A little bit far away, some of you are nice and close, but that's okay.
You're here, and I'm here, and it is so good to see you.
Some of you I haven't seen physically for a long time,
so it is good to see you in person.
Just to remind you this morning that as we gather, there are toilets.
If you can, if at all possible, just wait until the very end.
Ladies at the far door and men's through the double door.
When we leave this morning, we can leave either through the fire exit down there,
or the fire exit down here.
And our encouragement is to just congregate outside the door, just behind that wall.
There's a nice green area outdoors.
We can catch up, we can chat, find out how each other is doing, and encourage one another.
I'm not sure if the coffee guy is there this morning.
There was a coffee seller there last week.
So you can even do him a good turn and buy yourself a cup of coffee and chat with people.
So my encouragement as we begin is to turn to 1 Corinthians chapter 1.
1 Corinthians chapter 1.
So this is just going to be helpful for us as we set our theme and our focus this morning.
So 1 Corinthians chapter 1.
What we're going to do is I'm going to read some verses,
and then we're going to play a song which the words you will see on the screen,
and the encouragement is just to listen to the song, reflect on the words and meditate.
We're not going to be singing this morning,
but just to use those words to help us focus our hearts and our minds upon the Lord Jesus.
So 1 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 26.
So our question this morning as we gather is,
what are you boasting in?
Where's your confidence and where's your assurance?
Verse 26.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.
So it's saying think about what you were before Christ enabled you
to turn to him in faith and repentance.
Well, not many of you were wise by human standards.
Not many were influential.
Not many were of noble birth.
We were just ordinary, everyday kind of people.
Verse 28.
But God chose the lowly things of this world
and the despised things and the things that are not
to nullify the things that are
so that no one may boast before him.
Verse 31.
Therefore, as it is written,
let the one who boasts,
boast in the Lord.
It's not about us today.
It never is.
It's all about the Lord Jesus Christ,
his death for us,
his resurrection from the grave,
defeating death,
giving us a new life,
a new creation,
and a new eternal destiny in his kingdom.
We gather together today
because the Lord Jesus has enabled us to do so.
And we boast in him
that joyful confidence
in all that Christ is.
So, we're going to play a song now.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Let's use this song.
Meditate on the words.
Think about it.
Reflect.
As we focus our minds and our hearts to him.
Amen.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Look full in his wonderful face.
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace.
Turn your eyes to the hillside
Where justice and mercy embrace
There the Son of God gave his life for us
And our measureless death was erased
Jesus, to you we lift our eyes
Jesus, our glory and our prize
We adore you, behold you
Our Savior ever true
Oh, Jesus, we turn our eyes to you
Turn your eyes to the morning
And see Christ the lion away
What a glorious dawn
Fear our death is gone
For we carry his life in our veins
Jesus, to you we lift our
Jesus, to you we lift our eyes
We adore you, behold you, our Savior ever true.
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to you.
Oh Jesus, to you we lift our eyes.
Jesus, our glory and our prize.
We adore you, behold you, our Savior ever true.
Oh Jesus, we turn our eyes to you.
Amen.
Let's pray together.
Father, as we gather together as your people today,
we want to turn away from all pride,
from all notions of self.
And we look afresh as we have just been reflecting and meditating upon the Lord Jesus.
We thank you that because of him, we can come to you as our Father.
We can gather together as your people, united together through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Thank you that in him, because of his death for us, our sin is dealt with.
All our past, all our guilt and shame, all our concerns for the future,
everything has been paid for and dealt with once and for all.
There is nothing left for us to do except to boast in the Lord Jesus Christ,
to say thank you for his work on our behalf,
living the perfect life for us,
dying our death for us,
rising again from the grave,
ensuring our eternal destiny is secure.
that eternal kingdom, the new heavens and the new earth,
where everything will be put right.
Father, we thank you so much for all that you have done for us in Christ today.
And we ask that as we humbly turn from ourselves and turn to you,
that you would pour out your Holy Spirit upon each one of us today.
that you would speak to us afresh through the words we hear as we read,
as we listen,
and as later we reflect and think upon the Lord's death for us as we celebrate the Lord's Supper.
