Spirit-Filled Fellowship

Restore Those Who Stumble

Restore Those Who Stumble

Paul addresses the situation where a person has stumbled (overtaken in a fault).

They have fallen “out of step” from walking in the Spirit (5:25).

The command is to those who are “spiritual”, the ones filled with and led by the spirit.

The command is to restore (katartizo). It means to mend or set in order.

James and John were involved in the work of mending their nets when Christ found them.

Matthew 4:21 ESV

And going on from there he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets, and he called them.

To restore a brother we must first care for them. The world uses people and then abandons them, the church seeks to restore people to God’s purpose in their life.

Second we must pursue a restored relationship with them ().

Third, we must go with an attitude of humility, knowing that we are not above temptation.

Not with a “I would never ...” attitude.

Relieve Those Who Are Burdened

The legalist is not interested in bearing burdens. Instead, he adds to the burdens of others (). “For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers” (). The legalist is always harder on other people than he is on himself, but the Spirit-led Christian demands more of himself than he does of others that he might be able to help others. - Warren Wiersbe

Christ came not to add to our burden, but to lighten it.

Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

When someone is facing a heavy load we are called to help them. Maybe their load has gotten heavy because of circumstances beyond their control. Maybe they have experienced a death or sickness in the family. Maybe they have encountered some loss. Spirit-filled Christians seek to help.

Trinity has done a good job at this, we must continue to bear the burdens of those who are weak.

James 1:27 ESV

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

Be Responsible for Your Own Part

Each must “prove” their own work. We each are called to fulfill our own responsibility.

We each are called to fulfill our own responsibility.

Men - you are responsible for providing for your family and leading them in the ways of the Lord.

Women - you are responsible for loving your children / grandchildren and supporting your husband as he leads.

gives a list of responsibilities.

The idea of bearing our own load is different from the heavy burden that we are called to help others with. It is the small soldier’s pack that each one had to carry. They were responsible for their own part.