Sermon Feb 27, 2011- Galatians 6:1-10 Hold to One another
Here are my notes from last Sunday's message.
Click here to download the audio file.
Message title: Galatians 6:1-10 Hold to One Another
The Big Idea for message: As Christians we are to Hold one another up, to help bear one another’s burdens and to share in the blessings provided by God.
Sticky Statement: Lift up others when needed, and share blessings whenever possible!
Misc: Last week we talked about the Great Commission and I spent some time researching with the Baptist Convention of Iowa is suggesting. They have put together ‘God’s Plan for Sharing’ and have referenced 3 points of scripture to support this plan. They are:
Galatians 6:1-10 Hold to One Another
John 15:4 Abide in Christ
Acts 1:8 Reach Out to Others
I thought these would be great topics for some sermons as we look to find out what we can do to reach out to our community. So this morning we are going to start with Hold to One Another, based on Galatians 6:1-10.
ME (orientation): As I was preparing for this message I read a story that portrays the message perfectly, that I would like to share with you.
In the book "Stories for the Journey," William R. White tells about a European seminary professor named Hans and his wife, Enid. World War II forced them to flee to America where he found a job teaching. He was warm and gentle, loved by his students, and he brought Scripture to life for them.
Hans and Enid were very much in love. Nearly every day they took long walks together, holding hands, and they always sat close in church, until Enid died, overwhelming Hans with sorrow. Worried because he wouldn’t eat nor take walks, the seminary President, along with three other friends, visited him regularly, but he remained lonely and depressed. Experiencing the dark night of the soul, Hans told his friends, “I am no longer able to pray to God. In fact, I am not certain I believe in God anymore.”
After a moment of silence the seminary President said, “Then we will believe for you. We will make your confession for you. We will pray for you.”
So the four men met daily for prayer, asking God to restore the gift of faith to their dear friend.
Many months later, as the four gathered with Hans, he smiled and said, “It is no longer necessary for you to pray for me. Today, I would like you to pray with me.”
The dark night of the soul had passed. Instead of carrying Hans to Jesus on a stretcher, they had carried him on their prayers. This is a wonderful example of carrying each other’s burdens.
WE (identification): How many times have you felt like Hans and wished you had brothers and Sisters in Christ who would come along side of you and support you. We quite often get something different, something that feels like you are being judged.
One way to think of it is the different reactions children get from their parents. When one of my kids is doing something that is likely to get them hurt we will tell them to be careful or to stop. Of course they do not always listen and sometimes they do hurt themselves. Alexis’ reaction tends to be the loving nurturing Mother, lifting them up, comforting them, and helping them to get back on their feet. Me on the other hand, I tend to say something like “I told you that was going to happen.” Which action do you think is more Christ like? Obviously the one of the Mother!
If we are honest with ourselves I am sure we can each think of times we have acted like the Mother and times we like the Father.
GOD (illumination):
Let’s read Galatians 6:1-10.
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Pray - - - - - - - - - -
In these verses Paul is pointing out two ways that Christians can minister to one another. First there is the bearing of burdens and the other is the sharing of blessings.
Let’s start with verse 1 as we look into what Paul has to say about bearing one another’s burdens.
Verse 1 tells us” if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”
To start with we are getting and encouragement and a warning. If you remember Hans’ friends earlier they lived by the Spirit and they gently lifted up Hans. They kept him in their prayers, continued to be his friend, and daily showed Hans they loved him. Basically they invested themselves in Hans and helped to restore him in his faith. It is a great example on how we can come along side someone, whether they are a believer of not, show them love, continue to be encouraging and let God work.
The warning comes in that if we are not careful, if we are not Humble, we ourselves can fall into sin. One example I have heard before is when someone says, I am going to minister to my friends at the bar, saying I can resist the temptation. He may enter with the greatest of intentions, but can easily fall to the temptation.
Verse 2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
We need to help other’s carry their burdens. Basically we are being told that there are things in life that cannot be carried by one individual. The loss of a loved one, an on-going struggle with sin that cannot be successfully overcome all by oneself. These are the types of things that as Christians should go help support others.
In Mark chapter 2 we are told about a time when Jesus was teaching in a house and 4 men were trying to bring their paralytic friend to Him. This is a great example of how a burden is shared. Obviously the man could not come to Jesus on His own, he needed help. His friends saw the need, the struggle, and came along side their friend and brought him to Jesus. They shared in the paralytic man’s burden.
