May 20, 2018 NOTES NOT EDITED
Pt16, Spirit Walkers: God’s Weight Lifters
Pt16, Spirit Walkers: God’s Weight Lifters
Galatians 6:1-10
Sermon-in-a-Sentence: Spirit Walkers
are called to lift the burdens of
others.
Perhaps the oldest competitive
sport in the world is “weight-lifting.”
One man against dead weight. It’s
all or nothing. You lift it, or you
lose. Here’s a video taste of the
sport.
Eddie Hall https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9Y4o_BqC0A
Since the dawn of time, man has
been lifting all kinds of weights from logs and stones to metal plates. In a similar way, Christ followers are called
to carry the burdens of the world. Paul
addresses three different aspects of
carrying the weight of the world.
Let’s read about them. Galatians 6:1-10. We are called to Carry the weight of others; the weight of ministry; and our personal burdens.
1. Spirit Walkers Carry the Weight of Others (1-4, 10)
Let’s read about them. Galatians 6:1-10. We are called to Carry the weight of others; the weight of ministry; and our personal burdens.
1. Spirit Walkers Carry the Weight of Others (1-4, 10)
Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are
spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for
yourselves so you also won’t be tempted.
2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For
if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives
himself. 4 But each person should examine his own work, and
then he will have a reason for boasting in himself alone, and not in respect to
someone else.
…………………………………….
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
…………………………………….
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
Throughout chapters 1-4, Paul
introduced the doctrine of justification by grace alone apart from human works;
and then, Paul defended that doctrine with several theologically based sermons.
Today’s sermon is Paul’s third practical application of the doctrine of grace. Paul really sharpens the point of this lesson to drive it home into the hearts of Spirit Walkers. We must be God’s Weight Lifters lifting the loads of others in this world. Christians cannot rely on government or technology to relieve the heavy burdens people must bear in this life. God’s people must the burdens of humanity so that people can be set free from the bondages of sin and corruption. The Church—groups of dynamic disciples desperately in love with God and their neighbor—empowered by the Holy Spirit—ordinary people like you and I—must lift the weight of the world upon our shoulders.
We cannot do this on our own. Thankfully, God does not expect us to do it alone; but, God does expect us to participate! Where God guides, He provides all the resources—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to accomplish His decrees.
The Book of Galatians is a book of contrasts. The primary contrast has been between grace and the Law, or between salvation as a gift and salvation attempted through good works. That contrast is also depicted as the contrast between freedom and bondage. Paul refines this contrast between grace and the Law, or freedom and bondage by redefining it as a conflict between our sanctified Spirit and our sinful flesh. Notice this same theme in verse 1:
Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual.
Here, those saved by grace are called, “Brothers” and “spiritual ones” (hoi pneumatikoi, oJi pneumatikoi). Those who are following the flesh are identified as being “caught in wrongdoing (transgressions, ESV, sin, NIV, a fault, KJV). Throughout the Bible the whole of humanity is always divided in two groups, and only two groups. There are those who are walking in sin toward destruction, and those who are walking in the Spirit toward salvation. There are those under a curse, or those under blessing.
Now, in this section, Paul clarifies our mission as Spirit-fortified followers of Jesus Christ—lift up those who have fallen in sin. Bind up the wounded. Mend the broken. Lift up the downtrodden. Embrace the disenfranchised. Set free the addicted. Befriend the wanderers and aliens in our world. This mission permeates every book in the Bible. The Book of Deuteronomy (24:19), and many other verses, establishes this mission:
Today’s sermon is Paul’s third practical application of the doctrine of grace. Paul really sharpens the point of this lesson to drive it home into the hearts of Spirit Walkers. We must be God’s Weight Lifters lifting the loads of others in this world. Christians cannot rely on government or technology to relieve the heavy burdens people must bear in this life. God’s people must the burdens of humanity so that people can be set free from the bondages of sin and corruption. The Church—groups of dynamic disciples desperately in love with God and their neighbor—empowered by the Holy Spirit—ordinary people like you and I—must lift the weight of the world upon our shoulders.
We cannot do this on our own. Thankfully, God does not expect us to do it alone; but, God does expect us to participate! Where God guides, He provides all the resources—physical, emotional, and spiritual—to accomplish His decrees.
The Book of Galatians is a book of contrasts. The primary contrast has been between grace and the Law, or between salvation as a gift and salvation attempted through good works. That contrast is also depicted as the contrast between freedom and bondage. Paul refines this contrast between grace and the Law, or freedom and bondage by redefining it as a conflict between our sanctified Spirit and our sinful flesh. Notice this same theme in verse 1:
Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual.
