Bear one another's burdens

Restoring the Broken

Restoring a brother

Our natural tendency - 2 barriers

a chappenge for this first aspect of what Paul states: The walls of independence - we tend to be less inclined to invite restoration in our lives as we embrace our independence at times above relationship. We get frustrated with others pointing out deficiencies of ours, especially if they have not earned the merit in our relationship -

As we said last week - shoot the wounded

who are the spiritual?

Romans 15:1 15 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.

This is a spiritual maturity in their lives - this is not a time in service issue - although age can have an impact on wisdom

Spiritual maturity should indicate a greater ability to handle things in a Chrstlike manner enabling the handling of them to be done in gentleness

Matthew 18:15-17 15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.

1 Thess 5:14 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

How do we know if our addressing a transgression is right? The objective in all of this is the restoration of a brother that has transgressed

when restoration is the motive the response is often different that our natural proclivity -

Restoration to the church (family)

But more-so restoration to Christ

Bearing each other’s burden

John 13:34-35 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. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

How often do we need to be reminded of God’s love for us?

Let’s consider our situation - many of us have families we’ve left for months at a time - that creates burdens that we often need support with - what of those with no families - that in and of itself can create it’s own burden we need to be willing to bear with one another.

Bearing your own load - doesn’t this contradict what we just said - Paul is not dumb when it comes to understanding the sin nature present in humanity

Don’t think too highly of oneself -

Romans 12:3 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

We tend to forget the simple concept that we are all one decision away from crashing and burning. The circumstances shift one way or another and you may not be sitting here but in prison, on the street, strung out on drugs...

see yourself in the right light, so as not to get puffed up.

who do we test ourselves against?

This strange statement by Paul seems to be counter to the entire book we’ve studied so far…how do we process this:

remember, let the Bible speak for the Bible

If Paul has been insistent that it is not through works we are saved, then it would not make sense for Paul to say somethign works oriented especially toward this church

Therefore, there are two elements of this taht are contextually correct:

we test ourselves agains Christ

The last part of verse 4 is a link to vers 12 below with what the Judaizers are seeking - to brag about the fleshly work of the Galatians

Galatians 6:12 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.

Accountable to Christ - in recognition of our needed humility as stated above in Romans 12:3 we should see ourselves in light of our accountability before Christ

While I am to help you with your burden, I’m accountable for my own

Illustrate: parable of the talents.

Reaping what you Sow

Share in all blessings

a recognition of sharing in all things with those in positions to teach

Bear this responsibility

How do we view money and other worldly possessions we see as blessings?

Do we have a healthy relationship with “stuff” or do we lust after worldly things?

Illustrate: Fitness instructor description of the unhealthy relationship people have with food.

Expression of caution when it comes to money - this is a reflection of your responsibility and what you sow…not a compulsion for others to place on you -

If you align with the Biblical descritpion great, if not, it is merely my responsibility to point it out…not take your money or other items by compulsion

It becomes all too easy to spend other people’s money and guilt them into feeling less than if they aren’t open with their stuff

There is a significant difference between the two

More below on why this is an issue for Paul

The counter to sharing all things is sowing to the flesh

The entire premise is an indication of where you’ve placed your hope

In the flesh, it will lead to corruption

In the spirit, it will lead to eternal life

Continue to do good

the weariness of doing good - (no good deed goes unpunished)

1 Cor. 15:58 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

especially those in the household of faith - this again points to what we stated above of loving one another

In a world that we can all recognize is often hurtful, sinful, shameful, shouldn’t the body of Christ be a place others can look to and see joy, peace, hope, and love

Recognizing the Marks of Jesus

A show of the flesh

motivation of the Judaizers: avoid the reality of the cross -

avoiding the persecution associated with living for Christ -

John 15:20 - 20 Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.

The motivation for those who are leading astray are the ones who aren’t following the law themselves but would seek to claim victory by getting the Galatians to seemingly follow the law through circumcision.

we spoke of this earlier in the series - If I can get you to follow the flesh with me, it avoids me having to be crucified with Christ

Paul is all too familiar with the cost of the cross

shipwrecked, beaten, imprisoned, ultimately he will lose his head over the cross.

When Paul states in Gal 6:14 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.

It is not being stated by a man who does not understand the cost of following Christ.

But the return on following Christ is far greater than any worldly costs.

How to Boast

It is tempting to stay in that moment and speak of Paul being persecuted as well as the early church and even today the church around the world…but we don’t boast in our scars, we boast in the cross.

we boast in the debt paid in full

we boast in our new birth through Christ

we boast in our righteousness through Christ

we boast in Christ’s overcoming of death

we boast in the inheritance we receive as children of God