Walking in Accordance with the Word
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TITLE: Walking in Accordance with the Word
TEXT: Galatians 6.1-5, Deut 6.4-9
INTRODUCTION:
It is a pleasure to be here with you all today and back up here to lead us unto the Word this morning. If you have been with us the last few weeks, you know that we are walking back through the COTV Church Covenant. We have paused our time in the Gospel of John, and we are looking back at where this all started four years ago.
If you have not been with us and are wondering “What is the COTV Covenant?” - It is a series of declarative statements saying what we as the body of Christ believe and are committing to do or be together based on the Word of God.
I’m not going to recount what we have covered already, but I just want to remind everyone that the covenant is available for anyone to access on our COTV website under the tab “About Us”.
THIS WEEK:
Today is going to be a little different than normal. We are going to have a primary text we are referencing this morning, but we will also have a secondary text we will be jumping to for the final point.
WHY? - Poor planning on my part to begin with. It was my job to split out the sections of the covenant in a manner that worked well, and Joe asked “Do we not want to do a few more weeks?”… and with the utmost confidence I said - Nah… we are good.
Today we will be opening together to Galatians 6:1-5 in support of paragraph 6 of the COTV covenant, and we will finish by looking at Deuteronomy 6 for paragraph 7, a passage that was very foundational for this church family.
ILLUSTRATION: Who likes to receive correction?
This is not exactly a question where our hands go flying into the air. In fact, the idea of receiving correction is likely one of the most unenjoyable day-to-day experiences. Why do we despise this so much? It reminds us once again that something is not as we thought it was… it shows us some portion of error in our understanding or action.
For me, growing up in the Beaman family was an environment where correction was not seldom, and I do not say this in a negative sense this morning. From working in the family garden, to playing sports, and even learning how to care for a vehicle or a home… in a lot of cases there was a proper way to do certain things, and that sometimes came with correction.
God’s Design for His Church
For our first passage this morning in tandem with covenant paragraph 6, we will be looking at God’s design for His church. A quick note for us - When I say God’s design for His church, I am not talking church structure or governance in any way… I am talking about the people and the relational responsibilities we collectively share as the body of Christ.
I’m talking about the day-to-day relational needs within this church family and our joint pursuit of holiness together and the failings we will experience along the way since we are still here in the flesh together.
COTV Covenant Paragraph #6 - We will share each other’s joys and bear each other’s burdens (1 Cor. 12:26; 2 Cor. 2:3; Gal. 6:2). We will edify one another with our speech (Eph. 4:29-32) and encourage one another with our example (1 Cor. 10:31-11:1; Php. 4:9). We will humbly and gently confront one another and receive correction from one another in accordance with a New Testament understanding of church discipline and restoration (Mt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1).
COTV Covenant Paragraph #6 - We will share each other’s joys and bear each other’s burdens (1 Cor. 12:26; 2 Cor. 2:3; Gal. 6:2). We will edify one another with our speech (Eph. 4:29-32) and encourage one another with our example (1 Cor. 10:31-11:1; Php. 4:9). We will humbly and gently confront one another and receive correction from one another in accordance with a New Testament understanding of church discipline and restoration (Mt. 18:15-20; 1 Cor. 5:1-13; Gal. 6:1).
MAIN IDEA:
As the body of Christ, we remain willing and ready to walk with one another in trial, encourage one another when burdened, and correct one another in transgression in accordance with the Word of God as our sole authority in the church.
OUTLINE: Gal 6.1-5
We are Willing and Watchful (v.1-2)
We are Humble and Discerning (v.3-5)
PRAYER
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
We are Willing and Watchful (v.1-2)
We are Willing and Watchful (v.1-2)
Galatians 6:1–2 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
I’ll try to be quick this morning, but some context surrounding Paul’s letter to the Galatians is certainly beneficial for us this morning as we are opening to chapter 6 together.
In Galatians, Paul defends the true Gospel, the good news of salvation from sin by God’s immeasurable grace which is received in faith and not earned. Paul then describes our freedom from the burden of the law, which was given to reveal our sinfulness and need for Christ. Finally, Paul speaks on walking with the Spirit and no longer in the flesh. The flesh, the Spirit, and the works of each are opposed to each other completely.
“Brothers…”
The term used here also means “brothers and sisters” (v.18), so one thing is clear from us beginning at the first word - Coming out of Galatians 5 where Paul instructs in what it means to “walk by the Spirit” (Gal5.16), to be “led by the Spirit” (Gal5.18), and to “live by the Spirit” (Gal5.25)… We are now considering the results of Spirit-filled living in the context of the biblical community.
