Living in Continued Grace
Notes
Transcript
Last week:
The flesh and the Spirit, they are against one another
The deeds of the flesh, the fruit of the Spirit
Fruit, is not automatic, but takes time. And who makes the fruit grow?? The Lord
Today, as Paul finishes this important letter, we get a better understanding of what to do with grace in a practical sense.
Watch Yourself (V.1-5)
V.1
O: Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass,
I: For whatever reason some body sins
A: Often times, many of us are taken back by the sins of others.
We are offended by the level of some sin, and can’t believe that certain things would happen.
Notice the type of trespass, or sin, Paul is talking about!!
ANY!!
Does this mean all sins, but adultery?
How about murder?
Any sin
O: You who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness;
I: Those who are walking by the Spirit, are to bring people back gently
A: Who should restore them?
Pastors, elders, deacons?
Those who are spiritual. Those who are walking by the Spirit
How should we restore people?
gently.
Not harsh, not berating, not condemning, but gently
Why?
O: each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.
I: Keep an eye on you, so you won’t fall into a trespass.
A: Who is the beneficiary when we restore someone gently?
Is it for their sake? No, it is for yours.
So you won’t be tempted, that you won’t fall into sin yourself.
When we deal harshly with others, when we invoke the Law, something happens to us that puts us in danger of sinning ourselves.
So for your own sake, when someone sins, restore them gently, with grace, with mercy, with love,
Otherwise, you may very well find yourself in their same position.
V.2
O: Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ
I: Help each other with the sins that entangle each one, which conforms to the law that is in Christ
A: Instead of shooting our wounded, those who are struggling, bear their burdens!!
The law of Christ?
I would say this, it is a law that focuses on our response to others, not a law of works.
In fact, Jesus speaks of this in John 13:34-35
34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
James speaks of this law in James 1:25
25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Then again in James 2:12
12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty.
This is the law of freedom, the law of love, that we would love one another, as Christ has loved us.
That we would bear one another's burdens, not beat them and stone them.
V.3
O: For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself
I: People who think they are beyond temptation are only fooling themselves
A: Don’t think you are beyond falling!!
The thing about grace is that it recognizes ones weakness, it understands this flesh and that it is weak.
It isn’t excusing sin, but it is appropriately dealing with it. It isn’t condoning, but it isn’t condemning. Grace is restoring in a spirit of gentleness. Grace is bearing one another’s burdens because it recognizes that we’ve been there before, and the only thing keeping us from being there again is not our work, but the work of the Spirit in our lives.
V.4-5
O: But each one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. (5) For each one will bear his own load.
I: Every one is look at themselves so that any boasting will be what pertains to him, no one else.
A: Why examine our works, why boast about ourselves and no one else?
Because the Lord wants us to look to Jesus and what He has done, not compare ourselves to others and where they have failed.
So we can boast in what Jesus is doing in our lives, that we see transformation
NOT: At least I haven’t killed someone, or at least I’m not Stalin or Hitler.
You will not be acquitted because someone was worse than you, you will be because of what Jesus has done, and that you have believed.
Sow To the Spirit (V.6-10)
V.6
O: The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him.
I: When good things happen to you, share with those who disciple you, those who have taught you the truth
A: When we share the good things that happen in your life, it is an encouragement.
When people share with me the wonderful things the Lord does, it reminds me that the Lord is still working, even in this church.
Share with your pastor, your elders, those who are investing in you. It is a great encouragement
V.7-8
O: Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (8) For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit reap eternal life.
I: Whatever you put time and effort into, that is what will flourish. If to the flesh, you will see things become corrupt, but if to the Spirit, He brings life and salvation. God knows the difference.
A: We might be able to fool ourselves and other people, but we can’t fool God. He knows when we are sowing to the flesh, and when we are sowing to the Spirit.
How do we sow to the Spirit??
Sowing to the flesh is trying to earn your way, doing works, following a law, sinful activity
Sowing to the Spirit?? Bible Study, prayer, worship, fellowship, bearing one another’s burdens, serving.
When done to the Spirit, these aren’t works, but growing, maturing, becoming intimate with God. Not as a means to righteousness, but a result of righteousness in Christ. A response to His goodness and grace.
