Do to Become Weary Doing Good
Notes
Transcript
Do not Become Weary Doing Good
Galatians 6:1-10
Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567
“You foolish Galatians” is what the church of Galatia has been known for ever since Paul
wrote to them. They were foolishness to want to be circumcised and placed back under the law
when they were justified through their faith in a risen Savior. While the law describes what is
involved in being holy, only those that have their desires and passions of the flesh crucified with
Christ are enabled to “walk in the Spirit” and therefore can produce a harvest of love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self control (5:22-23). While it
might be tempting for us modern day Christians to perceive the Galatians as “foolish,” is this not
a term that applies to us as well? Does not walking in the Spirit and under the Law of Christ
mean that one is to take every opportunity to do good unto others? Can we honestly say we are
doing others good when we refuse to gently correct but instead mimic their sin? And is it right
to ignore the heavy burdens of our brothers and sisters when we have the financial or time
resources available to help them? Have we truly become so blind and deaf that we can ignore
Paul’s warning: “what you sow you shall reap”? This sermon is going to look at some of the
practical ways that today’s church can walk in the Spirit so that we might no longer look
“foolish” but faithful in the eyes of our risen Savior!
Doing Good by Gently Correcting Those Who Sin
1Brothers
and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit
should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be
tempted.
The first example of how the church is to
walk in the Spirit is by gently correcting those
who sin. Living in this “ME” generation that
no longer believes in absolute truth or sound
doctrine (2 Timothy 4:3-4), “self-glorifying
flights of fancy”1 with carnal thoughts and
behaviors2 are bound to happen within the
walls of the church. When this happens, Paul
says the church is NOT to ignore the sin by
“sweeping it under the rug!” When a believer
becomes entangled in sin (Hebrews 12:1) 3 it
1
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, Black’s New Testament Commentary (London: Continuum,
1993), 318.
2
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, ed. Ned B. Stonehouse et al., The New International Commentary
on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2018), 480.
3
James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Romans through Galatians, ed.
Frank E. Gaebelein, vol. 10 (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1976), 501.
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becomes not just the responsibility of those with pastoral and counselling skills4 but specifically
those who walk in the Spirit to gently correct them.5 Whether the person was “overtaken” by a
“sudden overpowering temptation” 6 or is willfully sinning against God,7 to help such a person
become free from such entanglement8 one must approach him/her with a “spirit of meekness.”9
The whole church is not to “descent on the guilty fellow member,”10 lest they become so
offended that their reputation has been questioned that they refuse to hear the truth. Only the
one whom God calls, whom has a tender heart11 and has the fruit of gentleness,12 should attempt
to correct the person’s behaviour for their own good! 13
For the church to build each other up in the faith and become spiritually mature, mutual
accountability must be accompanied by some form of personal responsibility.14 Those who
choose to correct another cannot take the attitude of a “self-righteous prosecutor”15 but must
approach a sinning brother or sister with
humility, acknowledging their “own equal
vulnerability to temptations to sin.”16 One
must be particularly careful to not let the
“worldly argument” or the pressure to
“appease” the carnal Christian become the
grounds of not only justification to continue
in their sin but one’s justification to join
them!17 Before meeting with a sinning
person one must first examine what Scripture
says and what one’s motives are concerning
the matter.18 Those who see “living in
submission to the Spirit” 19 as a license to
20
sin or an opportunity to look good at the expense of another21 should recuse themselves and
4
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 321.
Ibid.
6
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, Founders Study Guide Commentary (Cape Coral, FL: Founders Press, 2005), 108.
7
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 481.
8
Scot McKnight, Galatians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1995), 285.
9
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 109.
10
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 319.
11
Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, UBS Handbook Series
(New York: United Bible Societies, 1976), 145.
12
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 321.
13
L. Ann Jervis, Galatians, Understanding the Bible Commentary Series (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book, 2011),
153.
14
Scot McKnight, Galatians, The NIV Application Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House,
1995), 282.
15
L. Ann Jervis, Galatians, 53.
16
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 482.
17
Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, 146.