Here, those saved by grace are called, “Brothers” and “spiritual ones” (hoi pneumatikoi, oJi pneumatikoi). Those who are following the flesh are identified as being “caught in wrongdoing (transgressions, ESV, sin, NIV, a fault, KJV). Throughout the Bible the whole of humanity is always divided in two groups, and only two groups. There are those who are walking in sin toward destruction, and those who are walking in the Spirit toward salvation. There are those under a curse, or those under blessing.
Now, in this section, Paul clarifies our mission as Spirit-fortified followers of Jesus Christ—lift up those who have fallen in sin. Bind up the wounded. Mend the broken. Lift up the downtrodden. Embrace the disenfranchised. Set free the addicted. Befriend the wanderers and aliens in our world. This mission permeates every book in the Bible. The Book of Deuteronomy (24:19), and many other verses, establishes this mission:
19 “When you reap the harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands.
Throughout the word we are called to lift the burdens of others where ever we might find them, regardless of color or creed. At the end of this section on God’s Weight Lifters, Paul gives a sums up the reason God leaves us here on earth after we are saved (Verse 10):
10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
A religious leader once asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” The implication in this question by the Jewish leader was that his neighbor was someone like him, that is of his race and religion. Jesus shattered that notion with the story of the Good Samaritan. That story answers the question, “Who is my neighbor?” by showing that our neighbor is anyone in need—anyone with a burden, saint or sinner.
Spirit walkers are called to “Carry the Burdens of Others”—both inside and outside our particular social circles. Indeed, our mission extends to anywhere in the world there is sin, and its burdens. That is everywhere, starting with those caught in sin in the church.
2. We are also called to Carry the Weight of the Ministry (6-8)
6 The one who is taught the message must share all his good things with the teacher.
When I surrendered to the call to preach the gospel in 1976, I gave up the right to pursue the fruits of my own labors in life. When I answered the call to preach, I took a vow to rely solely on the providence of God—through his people—to take care of my physical and financial needs. That’s what the call requires.
How has that worked out? Well, let me just say, I’ve never starved and I’ve always had a roof over my head. In 41 years of ministry I have NEVER negotiated a salary and I have NEVER asked for a raise. I have learned to trust that God’s people will do what God has called them to do. If they do right, God blesses us both. If they don’t, God still blesses me. Here’s what Paul says to Timothy in that regard:
1Tim. 5:17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.
Notice
in verses 7-8 that Paul talks
about supporting the ministry and ministers of the church in terms of “sowing
and reaping.”
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit.
This
is not some random proverb out of place in this context. This verse directly associates how much
someone contributes to the life of ministers and the work in ministry with how
much a person is blessed in life and eternity.
When you keep your tithe, you do not increase your blessings—you
destroy them! I know that sounds
harsh and politically incorrect to say in a church. I know that for some of you
that stings like salt in an open wound because you are not tithing. I know that saying such things in church is
likely to increase your fondness for church—that is, another church that won’t
actually preach what God says. But,
before you throw tomatoes at the preacher remember: I didn’t write the Bible. I just preach it.
I want every one in here to take special note of one word in verse 8: “e-t-e-r-n-a-l, eternal!” What is at stake in regard to the blessings you will or will not receive by Lifting the Burden of God’s Ministry and Ministers is “eternal.” Disobedience has both immediate and eternal consequences. Think about Adam and Eve. Their sin had several immediate and physical consequences. For (1) one, Eve had to learn how to do laundry. (2) Also, they lost fellowship with God and no longer enjoyed daily, personal walks with Him in a beautiful garden. (3) Third, the spirit of death immediately entered their bodies. (4) Beyond all that, they lost their eternal souls. Their spirits died before the bite of the apple passed their tonsils. Adam brought eternal damnation upon the whole world. Adam’s sin cost God the death of His son. There are tremendous consequences for disobedience, the most significant consequences are “e-t-e-r-n-a-l, eternal!”
I want every one in here to take special note of one word in verse 8: “e-t-e-r-n-a-l, eternal!” What is at stake in regard to the blessings you will or will not receive by Lifting the Burden of God’s Ministry and Ministers is “eternal.” Disobedience has both immediate and eternal consequences. Think about Adam and Eve. Their sin had several immediate and physical consequences. For (1) one, Eve had to learn how to do laundry. (2) Also, they lost fellowship with God and no longer enjoyed daily, personal walks with Him in a beautiful garden. (3) Third, the spirit of death immediately entered their bodies. (4) Beyond all that, they lost their eternal souls. Their spirits died before the bite of the apple passed their tonsils. Adam brought eternal damnation upon the whole world. Adam’s sin cost God the death of His son. There are tremendous consequences for disobedience, the most significant consequences are “e-t-e-r-n-a-l, eternal!”