I also do not want the familial language used here by Paul to be lost on us. As children of God and members of the body of Christ, we are united together in something that is so special, so unique, and unlike anything else in this world. We are brothers and sisters now living together in biblical community… so what is required of us for the sake of one another?
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
COTV Covenant Paragraph #6 - We will share each other’s joys and bear each other’s burdens (1 Cor. 12:26; 2 Cor. 2:3; Gal. 6:2).
One of the great pleasures of being a part of this church family is sharing in the joys of our lives together. Last year, we celebrated the sending out of Dalton as he moved down to Bham and married Ruth. This year we will be celebrating with two more weddings, both David & Abby and Evan & Abbi will be married this summer.
We have welcomed many new babies and seen many of our kids come to faith and be baptized in the last four years. New families are coming to COTV and I pray that lifelong relationships are being formed.
Transgression
Along with sharing in our joy together comes the less glamorous responsibility of dealing with transgression.
What is transgression? Isn’t it just sin? Well… yes and no.
(Greek) (paraptōma). n. neut. violation. It denotes general moral failure. Further, the term decribes an act of going beyond or violating a duty, command or law (Lexham Theological Workbook, Logos Bible Word Study)
The Trespass/Transgression of Adam
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
The Word and command of God in the garden was known! It was not obscure, it was not mysterious or misunderstood… but Adam’s great moral failure was a direct exceedance of a known boundary for selfish gain.
So…apparently…we who have been saved by grace through faith and have been released from the bondage of sin, but still are tempted by the Evil One to transgress the commands of the Lord and sometimes give into temptation even though we know it is wrong. This is transgression – purposeful rejection of commands of the Lord in action, thought, or deed.
ILLUSTRATION: Setting Traps at Poppies House
Paul instructs the churches in Galatia (and subsequently instructs us today) on what we should do when this happens. Paul describes it here as being “caught” in transgression.
This reminds me of working my grandfather’s garden growing up. Protecting the plants of the garden that produced such precious fruits and vegetables was of utmost importance to my grandfather. So much so… that over the years he invested into different ways to catch critters who would sneakily come in the night to gorge themselves.
Whether it was trap door cages, or electric wires, or simply shooting them out of the upstairs bedroom window with a pellet gun, there was always some sort of bait. There was something that enticed them to look past the dangers that surrounded them.
This is us as believers when we take our eyes off of Christ who truly satisfies and fix our eyes back on the world and its many enticements that provide quick, but fleeting pleasure and promises so much more just like the snake did in the garden.
The Responsibility - “You who are spiritual…”
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
It is clear from this first verse that there is a group of people who bear a certain responsibility here. Paul refers to them as “you who are spiritual” or for short we can call them the “spiritual ones”. This begs the question… Who are the “spiritual” ones?
The Responsibility
Now… before we answer that let’s consider the responsibility given. For those caught in transgression, Paul tells the others “restore him in a spirit of gentleness” (v.1). The Greek term used for restore here (katartizo) means to make complete or to put into proper condition.
Something is broken, the unity between this believer and the rest of the church body is improper and needs reseting, it needs renewal, it needs mending, it needs to be restored and the responsibility of doing so lies on the “spiritual ones”.
Who are the “spiritual” ones?
Pastors? Deacons? Comm Group leaders? Ministry Team leaders?
To answer this, let’s consider the previous context of Galatians 5.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Spiritual Ones - Believers who are walking in the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, and evidencing the fruit of the Spirit in their lives.
All of us.
Church Discipline (v.1-2)
This process of restoration mentioned briefly in verse 1 is known as the exercising of Church Discipline. Naturally, when we hear this we all tend to shutter slightly. Especially when read read a passage like Matthew 18.
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
We all hear this and naturally say in unison “That does not sound very enjoyable.” There is a lot of personal interaction in difficult situations mentioned in those verses, and our introverts this morning might be tempted to say “Definitely not.”
That said, I think many people have a skewed perspective of the purpose of church discipline. For these verses in Galatians 6 and Matthew 18, the overarching purpose is not setting a person’s transgression on display for all to see, but instead the heart of the matter is seeking to restore this person back to right standing in Christ’s church – meaning leading them unto truth and repentance.
