Life in the Spirit
Notes
Transcript
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Welcome & Opening Prayer
Turn to Gal. 5...v. 25
!! Open in Prayer !!
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Introduction
Introduction
Doing vs. Being
Doing vs. Being
When you become a Christian God changes not only what you do...but who you are.
Problem: SOMETIMES PEOPLE FOCUS on “DO”… & NOT “WHO”
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**WHAT WE DO MATTERS
BUT it MUST BE an OUTGROWTH of WHO WE ARE BECOMING**
GOD’S WORK BEGINS INTERNALLY
GOD CARES FIRSTLY ABOUT the HEART
Example: STANDARDS of LEADERSHIP in BIBLE = ALMOST ALL ABOUT CHARACTER
GOD CARES ABOUT WHO WE ARE BECOMING—
—WHO WE ARE BECOMING—SHOULD THEN IMPACT HOW WE LIVE...
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Transition ➡ Focus: WE’LL SEE BOTH of THESE TRUTHS PRESENTED in TODAY’S TEXT…
V.25-6:5
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III. Passage Reading:
III. Passage Reading:
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying 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.
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.
Church this is God’s Word for us this morning.
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IV. Context Recap
IV. Context Recap
Last week: INNER WAR
Flesh vs. Spirit.
Encourage: BELIEVER in CHRIST is MADE NEW…
… BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN EVERY TRACE of OLD LIFE & TEMPTATION = GONE.
WE WILL WRESTLE W/ TEMPTATION
WE WILL HAVE NEW SPIRIT-GIVEN DESIRES
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The Command: WALK BY MEANS of the SPIRIT
Explanation: FOLLOW the NEW DESIRES—THEN OLD DESIRES WON’T BE FULFILLED.
WORKS of the FLESH VS. FRUIT of the SPIRIT.
Passage Idea: Walk by the Spirit and you will starve the flesh.
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Transition ➡ THIS WEEK — “WALKING BY the SPIRIT” — STILL in FOCUS…
WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 25-26
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Passage Exposition:
Passage Exposition:
Thought 1 — Walking With the Spirit (5:25–26)
Thought 1 — Walking With the Spirit (5:25–26)
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Once again—Command//Christian Living = Tied to What GOD HAS DONE…
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Paul’s Argument:
IF YOU LIVE BY MEANS of the SPIRIT…
HE = YOUR LIFE-SOURCE
ETERNAL LIFE HAS BROKEN INTO PRESENT.
… THEN YOU OUGHT to LIVE in KIND…
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Background: 1st Class Cond.
Background: 1st Class Cond.
“Assumed as true for sake of argument”
“Assumed as true for sake of argument”
NIV, NLT, others— “SINCE”
**Problem: STEPS TOO FAR AHEAD**
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DO YOU HAVE LIFE BY MEANS of the SPIRIT?
➡ YOU DO?
➡➡ THEN…
If the Spirit is your life-source. He should also be your compass...Your guide.
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Keep in step
Keep in step
BDAG: “to be in line with a pers. or thing considered as standard for one’s conduct, hold to, agree with, follow, conform”[1]
Background: INITIALLY USED for MILITARY— WALKING in LINE.
Illustration: FOLLOW the LEADER—
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Key Takeaway: The Spirit of God isn’t reserved for entrance into the Kingdom… but also works in the day-to-day operations of our lives.
Exhortation: Salvation by Grace,, Doesn’t Invite Lawlessness!!
STRIVING to WALK WORTHY!
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Character Before Activity:
Character Before Activity:
Key Truth: SPIRIT’S ROLE— CHANGE YOU — THEN CHANGE WHAT YOU DO.
New behavior flows naturally from a new person.
Recap: FRUITS of SPIRIT ADDRESS WORKS of the FLESH
GOD GROWS LOVE & PATIENCE ➡ HELPS W/ RIVALRY, DISENSION, “SOCIAL SINS”
GOD GROWS JOY & PEACE ➡ HELPS W/ ENVY
GOD GROWS SELF-CONTROL ➡ HELPS W/ SEXUAL IMMORALITY,, DRUNKENNESS,, FITS of ANGER
**Not ADDING to CHRISTIAN “TO-DO” LIST— BUT NATURAL OUTFLOW of WHO YOU ARE BECOMING…
Transition: EXAMPLE of THIS in V.26
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(v.26) Spirit’s Character—Not Conceited!
(v.26) Spirit’s Character—Not Conceited!