Make no mistake about this my dear friends: you cannot increase what you own by keeping what belongs to God. If you “sow to the flesh you will reap corruption.” (v.8).
Let
us take note of that word, “corruption,” which
is the consequence of disobedience in regard to God’s decree to participate
fully and happily in supporting his work and workers. The word is used to describe a decomposing
body. In one ancient text
(Plutarch, Artaxerses) it describes
the decomposing body of King Mithridates who was yet still alive. His execution as a foe of Rome included
pouring honey all over his face and into his mouth while exposing him to the
elements. As a result his body was
completely covered by flies and “consumed by maggots and warms.” Not a pleasant picture by any means. It should serve as a strong warning to all
that “sowing to
the flesh reaps corruption” (v8).
Let
me also take a moment to
expound on another important word in regard to “Carrying the Weight of God’s
Ministers and Ministry.” Note
the words in verse 6: “must share.” This
is actually one word in the original language, “koinōneitō, κοινωνείτω.” This
word in all its forms is extremely significant throughout the N.T. It refers to the deepest level of
participation, or fellowship. Paul uses
it to discuss the level of “fellowship” one has with Christ when we embrace
fully our own suffering for the sake of the Gospel. Phil. 3:10 says,
10 My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship (koinonia) of His sufferings. There is no deeper level of participating with someone than by “sharing there suffering.”
The word translated, “must share,” are also significant because of the form the word is in. It is in the imperative mood which is the way we express a command in both English and Greek. Thus, we add the word, “must” before the word, “share.” Carrying the Burden of God’s Ministry and Ministers is not an “optional” aspect of living an obedient Christian life—it is essential. Spirit Walkers MUST carry the financial burden of the ministry. Without money, there is no ministry in this modern world. And, that’s a fact, Jack!
Paul extends his application of what it means to be saved by grace and become God’s Weight Lifter by showing we must also
3. Carry our Personal Burdens. Compare verses 5 and 9.
10 My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship (koinonia) of His sufferings. There is no deeper level of participating with someone than by “sharing there suffering.”
The word translated, “must share,” are also significant because of the form the word is in. It is in the imperative mood which is the way we express a command in both English and Greek. Thus, we add the word, “must” before the word, “share.” Carrying the Burden of God’s Ministry and Ministers is not an “optional” aspect of living an obedient Christian life—it is essential. Spirit Walkers MUST carry the financial burden of the ministry. Without money, there is no ministry in this modern world. And, that’s a fact, Jack!
Paul extends his application of what it means to be saved by grace and become God’s Weight Lifter by showing we must also
3. Carry our Personal Burdens. Compare verses 5 and 9.
5 For each person will
have to carry his own load.
…………………………………………..
9 So we must not get
tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
Think back to that “first weight lifter” we watched on video. He lifted over 1100 pounds. Every muscle in his body strained to lift the weight. In the few seconds he held that weight, he was completely spent. Remember, he collapsed after dropping the weight in total exhaustion. He had to be attended to and helped up by others.
Weight lifting is exhausting both emotionally and physically. Spiritual weight lifting is exhausting, not only emotionally and physically, but also spiritually. Hence, God warns us through Paul, “not to get so tired in ministry that we become discouraged.”
There is a “personal price” to pay for being God’s weight lifter. Not only do we have the “weight of others to bear, and the weight of the ministry to bear, but we have our personal weight to bear.” Every believer is called to “take up the cross.” The Bible’s cross is not that shiny trinket many wear around their necks or on other jewelry. The Bible’s cross was a heavy, rough, splintery device of human suffering.
If you live, you suffer. Even apart from lifting the weight of others and the weight of the ministry, we all have personal weight to carry. We all have experienced, or are experiencing, loss. We all have, or are having, pain. We all struggle to surrender more and more of ourselves each day to Jesus Christ in prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, and evangelism. We all despair of knowing what we should be doing, and yet realizing we are not doing it.
Too many people are looking for a lighter load. God wants to give you a stronger back. It is just hard to be holy. Grace is free, but it isn’t cheap. It cost God His very own Son. God does the heavy lifting, but not all the lifting. We each have personal weight to carry in life. Life is hard. It extracts a heavy payment, even before the additional weight of the souls of men and women on our shoulders.