That you would use all of these things,
engage all of our senses,
so that we may understand better
who you are,
what you have done,
and what it means to follow you.
Father, we are grateful,
we are thankful
for you today.
Thankful for one another,
for our brothers and sisters in Christ.
So help us today.
We pray for those of our church family who can't be with us.
Father, encourage them as they later listen to the recording of this gathering,
that they would be blessed,
and they would be built up,
and in no sense, Father,
will they feel distant,
but be part of your church family today.
Father, we pray that you would help us as a church
to love one another well in these days.
to find good ways to encourage and to support.
We thank you, Father,
for the love that is shown.
We thank you for the way in which people
are encouraging
and looking out for each other.
And we pray that this will continue
in greater measure
as we spur one another on
to love
and good deeds.
So we thank you
for today.
Thank you for your blessings.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Well, the children are going to leave
in just a minute
for those who are going to Sunday school.
Before you do,
what you're going to do is
you're going to just move
to the nearest blue area
and then you're just going to walk
nice and slowly
round to the back
and to the door
where you will go
to Sunday school.
But before you go,
just a reminder at the end
so that the children can come out
if the ladies are needing the loo.
If you could just hold on
for a minute more
and let the children out
and then you can use the loos
if you need to.
And we're going to pray for you now
for the little ones.
So let's pray for them
as they go to their class.
Let's do that now.
Our Father God,
we thank you again
for the family of your church,
for your people gathered here today.
We pray for the little ones amongst us.
We know it's been a hard time
and a difficult number of weeks
and months missing friends,
missing being able to go out
and see people and play.
That's been hard.
And so we pray today
that you would encourage them
to see that in you, Father,
you are unchanging.
You are always with us.
No matter what we may go through,
no matter what we feel in our hearts,
even the things we can't explain
or understand,
you know and you understand.
and you give us the help
that we need
because you are a big,
great and mighty God.
I pray that you would help the children
as they go to their class,
that they'll listen well
and that they will hear great truths
about the Lord Jesus
and that it will encourage them
to fix their eyes,
their minds and their hearts
upon him today.
So bless them as they go
and bless us
as we remain here.
In Jesus' name.
Amen.
Okay, children,
so just to one side
and then Cherry will be
helping you out.
So as they do that,
let me encourage you please
to turn to Galatians chapter 6
in our Bibles.
Galatians chapter 6.
We're going to read God's word
before Ralph comes and speaks.
So Galatians chapter 6.
Verse 6 to the end of the chapter.
So you've been following online.
We've been working our way
through this great letter
to the Galatians
and we come to the end,
to a conclusion
and Ralph is going to wrap
everything up for us.
Going to teach us this morning.
So we're going to read
and then hand over to Ralph.
So let's hear God's word to us
this morning.
Galatians 6 starting at verse 6.
Nevertheless,
the one who receives instruction
in the word
should share all good things
with their instructor.
Do not be deceived.
God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh
from the flesh
will reap destruction.
Whoever sows to please the spirit
from the spirit
will reap eternal life.
Let us not become weary
in doing good
for at the proper time
we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up.
Therefore,
as we have opportunity,
let us do good
to all people,
especially
to those who belong
to the family
of believers.
see what large letters
I use
as I write with you
with my own hand.
Those who want
to impress people
by means of the flesh
are trying to compel you
to be circumcised.
The only reason
they do this
is to avoid
being persecuted
for the cross of Christ.
Not even those
who are circumcised
keep the law.
Yet they want you
to be circumcised
that they may boast
about your circumcision
in the flesh.
May I never boast
except in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ
through which
the world
has been crucified
to me
and I to the world.
Neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision
means anything.
What counts
is the new creation.
Peace
and mercy
to all
who follow this rule
to 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 and sisters.
Amen.
Thank you Johnny.
It is good to
be back with you
all this morning.
We had a good run
in the book room
at our house
for a few months
joining my
to the church.
But it's much better
with all of you.
I can tell you that.
No offense Johnny.
I'm just going to turn
to the book of Galatians
myself here.
Galatians chapter 6
and just make sure the...
Nope.
Sorry, I can't see what's...
I'm going the wrong way, aren't I?
That's right, isn't it?
Yeah, okay, thank you.
