Love One Another

LOVE ONE ANOTHER:  BEAR YE ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS

INTRO:  John 13:34-35.  Christ commands us to love one another, but what does that really mean?  In Matt 22:37-40, He says all the law and the prophets hang on love of God and love of one’s neighbors.  What does Christ really mean when he says this?  Gal 6 gives some perspective.  READ GAL 6:1-10.

   I.  HOW LOVE RESPONDS TO SIN  Gal. 6:1

       A.  This refers to a Christian who has Stumbled (paraptwma)

             1.  This is the word used to describe Christ falling on his face in Gethsemane. Mt 26:39

             2.  In this case it could be either a small sin or a major blunder

       B.  Restore him in Meekness

             1.  Not harshly as a superior

             2.  But in love, more concerned with his restoration than with his sin

       C.  Beware, you are fully capable of being taken in the same fault

             “Any sin one man can commit, all men can commit”

 II.  HOW LOVE RESPONDS TO STRESS.  Gal 6:2 cf. 6:5

       A.  Burdens (baroV) -- A weight, anything pressing on a person physically or spiritually

             e.g.  Sins and temptations, tensions and stresses, grief and sorrow

       B.  Bear (bastazw) -- Support, help carry -- I Jn 3:17-18 -- This is True Love, but HOW?

             1.  Forget our fears of inadequacy to help.  God gives the grace to do it. II Cor 12:9

             2.  Fellowship with one another! (Heb 10:25)  Why? To discover what those burdens are.

             3.  Do not avoid or despise the burdened one, but draw closer to them

             4.  ACT!!!  Visit them, send cards/notes, call, give of yourself!!!

             5.  Intercessory Prayer.  Job 42:10.  I Sam 12:19-23.

      C.  Bear your own Burdens (fortion) (Gal 6:5) -- These are responsibilities that each of us have, not the weighty burdens of v.2 cf. Mt 11:29

III.  HOW LOVE RESPONDS TO SPIRITUAL LEADERS.  Gal 6:6

       A. “Him who is taught” = the student

       B. “Communicate” (koinonew) = share with

       C. “Unto him that teaches” = Spiritual leader

       D. “ALL good things” = this speaks of material goods (see next point)!

       E.  In other words “bear the spiritual leader’s material burdens so he can labor in the Word

             I Tim 5:17 

CONC:  Gal 6:10. Love can only be seen by ALL when it is demonstrated through actions