Galatians:Starting Over {Yet Again}

Sowing…

Judas…looking out for number 1

So…what gives?

Peter…when eyes on Jesus= OK

When consumed with self…?

The greatest way to getYour needs met

Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads

Move from "me-centered"To "mission-oriented"

God calls his church to bePeople of Restoration

In Restoration CommunityNo one is GreaterBut each helps the other

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but

in humility count others more significant than yourselves

- Philippians 2

Last week:Bear one another's burdensAnd so fulfill the Law of Christ

For each will have to bear his own load

We were made toWalk in Community

Not with expectation- receivingBut with anticipation- giving

Early Church: Had all things in common

Early Church: Had all things in common

Not CommunismNot Socialism

No Coercion

They had Biblical Community

Because the Wealthy Fellowshipping alongside the Starving is not true Fellowship

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another:

just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”- John 13:34-35

God designed us so that……there should be no division in

the body, but that its parts should have equal concern

for each other- 1 Cor. 12:25

Love is…?

Some of this was producedBy the Spirit from the start

Some of it had to be taught

OT Religious Leaders:Tithes and Taxes and Exchanges

NT: God has given…Pastors- Eph. 4

"Beats me…I guess we Pray for them…"

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches

Share= Koinōneitō"Let share"

Present, Active, Imperative, Singular

Share= Koinōneitō"Communion"

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?- 1 Cor. 10

Share= Koinōneitō

Don't let him starve…But alsoDon't make him the outsiderShare all good things with…

I have a list…I still look at it and pray for

Koinonia= "You're not alone…"

Specific instruction to Galatians Christians:

Take care of your Teacher(s)

Governing Spiritual Principle:Sowing and Reaping

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who

sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life

I'm just here for what I can get= Works of the Flesh

In the early church:Letting the guy who gives his life

To teaching life-changing Truth Scramble for a meal

While I enjoy "mine"

Today?

Sows to his own flesh= will…reap corruptionMe-centered= Decay

Sows to the Spirit=will…reap Eternal life

The greatest way to getYour needs met

Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads

Sows to the Spirit= life:

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me- Jesus, Luke 9

We were made toWalk in Community

Not with expectation- receivingBut with anticipation- giving

Sows to the Spirit=will…reap eternal life

Evidence, not earning

The evidence of my FaithIs found in how I approach

The Koinonia

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”- John 13

We are blessed:

"I'm just here to serve GodAnd serve his people"

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap

I'm good…I'm in churchI'm good…I walked an aisleI'm good…I prayed a prayer

Don't be deceivedGod isn't mocked…

Fruit comes from what is sownNot what is shown

I need to look at what I'm Planting

If I want to change what I'm Producing

God is not mockedI can't make it all about me

And wind up full, fruitfulAnd content in Christ

Actions determine resultsWhat we do determines

What we receiveAnd reveals what we believe

The greatest way to getYour needs met

Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads

Then is Grace a lie?

On the contrary…This proves God's graceThat we're still breathing And so blessed

Grace forgivesJesus takes our sin=

Ultimate consequences

Actions determine experienceAnd reveal the truth

So live Koinonia:

Deny self, pick up the crossFollow Jesus in Community

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season

we will reap, if we do not give up

Keep teaching, TeacherGod sees and knowsHe'll make it right

Keep supporting and encouraging, Disciple

God sees and knowsYou'll see the fruit of your labor

Stay in sharing FellowshipIt'll be messy

It won't be easy

It's the missionSowing that brings reaping

The greatest way to getYour needs met

Is to begin to serveAs Christ leads

…in due season we will reap, if we do not give up

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faithNot just ability, but occasion

Engage: Carry one another's burdens and so fulfill the Law

Help each other

Belong: share in all good thingsFellowship deeply

It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ

Compromise:

- I want to look good- I want to avoid hardship

(Romans…and some Jews)

Discipleship:

- Set free to be thought foolish- Count the cost- won't be easy

For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord

Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me,

and I to the world

Christian braggingSpiritual one-upmanshipExterior righteousness

Bleeds out and dies right here

Bragging? OK…

Jesus! So…I'm dead to selfAnd I don't have to follow your silly religious rules or play your

silly religious games anymore

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision,

but a new creation

For neither (degrees…) (experiences…) (past…) (praying well in public…) (being a missionary…) counts for anything, but a new creation

And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my

body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus

Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen

Next Step:

Honestly, what's my focus?What's my mission?Do I share (time, attention, etc)With those in need?

Is the Fellowship about me:How it makes me feel?

What I get out of it?

What it can do for me & mine?

Or is it about serving GodBy loving his people well?

Questions, CommentsDisagreements

Let's Pray…

iMarriage

Easter CandyEaster Services= Invite