible at our fingertips at any moment.
It was something they never could have dreamed of enjoying.
These baby Christians weren’t much different from our churches today.
You see the answer to a church going forward in the power of Christ and a church that is fast on the path of destruction is the same today as it was 2000 years ago.
Paul uses a phrase 3 times in these 3 verses that should give us pause to consider.
v.13, “serve one another”
v.15, “bite and devour one another”
v.15, “consumed one of another”
These were warning Paul was giving to the church with regard to what was taking place within the doors of the church.
Back in v.7, Paul warned these believers of the false teachers outside the doors of the church, Galatians 5:7
Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?
Throughout this book he has repeatedly challenged them not to be led astray by those outside the church trying to bring in false teachings.
But now Paul warns of another danger that has the potential to completely destroy the church… and it comes from within the doors of the church.
APPLICATION: Friend, I love WBC!
APPLICATION: Friend, I love WBC!
I am so thankful for the sweet spirit that can be found in the doors of this church.
I truly believe we are just at the edge of the cusp of the greatest days that WBC has ever had and I pray that the best days going on for a long time.
But I know this, anytime a church is striving to go forward for the cause of Christ, the devil will do his best to get a foot in the door.
Friend, can I encourage us to listen closely today to these word from the apostle Paul to help our church thrive and not divide and die!
EXPLANATION: In these verses Paul gives the key to a church that is powerfully moving forward for Christ, and he gives a warning to what could completely destroy their church.
EXPLANATION: In these verses Paul gives the key to a church that is powerfully moving forward for Christ, and he gives a warning to what could completely destroy their church.
And I hope you like me will listen closely to his words and purpose to be a part of a church that is thriving for the cause of Christ!
V.13-14, THE KEY TO A THRIVING CHURCH
V.13-14, THE KEY TO A THRIVING CHURCH
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
EXPLANATION: Paul points to the second greatest commandment given by Christ on this earth.
EXPLANATION: Paul points to the second greatest commandment given by Christ on this earth.
We remember the first and greatest commandment, Matthew 22:37-38
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
But now Paul turns his readers attention to what Christ called the second greatest commandment: Matthew 22:39
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Paul makes clear, if we loved the Lord like we should, and we loved our neighbor as we should, you wouldn’t need any of the Law!
But I love what Paul does here… he tells these Christians that the key is love… but it had to be more than just words.
Look again at what he said there are the end of v.13
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
ILLUSTRATION: This coming Saturday at Frontier Days they are going to have a car show.
ILLUSTRATION: This coming Saturday at Frontier Days they are going to have a car show.
It’s something they do every year
Growing up, I can remember on occasion going to a car show and seeing some truly incredible cars.
I always dreamed of having a blue ford mustang with racing stripes… that was my dream car.
For a period of time I actually had one saved as the screen saver on my phone.
Today, I drive a 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan.
You know what you don’t find at car shows… 2011 Dodge Grand Caravans.
What you do find are old cars or muscle cars that have been meticulously taken care of.
Every inch of the car has been wiped down and shined.
It’s a far cry from my Grand Caravan that is calling for an oil change with the window so covered in bugs, you can barely see out.
Now I’m thankful for our family car… but I don’t love it.
Those people with their cars at the car show love their car.
And that love is seen through their actions in how they take care of it!
How they SERVICE it!
APPLICATION: Friend, do you want to know the key to a church that is thriving for the Lord?
APPLICATION: Friend, do you want to know the key to a church that is thriving for the Lord?
Yes the church must love one another… but it’s more than just words.
It must be a church that “by love, serves one another.”
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
ILLUSTRATION: You see, if I told you that I loved my wife but I never spent any time doing anything for her.
ILLUSTRATION: You see, if I told you that I loved my wife but I never spent any time doing anything for her.
If we had times when we were going to spend time together but every time something came up.
If I said she was my priority, but then I put everyone else in front of her.
At some point you and especially she would think, “You don’t really love me”
APPLICATION: You know what’s funny, we say we love church… and we should, after all, Jesus gave His life for it:
APPLICATION: You know what’s funny, we say we love church… and we should, after all, Jesus gave His life for it:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
But can I remind you, the church isn’t a building… It’s the people.
How often do things come up when we are supposed to spend time together?
You see if it happens enough time it almost makes you think, “You don’t really love the church.”
And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
The writer of Hebrews tells us that as the days get worse and worse and it seems the return of Christ is growing closer, we should be assembling more faithfully and encouraging one another!
But that isn’t the end… not only should we be meeting together… we should be serving one another.
EXPLANATION: Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a servant that ever lived.
EXPLANATION: Jesus Christ is the greatest example of a servant that ever lived.
The literal God of creation came to this earth and lowered Himself sacrificially on the behalf of people that would reject Him.
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
It was Jesus Christ that on the night before He would be crucified and give His life, that he grabbed that basin of water and the towel and washed the disgusting feet of the disciples that would deny Him, doubt Him, forsake Him, and betray Him.
And He did it as an example for how we should serve one another!
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
APPLICATION: Friend, the key to our church going to levels we have never been before in our impact for Christ, is directly tied to the level of service we are willing to show toward one another.
APPLICATION: Friend, the key to our church going to levels we have never been before in our impact for Christ, is directly tied to the level of service we are willing to show toward one another.
We cannot love God like we should if we are not loving others as we should… and we are not truly loving others if we are not serving one another.
I’ve found that one of the greatest cures for my focus on my problems is to go serve someone else.
Because it takes my eyes off of me and puts them on others.
