Series: Freedom in Christ Study # 14: Freedom to please the Spirit Galatians 5.26 – 6.10
Our culture has actually taught our kids to be this self-absorbed and narcissistic! Any time their feelings are hurt, they are the victims! Anyone who dares challenge them and, thus, makes them 'feel bad' about themselves, is a 'hater,' a 'bigot,' an 'oppressor,' and a 'victimizer.' That feeling of discomfort you have after listening to a sermon is called a conscience! An altar call is supposed to make you feel bad! It is supposed to make you feel guilty! The goal of many a good sermon is to get you to confess your sins—not coddle you in your selfishness. The objective of the Church and the Christian faith is your confession, not your self-actualization! Dr. Everett Piper President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to have a self-image based on the Gospel • Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5.26 • Conceit: Empty of honor. Deep insecurity, a perceived absence of honor and glory, leaving to a need to prove our worth to ourselves and others. kenodoxos: vain-glorious Kenós: "empty" + Dóksa: "glory"
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to have a self-image based on the Gospel • Provoking : Competitive, meaning to challenge someone to a contest. Someone who is sure of his or her superiority, looking down on someone perceived to be weaker. • Conceited • Envying : To want something that rightfully belongs to someone else, or to want that person not to have that thing. It is the stance of someone who is conscious of inferiority, looking up at someone they feel is above them.
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other. Galatians 5.26 • Both are self-absorbed, self-centred, focusing heavily on how the other person makes you look and feel. Both are in constant need of approval. One is arrogant and the other has low self-esteem. One is continually comparing themselves with others to check if they are still winning, while the other has lost at the game and despairs about themselves and envies those they see as “winners”. Both have the same motivation.
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to have a self-image based on the Gospel But the Fruit of the Spirit is (5.22-23)… the opposite of being conceited . Our A person conduct towards others is determined wrapped up in by our own opinion of ourselves. We must have a Gospel-image of himself makes a ourselves, which is not based on small package. comparisons with others, to be able to Harry Emerson serve others. The Gospel creates a Fosdick new self-image ( the Fruit ), that humbles and emboldens us.
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to experience true restauration Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Galatians 6.1 That simply means that you should be "led by the Spirit" (5:18), "walking by the Spirit" (5:16, 25), "bearing the fruit of the Spirit" (5:22). It is not a reference to superior rank of Christianity, but normal Spirit-filled Christianity. Spiritual people are ordinary people relying on an extraordinary Spirit who produces through them love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness (or meekness). John Piper
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to experience true restauration Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore that person gently. Galatians 6.1 Kataritzo means to ‘put in order’ and so to ‘restore to its former condition’. It was used in secular Greek as a medical term for setting a fractured or dislocated bone. It is applied in Mark 1:19 to the apostles who were ‘mending’ their nets.”
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to experience true restauration • Watch y ourselves (6.1) • Carry each other’s burdens (6.2): - Baros : Heavy weight . • Each one should carry their own load (6.5): - Phortion : backpack, a specific task, personal. • Each one should test their own actions (6.4): - Assess, prove, examine, put to the test. • Without comparing themselves to someone else (6.4): - Different load to carry; blind spot. God has given each of us a different set of difficulties and opportunities, a different set of weaknesses and gifts – responsibilities.
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to experience true restauration Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ . Galatians 6.2 As the Holy Spirit gives us a Christ-centered image of ourselves, His love will flow from us. “ A law that is inscribed on our hearts.” Thomas Aquinas I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2.20
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to experience true restauration They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. Matthew 23.4 Why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15.10-11
It is probable that Paul is taking one more swipe at the “Judaizers,” the false teachers who were trying to get the Galatians to come under the Mosaic law . The ‘ Law of Christ ’ means modeling our whole life on the example of Christ, motivated by grateful joy. It is a life centered on a person rather than a code. We have a different kind of obligation upon us than we did before. Now, we bear others’ burdens because Christ bore ours. Verse 2 could be summed up as: Bear others’ burdens, and by doing this follow in the footsteps of Christ, who bore yours.
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to observe results of a meaningful life • Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. Galatians 6.6 katechoumenos: learn exactly by sounds. Teaching foundational truths. koinoneo: To share. To have fellowship with.
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to observe results of a meaningful life • 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 . Galatians 6.8 • Flesh: Sarks – The part of our heart that wants to keep control of our lives. Self-seeking glory, satisfaction (“vain-glory” of 5.26). • Eternal life: zōḗ – Life . The absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God. Sustained by a vision of God’s glory.
As the Fruit of the Spirit flourishes, we begin to observe results of a meaningful life • Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6.9-10 Kairos: Time, season, occasion, opportunity
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