So just as we begin, I'm just going to ask for the Lord's help
and the enabling of the Spirit this morning.
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that we are gathered here this morning
as your people, the Israel of God,
those who come to worship you,
those who love you,
because we have been loved by you.
We are the new creation.
And so, Lord, we ask for your help now
that we would hear from your word,
that your Spirit would be at work in our hearts.
And, Father, give me strength for the task at hand.
Amen.
Oops.
I'm still going the wrong way, aren't I?
Okay.
A large-scale public health crisis
reveals much about a culture and a society.
We like to imagine all things about Ireland and being Irish,
but when pressure is applied to everyone
and to everything at once,
cracks can begin to appear.
Our now former teacher,
Leo Varadkar,
in one of his many speeches,
he said these words,
good words,
I believe we need to maintain social solidarity,
unity,
and a sense of community in this time of trial.
And on the other hand,
he was ready to enact draconian laws
to lock us all down,
stop us in our cars,
curtail our freedom to meet people.
The call to solidarity
and community on one hand,
the power of the state
and of the law in the other.
And I wonder,
which one does Leo really think
if either of them gets a country through a pandemic?
Why the need for both solidarity
and the force of the law?
Why both?
Well, there's no guarantees over the long term
about countries.
We know that kingdoms and countries rise and fall,
pandemics, wars, upheavals,
natural disasters have wiped out
and dismantled countless empires,
let alone think about little, little Ireland,
just a hundred years old.
Communities and societies that seem to us invincible,
think of the Soviet Union,
can fall away very rapidly.
Communities can just collapse.
We find the church community
under the same external pressures
that our country is under.
Our society, our way of life
as the Christian community
goes back 2,000 years to Jesus Christ.
And even further,
when we consider the beginning of humanity,
there has always been the people of God,
those who worship God,
those who love God,
those who are called by God.
So the church,
God's people,
is an enduring community,
surviving and growing
over thousands of years.
So what is it that will keep
this church going?
Or what is it that will keep the church going?
Do we need Leo's playbook?
The call for community in one hand
with the law book in the other,
and we just, you know,
a little,
Christian life is really need
a little bit from like column A
and a little bit from column B
and you mix them together
and that's how you keep
the community going.
That's how you keep the lights on.
I'm going to have to remember,
I'm going to do really bad on the slides.
Two paths.
Well, there are indeed two paths
for church communities to walk.
Two ways to try and keep it all together.
And we see that in this passage.
Paul has pleaded at each step
through this letter to the Galatians
that we follow the means of grace.
Follow the means of grace
to keep the church community,
to keep us on the path,
to keep us on the journey.
Follow the means of grace,
which he calls in some places
the means of the Spirit
or the way of the Spirit
or living by the Spirit.
The same thing.
Grace and Spirit go together
from start to finish.
The other path
is the means of law-keeping
to impress others,
which is the same as the means
of the flesh.
So law-keeping to impress others
and the flesh
or we have the means of grace,
which is the means of the Spirit
and life by the Spirit.
And Paul talks in this section
about sowing and reaping
to make the differences
really clear for us.
So let's look again
at the passage in verse 7.
Do not be deceived.
God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh,
from the flesh will reap destruction.
Whoever sows to please the Spirit,
from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
We all have two ways to live,
two ways to sow,
and two ways to reap.
We all have fundamental commitments
in our lives.
And those fundamental commitments
are either, Paul says,
ultimately to the flesh
or ultimately to the Spirit.
What we sow to
is what we will reap from.
And as the church community,
as the church,
our commitment must be
to grace
and to the Spirit
on our journey together.
Look back, as I said,
this is all through the book
and as we finish Galatians,
it's good to see that thread
that runs all through.
If you turn back with me
to chapter 3 and verse 3.
Galatians chapter 3 and verse 3.
Paul, speaking to the church
and maybe rightly frustrated,
he says,
are you so foolish?
After beginning by means of the Spirit,
are you now trying to finish
by means of the flesh?
You've started with the Spirit
and now you're trying to finish
with the flesh.
Or turn over the page
to chapter 5 and verse 7.
This is how he describes
what was happening.
You were running a good race.
Who cut in
to keep you from obeying the truth?