Through this process, we edify one another with our speech and encourage one another with our example as we graciously call one another to repentance.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Bearing Each Other’s Burdens (v.2)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
“Burdens” here literally means weight. We must consider - what burdens us as believers? We can easily look back at verse 1 and the process of restoring our brothers and sisters who have fallen into transgression.
Additionally, we can consider the burdens of life in general in this sinful, fallen world and helping our fellow believers bear the weight of the effects of sin.
The things that burden us should be of priority to one another. This speaks to the importance of true accountability within our groups and relationships together. Half the job is just showing up. If we are purposefully not present, we are missing an opportunity to either share joys, bear burdens, edify and encourage the body of Christ.
Those who are spiritual (also known as those in Christ, the called out ones) are commanded to “bear” each other’s “burdens”. Bear here means to carry or pickup, therefore the weight of our burdens in the church is not solely allocated to us. Whenever “whenever temptations oppress him/her or life depresses him/her” (EBC), we should be there, willing to share that load
In the same way that he bore our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isaiah 53), we display the same heart of our Savior when we joyfully help lift the weight of burdens that others cannot bear alone.
“…and so fulfill the law of Christ” (v.2)
This phrase can seem confusing, but when we consider that Christ is the fulfillment of the OT law and consider what new commandment he has given us, it becomes all the more clear.
Gal 5:14, the whole Law summarized in loving your neighbor as yourself.
1 John 4:21, love for God is reflected in love for your brother.
Jn 13.34, we are recognized as disciples by love for one another.
True love for the body and its members is reflected in how we practically express and show our love for one another. Truly loving one another in the Church means we are present and walking with one another through the difficult process of our sanctification as we put sin to death and emerge more Christ-like.
1 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.
APPLICATION: Willing and Watchful
You may have noticed I moved past a certain part of verse 1 without addressing it. That is because I see it as the ultimate practical application piece of this instruction to the church.
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
We must be Willing
When it comes to the more difficult aspects of our life together in the church, we must be a people who are WILLING to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done in accordance with the Word of God.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
If the Law of Love is our new commandment from the Lord, then we must be WILLING to love one another enough to edify one another with our speech (Eph. 4:29-32) encourage one another with our example (1 Cor. 10:31-11:1; Php. 4:9), and humbly and gently confront one another and receive correction from one another in accordance with a New Testament understanding of church discipline and restoration.
ILLUSTRATION:
Who knows someone that is quick to offer correction in something, but receiving correction in a similar way is difficult for them? This is likely because their measure of what is right or wrong in any given situation is highly subjective. Instead of being open to being incorrect, most of the time their measure of what is true is coming solely from themselves.
Our willingness for the exercising of spiritual correction cannot be a one way street.
We must be Watchful
Galatians 6:1b “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.”
The command to be watchful when coming alongside our brothers and sisters to graciously help them put present sin to death are wise words. Instead of blindly determining that we are fine, let us consider that such were some of us. We too have a history of slavery to sin and rejection of the truth.
The Greek term used here emphasizes a continual, diligent attentiveness knowing what damage transgression can have on our lives and walk with Christ.
To Summarize - John Stott
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Volume 10: Romans through Galatians 1. Bearing One Another’s Burdens (6:1–5)
If we walked by the Spirit we would love one another more, and if we loved one another more we would bear one another’s burdens, and if we bore one another’s burdens we would not shrink from seeking to restore a brother who has fallen into sin. Further, if we obeyed this apostolic instruction as we should, much unkind gossip would be avoided, more serious backsliding prevented, the good of the Church advanced, and the name of Christ glorified.
We are Humble and Discerning (v.3-5)
We are Humble and Discerning (v.3-5)
Galatians 6:3–5 “3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.”
Following the instruction of verses 1-2, Paul offers up two potential positions of error that might prevent those in the church from fulfilling this shared responsibility.
The Conceited One (v.3)
Paul first addressed the believer who “thinks he is something”. This is someone in the church that thinks very highly of themselves. This is not self confidence or just a personality trait in the believer… No, Paul defines this person as being deceived.
How are they deceived? - They consider the instruction of verses 1-2 as not applying to them. Such a person neglects or refuses to bear the burdens of their fellow believer since he or she considers it either someone else’s job or a role that they are above in some way.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
In hearing the Word only but no doing what it commands, we prove ourselves decieved and foolish.
We have no reason to be conceited or prideful! As sinners who have been brought from death to life purely by the grace of God extended to us, we have nothing apart from Him… and considering His standard of perfection, no one in themselves amounts to anything before Him.
