Sunday, April 24, 2016

Paul's Epistles - Galatians Part 14 – Doing Good to All

Paul's Epistles - Galatians
Part 14 – Doing Good to All
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org


INTRODUCTION
Paul wrote the Galatians concerning some of the false teachings that had been allowed, specifically salvation in Christ with works (or obedience to Old Covenant) added in.

Paul explains plainly to them this is a false teaching. These are two completely different covenants with God, with the Old only showing our guilt and condemning, and the New showing our salvation in the Lord and freeing us from the condemnation of the first.

Being a slave to sin exposed by the commands, and being set free by Christ revealed through His ministry and Gospel.

Paul explains there is no other gospel but the one he originally taught them, the one that saved them and changed them. To accept any other teaching does not “add” to their salvation, but causes them to move in a direction which takes them away from it.

Paul explains God’s promise, and how salvation through Christ alone was set in motion and can be seen in the Abrahamic Covenant. The promise of a coming Savior, how those who put their faith (or trust) in him (not just believe as in He is real), would become the children of God and heir to the Kingdom.

He explained how the two covenants work, the first based on works of the flesh, which only lead to condemnation, and the second based on the Spirit which leads to life everlasting.

Paul denounces their legalism, which is based on the works of men for salvation, and tries to convince them of the Truth, which is the freedom only found in Christ Jesus, a free gift, not earned, or deserved, but given by Faith alone.

There is freedom in Christ Jesus. But with that freedom, comes the responsibility of being Good to all, through the power and fruits of the Holy Spirit.







SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Galatians 6:1-10
 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. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.
Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 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. 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.

    I.      RESTORATION (NOT JUDGMENT) TO THOSE WHO WANDER FROM THE TRUTH
a. Brothers & Sisters
                                                                                  i. Paul is speaking to saved

                                                                               ii. These are instructions for the church on handling saved people who walk away from the truth

                                                                            iii. James 5:19-20My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

1. A “saved” person CAN wander from the Truth

2. When they do, just as Paul explains in earlier verses in Galatians, they leave the New Covenant of Salvation in Christ, and return to the Old Covenant and are condemned by the Commands.

3. However, they can return to the New Covenant of Salvation in Christ

4. This will save them from the Second Death (Judgment Day – the Commands)

5. And will cover a multitude of sins (rather, forgive sins, even many, again)


b. If someone is caught in sin
                                                                                  i. Paul just explained what sin is in Galatians 5 when he spoke of the fruit of the flesh

                                                                               ii. If someone who is living by the Fruit of the Spirit (also described in Galatians 5), and they should see someone in sin, they should restore (return to the Truth) that person GENTLY.


ILLUSTRATION:
Westboro Baptist church verbally assaults and attacks those not living according to the teachings of Christ. Picketing with signs reading, “God hates fags, God killed your soldier son, etc.”

There are a few things wrong with what they are doing.

1.      Jesus said in the Great Commission, preach the Gospel, then baptize them, THEN teach them to “obey” all that I command.

a.      Paul has shown us in Galatians that without this process, without being “saved” we do NOT have the Holy Spirit.

b.      Without the Holy Spirit it is IMPOSSIBLE to obey what Christ commands.


2.      Paul teaches us in Galatians that we are to approach the unsaved gently, and as it says in I Corinthians 13:1-3
a.      If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.


3.      There is only one way to do what is right, and that is the way the Lord teaches us.


c. But watch yourselves, or you may get tempted
                                                                                  i. Paul warns us to be careful that we too are not tempted.

1. Do not fall into the same trap as the person you are trying to pull out.

                                                                               ii. We are instructed to carry each other’s burdens

1. When we do this, we fulfill the “Law of Christ”



II.      BUT DO NOT DECEIVE YOURSELVES
a. Do not think you are something when you are not
                                                                                  i. Remember, the ONLY difference between us and a lost sinner, is Jesus

                                                                               ii. When we are “saved” we receive the Holy Spirit

                                                                            iii. All of our GIFTS, FRUITS and the Whole Armor of God come from the Holy Spirit.