Verse 16 in the same chapter,
chapter 5.
So I say,
live by the Spirit.
Live by the Spirit
and you will not gratify
the desires of the flesh.
And again we come to chapter 6.
verses 7 and 8.
Do not be deceived.
God cannot be mocked.
A man reaps what he sows.
Whoever sows to please their flesh,
from the flesh will reap destruction.
Whoever sows to please the Spirit,
from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Do not be deceived.
God cannot be mocked.
We are all investing
all the time.
We are all sowing
all the time.
And we sow with our time
somewhere.
What we do with our time,
what we're sowing that
somewhere.
We plant our hours
and our days
as we walk
through this life
into what we value.
From cradle to the grave,
we're making those decisions
all the time
with our time.
We're sowing it somewhere.
And we're sowing our money
and our finances
and our gifts
to something.
We're buying the things
that please us.
We are sowing
and we are reaping.
We are sowing
and we are reaping.
We are sowing
and we are reaping.
To something
or somewhere.
to either the flesh
or to the spirit.
To either self
or Christ.
Listen again
to the two paths.
Whoever sows
to please
their flesh
from the flesh
will reap destruction.
Whoever sows
to please the spirit
from the spirit
will reap eternal life.
And so
when the pressure
comes on
as it has done
in these past months
we are
revealing
our heart
commitments
to God.
And we're revealing
them to one another
in this community.
And we're revealing
them to a watching
world.
And God
cannot be mocked.
There's a
givenness.
That's what that means.
There's a givenness
to the way
God's world
works.
Even with all
of the sin
and anti-God
things
there's still
a givenness
to how the world
works.
Because
as you sow
you will reap.
There is a
cause
and an effect
element.
Our sowing
and our reaping
will show us
where our hearts
lie
and the path
that we are on.
Firstly
the path
of the flesh
says
whoever sows
to please
their flesh
from the flesh
will reap
destruction.
Now the word
flesh
is a very
flexible word
in the Bible.
I don't know
how many times
you come across
and you're like
ah what does it
mean here?
Well just to explain
flesh can literally
mean skin
and bones
you know
just literally
as we think
of the flesh
or the meat
almost
the body.
It's also
sometimes used
as a way
of saying
that someone
is a human
being
they're of
the flesh
of Adam
they're a human.
It can also
be used
to refer
to the part
of us
as Christians
that is prone
to still sin
so we can talk
about battling
the flesh
as a believer.
And so we need
to look
very carefully
when we see
the word flesh
to try and
understand
from how
it's used
in context
to what it
means.
And here
I think
it's primarily
it's being used
in another way.
I think the
best way
to understand
flesh here
is an
individual's
settled
opposition
to the
way of
Christ
as they
live for
themselves.
An
individual's
settled
opposition
to the
way of
Christ
as they
live
for
themselves.
Because
Paul is
drawing a
very strong
distinction
isn't he
between
sowing to
the flesh
and reaping
destruction
or sowing
to the
spirit
and reaping
eternal
life.
It's
flesh
versus
spirit
is
really
self
versus
God.
And
Paul
spells
out
what
flesh
living
looks
like
in
the
church
in
verse
12
and
13.
Those
who
want
to
impress
people
by means
of the
flesh
are
trying
to
compel
you
to
be
circumcised.
The
only
reason
they
do
this
is
to
avoid
being
persecuted
for
the
cross
of
Christ.
Not
even
those
who
are
circumcised
keep
the
law.
Yet
they
want
you
to
be
circumcised
that
they
may
boast
about
your
circumcision
in
the
flesh.
The
path
of
flesh
is
the
path
of
impressing
others.
People
are
big
and
God
is
quite
small.
On
the
path
of
the
flesh
what
others
think
is
our
first
thought
of
any
sign
of
controversy
or
pressure.
Verse
12
we see
that in
the
church
in
Galatia
what
this
looked
like
because
you
could
impress
others
by
compelling
people
to be
circumcised.
Joe
over
there
never
been
circumcised
calls
himself
a
Christian
comes
every
Sunday
but
he's
never
had
the
snip.