18
Lee Martin McDonald, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Acts–Philemon, ed. Craig
A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2004), 534.
19
Scot McKnight, Galatians, 285.
20
Scot McKnight, Galatians, 283.
21
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 481.
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confess these “planks” of sin before trying to deal with the “speck in their brother’s eye”
(Matthew 7:5)! While sinlessness is not a prerequisite to helping others, only those with a
genuine desire to submit to the Spirit are able to deal with the sin in others.22
Doing Good by Carrying the Burdens of Others
The second example of how the church is to walk in the Spirit is by carrying each others’
burdens. While “burdens” metaphorically refer to the intense struggle to overcome personal and
moral failures of sin,23 this term also relates more generally24 to “worries, temptations, doubts
and sorrows” 25 that by chance come to those
living in a fallen world (Ecclesiastes 9:11).26
Even though Scripture promises if we cast
our burdens upon the Lord (Psalms 55:22) He
will give us rest (Matthew 11:28), this does
not put aside our responsibility to invite a
fellow Christians to love us (John 13:34)27 by
allowing him/her to bear our “burdens as
their own!”28 Too often out of pride or the
desire keep our lives private we refuse the aid
of fellow believers. For Paul, the practice of
“mutual burden-bearing”29 fulfills the law of
Christ as a person not specifically under the
letter but the heart30 of the Torah31 which is
summed up to love God and one another (John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:37-40).32 By being a
supportive faith based community,33 one that bears each other’s burdens, we demonstrate not
only obedience to but show our love for (Matthew 25:31-46) He is the cornerstone of our church
(Ephesians 2:19-22).
James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” 501.
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 482.
24
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 109.
25
John R. W. Stott, The Message of Galatians: Only One Way, The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester, England;
Downer’s Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1986), 157.
26
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 482–483.
27
James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” 501–502.
28
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 483.
29
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 109.
30
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 485.
31
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 484.
32
Lee Martin McDonald, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Acts–Philemon, ed. Craig
A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2004), 534.
33
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 322.
22
23
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Doing Good by Carrying Your Own Burdens
3 If
anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive
themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride
in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each
one should carry their own load.
The third example of how the church is to walk in the Spirit is by being responsible for
our own burdens. Paul warns that burden-bearing should not lead to “mutual competition or to
insidious comparisons of one’s own imagined spiritual maturity” with that perceived in a
“weaker” brother.34 The sight of an erring
brother should not instill feelings of pride35
of superior spiritual maturity,36 but through
self-examination humbly see one’s own
position as justified before the cross37 and as
the product of “the transforming work of the
Spirit.”38 Paul also warns that one is not to
carry the burdens of others at the expense of
using their gift of self-discernment (1
Corinthians 11:28, 2 Corinthians 13:5)39 to
rightly assess and repent of their own sins, of
which they alone will be individually
accountable40 to God at the judgment.41
Only we are ultimately responsible for the
sin we commit! To avoid the “danger of empty glory and uncritical self-esteem” 42 of the
Pharisee or the Prodigal Son’s older brother,43 the grounds of self-justification can only be found
in grace and through faith in Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9)! It is only when we take
responsibility for our own sins that our motives are pure enough to generously carry the burdens
of others out of love for God and them.44
Doing Good by Sharing with the Pastor
6Nevertheless,
the one who receives instruction in the word should share all
good things with their instructor.
Douglas J. Moo, “The Letters and Revelation,” 2393.
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 109.
36
Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, 147.
37
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 488.
38
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 486.
39
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 325.
40
Scot McKnight, Galatians, 286.
41
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 110.
42
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 325.
43
Lee Martin McDonald, “Galatians,” 535.
44
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 326.
