GALATIANS 5:20-21a | SINS OF ANIMOSITY
Notes
Transcript
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:20-21a | SINS OF ANIMOSITY
TEXT: GALATIANS 5:20-21a | SINS OF ANIMOSITY
INTRO
INTRO
ILLUSTRATION: We all had our favorite TV show or movies when we were kids, unless you were one of the ones that grew up without tv.
ILLUSTRATION: We all had our favorite TV show or movies when we were kids, unless you were one of the ones that grew up without tv.
Back when I was a kid, we were one of the cool families that had an entertainment center.
It wasn’t enough to have a tv on a stand… we had a whole center of entertainment… at least that is what it was called.
And this entertainment center had a surprise on either side, the sides would open up to reveal the rows and rows of VHS tapes.
I can remember some of the tapes that were in there…
Little House on the Prairie
The Waltons
And then their were a bunch of VHS tapes that had recordings that my parents had put on them.
Rows and rows with mom or dad’s writing on the side detailing what all could be found on those tapes
Most of them contained descriptions of home videos that had been made.
But my favorite as a child was one that contained numerous episodes of Scooby Doo.
There would always be the main characters and then each episode would have an array of supporting characters, and you always knew one of them was the bad guy.
It was the original crime tv show.
They would always get to the end of the episode where some “monster” had been causing all kinds of problems and they would always unmask the monster and everyone would be surprised it was one of the other people in the episode.
And the unmasked person would always say the same line, “And I would have gotten away with it, if it hadn’t been for you meddling kids.”
I lived for that unmasking! It was always the highlight of the show for me!
EXPLANATION: Paul has been working his way through the works of the flesh over these past couple weeks.
EXPLANATION: Paul has been working his way through the works of the flesh over these past couple weeks.
We’ve seen him call out the sins in v.19 and the beginning of v.20
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
While each sin has been different from each other, they all had a common denominator… you know if they are in your life.
You know if there is adultery, fornication, if you’ve allowed yourself to be spotted with the impurities of this world.
You know if their are idols in your life, if you have availed yourself to the occult or drugs.
These things are blatant in your life.
But as Paul continues into the next works that he mentions, they are sins that are often hid below the surface.
APPLICATION: They are works that are often hidden behind a mask and excused or more often explained away.
APPLICATION: They are works that are often hidden behind a mask and excused or more often explained away.
“Well if they hadn’t done that then I wouldn’t have…”
“It was because of what happened to me that I…”
“Kyle, if you knew what they said, then you would understand.”
But this morning, we are going to pull back the mask on some areas of our lives that we so often excuse and yet God has a name for them… He calls them sin!
Friend, will you be challenged by God’s Word with me this morning?
Will you pull back the mask and see the actions we are going to look at for what they truly are… they are works of the flesh and they are sin!
I. UNMASKING RELATIONAL ANIMOSITY
I. UNMASKING RELATIONAL ANIMOSITY
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
EXPLANATION: Paul lays out a list of 9 different works of the flesh, all dealing with behaviors that destroy relationships.
EXPLANATION: Paul lays out a list of 9 different works of the flesh, all dealing with behaviors that destroy relationships.
These are personal responses to relational problems.
It’s been said, “You cannot always control your circumstances, but you can always control your responses to them.”
ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever had a relationship that just seemed to get worse and worse with time?
ILLUSTRATION: Have you ever had a relationship that just seemed to get worse and worse with time?
When I was in Bible college, I had roommates that by the end of the year, could not stand each other.
And to make matters worse, they were bunkmates!
It was over big stuff, like one time one of them borrowed the other’s soup bowl and at ramen and then didn’t wash the bowl and put it back into their cabinet.
Or another time when the one that was on the top bunk climbed out of bed and knocked off the other guys clothes that were handing on the edge of the bed and didn’t pick them up.
One thing after another led to them despising each other!
APPLICATION: Did you know that holding grudges and bitterness and getting angry at someone aren’t fruits of the Spirit?
APPLICATION: Did you know that holding grudges and bitterness and getting angry at someone aren’t fruits of the Spirit?
Some people feel like it’s just an area God gifted them in and they can hold a grudge like nobody’s business.
They have the ability to be quick witted and always get them upper hand and leave the other person feeling like garbage.
We have an entire political system that is grounded in this very belief.
But the Bible is very clear what should be our goal in the Christian life: Romans 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
So friend, as we walk through and unmask this list, these works are not badges of honor to boast about and be proud of.
No they are the real monster beneath the mask that we need to deal with.
EXPLANATION: Paul begins walking through this list with one we have a fairly good idea about.
EXPLANATION: Paul begins walking through this list with one we have a fairly good idea about.
Hatred - Hostility toward others
When I was growing up we weren’t allowed to say that we “hated” things.
My mom made clear we were only to hate sin and the devil.
But we were never to say that we hated a person.
This word has the idea of “wishing ill will” upon someone.