Living By Spirit = NOT BECOMING CONCEITED
Meaning: Overly Inflated View of Self
Two Results:
PROVOKES OTHERS—MISTREATS THEM
ENVIES OTHERS— LABELS SELF as MORE WORTHY/DESERVING!
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Transition ➡ THESE SPIRIT-GIVEN CHANGES in MIND…
APOSTLE GIVES ONE OUT-WORKING of THEM in 6:1
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Thought 2 — Restoring the Fallen (6:1)
Thought 2 — Restoring the Fallen (6:1)
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.
HYPOTHETICALLY, IF SOMEONE TRIPS—THEY ARE CAUGHT, ENSNARED… SURPRISED… HOW DO YOU RESPOND?
SOMETIMES CHRISTIAN LIFE = MESSY // CHURCH LIFE = MESSY…
WE HAVE NEW LIFE
STILL WRESTLE W/ TEMPTATION
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Recap Illustration: “Christian Race”
Recap Illustration: “Christian Race”
DEALING HARSHLY W/ THOSE WHO PUSH YOU OFF COURSE…
THOSE on JOURNEY WITH YOU—HELP.
If someone falls: WE SHOULD WE QUICK to EXTEND MERCY, HELPING HAND…
Takeaway: The Spiritual Person is a Merciful Person.
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Great Temptation: Someone Falls—Respond in Pride.
“How Could They???”
“I Would Never...”
Challenge: The First Step Towards Doing Something Really Stupid = Saying “I Would Never”
(v2) KEEP WATCH on YOURSELF.
12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
POINTING FINGERS = GREAT WAY to TRIP YOURSELF.
Illustration:
SALLY MCCRAE’S RACE?
ABIGAIL & HIKE?
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Gospel
Gospel
Church… I am no better than any wretched sinner apart from the grace and mercy of God.
WE CAN BECOME PROUD—THINKING WE’VE ARRIVED…
CAN BECOME QUICK to JUDGE…
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WE all STILL BOW @ SAME CROSS…
SOME SINNERS,, FEEL AS IF THEY’RE WITHOUT HOPE
SOME SAINTS,, FORGET THEY WERE ONCE SINNERS
Every saint has a past. But every sinner can have a future.
15 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Gospel Invitation
you are never too far gone from grace…
… it cannot be deserved!
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IF SOMEONE ELSE FALLS… INTO the MIRE—WE SHOULD REMEMBER the DAY JESUS BROUGHT US OUT…
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Returning to Context:
Returning to Context:
(v1) RESTORING OTHERS W/ SPIRIT of GENTLENESS
((FRUIT of the SPIRIT))
Meaning: the quality of not being overly impressed by a sense of one’s self-importance”
GENTLESS W/ OTHERS,,
SPRINGS from ACCURATE SELF-ASSESSMENT
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Transition ➡ THIS CONCEPT of HUMILITY & HELPING = CONTINUED in VERSE 2…
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Thought 3 — Bearing Burdens (6:2)
Thought 3 — Bearing Burdens (6:2)
2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
WE’RE to HELP OTHERS…
"BURDENS” — experience of someth. that is particularly oppressive
Contextually: SIN & TEMPTATION
T. Schreiner: LANGUAGE VAGUE = ANYTHING BURDENSOME to OTHERS,,
WE SHOULD BE EAGER to HELP…
CHURCH = FAMILY of GOD
CHURCH = TEAM
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(v2B) HELPING OTHERS = LOVE = FULFILLING LAW of CHRIST!
LAW of CHRIST = LAW of LOVE
LOVE GOD.
LOVE NEIGHBOR.
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In a world that quickly seeks to cancel others…
… the church should be quick to bear burdens.
RESTORING W/ GENTLENESS
HELPING THEM OVERCOME
**WHAT a WAY to BE a LIGHT!!
Church’s Mission = to HELP OTHERS… to LIFT THEM UP…
NEVER to PUT THEM DOWN.
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Transition ➡ W/ HELPING OTHERS… APOSTLE REMINDS US AGAIN of HONEST SELF-ASSESSMENT…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 3
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Thought 4 — Sober Self-Assessment (6:3)
Thought 4 — Sober Self-Assessment (6:3)
3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
BE QUICK— RESTORE the FALLEN
BE QUICK — TO HELP the HURTING
WHY?
➡➡ WE’RE NO BETTER OFF THAN THEM.
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➡ TODAY... WE MAY BE HELPING THEM
➡➡ TOMORROW... THEY MAY BE HELPING US.