V.9
O: Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. (10) So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
I: Don’t get discouraged in doing what is right, because there will be a harvest if you don’t give up. And since there is time, treat everyone with love and respect, especially those who are the Church.
A: A couple things:
Don’t lose heart when doing good.
Sometimes you will feel like people are taking advantage of you, but don’t grow weary.
It takes time to see things grow, and it is a shame when people abandon hope too soon. The harvest comes, but only for those who wait.
Do good to all, especially those in the household of faith.
We should be treating everyone with grace, with goodness, as free men, especially each other.
There is plenty of opportunity to practice these things, so keep practicing them, keep doing it.
Boast in Christ (V.11-18)
V.11
O: See what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
I: Paul wants them to see how ridiculous his hand writing is.
A: Why does he say this?? Look at what he says next…
V.12
O: Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh compel you to be circumcised,
I: People who are worried about how the outward appearance looks are the ones who place burdens on you.
A: Contrary to Paul, who wants the Galatians to walk in freedom, these men are wanting them to walk in the Law for show.
Here is the contrast… Paul isn’t afraid to show his weakness, because he cares about what really matters, their faith and freedom in Christ.
Those who want them to follow all these rules just want them to look good on the outside.
Be careful of this, because many will try to persuade you to put a good show on, so on the outside you look great, you look the part, you are doing all the right things, YET, your spirit is a mess and you are drowning from the pressure of performance, questioning how a loving God could really make you feel this way.
Know this, people want you for the show.
O: Simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.
I: Basically, so they won’t be rejected by the world.
A: People love good morals and people that say all the right thing. The cross is too offensive, but if you could sell good morals, then you’re cooking with gas, according to the world.
But God loves those who believe Him, who trust Him. Those who call upon His name.
V.13
O: But those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.
I: They don’t even keep the whole law, but just want you to follow them so that they can brag about what they did in your life.
A: Don’t become someone else’s trophy.
We live in a society and culture that values results. Everything we do we have to prove it to be successful or meaningful.
But this puts people under bondage, that I just have to do everything right and look the part. Don’t become anothers trophy, and don’t use others as a trophy for you or your ministry.
V.14-15
O: But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (15) For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
I: It is only what Jesus has done that Paul will brag about, not what he has done, because through Jesus, the world becomes meaningless and dead to him, why worry about what they think. Because it is not about following the rules or not, but becoming some one new, some one transformed.
A: Notice what Paul is saying… it is the Lord’s work (the cross), not our works. It is through Jesus the world is crucified, not our works.
And remember this, a new creation.
Know this, a new creation DOES NOT EQUAL obliteration.
Sometimes people confuse this new creation, as if who we are is completely obliterated.
We are new creations. Not different creations.
Take for example, some one who has an organ transplant, like a kidney transplant. They are still the same person, but now with a new kidney, one that works and performs. Who we are hasn’t changed, but certainly parts of us have. We have a new attitude in life. We have a new perspective that we never had. We have a new way of thinking. We have a new way that we talk. We are new creatures, not obliterated, not different… but being transformed and conformed into the image of Christ.
V.16
O: And those who will walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them,
I: Those who walk according to the Spirit, those who bear one another’s burdens, those who don’t make a trophy of the flesh, that they would experience the peace and mercy that are in Christ Jesus
A: (Put your application here)
O: and upon the Israel of God
I: Peace be upon the Jews
A: Some think this refers to the Church, but the way this is written indicates that there are 2 groups, and every time “Israel” is used in the NT, it refers to the Jewish people.
What we know, is God wants peace for Israel, the Jewish people, but that it would be through Jesus Christ, not their works.
V.17
O: From now on let no one cause trouble for me, For I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
I: While others are stirring people up for show, Paul has the clear and distinct marks that a servant of Jesus has
A: Service of Jesus isn’t a suit and tie, skinny jeans and a long tee, but rather, the bruises and marks of service.
V.18
O: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen
I: May Jesus bring peace to you through Grace!!
Conclusion:
Grace!! Freedom!! Promise!!! Not works, not by the law, but by believing and trusting in Jesus, that we are heirs through the promise of faith. Don’t go back to bondage, live your life according to the Spirit, who you received at the moment you believed.