Thinking “I just wish they would get what they deserve”… and you aren’t talking about them getting a nice present or promotion.
This word hatred is really the foundation for the rest of the words that follow.
It is the root opposition to the great commandments of the Lord, Matthew 22:37-40
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. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Hatred opposes the Love that God has commanded us to demonstrate to one another.
Hatred toward man is diametrically opposed to the very nature of God, 1 John 4:8
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Paul’s list of relational animosity finishes with the sin of murder.
You can’t reach murdering someone without first walking through the door of hatred.
Variance - Being contentious, causing strife, or being argumentative
This is the person that is always looking for a fight.
You can count on them… to agree to disagree.
It’s the people that are easily offended.
And they always look at things through a lens of negativity.
APPLICATION: Have you ever been there in a relationship?
APPLICATION: Have you ever been there in a relationship?
Everything the other person says has something behind it.
Nothing can ever be taken at face value because you are confident that person is intentionally trying to hurt you.
This is incredibly destructive in the church.
Ex: “Pastor always targets me with his messages.”
Ex: “That person always avoids me and never shakes my hand during handshaking time.”
It’s even more destructive in the home.
It’s when you start using the “always” and “never” statements.
And now everything conversation is twisted through the lens of contention and evil intentions.
Friend, can I challenge you… be a person that gives people the benefit of the doubt.
For some of you, you have to be super intentional about this because your natural disposition is negativity.
Now I know that there are situations where there really is something there, but if we aren’t careful that will become every relationship in life.
You walk around with your detective hat on trying to find the true meaning behind everyone’s words to you.
“Good morning”… Why did they tell me good morning? Do they not thing I’m already having a good morning? Who do they think they are?
Variance, a contentious strife spreading attitude should have no place in the life of the Christian.
Emulations - Jealous bitterness
Have you ever eaten something sour or bitter?
If something is bitter, you make a face and then you want to spit it out.
This is a real problem in the lives of many people, and it isn’t limited to those outside the church.
It may be the area that is most excused and covered up… and friend it is truly a monster that will destroy your life if you don’t uncover it and deal with it.
ILLUSTRATION: I’ve shared the story before of when I first went to Bible college and was looking for a job.
ILLUSTRATION: I’ve shared the story before of when I first went to Bible college and was looking for a job.
I made the decision right then and there I will never go back and talk to that staff member again.
Fast forward and we are serving in ministry traveling in evangelism.
For some reason that teachers name came up in conversation and I made a negative comment about what had happened years ago.
Tressa looked at me and she said, “Your bitter at him.”
I was quick to depend myself, “No, I’’m not.”
But then the Holy Spirit said, “Yes you are.”
It was a situation I had buried down deep, but I had never dealt with it.
APPLICATION: What is your reaction when that person’s name is mentioned?
APPLICATION: What is your reaction when that person’s name is mentioned?
How do you respond when they are in the same room?
Are you avoiding eye contact and looking to escape?
Could it be that you are holding bitterness in your heart against them?
“Well you don’t know what they did to me.”
You’re right, I don’t… but I know what you did to Christ.
You hung him on a cross because you willfully chose to sin.
And while he was hanging on the cross, do you know what He said to you?
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
He didn’t forgive you when you said you were sorry… He forgave you when you didn’t even realize you had put Him there.
Can I remind you this morning, forgiveness isn’t for the person who committed the wrong… forgiveness is what frees the person who has been hurt.
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Bitterness is the acid that destroys first the container that contains it… and when it burns through that container it does mush destruction to anyone else it comes in contact with.
We could spend the whole service here, but we will continue on… but before we do, friend, deal with the bitterness in your heart!
Wrath - The loss of temper or anger boiling over
ILLUSTRATION: Tressa regularly boils water at our house because pasta is a staple in our menus.
ILLUSTRATION: Tressa regularly boils water at our house because pasta is a staple in our menus.
When we were without a stove for a number of weeks, I brought in my little backpacking camp stove and we held a pot of water over it for around 20 minutes to get the water boiling.
The thing about boiling water is if you leave it with the lid on, eventually that water will begin to boil over and make a mess!
EXPLANATION: Wrath is anger boiling over.
EXPLANATION: Wrath is anger boiling over.
It’s when the emotions take control and it turns to yelling or using hurtful words.
In extreme cases it even becomes physical, whether with property or even a person.
The Bible gives great caution about those who lose their temper and become angry.
Make no friendship with an angry man; And with a furious man thou shalt not go:
An angry man stirreth up strife, And a furious man aboundeth in transgression.
APPLICATION: Sir, can I ask you this morning… are you an angry man?
APPLICATION: Sir, can I ask you this morning… are you an angry man?
Ma’am, are you an angry woman?
Teenager, are you an angry person?
I’ve heard people say, “Well that’s just the way I am.”
And I agree 100%, and I would say, “Me Too!”
You see we are all sinners… but we cannot allow sin to control us!
And if you are an angry person, you need to deal with that and ask God to forgive you, and probably your family to forgive you, and get help to overcome your anger.