I'm
not
impressed
with
Joe
really
doesn't
seem
to
live
for
Jesus
completely
avoids
the
topic
of
circumcision
when
he
comes
up
not
even
sure
he's
a
Christian
or
a
believer
really
he
really
doesn't
get
it
does
he
do
you
know
what
we
really
should
set
up
a
Bible
study
series
again
on
circumcision
and
make
sure
somewhat
ridiculous
doesn't
it
to
our
ears
in
these
days
thinking
about
circumcision
like
this
because
as far
as I
know
no one
here
is
insisting
that
all the
men
need
to be
circumcised
in order
to say
that
we're
a
faithful
church
but
we
each
have
things
that
we
insist
on
we
each
have
things
that
we
insist
on
Sheila
doesn't
give
10%
of her
income
to the
church
a
little
bird
he
told
me
it's
in
the
Bible
you
know
it's
in
the
Bible
can't
believe
she's
not
doing
it
I
mean
what's
she
playing
at
the
rest
of
us
have
to
carry
the
burden
it's
a
disgrace
if I'm
honest
quite
selfish
really
brings
her
whole
church
down
and I
can't
even
be
convinced
or
sure
that
she's
a
Christian
when
she
doesn't
do
that
I'm
going
to
have
to
bring
it
up
so
that
we
can
bring
her
in
line
with
church
practice
outside
pressure
can
come
on
churches
to
conform
to
avoid
persecution
and
improve
our
standing
with
the
world
and
the
community
outside
we
shift
whole
churches
and
denominations
can
compromise
on the
Bible's
teaching
Julie
still
thinks
women
shouldn't
have
the
right
to
choose
well
I'm
glad
our
church
came
out
in
support
of
the
abortion
referendum
if
Jesus
was
here
today
he'd
campaign
for
it
he'd
campaign
for
the
very
same
very
sad
that
Julie
is
arguing
on
this
doesn't
she
know
that
churches
change
over
time
we
gave
up
slavery
nobody
argues
on
that
anymore
we've
caught
up
on
this
whole
women's
rights
thing
finally
but not
Julie
still
insists
that
abortion
is
wrong
and
both
these
examples
of
insisting
on
say
an
internal
matter
like
tithing
within
the
church
or
insisting
that
we
move
our
views
and
say
that
killing
the
unborn
is
right
they're
both
ultimately
a form
of
people
pleasing
whether
it's
inside
or
outside
the
church
people
are
big
in
our
view
what
they
think
ultimately
matters
but as
it says
here
verse
13
it's
a
fool's
errand
to
chase
popular
opinion
like
this
not
even
those
who
are
circumcised
keep
the
law
yet
they
want
you
to
be
circumcised
that
they
may
boast
about
your
circumcision
in
the
flesh
people
pleasing
becomes
hypocrisy
whether
that's
the
internal
church
law
keeping
or
conformity
to the
world
there's
no
end
to
either
on this
path
of the
flesh
because
we will
inevitably
fail
to keep
somebody's
rules
and there's
no grace
there is
no grace
with
there is
only
people
pleasing
and
law
keeping
there is
no grace
to be
found
when you
finally
fail
what do
you seek
to enforce
and this
is
this is
speaking
to me
what is
it that
you seek
to enforce
on others
in the
church
this past
week
talking about
your brother
or your
sister
your
Christian
brother
or sister
in the
privacy
of your
own
home
what do
you say
if only
they
and fill
in your
blank
what did
you
criticize
them for
this week
thinking
not very
Christian
not a
good example
not a
good witness
and we
may even
rightly
perceive
some
sin
tendency
in what
we're
saying
as Sam
reminded us
so well
last week
but we
fail
don't we
into that
temptation
from those
verses
that temptation
to impress
others
with our
own
self-appointed
idea of
how
everyone
should be
more like
me
watch out
don't
don't boast
as it says
here
don't
don't boast
in your
victory
to make
a fellow
sister
a fellow
brother
in a church
family
be like
you
you're not
impressing
God
you're
impressing
yourself
and others
we
fail to
even
keep
all of
our
own
appointed
laws
don't
rejoice
when you
compel
others
to be
like
you
Paul
tells us
where this
leads
back in
verse 8
whoever
