GALATIANS 6:2-5 | BEARING BURDENS
Notes
Transcript
TEXT: GALATIANS 6:2-5 | BEARING BURDENS
TEXT: GALATIANS 6:2-5 | BEARING BURDENS
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
INTRO
INTRO
EXPLANATION: In v.1, Paul had dealt with the issue of restoration of a brother in Christ who had fallen into sin.
EXPLANATION: In v.1, Paul had dealt with the issue of restoration of a brother in Christ who had fallen into sin.
He dealt with the careful process and important requirements for the individual who was to be doing the restoration process.
We saw that it is to be approached spiritually, gently, and carefully.
Now as Paul comes to verse 2, he deals with another area that is equally important in the aspect of the Christian life… Burden bearing..
It goes without Paul saying it directly that burdens are a reality for every person.
APPLICATION: There isn’t a person here today that doesn’t understand this reality.
APPLICATION: There isn’t a person here today that doesn’t understand this reality.
Burdens are a reality for every person in this room.
There are some in this room that are going through some very real things physically.
There are others that are going through some very serious things relationally
There are some that are dealing with burdens spiritually.
We could spend the day discussing burdens amongst each other and everyone would have something to add because we are all going through something on one level or another.
Anxiety
Depression
Fear
Worry
Frustration
These are all emotions that are so often associated with the burdens we face.
This morning, if we can all begin from a place of agreeing that we all have burdens then we will be able to receive the teachings from the apostle Paul here in these verses.
For a few moments, let’s learn some truths that Paul teaches about the burdens we all are facing.
V.2-3, BURDENS SHOULD BE SHARED
V.2-3, BURDENS SHOULD BE SHARED
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
EXPLANATION: Paul commands these Galatian believers, just as they should be seeking to restore the fallen brother, they also should be seeking to bear each others burdens.
EXPLANATION: Paul commands these Galatian believers, just as they should be seeking to restore the fallen brother, they also should be seeking to bear each others burdens.
The Greek word that Paul uses for “burdens” is a word that means a “tremendous hardship”.
It’s an incredibly heavy weight.
A weight that is too heavy to be carried alone.
What Paul is saying in these verses is that sometimes there are burdens that are too heavy to be carried alone!
There are burdens that we go through that should be shared!
But in v.3, Paul gives a stern two edged warning for why so often they aren’t shared.
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
A man who “thinks himself to be something” believes he is above helping others.
Problems are messy.
ILLUSTRATION: We were at camp in Indiana and I was serving as the assistant director.
ILLUSTRATION: We were at camp in Indiana and I was serving as the assistant director.
Both we, and our camp president were staying in 5th wheel trailers on the campgrounds.
It was nice having our own space, but the problem with where our trailers were, was we couldn’t hook into any septic directly.
That meant when we flushed the toilet, it meant that we weren’t saying goodbye, we were saying “see ya later”
The tank on our trailer and our camp presidents trailer had gotten full.
Now as the assistant, I could have passed this duty on to one of the lower level work staff, but I decided I was going to be their example today, and I was going to start by emptying our camp presidents black water tank.
I got the hose out of their trailer and hooked it up to the valve under the trailer and then hooked it to the portable tank.
Now, normally this would have been an uneventful venture, but they forgot to tell me that the hose on their trailer was riddled with holes.
When I opened that valve, the pressure of stuff coming out of their trailer baptized me.
Do you want to know the only thing worse than getting sprayed by your own septic tank stuff?
Getting sprayed by someone else’s septic tank stuff.
APPLICATION: You know, problems are messy.
APPLICATION: You know, problems are messy.
And everyone has problems.
And it is the duty of Christians to come alongside and to help carry the weight of each other.
To help lighten the load that other’s are carrying.
Regardless of how messy it may be.
The other edge of that warning Paul is giving in v.3 is for the person who thinks they are above receiving help from others.
They too have deceived themselves.
ILLUSTRATION: As a man in Montana, I have learned that asking for help is just a sign of weakness.
ILLUSTRATION: As a man in Montana, I have learned that asking for help is just a sign of weakness.
We would rather die or at the very least get a hernia than admit that something is too heavy or too hard to handle ourselves.
APPLICATION: What is it that stops a person from asking for help especially in carrying a burden?
APPLICATION: What is it that stops a person from asking for help especially in carrying a burden?
Well, there could be a number of reasons, but if we are honest with ourselves, most of the time the reason is our PRIDE.
I can handle it… I can do it… I don’t need any help.