As we continue looking at Galatians 6:
Verses 3-5 “3 if anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.”
Here Paul is reminding us that none of us our above the struggles that others are facing. We will have struggles in our life, we will have sin that holds us back, we need to remember that no matter how hard someone is struggling or how low they may seem. We are no better than they are. He is also cautioning us about being prideful of feeling superior is wrong, we need to remember to NOT compare ourselves to others.
In Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.’
The Pharisee was not looking at his own sin, he was looking at others and comparing himself to them and sinning at the same time.
Instead as it tells us in verse 5 “for each one should carry their own load” each of us is supposed to do our part in helping others.
As we move on to verses 6-10, we are switching from our responsibility to help bear one another’s burdens to sharing in each other’s blessings.
“6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
The main point behind these verses is that we need to take whatever we have, be it time, money, the gifts we have been given by the Spirit, and anything else and sow it where God wants it.
God is telling us that we need to now only sow what He has blessed us with but we need to be careful where we sow. The old adage states:
“Sow a thought, and you reap an act. Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”
Whatever blessings God has given us, and we need to be careful where we sow them. We have a choice, we can sow them in sinful ways or we can sow them in spiritual ways. The warning here is that we need to be very careful, once we choose and sow them there we are stuck. If we invest our time and money in things that do not honor God we will have to live with the consequences. On the other hand if we invest in what God wants us to do, He will use the blessings He has given us and bless others.
YOU (application): Lift up others when needed, and share blessings whenever possible!
As we go through life we encounter people here at church and outside of church who are going through tough times. Our job as Christians is to come along side them and help to carry the burden they are facing. With our love and support that burden will become easier to bear.
We also find ourselves blessed by God in many ways. Whether it is money, time, or whatever we have to bless others. As we bless others we are sowing our blessings in spiritual ways and will reap what we sow. As we share our blessings, more blessings will be shared with us.
WE (inspiration):
I encourage each of us to remember to be there for those around us. The more we show we care, the more we sow our blessings, the more Christ like we become.
Lift up others when needed, and share blessings whenever possible!
God Bless!
Robert
Click here to download the audio file.
Message title: Galatians 6:1-10 Hold to One Another
The Big Idea for message: As Christians we are to Hold one another up, to help bear one another’s burdens and to share in the blessings provided by God.
Sticky Statement: Lift up others when needed, and share blessings whenever possible!
Misc: Last week we talked about the Great Commission and I spent some time researching with the Baptist Convention of Iowa is suggesting. They have put together ‘God’s Plan for Sharing’ and have referenced 3 points of scripture to support this plan. They are:
Galatians 6:1-10 Hold to One Another
John 15:4 Abide in Christ
Acts 1:8 Reach Out to Others
I thought these would be great topics for some sermons as we look to find out what we can do to reach out to our community. So this morning we are going to start with Hold to One Another, based on Galatians 6:1-10.
ME (orientation): As I was preparing for this message I read a story that portrays the message perfectly, that I would like to share with you.
In the book "Stories for the Journey," William R. White tells about a European seminary professor named Hans and his wife, Enid. World War II forced them to flee to America where he found a job teaching. He was warm and gentle, loved by his students, and he brought Scripture to life for them.
Hans and Enid were very much in love. Nearly every day they took long walks together, holding hands, and they always sat close in church, until Enid died, overwhelming Hans with sorrow. Worried because he wouldn’t eat nor take walks, the seminary President, along with three other friends, visited him regularly, but he remained lonely and depressed. Experiencing the dark night of the soul, Hans told his friends, “I am no longer able to pray to God. In fact, I am not certain I believe in God anymore.”
After a moment of silence the seminary President said, “Then we will believe for you. We will make your confession for you. We will pray for you.”
So the four men met daily for prayer, asking God to restore the gift of faith to their dear friend.
Many months later, as the four gathered with Hans, he smiled and said, “It is no longer necessary for you to pray for me. Today, I would like you to pray with me.”
The dark night of the soul had passed. Instead of carrying Hans to Jesus on a stretcher, they had carried him on their prayers. This is a wonderful example of carrying each other’s burdens.
WE (identification): How many times have you felt like Hans and wished you had brothers and Sisters in Christ who would come along side of you and support you. We quite often get something different, something that feels like you are being judged.
