The Power of People
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This has been a great week. The kids were outside, they were running around. My boys haven’t really been out much this winter but that first warm day, the neighbors came out. We haven’t seen them for a long time. But they are out there and they are just running around. Playing man-hunt, which is the teenage version of hide and seek.
But it was great seeing them run around. It reminded me of my teenage days when March 1st was the start of the spring sports season.
I ran track and so it brings back memories of running. For me, I didn’t have to run much because I competed in the jumping events. I was the long jump, high jump, triple jump guy and so I didn’t participate in any running events, normally.
I say normally because when you go to a track meet you could be asked by the coach to participate in any race really and there was one day when I was asked to be part of the 1600 meter relay.
What that race was was basically 4 guys have to each run one lap round the track. I remember the coach asking me. Can you run one of the legs in the 1600? I said sure, one time around the track, its a quarter mile, sure.
I think I may have been the first leg, and I remember thinking I can start out strong, get ahead and then hopefully by the end they won’t catch up to me.
I started out strong. I ran hard so that I would be in front. I was in front too, for about 100 yards! Guys started passing me on the right and the left. I am about half way around the track. By this point pretty much everybody has passed me and I am running just about as hard as I can. I know I am in trouble. Remember, I am only running 400 meters
Now I am trying to run just to have some self esteem. By the 300 meter mark I am to the point where my legs have stopped listening to my brain. I am trying to make them move but they are not. It feels like my legs are tied together and just won’t move. It’s a terrible thing that the finish line is right in front of everybody because by the time I cross it, I look like someone in a walking race, where you aren’t allowed to let your feet leave the track. It was so embarrassing.
But it also can teach us an incredibly valuable lesson.
You can start out well, but not always finish well. You can think you will do fine starting out but unless you are prepared, unless you are focused, you won’t be able to finish well.
Paul speaks often about sports. He talks about the Christian life and says that it is a lot like a race. You can start out well, but make sure you finish well to.
You know this can happen to Christians to. They can start out th
If you don’t stay focused on the prize you can find yourself getting off track. Turn to
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
As Paul writes he is talking about some of the things that might get the Galatians off track. We remember that the Judaizers are those who want the Galatians to incorporate the Jewish customs, such as circumcision into their lives and Paul sees though this and reminds them how crazy this is.
So Paul is asking the question, who is hindering you? Who?
It’s interesting, Paul isn’t saying “what” here. If Paul asked “What” is hindering you, he could be talking about Circumstances, troubles, even successes or failures that can throw us off.
But he isn’t using the word what, he is using the word WHO. I think it is because one of the biggest ways for us to get off track in our walk comes from PEOPLE. Other people.
Did your mom ever say: “don’t play with that kid, they are bad news.”?
Was there that kid in your group of friends that seemed to be the reason everyone got into trouble? Hopefully you weren’t that kid.
There always seems to be that person, or that group of people that would always be getting into trouble.
People have an amazing power over us if we are not focused or grounded in something.
Humans, generally, are greatly influenced by other people. We find ourselves listening to experts, we find ourselves trying to be like those who we like, or want to be like.
And this can be great and it can be healthy.
I grew up watching my dad who has a tremendous work ethic and I remember watching him when he would read his bible in his office, I remember him teaching me about tithing and I remember how he always made it a priority to fix whatever was broken.
He instilled in me those things and they were tremendous influences on me. So people can and do have a powerful positive influence in our lives.
But conversely, there are people in our lives who could hinder our walk with God. They would pull us away from being on track. They would hinder us. Hinder is the word Paul uses.
It’s a picture, again of a race.
One of my favorite books is a book called Unbroken, the Louis Zamperini story about WW11 but also talks about his notoriety as a track star before the start of the war. Listen to this story.
One of my favorite books is a book called Unbroken, the Louis Zamperini story about being a pow in WW11 but also talks about his early life and the notoriety he had as a track star before the start of the war. Listen to this story.
Preaching the Word: Galatians—Gospel-Rooted Living Free to Finish (5:9, 12)
At the 1938 NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Louie Zamperini was the man to beat. Coaches from rival schools had even ordered their runners to sharpen the spikes on their shoes and to slash Louie. “Halfway through the race, just as Louie was about to move ahead for the lead, several runners shouldered around him, boxing him in. Louie tried repeatedly to break loose, but he couldn’t get around the other men. Suddenly, the man beside him swerved in and stomped on his foot, impaling Louie’s toe with his spike. A moment later, the man ahead began kicking backward, cutting both of Louie’s shins. A third man elbowed Louie’s chest so hard that he cracked Louie’s rib.”
This is what the Judaizers, the agitators, were doing to the Galatians. They had come onto the track and surrounded the Galatians; they had boxed them in.
We need to be very careful about who influences us. Who we race with. Especially when those who influence us are not Godly people. If we are putting people on a pedestal who aren’t influenced by God then we are asking for trouble.
