How Are You Investing?

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Galatians 6:6–10 (ESV)

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 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.

Opening Prayer

I want to jump right into the passage this morning...

And, pick up where we left off.

Look at v.6.

Sharing Is Bearing

Galatians 6:6 (ESV)

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

What does this mean, except a different way of bearing one another’s burdens?

Galatians 6:2 (ESV)

2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Sharing is bearing.

The church functions rightly...

When each person bears his/her own load.

When each person is using their giftedness.

When each person is contributing what they can.

When each person is concerned for the welfare of others.

This is when a church is functioning rightly.

Here Paul is speaking to the church about their need to support the one who teaches them.

It’s possible that the teaching elder took a stand against the false teachers and those who had been led astray stopped their support...

Or it could be that Paul just wants to remind the church of what should be a priority to support their pastor(s).

The elder/pastor takes the burden of teaching...

Dedicates himself to the study of God’s Word and prayer for the church...

He takes this burden, by his gifting and calling being affirmed by the church...

And, in so doing, the church is affirming to bear the burden that the pastor takes on...

He’s setting aside the time that he could give towards making a living...

And, he takes that time, and rather commits it to the church...

To study God’s Word, to teach/preach God’s Word...

For the benefit, edification, & the understanding of the church to grow in their knowledge of God and His will for their life.

And, the church commits to commit their labors and their time that they use to make a living...

And, they commit to share that with the pastor(s)...

So, the pastor(s) can continue to dedicate their time to the church.

That’s what the NT teaches.

And, even as early as this letter was written...

There is support for a structure of ministry and support similar to what we have today.

Paul says the same elsewhere…in 1 Cor. 9.

And, also a little later than Galatians Paul says in...

1 Timothy 5:17–18 (ESV)

17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor [greek=compensation], especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.”

So, we see elders in the plural taught in Scripture...

But, we also see a separation in those who governed...

And, those who governed and taught the church.

Paul urges that those who build upon the foundation of the apostles...

Elders who lead and teach the church...

Are supported in all good things, including material things…by the church they serve.

Now, Paul makes a striking statement that allows the hearer to know that you will have no excuse if you don’t, but can...

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

Now, this is connected to what Paul has stated about the support and sharing all good things with the pastor/teacher.

God has appointed elders in the church to protect the church.

Some have said I don’t need a pastor, I can protect myself.

And the only thing to say to that kind of person is this...

Your argument, than, is with Christ, not anyone else...

Because Christ says the Church needs elders for multiple purposes, and I want to give three:

Doctrinal error

Acts 20:28–30 (ESV)

28 Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. 29 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; 30 and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.

IOW, people will get into the church and rise up and cause division by doctrinal heresies.

Elders are to keep this at bay through the diligent study of God’s Word...

And the preaching, which is the public expression of that diligent study.

Disunity

1 Corinthians 11:18–19 (ESV)

18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

One of the reasons God does allow divisions to get into the church...

Is because it makes those who stand for biblical doctrine and the behavior that follows such doctrine publicly visible.

The elders should lead such movements when they are necessary.

Misconduct within the body

1 Corinthians 5:1–2 (ESV)

1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father’s wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

The church is protected from erring in this way through biblical, doctrinal preaching week after week...

Repetitive truth taught over and over...

So, that it is known far and wide within the church.

And, when behavior that is unbecoming of a Christian takes place...

It should be dealt with by the church.

And, the elders should be in the lead of such a situation.

Part of the church not being deceived is by the faithful shepherding of Christ’s people...

Which Christ has ordained elders in the church for that very task.

Ephesians 4:11–14 (ESV)

11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.

So, a protection that Christ has ordained for His churches...

Is faithful men to be elders to help protect the church.

To dedicate their life to such a task...

To be dedicated to the Lord and the Lord’s bride being faithful to their Groom.

And, part of the churches’ responsibility is that the elders continue to do such, faithfully...

Not having to worry about support or finances or sustenance.

And that the church does all it can to obey God’s Word...

Listen to this admonition...

Hebrews 13:17 (ESV)

17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.

God has ordained that the elders:

Lead by example...

Teach God’s truth unashamedly...

And care for the souls of the members...

And, the church should do all they can to allow them to watch over and care for their souls with joy.

Listen to what Calvin says with regard to v.6-7...

If the word of God is truly esteemed, its ministers will always receive kind and honorable treatment.

It is one of the tricks of Satan to defraud godly ministers of support, that the Church may be deprived of such ministers.

An earnest desire to preserve a gospel ministry, led to Paul’s recommendation that proper attention should be paid to good and faithful pastors.

What return of investment will the people of God make for the invaluable treasure of eternal life, which is communicated to them by the preaching of godly men?

So, not only do we have a command to not be deceived...

But, we also see that God has graciously put into place the means in order for that to not happen.

So, there is no excuse, right.

Paul states clearly...

Galatians 6:7 (ESV)

7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.

What Paul is saying is this...

Your transactions that express your regard or lack of regard for the Church...

And the gospel of Jesus Christ are not invisible to God...

And, although people may try to separate them from God...

They are ultimately transactions with Him.

If a person puts little importance on the Church...

Gives the Bride of Christ little priority...

Puts little return of investment into the support of the church...

You’re not ultimately mocking the people of the church...

You’re ultimately expressing contempt for God...

And, God will have the last word.

God will not be mocked.

Now, Paul adds to what he is saying...

Galatians 6:8 (ESV)

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.

Now, Paul breaks this principle down into parts.

If one sows to the flesh, then it shows that our hope is in this present life.

Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die

And we become nothing…says worldly philosophy.

When we sow to the flesh, we prove that our hope is in the comforts of this present world.

So you reap the fruit of the seed you sow.

A life characterized by this can have no assurance...

Because there is no expression of love for Christ...

Only love for the cares of the world.

In contrast, if you sow to the Spirit the fruit is eternal life.

So, if one lives a life that shows a love for Christ...

It will manifest in spiritual fruit...

And spiritual fruit is leading us on a path of assurance...

A path that leads to eternal life.

Sowing to the Spirit is not what obtains for us eternal life...

Sowing to the Spirit expresses that we are on the right path to eternal life...

Mainly, a person who has put their faith in Christ...

Is resting in Christ...

And, resting in Christ is hoping in Christ...

And, the reward that awaits us in Christ.

Sowing to the Spirit expresses our hope is in Christ...

And, the eternal life and heavenly world that He promises His Bride.

We are willing to endure delayed gratification...

Because what awaits us by our present investments into the Kingdom...

Is a reward infinitely greater than all the treasures and comforts this world can give.

(If time permits, explain the work of HS in a saved person’s life, not perfection, but pursuing)

So, Paul says...

Galatians 6:9–10 (ESV)

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.

Doing good.

Why is it so hard?

Why do we grow weary doing it?

Why must we not stop doing good?

We will look at that next week.

For now, let us see the importance of the things Christ says is important...

And, let us seek to invest in the things that Christ says we should invest in.

Closing Prayer