34
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The fourth example of how the church is to walk in the Spirit is by providing for the
financial needs of the pastor. “In the spirit of reciprocity,”45 those whom have received the
benefits of the pastor’s teaching and preaching should “bear the burden of financially
supporting” them.46 The time devoted to
ministry and not to providing for oneself
should be compensated,47 for the “workman”
is worthy of his/her pay (1 Corinthians 9:11,
14; 1 Timothy 5:17, 18).48 Few things
“disclose the priorities of the heart” 49 more
clearly than the giving of alms!50 Too many
churches have lean harvests due to their
“unsympathetic attitude towards the ministers
of the Gospel” 51 and their missionaries.52 I
am a bi-vocational pastor and as such have
much of my needs already provided for by
my full-time job. The support I do receive
from the church I am grateful for without this support I would have to take on a much higher
position at work and as a result would have less time to devote to His flock. The members of
McKees Mills Baptist church have traditionally given from cheerful hearts (2 Corinthians 9:7) to
keep the ministry of this church operational and despite being a small church, God has kept not
only our door open but our hearts as well.
Warning: What you Sow you Shall Reap
7 Do
not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.
sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;
whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life
8 Whoever
God cannot be mocked, one simply cannot escape reaping what one sows (Proverbs 22:8;
Job 4:8; Hosea 10:12-13)!53 Just because Christians have been freed from the law of Moses54
does not mean there is an “absence of consequences or accountability” for the crop they plant.55
It is the “immutable law of God” 56 or “moral order of God’s economy”57 that those who give
into their “self-seeking drives and impulses” 58 to please the flesh will reap a harvest of moral,
45
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 490.
Ibid.
47
Ibid.
48
James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” 503.
49
Ibid.
50
Ibid.
51
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 111.
52
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 327.
53
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 111.
54
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 491.
55
Ibid.
56
James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” 504.
57
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 492.
58
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 493.
46
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spiritual decay59 and ruin60 while those who
discipline61 and allow their lives to be
governed by the Holy Spirit will yield a
harvest of eternal life.62 Paul is not teaching
that it is by works that we are saved, but that
no one is saved without works.63 Any attempt
to avoid the consequences of one’s moral
thoughts or deeds64 is futile for while we are
free to choose to whom we give our allegiance,
flesh or Spirit, God alone chooses the eternal
consequences of our choices.65 So, one can
choose to ignore Paul’s teaching in regards to
helping the person that sins, carrying others or
our burdens or providing for the financial needs of the pastor; but in doing so will receive the
negative, eternal consequences of living by the flesh and not in the Spirit.
Do not Become Weary Doing Good
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do
good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Paul concluded this passage by stating one is not to become weary but to seek every
opportunity to do good. Living in the Spirit by
doing good requires a substantial investment of
one’s time, resources and energies.66 While it
is the “season” to sow,67 one must be patient
and not loose heart68 when the harvest does not
come within one’s lifetime.69 This fact should
not make us frustrated or weary but bring us
great joy for eternal rewards are far better than
temporal ones! Even though the boundaries of
self-pride and individualism are strong in our
Daniel C. Arichea and Eugene Albert Nida, A Handbook on Paul’s Letter to the Galatians, 152.
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians,), 111.
61
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 493.
62
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 111–112.
63
Scot McKnight, Galatians, 287.
64
Curtis Vaughan, Galatians, 111.
65
James D. G. Dunn, The Epistle to the Galatians, 330.
66
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 495.
67
Ibid., 496.
68
Lee Martin McDonald, “Galatians,” in The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary: Acts–Philemon, ed. Craig
A. Evans and Craig A. Bubeck, First Edition. (Colorado Springs, CO: David C Cook, 2004), 536.
69
James Montgomery Boice, “Galatians,” 504.
59
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culture,70 with gentleness and humility we are not to become weary but instead are to seek every
opportunity to correct one another’s sins, carry one another and our burdens while providing for
the financial needs of our pastors. While this command relates to all people regardless of
culture, nation or sex;71 we are to give “special attention to the member of the household of
faith” 72 whom are God’s sons and daughters by virtue of faith and trust in Jesus Christ.73 Take
heart, those who put into practice these four simple but provocative ways to walk in the Spirit
need not fear they will ever look “foolish” in the eyes of God!
70
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 498.
Scot McKnight, Galatians, 288.
72
David A. deSilva, The Letter to the Galatians, 496.
73
Ibid., 497.
71
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