We finish Galatians today and as usual Paul never minces his words. When he speaks it’s fairly clear what he wants us to know. This morning his passion is to refocus his hearers on the true gospel and not to be distracted by the counterfeit. Be blessed .
Galatians 5: Christ Has Set Us Free
1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.
3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.
4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.
5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.
9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.
12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.
Walk by the Spirit
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,
21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 6: Bear One Another's Burdens
1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbour.
5 For each will have to bear his own load.
6 One who is taught the word must 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.
Final Warning and Benediction
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand.
12 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.
13 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.
14 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.
15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.
16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.
18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.
Things to think about…
1. Paul does not let religious people think they can be saved by circumcision and not the true gospel, Gal 5:1-6. He asks again in vs 7 – ‘who has hindered you’. I.E. who has cut in front of you? You were running well – what happened? This happens to us sometimes doesn’t it. We get distracted and go down a side lane or run on a different track for a while. Be aware of side roads in your faith that can be dangerous and time consuming distractions. They don’t help anyone, but distract us away from the true path of the gospel. Jesus’ advice to stay on the straight and narrow is wise.
2. Paul echoing the words of Jesus says ‘a little bit of leaven goes through the whole lump’, Gal 5:9. This is true. We get a little bit a false teaching or a little influence from one point and if we don’t deal with it properly, it has a lasting, often detrimental effect upon our walk with the Lord. Paul says to those (regardless of the individual, Gal 5:10) who were distracting with the issue of circumcision that they should ‘emasculate themselves’ – I.E cut the lot off. He is using a satirical argument here much like Jesus did when He said pluck out your eye or cut off your hand if it causes you to sin. We should assess areas in our lives we need to ‘cut off’ that are distracting us from seeing Christ more clearly as well as others from seeing Christ more clearly in us.
3. Paul says ‘walk by the Spirit’, Gal 5:16 and not by the flesh. He then shows how this is done by saying that the fruit of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are clearly seen, Gal 5:19- 23. Note this context is talking about the fruit of the Spirit and not the gifts of the Spirit. What things can we foster in ourselves and the church that will allow us to see more of the fruit of the Spirit? I.E what does it mean to ‘walk in the Spirit’ for those in Christ. Regardless of the situation we find ourselves in, the character traits of the Holy Spirit must accompany our response.
4. Gal 6:1-5 speaks about restoring those who sin by bringing them back to the Lord with a spirit of gentleness. This of course is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Have you ever had to restore someone who had run off the track in some way? This is often a difficult task, but a task we are called to in the body of Christ when needed.
5. I love the ‘reap/sow’ law, Gal 6:7-9. What are you presently reaping in your life? We are encouraged not to grow weary in doing good, vs 9. We reap what we sow in our time, words, actions and relationships. If things haven’t been working out for you for a while, consider where you have been focusing your energies. We reap what we sow. The thing you feed is that which survives and thrives, whatever it is.
6. Just in case you missed it, Paul nails the circumcision argument again in Gal 6:11-18. Paul’s passion is that all people, Jew and Gentile see they are new creations, vs 15 and that we sometimes suffer when we uphold that truth. Paul acknowledges there are some Jewish believers who understand grace who are part of the true “Israel of God”, vs 16, and are not persuaded by those pushing the need to be circumcised and continue in the dead works of the law. Paul speaks about bearing the marks of Christ on his body, vs 17, these were given by zealous Jews trying to convince Paul of his apostasy by beating him 5 times, cf 2Cor 11:24. Sometimes the battle scars are seen, but often they are not. Our hope in Christ remains. Paul finishes by affirming that grace is the blessing which abides with our spirit, Gal 6:18.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Title was “Believers and their dodgy beliefs” from 2 Chronicles 25
1. The description given to Abijah in 1 Kings 15:1-3 is not very flattering, yet we see the Lord bless his faith and obedience. Amaziah in 2Chr 25 however seems to be a far less faithful character yet the Lord says “he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, yet not with a whole heart”, vs 2. Why? What relevance does this have for us?
2. Amaziah had 25 years in the wilderness. What caused it? Have you been in a wilderness? What caused it?
3. Amaziah was murdered by a conspiracy, but went to heaven – he knew the Lord. Discuss how Romans 5:20, 21 applies to you.
4. The Apostle Peter knew what it was to stumble and fall. Discuss Peter’s life and what he wrote in 1 Pet 2:22-25.
Prayer Points
1. Peace to rest over Ukraine.
2. Pray for new people as they settle into life at CBC.
3. Upcoming Australian elections – pray for the Lord’s choice of MP’s.
4. Continue to pray for the flood clean-up as well as the money donated to help.
5. Folk sick with Covid – relief and healing.
6. Pray for other building projects – café roof, the repair of the house roof.
7. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Worship on Sunday – thankyou team.
2. The rain this week and the inevitable flooding in NSW and QLD.
3. More visitors to CBC over the weekend.
4. God’s word affecting people for Christ
5. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Members meeting 22nd May after the service.
2. Remember to check your duty rosters.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
4. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism question for May...
Q. 3. Will Christ come again? A. Yes; at the last day Christ will come to judge the world.
