Galatians 6:11-184/8/2020  Hey Church Family!
Today’s blog will be the conclusion of our study through the book of Galatians! Start by reading Galatians 6:11-18 (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A11-18&version=ESV) Up until verse 11 Paul is probably using a scribe who is writing the letter as he dictates it to them. Now Paul is ending with his own personal handwriting. He wants them to know this letter is actually from him! I think this is due to the fact that the judaizers were probably falsely claiming that they were sent by Peter, John or James (We talked about this while looking at chapter 2). In verse 12 and 13 Paul states that the judaizers are not really concerned for the Galatians. The main point in trying to have them circumcised is so that the judaizers would have something to boast about. But Paul says in verse 14 that he has nothing to boast in but in Christ! As Christians we know that Jesus is the one who saves, not us. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.” John 6:44 ESV The work of Salvation is 100% a work and miracle of God. He is our only boast! And because of Christ’s work on the cross Paul states that “...the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” (Galatians 6:14 ESV) Because of the cross Paul has no desire for the things of the World! As Christians we don’t belong to this world anymore. We are citizens of the Kingdom of God. Our desires are for the things above! This week as we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ let us remember that the resurrection is the proof that all our sin was paid for on the cross. We cannot by works earn favor or salvation from God but only the work of Christ on the cross changes our standing with God. Only Christ’s work on the cross could earn our salvation. “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 ESV Rest in Christ’s work! Celebrate Christ’s work! Tell others about Christ’s work! Love you guys! Trevor
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Galatians 6:1-104/1/2020 Hey church family!
Read Galatians 6:1-10 on your own Bible or you can read at this link: (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+6%3A1-10&version=ESV) This passage calls the church to be the church. The Christian life was never supposed to be lived alone. Christ did not intend on his followers to live in seclusion or isolation. How many times have you heard someone say “You don’t have to go to church to be a Christian.” This saying is one of those saying that makes my hairline move further back LOL! The church is a good gift from God! The church is God pouring his grace out on us! The very first verse of chapter 6 speaks to our responsibility as the church to practice church discipline. This is NOT a suggestion! Church discipline is one of the many ways we show love to our fellow church members. This is something that the church in America has avoided for decades if not longer and that avoidance is sinful and unloving. So much of the apostasy in the church today could have been stopped if the church would have loved one another enough to practice church discipline. If church discipline scares you, remember the words in verse one “...restore him in a spirit of gentleness...” Also, church discipline is a way in which we show LOVE and what does the Bible say about love: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV Verse one also says “Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” I think this is meant to reflect the words of Christ when he said “...first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matthew 7:5 ESV). Check your own heart before walking through church discipline with someone else. Make sure your own heart is in the right place first! This chapter goes on to tell us to bear one another’s burdens. Part of that is indeed church discipline as we walk fellow believers through repentance which can be very difficult and painful. But this also looks like mourning with those who mourn (Romans 12:15). Encouraging one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Serving one another (1 Peter 4:10). In this season of the Coronavirus, one of the best things you can do is check up on people by calling, texting, or messaging on social media! This chapter also reminds us that we will reap what we sow. Now remember our salvation is not hinged on our works but that doesn’t mean that what we do doesn’t have consequences. We want to serve God because we love Him. Jesus said “"If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15 ESV) We want at the end of our lives to hear “Well done my good and faithful servant!” We want to know that with our lives we did all we could for the Glory of God and the growth of His Kingdom! So “let us not grow weary of doing good!” Look for ways to love and serve one another! Love you guys! Pastor Trevor AuthorTrevor Williams is the Lead Pastor at Ector Baptist Church in Ector, TX. Archives
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