                                                                              iv. Our strength to do what Christ commands comes from the Holy Spirit.

                                                                                 v. All the righteousness we have and display comes from God’s Holy Spirit

                                                                              vi. Without the Lord, we are the SAME as a lost sinner.

                                                                           vii. All we are is Him, not us. Therefore, do not think more highly of yourself then you ought to.




b. Test your actions
                                                                                  i. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

                                                                               ii. Each of us should test our own actions

1. Meaning, examine what you “do”

2. Are you following the Spirit of God, or your flesh?

3. Is this for God, or you?

4. If your actions are true, you are following the Spirit, you can take pride in what you do, because it is accomplished through the Spirit


c. Do not compare yourself to others
                                                                                  i. We may lower the standard of those around us to make ourselves seem more righteous and good.

                                                                               ii. Either by choosing what we consider “worse” people to be our friends, or by tearing those we have down, to be higher than them.

                                                                            iii. Either way, this pride and arrogance will no doubt lead to you falling away from the Truth


Each one should carry their own load
Meaning, do not compare yourself to others, rather to what the Lord commands, and measure against yourself.

Am I doing better than I was yesterday? Or, last time I was tempted?


Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

Share with your instructor your progress. How you see yourself growing. How you catch yourself following the Holy Spirit’s lead.
In this way, you encourage your instructor, and recognize your own growth, which can encourage you to continue to do good and not grow tired, feeling there is no progress being made.

Recognize and acknowledge your victories through the power of the Holy Spirit.



III.      DO NOT BE DECEIVED, GOD CANNOT BE MOCKED
a. A man reaps what he sows
                                                                                  i. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;

1. Some call this Karma…but the scripture explains the truth

                                                                               ii. Whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.


b. Do not give up on doing good
                                                                                  i. Let us not become weary

1. Why would we get weary?

a. Not “seeing” results

b. Not getting the response we think we should

c. Always doing good, while receiving bad


c. At the proper time we will reap a harvest
                                                                                  i. “If we do not give up”

1. Not giving up is key to receiving harvest

2. And it will come…at the proper time

a. God’s timing, not ours





CONCLUSIONTherefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

When the opportunity arises (What opportunity? To do good to someone)

Let us (Who? Those living by the Spirit)

Do good to ALL PEOPLE

Especially (meaning, do not forget about) those who belong to the Lord.





Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!

Sunday, April 17, 2016

Paul's Epistles - Galatians Part 13 – Fruits of the Spirit

Paul's Epistles - Galatians
Part 13 – Fruits of the Spirit
Pastor Bruce A. Shields
House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org


INTRODUCTION
Paul wrote the Galatians concerning some of the false teachings that had been allowed, specifically salvation in Christ with works (or obedience to Old Covenant) added in.

Paul explains plainly to them this is a false teaching. These are two completely different covenants with God, with the Old only showing our guilt and condemning, and the New showing our salvation in the Lord and freeing us from the condemnation of the first.

Being a slave to sin exposed by the commands, and being set free by Christ revealed through His ministry and Gospel.

Paul explains there is no other gospel but the one he originally taught them, the one that saved them and changed them. To accept any other teaching does not “add” to their salvation, but causes them to move in a direction which takes them away from it.

Paul explains God’s promise, and how salvation through Christ alone was set in motion and can be seen in the Abrahamic Covenant. The promise of a coming Savior, how those who put their faith (or trust) in him (not just believe as in He is real), would become the children of God and heir to the Kingdom.

He explained how the two covenants work, the first based on works of the flesh, which only lead to condemnation, and the second based on the Spirit which leads to life everlasting.

Paul denounces their legalism, which is based on the works of men for salvation, and tries to convince them of the Truth, which is the freedom only found in Christ Jesus, a free gift, not earned, or deserved, but given by Faith alone.

There is freedom in Christ Jesus.