sows to
please
their flesh
from the
flesh
will reap
destruction
sow
your
energy
time
and money
to this
Paul
says
and you
will reap
destruction
in the
church
family
and are
in danger
yourself
of being
on the
path
to your
own
destruction
please
pray
for
your
leaders
in this
please
we seek
to walk
and sow
in the
spirit
yet we
fail
at times
as elders
as deacons
as fellow
sisters
and brothers
among
you
our
position
is
perilous
apart
from coming
each day
and each
moment
to Christ
because we
are
definitely
tempted
to confuse
our own
standards
for those
of Christ
himself
as we
meet
and as we
discuss
and as we
disagree
and as we
come to
agreement
and we
seek to
lead
I know
that I
am tempted
to use
the tools
of this
world
the means
of the
flesh
to bring
about my
desired
outcome
I
super
spiritualize
my
preferences
and say
you know
if only
it was like
this I
think it
would be a
better
witness
if only
it was
like
this I
think
it would
be better
for the
church
and be
more
Christian
pray
that as
leaders
we would
seek to
conform
people
to the
image
of
Christ
and stay
far away
from compelling
others
to fit
into our
own
mold
what
hope
what
hope
well
Galatians
chapter 1
verse 13
I think is a
reminder to
the hope
that we
have
Galatians
chapter 1
and verse 13
Paul very
early on in
the book
speaks of
his own
hope
for you have
heard of my
previous way of
life in
Judaism
how intensely
I persecuted
the church of
God and tried
to destroy it
I was advancing
in Judaism
beyond many of
my own age
among my
people and
was extremely
zealous for
traditions of
my father
possibly the
best three
verses in
the whole
book
but
when
God
but
when
God
it's
Paul's
testimony
but
when
God
intervened
he showed
Paul that
the cross
of Jesus
Christ
he showed
him that
the cross
of Jesus
Christ
crucifixion
of self
crucifixion
of self
not
circumcision
of the
outward
flesh
but
crucifixion
of self
was what
really
mattered
what really
counted
and so
we can
go back
to
Galatians
6
and verse
14
and Paul
says
may I
never
boast
except
in the
cross
of our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
through
which
the world
has been
crucified
to me
and I
to the
world
that's
the key
that's
the key
but when
God
showed
us
the cross
of Jesus
the gospel
begins
and it
centers
and it
ends
on our
Lord
Jesus
Christ
and at
the cross
we find
him to
be
our
Lord
and
Savior
the world
Paul told
us earlier
is made
up of the
weak and
miserable
forces and
principles
the idea
of living
to self
insisting
we are
right
impressing
others
boasting
in our
victories
over
others
that's
the world
and it's
miserable
and weak
principles
there's only
one solution
and it's
at the
cross
put
to death
the world
and the
flesh
we must
die to
those
principles
of the
world
and the
world
must die
to us
not
death
for the
sake
of
death
but
death
so that
we may
be
reborn
verse
15
you see
neither
circumcision
nor
uncircumcision
means
anything
what counts
is the
new
creation
oh
what
glory
it is
only of
the
Lord's
design
and good
purposes
that
we come
to the
cross
and we
think of
the cross
we
die
at the
cross
in sin
and self
and we
are
raised
to
righteousness
we're
born
again
by the
spirit
of
God
we
give up
one
path
sowing
to the
flesh
and we
embrace
another
path
sowing
to the
spirit
and it's
crucifixion
it's not
circumcision
and rule
keeping
or
uncircumcision
and looking
to the
world
but
crucifixion
that brings
about a
new
creation
why the
cross
there
we see
the death
of
Jesus
so that
we might
have
life
his death
becomes
our death
and therefore
his resurrection
becomes
our resurrection
our sin
is exchanged
for all of
his goodness
his
perfect
flesh
ruined
so that
my ruined
flesh
may be
made
perfect
as he
rises
and as he
ascends
to the
father
his
spirit
the