WE NEVER GRADUATE from GRACE…
WE SHOULD GROW
WE SHOULD TAKE GROUND in FIGHT AGAINST SIN
WE SHOULD BE MORE “HOLY” THAN 10 YRS AGO
=> BUT WE NEVER ARRIVE WHERE WE DON’T NEED HIM…
Takeaway: Jesus Christ is the Hero of the Story… We’re All Background Characters.
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Transition ➡ THIS IDEA in MIND…
TEXT CONCLUDES W/ ONE WAY to REMAIN SOBER in SELF-ASSESSMENT…
LOOK W/ ME @ VS. 4-5
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Thought 5 — Testing Your Own Work (6:4–5)
Thought 5 — Testing Your Own Work (6:4–5)
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.
Race Metaphor: RUN YOUR OWN RACE.
Remain Humble & Gracious— EVALUATE YOURSELF,, NOT OTHERS…
**Comparison is Thief of Joy//ROOT of ENVY**
**Comparison is also ROOT of PRIDE**
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Personal Testimony:
HUSBAND
DAD
PASTOR
ETC.
I CAN LOOK @ others...
BE INFLATED…
& OTHERS & BE DEFLATED…
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THE CHRISTIAN RACE ISN’T a COMPETITION…
I need to worry about my life and what God has given me to do.
Exhort: YOU AREN’T RESPONSIBLE… for FULFILLING the WILL of GOD for SOMEONE ELSE’S LIFE!
(v5) WE EACH BEAR OUR OWN LOAD!
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Parable of the Talents:
Parable of the Talents:
Setting: Matthew 25… MASTER & THREE SERVANTS
Distributing “Talents”
Background: UNIT of WEIGHT—APPROX. 75 LBS...
**SILVER = 6000 DAYS’ WAGES for AVERAGE LABORER**
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ONE SERVANT: 5 TALENTS
ONE SERVANT: 2 TALENTS
ONE SERVANT: 1 TALENT…
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
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STORIES GOES ON...
5 TALENT GUY EARNS 5
2 TALENT GUY EARNS 2
1 TALENT GUY BURIED HIS
Powerful Takeaway: 2 TALENT GUY, WASN’T REWARDED LESS THAN 5 TALENT GUY!
**HE WAS FAITHFUL W/ WHAT HE HAD!**
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T. Challies: IT’S OKAY to BE a 2-TALENT CHRISTIAN
Exhort: GOD HAS ENTRUSTED to ALL of US a STEWARDSHIP....
TIME/YEARS
GIFTS, ABILITIES, PERSONAL TALENTS
INFLUENCE
FAMILY/FRIENDS
CALLING…
GOD HAS ENTRUSTED SOMETHING to US.…
GOAL = FAITHFULNESS…
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Essential Takeaway: OTHERS ARE IRRELEVANT!
5-TALENT GUY COULD BE BOASTFUL
2-TALENT GUY COULD BE DEPRESSED
**BOTH WERE FAITHFUL**
Exhort: GOD HAS MADE US ALL UNIQUE & FOR a UNIQUE CONTRIBUTION.
Concert Testimony: CONCERT W/ SELAH...MARSHALL - SUPER-TALENTED…
GOD HASN’T PUT ME in a BAND
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ALL of US = EQUIPPED DIFFERENTLY… BY the SAME GOD.
Exhort: WE CANNOT EVALUATE OUR SUCCESS/FAILURE BASED on OTHER PEOPLE....
WE’RE ALL BACKGROUND CHARACTERS…
JESUS CHRIST is the HERO...MAIN CHARACTER.
"What did you do with what I gave you?"
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Transition ➡ All in all… Scripture is teaching us
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Application
Application
Passage Idea: Walking in step with the Spirit causes us to view ourselves humbly and help others gently.
SPIRIT SHAPES NOT JUST WHAT WE DO… BUT WHO WE ARE.
BULK of THIS MESSAGE = SOBER SELF-ASSESSMENT.
CAUSES US to HELP OTHERS…
We aren't competing...No limited seating in heaven.
WHEN HE FIXES the INTERNAL… IT WILL SHOW on the EXTERNAL
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Conclusion:
Conclusion:
Be faithful with what God has entrusted to you.
BEAR YOUR LOAD
HELP OTHERS BEAR THEIR BURDENS…
When others fall:
Don't become proud.
Be humbled by grace.
Lend a gentle, helping hand.
& Keep watch on yourself.
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!! Close in Prayer!!