It is important to note that when God refers to bearing the burdens of others struggling with sin, and then says we are to bear our own burdens, two different words are used. In verse 2 the word for burden refers to a particularly exhausting or debilitating circumstance or struggle (barē). There is no sense that this burden is something anyone would chose to carry. In verse 5, the word refers to “a soldiers pack” (phortion). Unlike a bare, this is something we willing accept as part of our mission in life—it is our, “cross,” so to speak. A soldier serves without whining or complaining. A Spirit Walker likewise, “rejoices in suffering with Christ” (Phil. 3:10). This does not make the burden lighter or even more pleasant. Such surrender to Christ even in the midst of life’s most troublesome times, however, does give our personal weight meaning and purpose.
Notice the second part of verse 6: for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
There is not defeat if there is no surrender. As long as a soldier keeps shooting, he is winning the battle. Though we may find comfort in the fellowship of the saints—and surely we do—there is a personal weight that all of us must bear. St. John of the Cross referred to it as a “Dark Night of the Soul.” Paul reminds us, “Don’t become weary in living the good life, and most of all—NEVER quit.
As the great statesman Winston Churchill said, when the dark shadows of defeat seemed to loom over the England in WW2: We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
We are called to be God’s Weight Lifters. We are called to Lift the weight of others, saint and sinner alike. We are called to lift the weight of God’s ministry and ministers. We are called to lift our own personal weight as we struggle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
Think back to that “first weight lifter” we watched on video. He lifted over 1100 pounds. Every muscle in his body strained to lift the weight. In the few seconds he held that weight, he was completely spent. Remember, he collapsed after dropping the weight in total exhaustion. He had to be attended to and helped up by others.
Weight lifting is exhausting both emotionally and physically. Spiritual weight lifting is exhausting, not only emotionally and physically, but also spiritually. Hence, God warns us through Paul, “not to get so tired in ministry that we become discouraged.”
There is a “personal price” to pay for being God’s weight lifter. Not only do we have the “weight of others to bear, and the weight of the ministry to bear, but we have our personal weight to bear.” Every believer is called to “take up the cross.” The Bible’s cross is not that shiny trinket many wear around their necks or on other jewelry. The Bible’s cross was a heavy, rough, splintery device of human suffering.
If you live, you suffer. Even apart from lifting the weight of others and the weight of the ministry, we all have personal weight to carry. We all have experienced, or are experiencing, loss. We all have, or are having, pain. We all struggle to surrender more and more of ourselves each day to Jesus Christ in prayer, Bible study, worship, fellowship, and evangelism. We all despair of knowing what we should be doing, and yet realizing we are not doing it.
Too many people are looking for a lighter load. God wants to give you a stronger back. It is just hard to be holy. Grace is free, but it isn’t cheap. It cost God His very own Son. God does the heavy lifting, but not all the lifting. We each have personal weight to carry in life. Life is hard. It extracts a heavy payment, even before the additional weight of the souls of men and women on our shoulders.
It is important to note that when God refers to bearing the burdens of others struggling with sin, and then says we are to bear our own burdens, two different words are used. In verse 2 the word for burden refers to a particularly exhausting or debilitating circumstance or struggle (barē). There is no sense that this burden is something anyone would chose to carry. In verse 5, the word refers to “a soldiers pack” (phortion). Unlike a bare, this is something we willing accept as part of our mission in life—it is our, “cross,” so to speak. A soldier serves without whining or complaining. A Spirit Walker likewise, “rejoices in suffering with Christ” (Phil. 3:10). This does not make the burden lighter or even more pleasant. Such surrender to Christ even in the midst of life’s most troublesome times, however, does give our personal weight meaning and purpose.
Notice the second part of verse 6: for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
There is not defeat if there is no surrender. As long as a soldier keeps shooting, he is winning the battle. Though we may find comfort in the fellowship of the saints—and surely we do—there is a personal weight that all of us must bear. St. John of the Cross referred to it as a “Dark Night of the Soul.” Paul reminds us, “Don’t become weary in living the good life, and most of all—NEVER quit.
As the great statesman Winston Churchill said, when the dark shadows of defeat seemed to loom over the England in WW2: We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.
We are called to be God’s Weight Lifters. We are called to Lift the weight of others, saint and sinner alike. We are called to lift the weight of God’s ministry and ministers. We are called to lift our own personal weight as we struggle against the world, the flesh, and the Devil.
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