Practical Words

Galatians and tonight we come to the last chapter, chapter 6, Galatians chapter 6. I mentioned last time, last Wednesday evening, when we looked at the last verses in Chapter 5, of how many times the Apostle, in writing to these in the churches at Galatia, refers to them as brethren, as brethren.

This shows his love and his hope for them, even though they had been exposed to false teaching, yet he still had hope for them and love for them, of course. Those false teachers had come among them, corrupting the gospel of the grace of God, teaching that that it's not only Christ and his work by faith we receive, but also that we must submit ourselves to the law of Moses.

Well, tonight our verse, our passage begins with the word brethren. And he will use that one more time, which will mean nine times in this letter, he calls these believers brethren. And of course, that reminds us of the family of God, the household of God, that God's people we are part of. One writer, he gave four important areas in these verses that we're going to look at tonight.

The first area is our attitude toward those who stumble and fall. And then secondly, our love for one another and our identification with those who are going through trials. And then third, our humility and genuine modesty. And fourth, our generosity and willingness to share with others. So let's begin with verse one. We'll go through verse number 10.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, You which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself lest thou be tempted. If you have a marginal reading, Bible reading, you see before that word if, brethren, if is the word although. Brethren, although a man be overtaken in a fault.

Christians. Those who are truly saved by the grace of God, we do not sin intentionally. That's not our purpose. We've been saved. If we're Christians, we've been saved from sin. Thou shalt call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.

Not only the penalty of sin, but as I mentioned last week, also the power of sin. But even so, although a brother be overtaken in a fault. To me, this kills that idea of sinless perfection because the scriptures are very clear that though we have been saved from sin, that we still have sin remaining in us or that which he has referred to in this letter as the flesh.

Now that term, the flesh, it's used in several different ways in the scripture. For instance, in John chapter one and verse 14. Verse one says, in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God. And then in verse 14, and the word became flesh. Well there, the word flesh simply means a man. who has a body and a reasonable soul.

The Lord Jesus Christ became flesh or was made flesh. That verse that we read there in Romans chapter eight just a few minutes ago that tells us that he came in the likeness of sinful flesh. the likeness. He did not come in sinful flesh. He came in the likeness of sinful flesh. In other words, His body and soul was holy without sin, conceived by God the Holy Spirit. Impeccable is the word that we use to speak about Christ. It was impossible for Him to sin. Why? Because He's God. God cannot change.

But here we see in Galatians the word flesh has to do with that corruption of nature that we all have when we come into this world and even after we've been saved, been regenerated, have become new creatures in Christ Jesus, we still have that old nature, that flesh as it's called here. John Gill mentioned through the power of corruption or through the temptations of Satan. Remember in Peter we're told he goeth about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. And so we know we live in this world as believers with the flesh and with Satan also to harass and tempt us and the world.

So therefore, if or although a brother be overtaken in a fault, in other words, fall into a fault, stumble and fall. And who hasn't? Who here tonight, who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? You would be the first to stand with me and say, I've fallen many times. Yes.

Well, what is to take place? What is to be done then? We're talking about a church family here, these churches of Galatia. But what is to be done when a believer, a brother, falls, is overtaken in a fault, in a sin? Well, he's to be restored. That's what the scripture tells us is to be restored. Notice that. You which are spiritual, restore such a one. Now, from what I've studied, it's interesting that this is an illusion. To restore is an illusion to a person whose bone is broken or a bone that's out of joint. That's the picture there, here. And you and I, if we had a broken bone or one of our bones was out of joint, we would want it put right, but we would want it put right with tenderness and kindness, compassion, and love.

As I was preparing this message, I remembered one of the men in Mexico where I preached for many years. His name was Santos. at Hermano Santos, and every once in a while, his arm would get out of socket. And how many times did he ask me, put it back, put it back. But it wasn't easy to get it back. And I was, Daniel, you may deal with things like this, but I was afraid I was gonna hurt him, you know? I didn't wanna hurt him, but you had to use some strength to do to get it back in joint or in place.

