Bear and Share the Burdens
1Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5For each one shall bear his own load. – Galatians 6:1-5 NKJV
Bear one another’s burdens is a common phrase, what does that mean to you and how does it look like? Do you have an example of when you shared the burdens of someone else?
Have you ever beared your own burdens to someone else? Was it a good experience, explain.
Paul tells us in verse 3 “For if a anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself”.
Can you share a time when you looked down upon someone or said I would never do that?
Be Generous and Do Good
6Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. – Galatians 6:6-10 NKJV
Paul provides a big warning about reaping and sowing, as we learned in the Boundary series. In this teaching Paul uses the reference to sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit.
Can you provide an example of sowing to the flesh or the Spirit? How would you explain this challenge and opportunity to someone?
Verse 9 tells us” And let us not be weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
What are somethings you have been hoping for, but have stop believing that it will come to past?
Glory only in the Cross
11See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hand! 12As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. – Galatians 6:11-15 NKJV
As a Christian man, what are some of the challenges you still have today with boasting, bragging or getting caught up in?
What does Paul say we should boast in?
Blessing and a Plea
16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
17From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. – Galatians 6:16-18
The Apostle Paul concludes with verse 17: From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Paul refers to the marks in his body as the persecution he received for being a Christian.
Since you have been saved, what marks have you received?
As we conclude the book of Galatians, let us use the challenges the people of Galatia faced with pressure from others to be lead by there ways. Let us hold true to the fact if we did truly receive Christ as our savior we have the Holy Spirit in us, making a difference and empowering us to be different, to be more Christ like that we can ever be on our own. That the Grace of God, through Jesus dying on the cross is the difference. That it is not our works that save us, but it is our works that are produced by the Grace we have received.
The New King James Version. (1982). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.