Galatians 6:1-18

Introduction

Prayer

The Cross Changes our Relationships (7 min)

Galatians 6:1–6 ESV

1 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. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load. 6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

What is spiritual? There are many ideas about what it means to be spiritual. Some think that it is all about separating one-self from the world. Some thing being spiritual is a person who maintains certain disciplines or sounds this or that way in prayer or one who knows a bunch of things, or even one who has experienced certain miraculous things.

But these don’t define what spiritual is. The idea of being spiritual is this: one who is controlled by the Spirit, one who walks by the spirit as Brandon talked about last time. These will evidence the fruit of the spirit as a harvest of what has been sowed internally. The Spirit can be nurtured by various means of grace (scripture reading, worship attendance, Lord’s supper, etc) These are not super elite Christians, the Pastors of the world; not something reserved for those special Christians, but is a way we can all cultivate. Paul tells us here that Spiritual people are ones who:

Restore one another from sin (v1)

Bear one another’s burdens (v2)

consider one another more important (v3-5)

Share with one another (v6)

Let’s start off with Restoring one another

Brothers - first of all reminds us about the fact that this is a family matter, in fact all of these are family matters for the Brothers and sisters in Christ

caught - overtaken => This is being caught unawares and dragged into sin. This isn’t talking about confronted our pet peeves, but rather it is about helping to restore a brother (or sister) who is trapped, who because of being caught it is

must be done with gentleness(strength under control) => a fruit of the spirit (therefore only spiritual people can do it).

To obey this command, we must be involved with one another at more than a surface level

This is one way of bearing one another’s burdens,

Bearing one another’s burden’s => So fulfill the law of christ

We will have these. These aren’t necessarily our work a day things that we are responsible for, but rather this is where we suffer losses that are too heavy to carry alone. The word means over burdened. These are emotional, spiritual, or physical difficulties that face a person.

This is different than what Paul speaks of later in v 5. We each have to bear his own “backpack”; When you go on a backpacking trip, you don’t hand all your clothes and stuff over to other people, you carry them yourselves; you are responsible for your stuff (well and some of the groups stuff too). But people aren’t expected b/c you wanted to bring the kitchen sink that they should have to carry that.

So we need to decide:

young guy gets up late for school and work b/c he stays up late playing video games all night; asks you to wake him up every morning so he does not lose his job or flunk out of school

A guy spends all money on beer cigs and lottery tickets, refuses to look for a job and asks for money

A business man works 12 hour days including Saturdays and asks you to take his son to all of his baseball practices and games

A married couple has 3 children and one day there is an accident; One of the parents dies in the wreck; the remaining parent and the kids have needs

Husband abandons wife for another woman, leaving her with 4 kids. She needs help meeting daily responsibilities

An older faithful church member gest sick and is having a hard time; She needs help with meals, transportation, and occasional living expenses

(i-iii => Loads; iv-vi => burdens)

And so fulfill the law of Christ => The Law of Christ, is from John 13:34

John 13:34

34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another

John 15:12

12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Jn 13:34–35). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

(5) Consider one another more important

Share with one another

This is primarily a statement about what takes place between Pastors and the congregation

Both the minister and the church have something to share

The minister => truths he has from word of God, exposition of scripture is nothing less than the center of gospel ministry. He is sharing good things with them.

The congregation => all good things to share => material blessings

This is not to say the minister should be expecting to live in the lap of luxury, but he should be well provided for.

this is part of what it means to be spiritual

The New American Commentary: Galatians (1) Bearing One Another’s Burdens (6:1–3)

On November 4, 1790, an English Baptist church meeting in the Horse Fair, Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, set forth as a part of its congregational covenant the following statement, agreeing:

To walk in love toward those with whom we stand connected in the bonds of Christian fellowship. As the effect of this, we will pray much for one another. As we have opportunity, we will associate together for religious purposes. Those of us who are in more comfortable situations in life than some of our brethren, with regard to the good things of Providence, will administer as we have ability and see occasion, to their necessities. We will bear one another’s burdens, sympathize with the afflicted in body and mind, so far as we know their case, under their trials; and as we see occasion, advise, caution, and encourage one another. We will watch over one another for good. We will studiously avoid giving or taking offenses. Thus we will make it our study to fulfill the law of Christ.… These things, and whatever else may appear enjoined by the Word of God, we promise in the strength of divine grace to observe and practice. But knowing our insufficiency for anything that is spiritually good, in and of ourselves, we look up to him who giveth power to the faint, rejoicing that in the Lord we have not only righteousness but strength. Hold thou us up, O Lord, and we shall be safe! Amen!