But that's the picture here, that if a brother is overtaken in a fault, then you, which are spiritual, restore such a one. And we see here that Paul gives some qualifications for those who would restore, a brother who would restore another brother or sister that has fallen, overtaken in a fault. First of all, He should be spiritual. Notice that. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a one. Well, what does that mean?

You which are spiritual. Well, look back to chapter five and remember the apostle exhorted the believers, this I say, then walk in the spirit. You which are spiritual, those who are walking in the spirit, those who have the word of God that is given to us by the spirit of God, all scripture is given by inspiration. God breathe, you which are spiritual, you which are ordering your life by God's word. That's the first qualification. those who follow the leadership, not just using the word of God as our guide and our manual, but trusting God, the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us as he has promised to do. And second, the second qualification here is not only should a person be spiritual, but he should do this in the spirit of meekness. You which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.

Go about this matter using wisdom and kindness. Go about it in a forgiving manner. We should never be harsh and judgmental and looking down upon someone who has fallen, some brother or sister who has fallen. Never in a harsh or angry manner. do we restore a believer? And third, as we are restoring someone else, considering yourself, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Keep in mind, in doing this work, keep in mind how liable, how liable you are, how liable I am to fall. and to be overtaken in a fall. I could not help but think of that verse in 1 Corinthians 10 where the apostle Paul told the believers there, wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Considering yourself. The second verse, bear you one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.

The sense here is that every man, every child of God has special temptations. And most of the older writers believe that every believer, every child of God has one particular area, one particular sin that is especially besetting to that person. In other words, what might not be a temptation to someone, to that person it is. That everyone has a besetting sin. I know I like to think of that besetting sin that all of us have is the same and that is unbelief. But there is no doubt a truth to the fact that every child of God maybe has one particular sin that is especially grievous and tempting to him. Restore, bear you one another's burdens, whatever his burden is, bear it.

And he cites the law of Christ here. So fulfill the law of Christ. Could not help but think, here are these false teachers. They were teaching the law, but it was the law of Moses, wasn't it? They were trying to bring these believers under that Old Testament, that Old Covenant law, which would only produce bondage and fear.

But now Paul, the apostle Paul says, bear ye one another's burdens and so in doing that you fulfill the law of Christ. What is that law of Christ? Well, it's that law in John chapter 13 that he gave that you love one another as I have loved you that you love one another. Fulfill the law of Christ in opposition to trying to be under or putting yourself under the Old Testament covenant law, fulfill the law of Christ. I think what is commonly called the golden rule would also be part of the law of Christ, don't you?

To do unto others as you would have done unto you. And when you're restoring a brother that's been overtaken in a fault, well, treat him as you would want someone to treat you. If the positions were changed and you were the one that had been overtaken in a fault. Then verse three, for if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Here's another reason that we should be kind and tender to those who have erred. Consider yourself. What are you? What are you? You know, when you believe the Bible, believe the word of God, what is man?

That's what the psalmist, what is man that they aren't mindful of him? That's the amazing thing about God, isn't it? As awesome, as great as he is, that he would be mindful of man, and not just man, but fallen man. What did Solomon, the wise man, say about man? At his best state, at his best state, altogether vanity. And what did the Apostle Paul confess about himself?

In my flesh dwelleth no good thing. This verse in 1 Corinthians 4, turn back over there with me. Now, I think we ought to read this verse every day. We ought to read it and consider it, meditate upon it, 1 Corinthians 4 and verse 7. For who maketh thee to differ from another?

When you see, remember that preacher that lived on the road where people who were taken out to be hanged. This was in London. People that had been judged and found guilty of, I'm sure, some crime that was worthy of death. And they'd put them in a wagon and take them out. And that route that they traveled went right by this pastor's house. And he said, every time one came by, he said, there goes whatever his name was, but by the grace of God. But by the grace of God.