And friend, The greatest proof of a servant is if you serve when no one asks or no one is watching.
Because it’s in those moments that you know that you aren’t doing it for the praise of man… your doing it for the audience of one!
Friend, be that kind of Christian!
ILLUSTRATION: As most of you know I love Indiana Hoosier basketball.
ILLUSTRATION: As most of you know I love Indiana Hoosier basketball.
In fact, for one of the first Christmas’s after we got married, Tressa’s mom got me a pair of candy striped IU warm up pants.
I love the candy stripes, and I love the uniforms.
One of the things I love most is the philosophy behind the uniforms themselves.
Many of the college basketball teams have jerseys similar to Indiana’s, with one distinct difference.
Most teams have the names of the players on the back of the jerseys.
But not the Hoosiers.
Their philosophy is it isn’t about the name on the back of the jersey… it’s all about the name on the front.
APPLICATION: Can I remind you this morning, we aren’t serving for the name on the back of the jersey.
APPLICATION: Can I remind you this morning, we aren’t serving for the name on the back of the jersey.
It isn’t about getting the praise heaped upon ourselves.
No, we should serve because the name on the front of the jersey.
I’m a child of God and a servant of the King of Kings!
It was President Truman that said, “It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”
And friend can I tell you, it is amazing what can be done for God if we serve, not for the praise of man… but for the glory of God!
The key to a THRIVING CHURCH is a church full of servants
V.15, THE DANGER THAT WILL DESTROY THE CHURCH
V.15, THE DANGER THAT WILL DESTROY THE CHURCH
But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.
EXPLANATION: The scariest part of this verse is that Paul said this was happening between one another.
EXPLANATION: The scariest part of this verse is that Paul said this was happening between one another.
This wasn’t an attack from outside the walls of the church.
This wasn’t an attack from the false teachers coming into the church.
This was a destructive practice that was taking place from within the church.
When Paul uses the word “consumed” in this verse, it literally means “to cause extensive destruction or ruin utterly”
ILLUSTRATION: On Wednesday nights we have been walking through a book that has brought attention to certain dangers that can cause churches to close their doors.
ILLUSTRATION: On Wednesday nights we have been walking through a book that has brought attention to certain dangers that can cause churches to close their doors.
In most of the chapters it has been about passive things where the church wasn’t intentional about moving forward and doing things to reach their community… and that is certainly a danger.
EXPLANATION: But to participate in what Paul is talking about here in v.15, is to actively destroy the church!
EXPLANATION: But to participate in what Paul is talking about here in v.15, is to actively destroy the church!
And here is the key, Paul says you are going to destroy the other person and you can mark it down, you will destroy yourself!
APPLICATION: Can I let you in on a little secret this morning?
APPLICATION: Can I let you in on a little secret this morning?
The devil wants WBC destroyed.
And one of the fastest ways that it will happen is when the church destroys itself.
ILLUSTRATION: I as a man have a plan in the case we suddenly find ourselves in imminent threat of our lives.
ILLUSTRATION: I as a man have a plan in the case we suddenly find ourselves in imminent threat of our lives.
And most men do… we have walked through the situations in our minds of how we would respond to save the day in a situation.
This is true in our house as well.
Many a nights have been robbed of sleep as I walked through the plans and steps of what I would do if the situation arrived!
Throughout our lives we are constantly considering and weighing the threats that may be just around the corner, and we are making plans to counter those threats and preserve our lives.
But did you know statistically speaking, the chances are, most people will not die of an outside threat.
The number one cause of death in both men and women today… Heart disease.
It isn’t some threat from the outside… it’s something on the inside!
Undoubtedly every person in this room has had their life touched by cancer in one way or another.
The most dangerous part of cancer is it isn’t something that shows up immediately on the outside.
It’s something that slowly grows on the inside until it causes “extensive destruction”
I guess we could say it this way, it “consumes” the person.
APPLICATION: WBC, can I tell you one of the ways the devil is going to try to get his foot in the door here?
APPLICATION: WBC, can I tell you one of the ways the devil is going to try to get his foot in the door here?
It’s going to be through biting and consuming that starts on the inside!
And can I tell you when it takes place most of the time?
In car driving home after service
At lunch after Sunday morning
Oh we smile when we are at the church… but then we use that same mouth to devour shortly after.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
ILLUSTRATION: When Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth, the very first thing he dealt with is found in the first chapter.
ILLUSTRATION: When Paul wrote his first letter to the church at Corinth, the very first thing he dealt with is found in the first chapter.
Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Paul says, I have heard that there is contention that has come up “among you”.
What was the contention?
It was from division from fighting over who was the best.
Who was most important
Who was doing things right and the best
APPLICATION: Can I remind us of a verse this morning that hurts me?
APPLICATION: Can I remind us of a verse this morning that hurts me?
Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.
You see pride says, “You should be serving me.”
And it is that mindset that is sure to lead to the destruction of this church.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Friend, this morning are you helping this church to thrive?
Or are you going to to be a part of it’s destruction?
I’m confident there isn’t anyone here that would say they are willingly trying to destroy the church.
But when you chose to bite and devour them, well, you are doing the work of satan for him!
Would you purpose with me this morning to jump in with both feet and serve?
Not for this pastor
Not for the praise of men
But for the glory of God!
And would you determine this morning that you aren’t going to participate in the destruction of this church.
You will be intentional not to be critical
You will be intentional not to consume each other!
You will be intentional not to allow your pride to lead to contention!
Friend, will you commitment with me to demonstrate the love of God and serve one another?
I hope you will this morning!
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.