Sowing and Reaping (7 min)

Galatians 6:7–10 ESV

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

This passage tells us there are 2 harvests; 1 for corruption and the other for eternal life.

This principle is a universal one => you don’t plan watermelons and get cantelopes

The harvest we receive is due to what we sow. If we so to the spirit, then from the spirit we will reap the fruit

If we sow to the flesh, we will reap corruption => a life slowly decaying rather than progressing towards more and more evidence of life.

This offers both a promise and a warning

The promise is this => Don’t weary, don’t give up. There will come a point where you will reap what you sow. Maybe not in this life, and if not certainly in the next. God’s promise is good! Further we have this promise, that if we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly, but if we sow bountifully we will reap it.

English Standard Version Chapter 9

6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

The warning is this => Just because you don’t see the consequences of your sowing to the flesh, does not mean that you will not reap. It will come, as sure as the sun will come tomorrow; as sure as watermelon plants will never produce canteloups. And often unfortunately we don’t see the consequences here until the corruptions has grown too much and lives are ruined.

And Paul offers more in this warning => Don’t be deceived. You cannot do whatever you want without the consequences associated with it. So if you are weary, seek God, remember that you will reap, if you keep it up. You cannot abandon the garden in the middle of its growth and expect to see a great harvest.

The Cross Centered Life (15 min, min max each)

Galatians 6:11–18 ESV

11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Paul’s Signature

Paul signs his letter and gives a final personal message to his letter, driving home again the points he has been making throughout this letter. This conclusion is longer than in his other letters. In v16 the blessing is conditional and v17 has a sharp edge to it. In these last verses of the letter, Paul focuses again on the theme of the letter, that is The Cross.

The outline for these next several verses has been taken from some teaching by Danny Akin.

1. The Cross Centered Life is Humble Not Prideful (v12-13)

The false religion promoted by the false teachers was motivated totally by self-interest. It was marred by

manipulation in compelling the galatians to be circumcised,

compromise avoidance of persecution,

hypocrisy who didn’t keep the law themselves,

braggers who wanted to boast to others about what they had done

Wanted the praise of others

Is true religion about divine accomplishment or human flesh? Our culture is wrapped up in exalting intelligence, good looks, success, popularity, wealth, etc

For us the question is clear: We either glory in the flesh or glory in the Christ.

Are we cultivating humility in our lives and trying to crucify our pride? The only way to do this is to go to the Cross; look at the work of Christ on the cross. There is no room for boasting at the cross in anything but the cross. They wanted to boast and brag about how many circumcisions they got, like boasting about how many converts they won. We must put to death the flesh and walk by the spirit to cultivate humility in our lives.

2. The Cross Centered Life boasts in the Cross Not Self (v14a)

Paul says that he will not boast in himself or anything else but the cross. He uses the strongest negative he can find to say I will never. To boast in something is to glory in it , to make much of it, to be consumed with, or take pride in something. It comes from the center of your soul and declares your source of worth and identifies us with something. Usually this is associated with moralism in some way about how good you are. May it be that we never boast about anything but the cross. Boasting implies that our confidence is in that thing; that is is part of our central identity it is who we are. Because of Christ I have every blessing, because of Christ I have my peace, because of Christ God accepts us, because of Christ I am dead to the world and it to me, because of Christ the wrath of God will not be poured out on me, because of Christ I am a new creation. Boast in the cross, revel in what God has done for sinners. It doesn’t feel sufficient to leave it there. The cross is the reason that we have all that we do, every blessing, the freedom to not treasure the world, the freedom from sin and ability to choose life, prayer, every spiritual blessing, all opportunity for service, the fact that I no longer have to think I am better than others or inferior to others envying their position, reason I can stand in persecution because it is a reminder of who I was before Christ, who I am now, and who I will be. I can be free from the world and its opinions, enticements, lusts and drives, free to love others and enjoy a fellowship with God and with you that would never have been possible before Christ. “In the immortal words of hiccup haddock, ‘This changes everything’”

3. The Cross Centered Life Treasures Christ Not the World (v14b)

The cross is the present power in our lives and has the power to free us from bondage to the world. The world, here refers, as it does in 1 John, to the systems and nature of this age. Corruption, lust, hopelessness, futility, and despair are all part of this world Paul says here that we are dead to the world and it to us. Our position is that we have already been crucified with Jesus (2:19). The old self has died, that rebellious , unbelieving and enslaved self is gone and there is a new creation (v15). When christ died, we died to the world and now we have a new life in him. Doesn’t mean that it doesn’t affect some lingering influence, but the death blow has been dealt, and one day their will be no more corruption. Because of the cross, the world does not have to crush us, he will give us all we need ultimately, the enticements of the world (lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, the pride of life) don’t have to hold sway any more. So Paul says live as if the Cross means everything and the world has nothing for you; live as though Christ is your ultimate treasure.

