Sermon Tone Analysis
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When I was in High School I had a good friend named Travis that I went to church and Youth Group with.
I spent many Sundays at his house with his family, just as Travis did mine.
We remained close even when I left for College, and I will never forget the day Travis called and told me his Mom had decided to divorce his Dad.
He knew I was at Bible college so he asked if I could call and talk with his Mom, which I agreed to do.
So as a 21 year old kid I called Betty to talk with her.
As I said previously I knew the family very well.
We were not dealing with a situation of infidelity, or abuse, or abandonment here.
Neither Betty Jo or Jerry were Christians when they got married, but Betty did come to know Christ after her first child was born and she took all of her kids to church with her.
I do not think that had a saving faith in Christ at the time I knew them, but only the Lord really knows.
As we continued to talk Betty made a statement that really caught me off guard, she said “David I know this is God’s will for me to leave Jerry.”
My response to her was true, but was not wise as I blatantly told her “It’s never God’s will for you to sin,” she responded with “well God loves me and he will forgive me if it is.”
As you can tell the conversation did not go much further.
I am not relaying this story to you for gossip purposes, but for a few practical reasons:
It was the first time I had to confront someone who was blatantly and willfully sinning
I absolutely did not handle that situation the proper way.
Please turn in your bible with me to Galatians chapter 6:1-5 and for the next couple of weeks let’s look at what I did wrong during that conversation.
A True Test of Love
Dealing with sin in the lives of fellow believers is one of the most difficult tasks God has given Christians.
It’s much easier to carry out the other “one another” injunctions.
However, tough love is much more difficult.
How many of us really like confronting someone?
We dread it every time, primarily because of the double emotional whammy.
First, we don’t relish intruding into another person’s private life.
It always makes us uncomfortable.
Second, we fear rejection—which is painful.
However, the true test of love for another Christian is whether we am willing to take this kind of risk.
Furthermore, it’s the true test of our love for God—whether or not we are willing to obey His will in spite of our uncomfortable emotional reactions.
Many churches ignore this responsibility entirely.
Others treat it lightly.
Still others deal with the issue of sin only after it has created a scandal that can’t be ignored.
Unfortunately by then, it’s usually too late to help the person who has been trapped in sin.
There is too much pain, hurt, misunderstanding, embarrassment and resentment.
Many churches ignore this responsibility entirely.
Others treat it lightly.
Still others deal with the issue of sin only after it has created a scandal that can’t be ignored.
Unfortunately by then, it’s usually too late to help the person who has been trapped in sin.
There is too much pain, hurt, misunderstanding, embarrassment and resentment.
When Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians, he was concerned that this not happen.
He exhorted these believers to “carry each other’s burdens” ().
The “burden” Paul was addressing was the heavy load that weighs us down when we are in trapped in a sinful activity.
This should not surprise us, since he had just discussed in detail what it means to keep in step with the Spirit and “serve one another in love” rather than to become slaves to “the acts of the sinful nature.”
When Paul wrote to the Galatian Christians, he was concerned that this not happen.
He exhorted these believers to “carry each other’s burdens” ().
The “burden” Paul was addressing was the heavy load that weighs us down when we are in bondage to sin.
This should not surprise us, since he had just discussed in detail what it means to keep in step with the Spirit and “serve one another in love” rather than to become slaves to “the acts of the sinful nature.”
Paul came right to the point—
Paul came right to the point—
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.
().
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted ().
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version.
(2016).
().
Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.
().
Paul left no questions about this issue.
Christians do have a responsibility when others sin.
We have no choice if we want to be in God’s will.
We are to attempt to restore that person—to help him acknowledge his sin and overcome it.
Paul left no questions about this issue.
Christians do have a responsibility when others sin.
We have no choice if we want to be in God’s will.
We are to attempt to restore that person—to help him acknowledge his sin and overcome it.
To accomplish this goal, Paul gave some specific guidelines for carrying out this process—guidelines that are absolutely essential if there are to be positive results.
To accomplish this goal, Paul gave some specific guidelines for carrying out this process—guidelines that are absolutely essential if there are to be positive results.
Restoration is a Task for Spiritual Christians
Restoration is a Task for Spiritual Christians
Generally speaking, there are two classes of people described in the New Testament: Christians and non-Christians.
But there are also two classes of Christians: “spiritual” and “worldly”—or “unspiritual.”
Spiritual Christians are those who “live by the Spirit” and who “keep in step with the Spirit” ().
We can recognize these believers because they manifest the fruit of the Spirit in their relationships with one another: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control ().
Anders, M. (1999).
Galatians-Colossians (Vol.
8, p. 78).
Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
I dread it every time, primarily because of the double emotional whammy.
First, I don’t relish intruding into another person’s private life.
It always makes me uncomfortable.
Second, I always fear rejection—which is painful.
However, I’ve discovered the true test of love for another Christian is whether I am willing to take this kind of risk.
Furthermore, it’s the true test of my love for God—whether or not I am willing to obey His will in spite of my uncomfortable emotional reactions.
What is a “worldly” Christians?
They are definitely believers, but sometimes it’s difficult to tell.
They often live like non-Christians—indulging in “the acts of the sinful nature.”
The Corinthians definitely fit this category.
Paul knew they were true believers because he had seen evidences of God’s grace in their lives ().
He even identified them as “those sanctified in Christ Jesus” (1:2a), and as believers who had also been “called to be holy” (1:2b).
Unfortunately, they had made very little progress in this area of their lives.
In Christ, God saw them as “holy” the moment they were born again—something that is true for every Christian and the only reason we can be saved.
But in terms of daily Christian living, they were not reflecting who God is—a holy, righteous, and eternal being.
Paul went on to say that after he had led them to Christ and lived among them, he could not talk to them as spiritual, but as worldly believers.
Listen to Paul as he described their lifestyle:
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it.
Indeed, you are still not ready.
You are still worldly.
For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?
Are you not acting like mere men? [that is, as non-Christians] ().
Paul’s description of the Corinthians’ behavior here and in the rest of this letter correlates with what he described in his Galatian letter as the “acts of the sinful nature.”
They were still “walking in the flesh” rather than “in the Spirit.”
Their relationships with each other were anything but reflections of the Holy Spirit’s guidance and fruit.
Paul exhorted the Galatian Christians to help people like this.
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