And so many end up in a place of isolation trying to carry a weight God never intended for them to carry alone.
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Could it be that God’s way of being able to bear your load is for you to not bear it alone?
When we humble ourselves and our willing to do things God’s way, v.2 tells us that we are fulfilling the “Law of Christ”
What law is Paul talking about?
Well, Paul mentioned it back in Galatians 5:14
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
It’s the second greatest commandment Christ mentioned while on earth.
You see, when we aren’t bearing each others burdens or sharing our own, we are taking away from the opportunity to fulfill this commandment.
ILLUSTRATION: When Jesus was carrying his cross up the hill to Golgotha, He fell beneath its weight.
ILLUSTRATION: When Jesus was carrying his cross up the hill to Golgotha, He fell beneath its weight.
In that moment, He could have called upon His deity to strengthen Himself to bear that cross.
He could have spoken the word and the cross could have been at the top of the hill
But instead Luke 23:26
And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
APPLICATION: If Jesus allowed someone to step in and help carry His burden… surely we could humble ourselves to allow someone to help us carry ours.
APPLICATION: If Jesus allowed someone to step in and help carry His burden… surely we could humble ourselves to allow someone to help us carry ours.
BURDENS SHOULD BE SHARED
V. 4–5, BURDENS SHOULD BE BARED
V. 4–5, BURDENS SHOULD BE BARED
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
EXPLANATION: What Paul writes in these two verses seems to contradict everything he has just said.
EXPLANATION: What Paul writes in these two verses seems to contradict everything he has just said.
But the key to understanding the difference is found in the last word of v.5… Burden
In our english Bibles, it is often translated the same as the word “burdens” in v.2, where Paul tells us to bear one another’s burdens.
But the Greek word is actually a different word.
While the first word means a “tremendous hardship” and “extremely heavy weight”, the word Paul uses here in v.5 is the same word that would be used for a soldier who was carrying his pack.
Paul says, “make sure you carry your own weight”
I don’t know about you but this seems a little confusing.
One minute Paul is saying, “Make sure to share your burdens and bear others burdens… but also make sure to carry your own burdens.”
What is going on here?
The key is found in a careful understanding of v.4 because these verses work together.
Paul says, “prove your own work”
These Galatian believers undoubtedly had the problem of comparing themselves with others.
We saw a glimpse of this back in Galatians 5:26
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
They were looking out amongst others to judge how they were doing with bearing other’s burdens and sharing their own.
For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
What Paul is getting across in this verse is not to examine yourself in light of others… but to examine your burdens in light of God.
Look at what God has done through your burdens and through your trials.
When you do that… you’ll find rejoicing in what God has done in your life and not in the lives of others.
So make sure you carry your part of the weight.
APPLICATION: There are few sweeter things than when you reach the end of a burden and you can see God’s hand at work throughout.
APPLICATION: There are few sweeter things than when you reach the end of a burden and you can see God’s hand at work throughout.
It isn’t easy to see when you are going through it, but when you reach the other side and can see what God has done… it’s a sweet moment.
God never intended you to carry your weight alone… but He does want you to carry your part of the weight.
But even in that moment, he doesn’t expect you to carry it in your own power.
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Have you ever notices, when you give your burden to God… it doesn’t make the burden disappear?
Your sickness doesn’t just go away
Your heartbreak isn’t immediately healed
The struggle doesn’t just come to an end.
When you do give it to God, it will give you strength to go through it.
And when you reach the other side of that burden… what a sweet moment to look back and see God’s hand through it.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSION
Church, how are we doing at bearing one another’s burdens?
How are you doing at sharing your burdens with others?
How are you doing at caring your own part?
ILLUSTRATION: A couple of years back, Tressa and I went hunting together.
ILLUSTRATION: A couple of years back, Tressa and I went hunting together.
We were planning to be gone for a couple night so we were going to bring our tent.
Instead of giving one person all of the weight of the entire tent, we broke down the pieces between the two of us.
We shared the load.
It didn’t mean we didn’t still carry our own packs, but with the weight distributed between us, the load was easier to carry.
APPLICATION: One of the blessings of being a part of a church family is it is a place where we can help bear each others loads.
APPLICATION: One of the blessings of being a part of a church family is it is a place where we can help bear each others loads.
We can pray for one another.
We can encourage one another
We can care for one another.
How are you doing at “bearing one another burdens?”
Yes it is the job of the church as a whole… but it’s your job as well.
Let’s get busy fulfilling the law of Christ… and let’s bear one another burdens together!