Spurgeon in his sermon, Grand glorying said this:

What means he by this? Why, he means that ever since he fell in love with Jesus Christ, he lost all love for the world. It seemed to him to be a poor, crucified, dying thing, and he turned away from it just as you would from a criminal whom you might see hanging in chains, and would desire to go anywhere rather than see the poor being. So Paul seemed to see the world on gallows—hung up there. “There,” said he, “that is what I think of you, and all your pomp, and all your power, and all your wealth, and all your fame!You are on the gallows, a malefactor, nailed up, crucified!I would not give a fig for you.I would not turn on my heel to speak to you—all that you could give me would no more suit my taste than as if husks were given to me. Give them to your own swine and let them fatten thereon!” You know the world is not crucified to “the successors of the apostle,” and all others who preach merely as a profession. They get their living out of it—they are endowed by the world—the State or the church pays them.The world is not crucified to them. That is the change that has come over the times, but to the first apostle, the world was crucified. And now observe the other cross. There is Paul on that. The world thinks as little of Paul as Paul does of the world. The world says,“Oh!that hair-brained Paul!He was sensible once, but he has gone mad upon that stubborn notion about the Crucified One.The man is a fool.” So is it with the world and the genuine Christian.

4. The Cross Centered Life Values Transformation not External Ritual (v15-16)

In 6:15 Paul says that circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. The external rituals mean nothing apart from a new Creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

The cross has done for us what rule following and ir-religiousity could not do. We are dead to the old selves and have been created anew, not to become a “nicer” version of our old selves, it is not an improvement program, but a remade from the inside out, we are a new creation. Living in a new way now, “The life I live in the body I live by faith in the son of God”, and the only thing that counts is “faith working itself out through love”. Its about Christ working in the lives of his followers and empowering them to live differently.

5. The Cross Centered Life Values Truth Not Error (v16)

Paul says that we who believe walk by a “rule”, or if you get the greek word “Kanon”. This word describes our Bible, the 66 books. The Israel of God is the community of faith, the church, and includes Jew and gentile alike. To “walk” is the same word as to keep in step with just like in 5:25 where is says to keep in step with the spirit. Paul is passionate here about The people of God walking according to the truth and sound doctrine. Not just having a mental assent. Note the fact that there is a condition here in this verse => All who walk by; not everyone not a general blessing, but one for those who walk according to the truth (canon). We find peace when we walk according to the Gospel, we find and show mercy when we walk according to the gospel. So let’s keep in step with the Gospel and the spirit, not the world.

6. The Cross Centered Life Seeks to Please Christ not Man (v17-18)

Paul in v17 refers to the scars he has received from following Christ. He is saying that he bears the markings of one who has followed Christ. Yes he might be circumcised, but the marks of a true faithful messenger he bears on his body. The circumcision crowd avoided persecution by their circumcision, but Paul was a faithful messenger and received the marks of one who has not avoided the persecutions that come from boasting in Christ alone. The word bear here is the same word that Jesus uses when he says in

Luke 14:27 ESV

27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

Mark 8:34–38 ESV

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Paul bore the scars of following Jesus and he told Timothy that all who want to live a Godly life will be persecuted

2 Timothy 3:12 ESV

12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

Jesus does not promise us that life following him will be easy, but he does promise that he will be with us.

And Paul ends with grace in this letter. He began with Grace, kept through with God’s unmerited favor towards us in Christ, and may grace be multiplied to us in Christ.

Isaac Watts

1. When I survey the wond'rous Cross On which the Prince of Glory dy'd, My richest Gain I count but Loss, And pour Contempt on all my Pride.

2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, Save in the Death of Christ my God: All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his Blood.

3. See from his Head, his Hands, his Feet, Sorrow and Love flow mingled down! Did ever such Love and Sorrow meet? Or Thorns compose so rich a Crown?

4. His dying Crimson, like a Robe, Spreads o'er his Body on the Tree; Then am I dead to all the Globe, And all the Globe is dead to me.

5. Were the whole Realm of Nature mine, That were a Present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my Soul, my Life, my All.

Lord’s Supper

The Lord’s supper is an ordinance given to us for remembrance of the Cross.

Galatians 6:14a ESV

14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

We look back to the cross today at that which we could not do for our selves, but that Christ has done for us. We have the reminder of the fact that Christ was bruised in our place, that he took the punishment that was Justly ours, that because he bore that punishment we are now a new creation, the old things have been put to death, and new things have come. We have the blessings of Christ and of new life, because of the sacrifice of Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26 ESV

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.