Make Me A Blessing
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Introduction:
Introduction:
ILLUSTRATION: WORKING AGAINST EACH OTHER
The story is told of two men riding a tandem bicycle up a steep hill. After much effort, they finally made it to the top of the hill. The front rider said, “That was a tough ride.” To which the second rider replied, “Sure was, and if I hadn’t kept the brake on we might have slipped backwards.”
Statement: We want to be sure that we are a blessing to each other, in every circumstance. Are your efforts contributing to helping your fellow believer carry the burdens of life?
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
Paul’s challenge to the Galatian church thus far has been mixed with reproof and instruction. In this passage, the Apostle Paul continues to challenge these young believers in the way they treat each other.
His instruction is relevant to the way we as Christians and members of local churches treat each other today.
The prayer and desire of every believer’s heart in response to the way he treats others should be threefold:
Make Me Helpful
Make Me Helpful
Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Consider two ways in which each and everyone of us can be helpful:
In Love
In Love
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Statement: Did you noticed the standard of our love — the bar that has been set was set by Jesus Christ Himself, on the cross.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Statement: Does your love have limits? Does it come with expectations? Is it only guaranteed if all conditions are met? That’s not the love that Christ showed us.
(In Love)
In Labor
In Labor
The word burdens means, “heaviness, weight, trouble.” According to this passage, it is our duty to carry the heavy weights of other believers.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
Statement: True love always labors despite difficult trials and burdens.
Quote — There are two times when a man doesn’t understand a woman — before marriage and after marriage.
ILLUSTRATION:
My wife and I just celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary. It’s gone by quickly, it’s had its up and downs — mostly ups. In watching our wedding video, I remembered how important it was to us to use the traditional wedding vows. They sounded old and a bit outdated, but we were determined to have vows that still promised for better or for worse, and till death do us part.
Committed love takes effort to maintain. It’s a labor of love.
In light of the context of verse 1 in restoring the fallen brother, it would be logical in the context that the burden bearing is specifically referencing the realm of others’ spiritual burdens and needs. This burden-bearing can carry over into physical needs as well.
ILLUSTRATION:
Years ago, the founder of Salvation Army, General William Booth, was on his death bed. The workers of the Salvation Army were gathered for their annual conference when they received a message from General Booth. The message simply read, “Others.”
Statement: In this self-centered society, are you laboring to show love to others?
(Make Me Helpful)
Make Me Humble
Make Me Humble
For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
Statement: One of the dangers of bearing burdens is a know-it-all attitude.
ILLUSTRATION:
A young man who had been hired by the personnel department of a large supermarket chain reported to work at one of the stores. The manager greeted him with a warm handshake and a smile, handed him a broom and said, “Your first job will be to sweep out the store.”
“But,” the young man said, “I’m a college graduate.”
“I’m sorry,” the manager said, “I didn’t know that. Here, give me the broom and I’ll show you how.”
Sometimes when we are restoring and burden bearing we can begin to think too highly of ourselves.
Beware of False Pride
Beware of False Pride
ILLUSTRATION:
The Reverend Walter Chellberg discovered the following two epitaphs in a local cemetery. “She lived with her husband fifty years and died in a confident hope of a better life.” “Here lies Jane Smith, wife of Thomas Smith, marble cutter. This monument was erected by her husband as a tribute to her memory and as a specimen of his work. Monument of the same size: $350.” (Reader’s Digest, March 2007, p.180)
Statement: When you are helping others, don’t forget how many times you needed others help. And should you think that you’ve always made it on your own, the day will come when you’ll discover the hard life is the one lived alone.
(Beware of False Pride)
Beware of Self-Deception
Beware of Self-Deception
Statement: If you have a proud attitude, you will eventually say something or do something that will show your pride.
Everything eventually reveals its source.
Keep thy heart with all diligence;
For out of it are the issues of life.
pr
We are all just sinners saved by grace. Our service is not indispensible. Our tithe and talents are not indispensible. All of our service should be done as unto the Lord.
