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Galatians:Starting Over {Yet Again}
Sowing…
Judas…looking out for number 1
So…what gives?
Peter…when eyes on Jesus= OK
When consumed with self…?
The greatest way to getYour needs met
Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads
Move from "me-centered"To "mission-oriented"
God calls his church to bePeople of Restoration
In Restoration CommunityNo one is GreaterBut each helps the other
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but
in humility count others more significant than yourselves
- Philippians 2
Last week:Bear one another's burdensAnd so fulfill the Law of Christ
For each will have to bear his own load
We were made toWalk in Community
Not with expectation- receivingBut with anticipation- giving
Early Church: Had all things in common
Early Church: Had all things in common
Not CommunismNot Socialism
No Coercion
They had Biblical Community
Because the Wealthy Fellowshipping alongside the Starving is not true Fellowship
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
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”- John 13:34-35
God designed us so that……there should be no division in
the body, but that its parts should have equal concern
for each other- 1 Cor. 12:25
Love is…?
Some of this was producedBy the Spirit from the start
Some of it had to be taught
OT Religious Leaders:Tithes and Taxes and Exchanges
NT: God has given…Pastors- Eph. 4
"Beats me…I guess we Pray for them…"
Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches
Share= Koinōneitō"Let share"
Present, Active, Imperative, Singular
Share= Koinōneitō"Communion"
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?- 1 Cor. 10
Share= Koinōneitō
Don't let him starve…But alsoDon't make him the outsiderShare all good things with…
I have a list…I still look at it and pray for
Koinonia= "You're not alone…"
Specific instruction to Galatians Christians:
Take care of your Teacher(s)
Governing Spiritual Principle:Sowing and Reaping
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
I'm just here for what I can get= Works of the Flesh
In the early church:Letting the guy who gives his life
To teaching life-changing Truth Scramble for a meal
While I enjoy "mine"
Today?
Sows to his own flesh= will…reap corruptionMe-centered= Decay
Sows to the Spirit=will…reap Eternal life
The greatest way to getYour needs met
Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads
Sows to the Spirit= life:
If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me- Jesus, Luke 9
We were made toWalk in Community
Not with expectation- receivingBut with anticipation- giving
Sows to the Spirit=will…reap eternal life
Evidence, not earning
The evidence of my FaithIs found in how I approach
The Koinonia
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”- John 13
We are blessed:
"I'm just here to serve GodAnd serve his people"
Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap
I'm good…I'm in churchI'm good…I walked an aisleI'm good…I prayed a prayer
Don't be deceivedGod isn't mocked…
Fruit comes from what is sownNot what is shown
I need to look at what I'm Planting
If I want to change what I'm Producing
God is not mockedI can't make it all about me
And wind up full, fruitfulAnd content in Christ
Actions determine resultsWhat we do determines
What we receiveAnd reveals what we believe
The greatest way to getYour needs met
Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads
Then is Grace a lie?
On the contrary…This proves God's graceThat we're still breathing And so blessed
Grace forgivesJesus takes our sin=
Ultimate consequences
Actions determine experienceAnd reveal the truth
So live Koinonia:
Deny self, pick up the crossFollow Jesus in Community
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season
we will reap, if we do not give up
Keep teaching, TeacherGod sees and knowsHe'll make it right
Keep supporting and encouraging, Disciple
God sees and knowsYou'll see the fruit of your labor
Stay in sharing FellowshipIt'll be messy
It won't be easy
It's the missionSowing that brings reaping
The greatest way to getYour needs met
Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads
…in due season we will reap, if we do not give up
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faithNot just ability, but occasion
Engage: Carry one another's burdens and so fulfill the Law
Help each other
Belong: share in all good thingsFellowship deeply
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
Compromise:
- I want to look good- I want to avoid hardship
(Romans…and some Jews)
Discipleship:
- Set free to be thought foolish- Count the cost- won't be easy
For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh
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
Christian braggingSpiritual one-upmanshipExterior righteousness
Bleeds out and dies right here
Bragging? OK…
Jesus! So…I'm dead to selfAnd I don't have to follow your silly religious rules or play your
silly religious games anymore
For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision,
but a new creation
For neither (degrees…) (experiences…) (past…) (praying well in public…) (being a missionary…) counts for anything, but a new creation
And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God
From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my
body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen
Next Step:
Honestly, what's my focus?What's my mission?Do I share (time, attention, etc)With those in need?
Is the Fellowship about me:How it makes me feel?
What I get out of it?
What it can do for me & mine?
Or is it about serving GodBy loving his people well?
Questions, CommentsDisagreements
Let's Pray…
iMarriage
Easter CandyEaster Services= Invite