Start with memorizing Scripture.
Maybe you need to get professional help
But don’t allow yourself to be controlled by this work of the flesh!
Strife - A nasty, bickering spirit. Literally has the idea of the nastiness in a political campaign
ILLUSTRATION: When I was a kid, we had chickens and we had one that had injured it’s head and had a sore spot.
ILLUSTRATION: When I was a kid, we had chickens and we had one that had injured it’s head and had a sore spot.
Before we found it, the other chickens had picked and picked that chicken until it was a gaping wound
We separated it and tried to save it and I believe it started to do better, but ultimately it died.
APPLICATION: Strife is like those chickens just picking away at that other chicken.
APPLICATION: Strife is like those chickens just picking away at that other chicken.
It’s those constant unkind, stabbing, picking remarks.
Just picking at everything… being negative about everything.
And you know what I found, it usually starts with one hen picking but before long, they find others to join in with them.
Friend, don’t be a picking hen!
Be an encouragement not a discouragement.
Build up instead of tearing down
If someone has something negative to say to you about someone else, say something positive.
Don’t be a strife spreader!
Seditions - Divisive, causing division
These are the church splitters.
These are the ones that want to get everyone on their side against the other side.
Can I be kind but honest this morning?
If you are someone that wants to cause division… either confess that and change your heart, or leave!
Divisiveness in the church is such an attack of the devil.
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells us that it is the devil himself that plants strife spreaders in the church!
He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;
The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one;
The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels.
Friend at WBC, we are seeking to go forward together for the faith of the Gospel!
Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Don’t be a tool of the devil this morning… purpose to stand for the truth of God’s Word and strive together for the faith of the Gospel!
Heresies - This word has the idea of being stubborn and bullheaded and prideful.
It’s closely tied to our last word, as it is the “my way or the highway” mentality.
Once again, this will cause great destruction in the church as well as in the home!
Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.
I’d encourage you to memorize that verse!
And the next time you are in a fight our a disagreement, just recite that verse and remember, the only reason you are in a fight is because of your dirty nasty pride!
God hates your pride!
These six things doth the Lord hate: Yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
A proud look, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood,
It was pride that caused Lucifer to rise up against God in heaven
For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Friend, your “my way or the highway” attitude will destroy your relationship in church, it will destroy your relationships at work, and it will destroy your relationships at home.
Why don’t you chose to do things God’s way and choose humility!
A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.
Envyings - Resentment toward the success or possessions of someone else
Hell and destruction are never full; So the eyes of man are never satisfied.
The Bible tells us that the envious heart is like the pit of hell… it’s never full or satisfied.
Do you look on with jealousy when someone else is successful?
Does it make you upset that someone else is recognized and you seem to be passed over?
James makes a connection between envy and other works that was already mentioned on our list:
But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.
These works of the flesh so often all go together because the root of them is the same: discontentment
“I deserve that”
“It should have been mine”
“I should have gotten the raise… praise… promotion.”
Paul wrote a few verses that might be of help to us on this subject:
Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
The writer tells us, “You have the Lord… you don’t NEED anything else.”
One of the great problems we have today, especially in America is we have too much stuff!
Every once in a while I’ll hear the complain from one of our kids, “We can’t find anything to play with.”
It’s at that moment I have to make sure I don’t fall victim to wrath and anger!
We have so much… and here is the key… we think we deserve it!
Friend, everything in your life and my life is the grace of God!
And if we would start living with that reality, we would stop struggling with envy and jealousy!
Murders - The unlawful taking of another human life
Little has to be said about this work of the flesh Paul mentions.
The unlawful taking of another persons life is to put ourselves in the place of God
And while this may seem so simple to us gathered here this morning, we live in a culture that does not understand that.
When I was growing up, shootings and murders were headline news because it was so unexpected.
But today, it doesn’t even make the front page news because it is rampant.
The devaluing of life from the womb to the nursing home is a disgusting staple of our culture.
Can I remind you this morning what God has to say about your life and the lives of those you come into contact with?
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvellous are thy works; And that my soul knoweth right well.
Every person, from the womb until the grave has intrinsic value… not because of what they can do or what you may think of them…
It’s because Genesis 1:27
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
And based upon that reality, Genesis 9:6
Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Our culture may be confused about the value of a person… but God certainly isn’t… and if you believe the Bible, you shouldn’t be either!
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Well, this is quite the list
And as you hear these different works of the flesh that deal with our relationships, there may be different responses:
Maybe you came in today without realizing you were struggling in one of these areas.
And right now you have the Scooby Doo response, “And I would have gotten away with it if it weren’t for that meddling preacher”
Friend, the monsters that we so often excuse have been unmasked.
Now it’s your responsibility to choose not to continue in them… but to deal with them!
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
Friend, come experience the mercy of the Lord this morning… deal with those areas God has pointed out to us today, and choose to walk in His Spirit and not in your flesh!