Gracious Goodbye

Galatians 6:1 CSB

Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.

INTRO—

When it comes to “The Final Word,” many claims have been made…

The final word in luxury (car commercial)

The final word on the GOAT in basketball [MJ]

The final word in a debate (is often arbitrarily drawn, not authoritative)

In Galatians 6, Paul shares his Spirit-inspired final word in his Gracious Goodbye to his Galatian brothers & sisters.

CARRY GRACIOUSLY [GALATIANS 6.1-5]

Away from Sin!

Galatians 6:1 “Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.”

Restore — setting bones; mending nets; reconciling

Each Others Burdens (cares).

Galatians 6:2 “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” ((Galatians 6.3-4))

Carry — Bearing…as the Cross; verb is PAM

Burdens — Heavily weighted load

Our Testimony.

Galatians 6:5 “For each person will have to carry his own load.”

Carry — (same as 6.2); verb FAI

Load — Responsibilities; Accountability to God for how we carry ourselves daily

**REMEMBER, GRACIOUSLY CARRY EACH OTHER DAY-BY-DAY…AS WE SHOULD.

SOW GRACIOUSLY [GALATIANS 6.6-10]

Share with Shepherds.

Galatians 6:6 “Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.”

Share — Support; Provide; Carry on; verb PAM

Good Things — Sustenance; The Righteous Calling

Sow Righteousness.

Galatians 6:7–9 “Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.”

Sow to the Spirit — verb PAS; Doing good (v. 9; morally…by God’s standard)

Reap eternal life — Blessed result; Everlasting life

Sow Good for Others.

Galatians 6:10 “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.”

Work — Actively do; Do NOW (‘since we have opportunity’)

Good of All — For everyone; Immediacy recognized & given to those of God’s house; Good//sow to the Spirit

**REMEMBER, GRACIOUSLY SOW INTO RIGHTEOUSNESS…SHEPHERDS, SELVES, & OTHERS.

CONTINUE GRACIOUSLY [GALATIANS 6.11-16]

Pronounced Proceeding.

Galatians 6:11 “Look at what large letters I use as I write to you in my own handwriting.”

Large Letters — I can’t see unless I do; I want to make sure y’all see this! (John Hancock legend)

Continuing Faithfully.

Galatians 6:14–15 “But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world. For both circumcision and uncircumcision mean nothing; what matters instead is a new creation.” ((Galatians 6.12-13))

Instead — But; Contrastingly; ‘But this’ [[6.15 lit = For both circumcision & uncircumcision are not, but new creation!]]

New Creation — Transformation (heart & mind, not circumcision)

Follow the Standard.

Galatians 6:16 “May peace come to all those who follow this standard, and mercy even to the Israel of God!”

Follow — verb FAI (those who will be following); Agree & Fall in line; March to the beat (as 5.25, keep in step with the Spirit)

Standard — Canon; Measuring rod (to detect crookedness); Creedo, too!

**REMEMBER, GRACIOUSLY CONTINUE…FOR REAL, NOW…MARCHING TO THE BEAT OF GOD’S REVEALED TRUTH!

CONCL—

Paul’s final, final words…

Galatians 6:17 “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, because I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.”

Paul’s earnest personal desire. He bears the branding, and stigma of being a Christ-follower. Let no one else say otherwise.

Galatians 6:18 “Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.”

Paul’s “last word”…is Grace!

INVITATION:

Salvation

Grace

Gracious

Galatians 6:18 CSB

Brothers and sisters, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.