Who hath made thee? Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive? If you have a saving interest in Christ tonight, You cannot boast in your free will or in your position. It's just by the grace of God. What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Well, if thou didst receive it, then why, why dost thou glory? Why do you boast? What are you boasting yourself? As though you had not received it. As though it was inherent in you in some way. It was just part of you. No. Back in our text.

But let every man, verse four and five, but let every man prove his own work. And then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden. Now, always, always when we read the scripture, noticing the context is always important. And it certainly is here in this passage in verses four and five.

We're never to compare ourselves with someone else. And let me tell you, you know this is so, if you compare yourself with someone else, you'll always choose someone that you know in the comparison you're going to come up on top. They're going to make you look good.

Now, believers should never compare themselves or our work, whatever work we may be engaged in, in serving the Lord. And we should not concern ourselves about the actions and the works of others, but we should review our heart. We should examine our heart, our actions, our motives. And we do this, we do this examination by the word of God, by the word of God. And we certainly do not examine ourselves by some brother who has fallen who's been overtaken in some temptation. We don't do that.

Now think of these words if you want to turn with me to John tonight. The last of John, John chapter 21, gospel of John chapter 21. Verse 19. Well, let me read verse 18 also. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, that is the Lord Jesus Christ is speaking to the apostle Peter. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, when thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, walkest whither thou wouldest. But when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and carry thee whither thou wouldest not.

This spake he signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, follow me. The Lord told Peter, the death that he would die. And we know, according to tradition, at least, that when he was to be slaughtered, but to death, he asked to be crucified upside down, knowing that he was not worthy, felt that he was not worthy to be crucified, as the Lord, as his Lord had been crucified. But our Lord clearly tells him that what's going to happen and how he's going to die.

But when he finished, he said to Peter, now follow me. What was to be Peter's reaction here? He was to follow. He was to obey. That's true of every child of God, to obey. But notice what he did. And Peter turning about seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following. That is John, the disciple John. He never could get over the fact that Jesus loved him, could he? The disciple whom Jesus loved.

Marvel of marvels. Amazing grace. I read one time that when Charles Spurgeon was interviewing candidates for baptism, he did that on a weeknight, that someone went into his study there and they found this great preacher preaching to thousands of people, weeping like a baby. And they questioned him, you know.

He said, I cannot get over that Jesus loves me. John never got over that either. And neither do we. Neither do we. But Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, now what hath the Lord told Peter? Follow me. What does Peter do? He looks over there and sees John. What about him? You have no reason to be concerned about John. What you need to do, Peter, is to follow Christ.

And that's what I see in this text here. We're not to be judging ourselves and our works by other men. We'll never stand, none of us, We'll never stand before God in the judgment to give account of our life for what someone else has done. But we'll give an account for ourselves, right? Peter, seeing him, saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, if I will, if I will that he tarry till I come, What is that to you?

What do you have to do with what John is doing? No, you follow me. You follow me. And that's what I say here in this passage. Let every man prove his own work. And then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another, for every man shall bear his own burden. If you can honestly and with the word of God, you can examine your life and you can see there is some spiritual growth. Not as much as you would like, but there is some spiritual growth. You may see some fruit. Rejoice in that. Rejoice in that. That's what he is saying here. Rejoice in that.

Don't try to rejoice in the work or the non-work of someone else. Verses six through eight. In these verses, the apostle instructs these believers in the churches of Galatia about supporting pastors and teachers, missionaries. Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Be not deceived. God is not mocked.

For whatsoever man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. It also makes it clear that, and he did this in 1 Corinthians chapter 9 to that church at Corinth, He said as much to Timothy in 1 Timothy, if you want to look there, 1 Timothy chapter 5. What is he teaching? That those who preach the gospel are to live of the gospel. 1 Timothy 5 verses 17 and 18. That the elders, that is the pastors, that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially they who labor in the word and doctrine.

For the scripture saith, thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. I looked at this and he says the same thing in that passage in 1 Corinthians 9. He quotes the law. I think this law is found in Deuteronomy. Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn.