The Anxious One (v.4-5)
Secondly Paul addresses the equally possible situation of a person that instead of just walking faithfully in the Word of God recieved, spends the majority of his or her time comparing themselves to their neighbor, your fellow brother or sister in the church.
Instead, Paul encourages the testing of our own work. Instead of feeding pride and conceit by comparing ourselves before others, we are told to examine ourselves before the Lord. The testing of our selves in by His standard, not by our neighbors.
12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
Bearing our Own Load (v.4-5)
Galatians 6:4–5 “But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load.”
Simply put, this is not contrary to verses 1-2. Paul, speaking not of his own will but being carried along by the Holy Spirit in his writing, is speaking of something different here in verse 5, and we know this by the Greek term used.
The term used here for “load” is altogether different than that of burdens in verse 2. Burdens of verse 2 means heavy load or weight while the term used in Gal 6.5 means “man’s pack”. The distinction between heavy burdens and light loads.
ILLUSTRATION: Differing Injuries
When we injury something, our response is not always the same. Most common in my home, I find myself kicking the corder of the bed frame or dresser with my pinky toe. Now… for half a second… it feels world shattering… but I am not calling 911 bc of this. Though unenjoyable, we can bear the load of this injury without any outside assistance.
To the contrary, many other injuries can happen that merit immediate and expert assistance.
MEANING #1- To bear our own load means that everything that happens is our lives is not a crisis and we should not treat it as such. We are capable of dealing with the smaller things ourselves.
MEANING #2 - Sometimes… we need help, and we need to be humble, willing, and ready to speak honestly with one another sooner rather than later.
ILLUSTRATION: Common Misconception
“God will never give you more than you can handle.”
WRONG. This is nowhere to be found in the Scriptures. He gave His covenant people a perfect Law and He knew they could not keep it.
I would argue the opposite actually. God will sometimes give us something that is vastly more than we can handle so that He might be magnified in our suffering AND that our fellow brothers and sisters might walk faithfully in helping us bear that burden.
Exalting Jesus in Galatians Paul Distinguishes between Heavy Burdens and Light Loads (6:5)
Spirit-filled believers help their brothers and sisters carry the burdens that crush them.
COTV Covenant Paragraph #7 - We will faithfully study and teach God’s Word in our homes (Deuteronomy 6). We will give cheerfully and generously to the support of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations (2 Cor. 8-9).
COTV Covenant Paragraph #7 - We will faithfully study and teach God’s Word in our homes (Deuteronomy 6). We will give cheerfully and generously to the support of the church, the relief of the poor, and the spread of the Gospel through all nations (2 Cor. 8-9).
MAIN IDEA:
Love for the Lord is evidenced by our devotion to the Word both in our homes and to the nations.
OUTLINE: Deut 6.4-9
We Love the Lord Because of His Word
4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
We Love the Lord Because of His Word (v.4-9)
We Love the Lord Because of His Word (v.4-9)
Please stay with me this morning for our final point. Though our focus is shifting as we transition to another text, I would argue that the heart of the matter remains the same. Why do we bear one another's burdens and exercise church discipline in accordance with the NT where necessary? - Because the Lord is good, and the Word he has given us is for our good and for His glory.
In the same manner, we honor and revere the Word of the Lord, a blessing given to us in pure grace for our redemption, sanctification, and perseverance to the end.
Why Deuteronomy 6?
There are two primary texts I could have chosen for our final point this morning, but Deuteronomy 6 holds a special place in my heart since it is connected to a very pivot shift in my understanding and walk with the Lord a number of years ago now.
CONTEXT
The Book of Deuteronomy (meaning “Second Law”) is a retelling by Moses of the teachings and events of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers., including a more extensive review of the Ten Commandments. A primary focus of the book is Moses’s farewell address to a new generation of Israelites before the enter the Promised Land without him. This farewell includes many reminders of the faithfulness of God to fulfill His promises, both for blessing (obedience) and curse (disobedience).
English Standard Version Introduction
Deuteronomy is a solemn call to love and obey the one true God.
With this context in mind, let’s look at three quick exhortations from Deuteronomy 6 for the people of God.
Give Praise to the Only True God (v.4)
Give Praise to the Only True God (v.4)
Deuteronomy 6:4 “4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.”