The spiritual man does not think he is something or that he is nothing — he simply doesn’t compare!
(Make Me Helpful)
(Make Me Humble)
Make Me Honorable
Make Me Honorable
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.
gal 6
Notice two ways in which we can be made honorable:
As I Prove My Work
As I Prove My Work
But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
The word prove means “to test, examine, prove, scrutinize (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals; to recognize as genuine after examination, to approve, to deem worthy.”
The metaphor the Apostle Paul gives here is the obligation Christ lays upon his followers to examine their own works—whether they are genuine and worthy—because every believer will bear the load of the work he has done for Christ.
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
The only thing that sets us apart from the lost world around us, is our relationship with Jesus Christ.
But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
We will all stand and give an account for ourselves before Jesus Christ. On that day, our work will be proven.
King James Version Chapter 13
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Our entire lives, every effort, should be tied up in the will of God. Things done in our strength, and for our glory and gratification may be good in our eyes, but our focus should pursuing what is good in God’s eyes — how’s your perspective been lately — whose eyes are you looking through?
2 thess
(As I Prove My Work)
As I Bear My Burdens
As I Bear My Burdens
For every man shall bear his own burden.
Some may question why verse 2 tells us to bear one another’s burdens while verse 5 commands us to bear our own burdens. The answer is simple: verse 2 is speaking of our service. Verse 5 is speaking of our personal responsibility.
Note — We are commanded to assume personal responsibility for our actions and works.
For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
ILLUSTRATION:
The sign in the store window read: NO HELP WANTED. As two men passed by, one said to the other, “You should apply—you’d be great.”
Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
A spiritual Christian is willing to be helpful, humble, and honorable in bearing other Christians’ burdens, but he is also prepared to stand alone in carrying his responsibilities.
ILLUSTRATION:
1001 Illustrations that Connect Illustration 274: Weight-Lifting Trial
WEIGHT-LIFTING TRIAL
Topics: Body; Commitment; Consequences; Dedication; Exercise; Laziness; Parenting; Promises; Responsibility; Teens
Reference: Galatians 6:9
Though skeptical of his teenage son’s newfound determination to build muscles, one father followed his teenager to the store’s weight-lifting department, where they admired a set of weights.
“Please, Dad,” pleaded the teen, “I promise I’ll use ’em every day.”
“I don’t know, Michael. It’s really a commitment on your part,” the father said.
“Please, Dad.”
“They’re not cheap,” the father said.
“I’ll use ’em, Dad, I promise. You’ll see.”
Finally won over, the father paid for the equipment and headed for the door. After a few steps, he heard his son behind him say, “What! You mean I have to carry them to the car?”
—Tim Davis, Pastor Tim’s CleanLaugh Collection (Trafford, 2001)
Though skeptical of his teenage son’s newfound determination to build muscles, one father followed his teenager to the store’s weight-lifting department, where they admired a set of weights.
“Please, Dad,” pleaded the teen, “I promise I’ll use ’em every day.”
“I don’t know, Michael. It’s really a commitment on your part,” the father said.
“Please, Dad.”
“They’re not cheap,” the father said.
“I’ll use ’em, Dad, I promise. You’ll see.”
Finally won over, the father paid for the equipment and headed for the door. After a few steps, he heard his son behind him say, “What! You mean I have to carry them to the car?”
—Tim Davis, Pastor Tim’s CleanLaugh Collection (Trafford, 2001)
Statement: There are many today that believe churches exist to help in time of need, but they are unwilling to let the church teach them to help themselves.
Conclusion:
Conclusion:
One way to detect your spiritual growth is by the way you handle burdens.
Do you see the burdens of others? Help them carry them.
Do you have burdens of your own? Take them to the Lord!
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Make Me Helpful
In Love
In Labor
Make Me Humble
Beware of False Pride
Beware of Self-Deception
Make Me Honorable
As I Prove My Work
As I Bear My Burdens