I could not help but think, how kind. is God, that even considers the ox or the horses or whatever is used, whatever animal is used to thresh out the corn. Don't muzzle him. He's working. If he wants to put his head down and get something, let him do it. Let him do it. Consider him, how he's serving you. And Paul uses that in teaching about supporting pastors. Even so, in 1 Corinthians, he said, even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

And he, I believe in that place, shows how in the Old Testament, those priests that served in the temple The Levites, remember the priests came from the tribe of Levi, they didn't receive any inheritance in the land. When the land was divided up and different tribes received different places, the Levites, they didn't receive any inheritance in the land.

But they were to be fed and supported by their work in the temple, the priest at least, those who worked in the temple. Those animals which were sacrificed, You have to read through there to see this, but if a man, and I'm just ad-libbing here, I should have looked this up, but you'll recognize it, that when a man brought an ox, a bullock, and sacrificed it, that part of that bullock would be the priest. But only, it's interesting, only the priest and their families could eat the meat from those sacrificial animals. And not every animal, not every sacrifice, but they did live of the temple.

And that's what Paul is dealing with here. Those who teach the word of God, they should be supported by those who are taught. Now it seems at least that these false teachers who had come among the Galatians They were teaching that they shouldn't support men like Paul, men who traveled with him, those who taught the truth. And they maybe desired that support for themselves. But Paul is very careful to point out here that men should not make excuses for not giving to support the ministry.

You know, I can say this. There'd been a time when I was a preacher, I'd be nervous about saying this. My wife, every time I mentioned giving, my wife tells me on the way home, oh, I just tremble every time you talk about giving. But giving is part of serving the Lord. And this church has always supported me so well. I'm certainly not preaching this tonight asking for a raise or anything like that, but I'm just saying this is God's way. This is what's found in the word of God.

And those who, who have an excuse as to why they can't give, and Paul made it clear there in first Corinthians that every man should give according to his ability. Some men should give more, some should give less, no doubt. But every man should give according to his ability. And those who excuse themselves say, well, I've got to take care of my family.

You do, absolutely. The person who doesn't take care of his family, Paul says, is worse than an infidel, has denied the faith. Yes, but God says here that God's not mocked. He knows, he knows what you can do and what you can't do. You can't deceive him. You can't lie to him. You might to someone else.

And Paul uses this, this has to have been a proverbial saying, that whatever you sow, that's what you're going to reap. If you sow wheat seed, you're going to reap wheat. If you sow cucumber seed, you're going to reap cucumbers. And if a person sows spiritual things, he's going to reap spiritual things. Maybe not in this life, but in eternity. Well, let me go on to verse nine.

Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. And this exhortation, I believe, concerns what he had just been talking about or writing about, that is, the support of ministers, but it is a general. Exhortation. Don't grow weary in well-doing. You know, I wrote down here, believers, we may grow weary in well-doing, but we don't grow weary of well-doing. Does that make sense? We don't grow weary of well-doing. We want to do more. That's our heart's desire to do more. We don't grow weary of, but yes, sometimes in doing well, we grow weary.

But we have this promise here and also in 1 Corinthians. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. And then the last verse tonight, verse 10.

As we have therefore, some have ability rather than opportunity. As we therefore have ability, let us do good to all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. As we have ability, let us do good to all men. This has been true of Christians Through the ages, you think of the number of hospitals, the number of schools, the number of orphanages, the number of missionaries over the last 2,000 years have been sent out.

And why? Because the church is doing good to all men. and not just to some men. But, Paul says, especially, especially do good to the household of faith. People sometimes will call and ask for help, and I always ask them, or most of the time, I try to always ask them, what church are you a member of? Where do you go to church? And most of the time they tell you they don't.

But I think, you know, over the years we've had people who needed help, nothing to be ashamed of. If in God's providence a person loses their job or whatever it might be, it causes a person to need help. And this church family has always risen way above what could be expected to help. Why? Not because we're commanded to do it. but because of the love that God has shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit for Him and for His people. Well, I pray the Lord would bless these thoughts to us here tonight.

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