Moses opens his instruction in verse 4 with a call to attention - “Hear, O Israel...”. This reminds me a lot of Jesus’ words across the NT calling for all who have ears to hear or for all who have eyes to see. The focus is calling a certain audience, here being the covenant people of God, to focus in on what is about to be said.
This begins what is commonly known as “The Shema”, a declaration of the oneness and uniqueness of God.
8 I am the Lord; that is my name;
my glory I give to no other,
nor my praise to carved idols.
The Shema was not a coined prayer given to the covenant people of God to recite, but instead it is a confession of faith or a creed that is rooted in the truth that there is One God, and it is the God of Israel. All other gods or fraudulent imitations created my the minds of sinful men.
Distinction between the True God and Idols
24 The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, 25 nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. 26 And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, 27 that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,
Love God with Everything you Are (v.5)
Love God with Everything you Are (v.5)
Deuteronomy 6:5 “5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”
Now with the one and only true God identified, Moses’ instruction continues - “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”.
This defined for the people of God what their relationship towards the Lord should be like - They should love Him completely with their whole selves.
How was their love for the Lord to be expressed? Elaborate gifts?
33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord,
or who has been his counselor?”
35 “Or who has given a gift to him
that he might be repaid?”
36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Keep in mind, Moses is delivering a final instruction before the begin their lives in the land promised to them. And we see that - True love for the Lord their God was not expressed in what they could bring to the table, but it was expressed in their adoration of who He had revealed himself to be.
A high view of God leads to a high view and a cherishing of His Word.
Bless the Nations by Starting in Your Home (v.6-9)
Bless the Nations by Starting in Your Home (v.6-9)
Which brings us into the final portion of Moses’ instruction - What should they do with the Word of the Lord recieved?
These words...shall be on your heart (v.6)
I am not a person with vast medical knowledge, but I know the heart and its continued function determines if we live or die. Though we may not often consider it, we cherish our hearts because it is the core of our continued physical life on this earth. When going into war, a solider of almost any era of humanity has worn some level of protective equipment that guards the torso, protecting the area of the most vital functions of life, including the heart.
Moses says the spoken Word recieved by the covenant people should be on their hearts. It should be kept close, guarded, cherished as if their life depended on it.
9 How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11 I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
30 The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks justice.
31 The law of his God is in his heart;
his steps do not slip.
These words should be taught in your home (v.7-9)
The teachings recieved that lead to life in the Lord shall be faithfully shared by parents in their home to their children. We believe strongly here at COTV that parents are the primary disciplers of their children.
That does not mean that us as pastors or even other believers in this church or in your lives do not have any spiritual influence over your kids, because they do. That said, the responsibility of faithfully leading the next generation unto the truth of the One and Only God is extended here to parents.
This is why we seek to equip you weekly with our Family Worship guide to Read the Word, Pray the Word, and Sing the Word together. Our goal is to equip you to do this well, because we believe all authority remains in the revealed Word of God. So when it is spoken, when it is prayed, and when it is sang together, the Spirit of God is at work in our homes instructing us in truth and (Lord willing) leading us into conviction concerning sin.
From Moses’ words here, the Word should be evident in all aspects and areas of our family life.
APPLICATION: Blessed to be a Blessing
You may be thinking “That sounds like a lot”. Yes, I imagine some days or weeks it will be, but I want us to renew our perspective together this morning on why we are committed to “faithfully study and teach God’s Word in our homes” (COTV Covenant).
I want to bring us all the way back to the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12 and God’s purpose in making this covenant with Abraham.
1 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Abraham was blessed so that he may be a blessing.
The focus here with not solely receiving blessing, but in doing so Abraham would export that blessing unto the nations and all the families of the earth would be blessed through that.
Church Family… if our desire is for God’s glory to be made known among the lost and unreached of this world, then that desire begins with faithful obedience to the teaching of the Word in our homes. Some may be thinking “But… I do not have kids” or “My kids are older and out of my home now”… then preach the gospel and the truths of the Word to yourself and/or your spouse each week.
We have recieved the blessing of salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone so that this good news might be exported to the nations, that the may peopls and languages and tribes of this earth might be Blessed so that they too might be a blessing to others.
Galatians 6
Be willing and watchful, ready to restore one another and bear the burdens of this life together. In doing so, our love grows deeper and He is glorified.
Deuteronomy 6
Be thankful for the Word recieved. Teach it in your home to yourself, to your family, and to others. We were blessed to be a blessing unto the nations.