SCRIPTURE REFERENCE Galatians 5:13-26
 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

    I.      BE FREE, BUT SERVE ONE ANOTHER
a. You were called to be free
                                                                                  i. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh

                                                                               ii. Serve one another humbly in love

                                                                            iii. For the entire Law is FULFILLED in keeping this one command
1. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”


b. Use your freedom wisely
                                                                                  i. If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other

                                                                               ii. So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh

                                                                            iii. They are in conflict with each other (Spirit & Flesh)
                                                                              iv. So you are not to do whatever you want


c. If you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law
                                                                                  i. Using your freedom in Christ to serve one another in love

                                                                               ii. Loving others as yourself, you FULFILL the Law

                                                                            iii. Being led by the Spirit (meaning choices which will be against desires of the flesh) means you ARE NOT under the Law!



II.      ACTS OF THE FLESH
a. The acts (actions of) the flesh are obvious
                                                                                  i. We all understand what they are

                                                                               ii. There really is no question about whether they are from the flesh or the Spirit

                                                                            iii. When we see them, or do them we are living by the flesh, and therefore under the Law and the punishments thereof


b. The acts of the flesh are
                                                                                  i. Sexual immorality
                                                                               ii. Impurity (allowing sin)
                                                                            iii. and debauchery (dishonest, liar and cheat)
                                                                              iv. Idolatry and witchcraft
                                                                                 v. Hatred
                                                                              vi. Discord (causing conflict)
                                                                           vii. Jealousy (of what others have or are, a form of greed)
                                                                        viii. Fits of rage (usually a sign of self-centeredness)
                                                                              ix. Selfish ambition
1. Always wanting bigger and better
2. Thinking you deserve everything you want
3. Always a taker not a giver
4. Desiring worldly possessions more than spiritual greatness
                                                                                 x. Dissension (rebellion)
                                                                              xi. Factions (splinter groups)
                                                                           xii. And envy (desiring to obtain what others have or are, a form of jealousy put to action)
                                                                        xiii. Drunkenness
                                                                         xiv. Orgies and the like


c. I warn you as I did before
                                                                                  i. Those who live like this will NOT inherit the Kingdom of God
1. Because they are NOT children (heirs) of the most High

2. Which comes by “the promise” (Christ)

3. Adoption can only be obtained through believing in Christ
a. Believe as in putting trust in

b. If you are NOT part of the New Covenant (putting your trust in Christ), then you default to the Old Covenant, and will be judged by it.

c. The ONLY way to fulfill the requirements of the Law, is to put your trust in Christ, and walk by the Spirit!

d. When you are Trusting Jesus and living by the Spirit, you will not have the “Acts of the Flesh” in your life, rather, you will be producing the “Fruits of the Spirit”



III.      FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT
a. The Fruit of the Spirit is
                                                                                  i. Love (I Corinthians 13)
1. As previously mentioned, loving others as yourself
                                                                               ii. Joy (being delightful and happy)
                                                                            iii. Peace (opposite of the dome of chaos)
                                                                              iv. Forbearance (patience)
                                                                                 v. Kindness (compassion, empathy)
                                                                              vi.  Goodness (honest and truthful)
                                                                           vii. Faithfulness (truthful and being “real”)
                                                                        viii. Gentleness (tender, calm, quiet…opposite of rough)
                                                                              ix. Self-control (self-disciplined, will power, strength of mind)
1. We control whether we allow the Holy Spirit to produce these things in our life, or whether we choose to act in the flesh.


b. Against such things, there is NO LAW!
                                                                                  i. If we walk by the Spirit, there is no law against us!

                                                                               ii. We will be heirs of the Kingdom of God

                                                                            iii. We will be part of the New Covenant

                                                                              iv. When led by the Spirit, we are not under the Law


c. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh
                                                                                  i. With its passions (which no longer rule over or control us)

                                                                               ii. And its desires (which may tempt, but no longer has the strength to move our hand.


CONCLUSIONSince we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.


Since we trust in Jesus, and have the Holy Spirit (live by the Spirit)

Let us keep in step with the Spirit (Follow where He leads, allow Him to work in our lives)

Warning though…

Let’s not become conceited, thinking we are better than others.

Remember the ONLY difference between you and a lost sinner is the Spirit of God!



Want to learn more about Salvation and Getting Saved?    CLICK HERE!