We need to be very careful about who influences us. Especially when those who influence us are not Godly people. If we are putting people on a pedestal who aren’t influenced by God then we are asking for trouble.
We live in an age where we look at Movie stars and music stars as the voices of a generation. I know they had a great impact on my life, musicians had an even bigger influence on my life so when this rock star says something in an interview I would listen. When then said something political I listened. I may have even recognized it as something I don’t agree with but I listened.
But I learned that musicians and movie starts might not be the best voice for me. I can enjoy their work but there aren’t many of them who are qualified to speak into my life or into yours when it comes to the realm of what God wants for my life.
If I listen to the musician who does not acknowledge God, and I give them my attention it is like I am running a race, and I see something on the side of the track that would get my attention. It would distract me. Still running, but maybe a little distracted.
If I am running a race, that would be like seeing something on the side of the track that would get my attention. It would distract me. Still running, but maybe a little distracted.
There is no doubt that the people in our lives hold a great influence over us. That influence could be for good, that influence could be for things that are not good.
Now that isn’t always a bad thing.
There is no doubt that the people in our lives hold a great influence over us. That influence could be for good, that influence could be for things that are not good.
Preaching the Word: Galatians—Gospel-Rooted Living Free to Finish (5:9, 12)
Paul recognizes that there’s no way the Galatians will finish the race set before them if they don’t break free of the agitators’ influence. But the only way they’re going to break free is by removing this hindrance from their midst.
The writer of Hebrews talks about Removing the influence in Heb 12.
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
I remember working at a youth event one time. They had a climbing wall. They asked 3 leaders (adult leaders) and one scrawny little girl to climb this wall. It was going to be a race. I was ready. They were just about to start when they asked us adults to tie chairs to our arms and legs. It made the climb a little more difficult.
Sin has an effect on us that entangles us while we race in this life. You can still participate. But it stinks, it’s inefficient, it is exhausting and painful.
Sin is like that. It hinders you, thats the word Paul uses. It hinders you and you find it very difficult to get anywhere.
This is why we talk about accountability so much. The principle is there. People can help lift you up.
This is why we talk about accountability so much. The principle is there. People can help lift you up.
The writer of Ecclesiastes
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
So we are better when we are together… but only when that person has our best interest in mind, when that person points us to Christ and His ways according to the Scriptures. But...
All it takes is one evil influence to hinder us.
Be very careful of the voices that you listen to in your life. We don’t want to put our hope in people, only in Jesus.
v8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
By others.. (People)
v8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
And then Paul compares those voices that are not of God to leaven.
v9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
You ever bake bread? It’s awesome, always smells good. But it is a process isn’t it? The dough is basically just water and flour. If you just baked that you would probably end up with the matzah bread that we use for communion, flat and hard, like a cracker. The bread that rises and is soft is bread that is leavened. There is yeast added. The yeast causes the bread to rise and that is leavened bread.
Circumstances, troubles, even successes can throw us off. But one of the biggest ways for us to get off track in our walk comes from PEOPLE.
Preaching the Word: Galatians—Gospel-Rooted Living Free to Finish (5:9, 12)
At the 1938 NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Louie Zamperini was the man to beat. Coaches from rival schools had even ordered their runners to sharpen the spikes on their shoes and to slash Louie. “Halfway through the race, just as Louie was about to move ahead for the lead, several runners shouldered around him, boxing him in. Louie tried repeatedly to break loose, but he couldn’t get around the other men. Suddenly, the man beside him swerved in and stomped on his foot, impaling Louie’s toe with his spike. A moment later, the man ahead began kicking backward, cutting both of Louie’s shins. A third man elbowed Louie’s chest so hard that he cracked Louie’s rib.”
This is what the Judaizers, the agitators, were doing to the Galatians. They had come onto the track and surrounded the Galatians; they had boxed them in.
v8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
There is no doubt that the people in our lives hold a great influence over us. That influence could be for good, that influence could be for things that are not good.
Preaching the Word: Galatians—Gospel-Rooted Living Free to Finish (5:9, 12)
Paul recognizes that there’s no way the Galatians will finish the race set before them if they don’t break free of the agitators’ influence. But the only way they’re going to break free is by removing this hindrance from their midst.
This is why we talk about accountability so much. The principle is there. People can help lift you up.
The writer of Ecclesiastes
9 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. 10 For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! 11 Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? 12 And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Ecclesiastes
So we are better when we are together… but only when that person has our best interest in mind, when that person points us to Christ and His ways according to the Scriptures. But...
People can be real problem for us. Particularly when they are influencing the direction our relationship with God takes. You would never sell out....
All it takes is one evil influence.
v 9 “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” Baking term.
Leaven in the bible is almost always a symbol of sin. It almost always points to the power of sin in the lives of people, over churches, over countries.
There was actually a ceremony that the Jews would participate in where you had to actually remove all leaven, or yeast from the home in order to celebrate the passover.
