GRACE UNCOVERED 17

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July 6, 2008 Kevin Hale - EPC

Galatians 5:25 - 6:1-6 NKJV

²⁵If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. ²⁶Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 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.

⁶Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches.

 

There is no doubt that Paul believed 100% in the gospel of grace.  As we wind down this series one thing has jumped out at me. 

• Do you believe what Paul has taught in chapters 1-5?

Chapter six will never be experienced if you do not believe chapter 1-5.

I am not asking if believe the bible but rather what Paul is teaching these early believers about the Spirit led life?

• 1. Do you really believe that Jesus is enough? Jesus plus nothing equals everything? Nothing I do but what He did?

2:16 ¹⁶knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

• 2. Do you believe that He lives in you by grace through faith? We have been made new not improved. Not making bad people good and good people better. Not making NICE people but NEW people.

2:20 ²⁰I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

• 3. Over time we tend to become proud of what we do and lean on that self effort more and more rather than the Spirit. 3:2,3 ³Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?
• 4. Do you believe that he freed us for freedom? 5:1,16 ¹Stand^£ fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. ¹⁶I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
• 5. You cannot fight/defeat the works of the flesh with more works of the flesh (even if they are moral works). 5:17 ¹⁷For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.¹⁸But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Do you believe this for yourself?  Do you believe this for others?  Do you believe it for EPC?

Now what does this Spirit led life look like and what how does it actually happen?

Number One, remember we have an enemy that can hinder us.

Number Two, Problems arise is an Spirit led community (church body) 5:15 biting and devouring and consuming each other...5:26 conceited, provoking, envying each other...6:1 overtaken in a sin and tempted...6:3 thinking more of themselves and being deceived...

So if the Spirit is leading all of us how is it that we have problems?  When we try and make rules and regulations we then begin to keep them and then measure ourselves and others as to the rules and then begin to think we are something when we are nothing.  This is the issue they faced.  Just like we do today.

Now notice a few words here that we need to examine and get on the same page.

OVERTAKEN = caught, trapped.  Not a premeditated sin here but slipped off of the path.  A soldier does not intend to step on a land mine but is caught... Paul says that the enemy sets traps to hinder our wall with the Spirit.

Ill. Adam and Eve were deceived and they had pure hearts.

Peter warns us to be on the lookout for a lion that seeks to devour us.

Number Three, there are traps in our path.  When are motivated to simply keep a list of rules we then look at others that fall in a nasty light.  "Well they deserved that have you seen the way they dress and etc. and how they act."

But if we are a community of grace we see it differently.  " hey, they are in a trap and have been caught (not by us bit by the enemy) we know and reach out to help them.

Ill.  We saw a truck wr3wck going to a game in Hammond IN.  We did not just past it by and say that trucker fell asleep again he deserves what he got.  No we stopped and climbed up etc.

6:1 says those that are being led by the Spirit are to come and help that one that is caught and restore them. 

If you do not believe this for yourself you will not believe it for others.

How do you see those around in this room?  Look for minute but don't STARE, OK?

He addresses them as brothers and sisters or a family in relationship.  The American Church culture is so far away from this as I see it in other countries etc.

Who are those SPIRITUAL?  Pneuma (nooma) those who are inline with the Spirit.

RESTORE - reset the broken bone.  Put them back in the right place.  This is hard work and many will not do it why?  Rejection fear, Not my business, they can do what they want, it does not work, some never care enough to notice...

So they are caught in a trap and we just walk by in our little social families and feel good about life and our vacations.

Sure some are not responsible and we have to help them grow to be responsible like verse 5 puts it.  Some just keep living in a carnal life style. Coon leg is trapped and chews off three of them and still trapped.  Out teens do this spiritually .

Restore means to actually speak words Eph. 4:14 ...speak the truth in love...

Prov. 27:5,6    Open rebuke is better

    Than love carefully concealed.

⁶    Faithful are the wounds of a friend,

    But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

It hurts and is uncomfortable but love will make you do it.  Do it in gentleness..Carry them until they can walk again.

When you do this you fulfill the law of Christ by helping them. 

The Spirit led life is not sin management or behavior modification by keeping rules and more works of the flesh,. 

It is not balance between Grace and law.  That is not grace at all.

Do you believe that the Spirit will lead you into holy living?

Do you know the Spirit seeks to worship God?  I used to stand and sing quietly words that I knew but had not meaning.  But as I began to let Him lead I enjoy worshipping expressively and reading the words that are on the screen and enjoying god as we worship.  If the rocks and trees are going to cry if no one else does then we need to get more involved as we worship.

The Spirit produce a sweetness that the law can never produce.

CONCLUSION.

We must "carve out" space to let the Spirit lead.  If you are too busy to take time and let Him speak to you will not walk n the Spirit and you will fulfill the works of the flesh.

The pat answer to this for me and most was Read your bible and pray and witness.

Good stuff but you have to have time to let God speak to YOU.

Notice that Paul is saying that this spirit led life is done in community not by yourself.  All of these verse are about relationships even your teachers in verse 6.

I have family and friends that have nothing to do with other people and stay home and read bible and watch some TV preachers but they cannot bear others burdens or restore a brother or give to help the teachers or experience the Spirit led life.  It is all about them and how they feel.

God is so honest about life that is why I believe him more than cults.  Keller: Cults say take this pill and all will be well.

Christ says trust you life to me and you will ready to face the suffering that will come your way.

Now how do you begin this spirit filled life?

Begin to build a cabinet of people that walk with God and have various gifting to help you see yourself.  I am beginning to build mine back since I have moved here.

Maybe 4 or 5 that you will ask to intentionally intrude into your life.  They are welcome because they are trusted.  Ask them , what do you see in me that hinders me from growing in the Lord that I do not see.  Be ready. 

Let them come to you as well.  Elmer, jokes, games,

Dad, critical spirit and gripping, Mom you are not gentle with Connie.  Connie helps me with my speech as she hears me use poor grammar. 

Do you see blind spots in me?  Ill.  Video camera at holidays.  I can see them but I cannot see myself and that is how we view life.

God wants us to build community right here so we can experience being led by the Spirit.

You are here today because you carved out space for God.  Young married listen to me.  If you are too busy to stop and let God speak to you will be hindered, trapped caught some day and no one will come and help because you did not build this community into your life.  Most parents stay out of it after you are gone afraid you will lash out at them.  Most parent just wait and clean up the pieces,  You need a spiritual family that helps you stay inline.

 

Maybe you are not in to Christ yet.  How is it working for you?