One way to think of it is the different reactions children get from their parents. When one of my kids is doing something that is likely to get them hurt we will tell them to be careful or to stop. Of course they do not always listen and sometimes they do hurt themselves. Alexis’ reaction tends to be the loving nurturing Mother, lifting them up, comforting them, and helping them to get back on their feet. Me on the other hand, I tend to say something like “I told you that was going to happen.” Which action do you think is more Christ like? Obviously the one of the Mother!
If we are honest with ourselves I am sure we can each think of times we have acted like the Mother and times we like the Father.
GOD (illumination):
Let’s read Galatians 6:1-10.
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Pray - - - - - - - - - -
In these verses Paul is pointing out two ways that Christians can minister to one another. First there is the bearing of burdens and the other is the sharing of blessings.
Let’s start with verse 1 as we look into what Paul has to say about bearing one another’s burdens.
Verse 1 tells us” if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted”
To start with we are getting and encouragement and a warning. If you remember Hans’ friends earlier they lived by the Spirit and they gently lifted up Hans. They kept him in their prayers, continued to be his friend, and daily showed Hans they loved him. Basically they invested themselves in Hans and helped to restore him in his faith. It is a great example on how we can come along side someone, whether they are a believer of not, show them love, continue to be encouraging and let God work.
The warning comes in that if we are not careful, if we are not Humble, we ourselves can fall into sin. One example I have heard before is when someone says, I am going to minister to my friends at the bar, saying I can resist the temptation. He may enter with the greatest of intentions, but can easily fall to the temptation.
Verse 2 “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
We need to help other’s carry their burdens. Basically we are being told that there are things in life that cannot be carried by one individual. The loss of a loved one, an on-going struggle with sin that cannot be successfully overcome all by oneself. These are the types of things that as Christians should go help support others.
In Mark chapter 2 we are told about a time when Jesus was teaching in a house and 4 men were trying to bring their paralytic friend to Him. This is a great example of how a burden is shared. Obviously the man could not come to Jesus on His own, he needed help. His friends saw the need, the struggle, and came along side their friend and brought him to Jesus. They shared in the paralytic man’s burden.
As we continue looking at Galatians 6:
Verses 3-5 “3 if anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.”
Here Paul is reminding us that none of us our above the struggles that others are facing. We will have struggles in our life, we will have sin that holds us back, we need to remember that no matter how hard someone is struggling or how low they may seem. We are no better than they are. He is also cautioning us about being prideful of feeling superior is wrong, we need to remember to NOT compare ourselves to others.
In Luke 18:11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.’
The Pharisee was not looking at his own sin, he was looking at others and comparing himself to them and sinning at the same time.
Instead as it tells us in verse 5 “for each one should carry their own load” each of us is supposed to do our part in helping others.
As we move on to verses 6-10, we are switching from our responsibility to help bear one another’s burdens to sharing in each other’s blessings.
“6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
The main point behind these verses is that we need to take whatever we have, be it time, money, the gifts we have been given by the Spirit, and anything else and sow it where God wants it.
God is telling us that we need to now only sow what He has blessed us with but we need to be careful where we sow. The old adage states:
“Sow a thought, and you reap an act. Sow an act, and you reap a habit. Sow a habit, and you reap a character. Sow a character, and you reap a destiny.”
Whatever blessings God has given us, and we need to be careful where we sow them. We have a choice, we can sow them in sinful ways or we can sow them in spiritual ways. The warning here is that we need to be very careful, once we choose and sow them there we are stuck. If we invest our time and money in things that do not honor God we will have to live with the consequences. On the other hand if we invest in what God wants us to do, He will use the blessings He has given us and bless others.
YOU (application): Lift up others when needed, and share blessings whenever possible!
As we go through life we encounter people here at church and outside of church who are going through tough times. Our job as Christians is to come along side them and help to carry the burden they are facing. With our love and support that burden will become easier to bear.
We also find ourselves blessed by God in many ways. Whether it is money, time, or whatever we have to bless others. As we bless others we are sowing our blessings in spiritual ways and will reap what we sow. As we share our blessings, more blessings will be shared with us.
WE (inspiration):
I encourage each of us to remember to be there for those around us. The more we show we care, the more we sow our blessings, the more Christ like we become.
Lift up others when needed, and share blessings whenever possible!
God Bless!
Robert
Comments
Post a Comment