In and of itself is not bad. But it is a perfect picture of the influence a person can have over us. That is why Paul says in
1 cor 15
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Hebrews
There was actually a ceremony that the Jews would participate in where you had to actually remove all leaven, or yeast from the home in order to celebrate the passover.
In and of itself is not bad. But it is a perfect picture of what a person can do to us who is bad influence.
It starts small, as with one person. That one person may be able to sway only one person, who may be able to say only one person.
Before you know it, the whole place goes bad. This is what Paul meant. He talked about a little bit of leaven, a little bit of yeast—even though it starts out small will eventually make its way through the whole place.
Just one person can have influence that will spread until everyone is touched by it.
Just one person can have influence that will spread until everyone is touched by it.
In the old testament to illustrate this principle we see
19 For seven days no leaven is to be found in your houses. If anyone eats what is leavened, that person will be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a sojourner or a native of the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened; in all your dwelling places you shall eat unleavened bread.”
Exodus 12:19-20
Eventually, given enough time, the yeast will “leaven” the whole loaf. So also will an entire assembly of people be hindered if that one person who is hindering people in their walk remains.
Sometimes we need to get away from those who pull us away from God.
We need someone like Paul in our lives to “have confidence in us”
Again, the cross would make no sense if they had to rely on circumcision.
11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
People had said Paul was the one spreading these lies but Paul defends himself.
He says why am I being persecuted? If Paul is actually doing this then the offence of the cross is removed. The cross is offensive. The Christian belief system, the truth is offensive to those who don’t believe.
Try it some time. Tell someone that if they don’t seek forgiveness from Christ from their sins that they will be going to Hell for all eternity. Sounds harsh doesn’t it? But when you look at the words of Jesus, he said it.
28 And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
The truth has a great way of offending people. Ever notice that? When we care more about people’s feelings, or about us being uncomfortable means that you hold back the truth in exchange for peace and for getting along with others. But it’s not truly getting along.
It is walking a tight rope, manipulating every circumstance to try to keep the peace. That’s not peace.
True peace comes with the most loving truth that you can communicate; t
hat Jesus loves you, died for you and wants you to put your faith in him. That is truth, and that truth can sometimes be offensive.
If you came to the Drs office and they found out that you had cancer would you want them to tell you what you want to hear? Or do you want to really know what is going on even if it is bad news?
The cross is offensive because we cannot do anything about our condition except trust in what Jesus did on the cross for us.
Verse 12 the craziest verse in the bible.
English Standard Version Chapter 5
12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
Emasculate themselves!
The Letters to the Galatians and Ephesians The Personal Relationship (Galatians 5:2–12)
Paul ends with a very blunt saying. Galatia was near Phrygia, and the great worship of that part of the world was of Cybele. It was the practice that priests and really devout worshippers of Cybele mutilated themselves by castration. Paul says: ‘If you go on in this way, of which circumcision is the beginning, you might as well end up by castrating yourselves like the priests of this goddess.’ It is a grim illustration, at which we might raise our eyebrows; but it would be intensely real to the Galatians, who knew all about the priests of Cybele.
Sometimes the influences in our lives are so great and so strong, that they pull us away from God’s best for us. When that happens we need to put some distance between us and them.
Sometimes we need to get away from that thing that hurts us most.
If you get too close to the fire you will get burned. This happens to me all the time. I will grab a piece of wood to put on the fire and sometimes I will get too close to the fire and guess what happens? I get burned. Guess what, If I stayed away from the fire or if I put something between me and the fire I won’t get burned.
Even if I put a glove on that would insulate me from getting myself burned. If you insulate yourself from the people who pull you into sin, if you make it so they don’t have influence on you you will be much better off.
But the world around us is a world of tolerance that doesn’t want to know the truth. \
Instead of biting and devouring one another, serve one another.
freedom for what? Not for selfish reasons. But to serve others.
So important that we have people, just make sure they are people who we serve and we are not looking to make our for ourselves.
Law
The Message of Galatians Conclusion
Ours is an age of tolerance. Men love to have the best of both worlds and hate to be forced to choose. It is commonly said that it does not matter what people believe so long as they are sincere, and that it is unwise to clarify issues too plainly or to focus them too sharply.
Remember here that circumcision stands for our own human achievement, Christ stands for the divine achievement which God could only do through the finished work of Jesus.
Preaching the Word: Galatians—Gospel-Rooted Living Chapter 21: Free to Run (Galatians 5:7–12)
Perhaps that’s where some of us are. When we first heard the gospel, we received it with joy and got off to a great start. But over time, as the race continued, we found ourselves running out of gas. Perhaps someone or something has gotten in our way, making it more difficult for us to run with endurance the race set before us
Is there something or someone who has cut in on you in your race? Is there a philosophy you have embraced as a way to hedge your bets when it comes to who you serve?
What is the thing that has hindered you from serving God fully and completely? How can you get your eyes back on the face of God?