holy
spirit
is
poured
out
on
us
and we
are
reborn
sinner
if you
are on
the path
to
destruction
come
to
the
cross
of
Jesus
and be
reborn
exchange
all that
you have
for
eternal
life
in that
moment
when we
came to
the cross
we
stopped
we stopped
when we
came to
the cross
our
but
when
God
moment
we
stopped
looking
to our
left
and our
right
for
justification
from
others
and those
scales
they
fell
away
from our
eyes
and we
saw
Jesus
God
became
big
God
became
big
and people's
opinions
of us
became
small
it was
glorious
it was
glorious
we
escaped
the wide
path of
destruction
and we
skipped
over
to the
narrow
path
of life
that's
why it
says
in verse
8
whoever
sows
to
please
the
spirit
from
the
spirit
will
reap
eternal
life
we
are
those
that
sow
to
the
spirit
hallelujah
we
have
been
born
again
at
the
cross
our
flesh
has
been
put
to
death
the
cross
of
Jesus
Christ
is
now
our
only
boast
verse
16
peace
and
mercy
to
all
who
follow
this
rule
to
the
Israel
of
God
God's
people
enjoy
peace
and
mercy
because
we
follow
the
rule
of
crucifixion
we
follow
the
rule
of
new
creation
come
to
the
cross
and
we
will
know
this
peace
and
mercy
now
the
path
for
believers
sowing
to
spirit
is
not
an
easy
path
and
just
briefly
two
hints
to
that
in
this
passage
two
personal
reminders
from
Paul
verse
11
he
says
see
with
what
large
letters
I
use
as I
write
to
you
with
my
own
hand
it's
a
strange
kind
of
phrase
I
think
Paul
normally
and maybe
throughout
this
letter
up to
this
point
was
dictating
the
letter
to
a
scribe
who
wrote
down
exactly
what
Paul
said
and
it
seems
at
this
point
Paul
takes
the
pen
himself
into
Paul's
eyesight
may
have
been
afflicted
and
so
it's
quite
likely
when
he
says
see
what
large
letters
I'm
using
he's
kind
of
saying
look
my
eyesight
is
so
bad
I'm
writing
here
with
large
letters
his
eyesight
is
probably
failing
him
and
in
verse
17
from
now
on
let
no
one
cause
me
trouble
because
many
had
caused
Paul
trouble
in
his
defense
of
the
gospel
for
I
bear
on
my
his
body
the
marks
of
Jesus
Paul
was
beaten
he
was
whipped
he
was
left
for
dead
he
was
shipwrecked
he
faced
wild
animals
all
for
the
gospel
you see
Christian
living
isn't
an
academic
exercise
it's
that
daily
cross
carrying
sowing
to the
spirit
is not
the
easy
path
it's
no
walk
in
the
park
so
it's
the
question
how do
we
keep
going
how do
we
individually
and we
as a
church
keep
going
because
it is
hard
it's
wearying
at
times
and
for
seasons
this
time
of
covid
lockdown
in
particular
has
brought
an
unusual
strain
on
the
church
opportunities
to do
good
to
one
another
have
diminished
we've
not been
able to
meet
we've
grown
apart
in some
ways
and we've
formed
habits
of
isolation
from
one
another
as we've
been
cut
off
from
the
body
as it
is
meant
to
be
and
many
of
us
I know
have
felt
the
strain
of
coming
back
to
church
with
questions
we never
had
before
when we
came
here
on a
Sunday
morning
will
I
be
safe
what
can
I
do
what
can't
I
do
where
can
I
walk
or
stand
or
sit
will
I
upset
people
if
I
unintentionally
do the
wrong
thing
in their
eyes
am I
being
judged
for
wearing
or
not
wearing
a
face
covering
I
don't
want
to
upset
others
that's
not
why I
come
to
church
but
I
have
concerns
well
some
of
those
concerns
maybe
resonate
and I
think
we
all
need
to
look
then
from
verse
8
again
the
latter
half
of
verse
8
down
to
10
whoever
sows
to
please
the
spirit
from
the
spirit
will
reap
eternal
life
let
us
not
become
weary
in
doing
good
for
at
the
proper
time
we
will
reap
a
harvest
if
we
do
not
give
up
therefore
as
we
have
opportunity
let
us
do
good
to
all
people
especially
to
those
who
belong
to
the
family
of
believers
eternal
life
verse 8
is in
view
here
folks
eternal
life
don't
become
weary
in
doing
good
it's
hard
I
know
it's
easier
at
times
to
opt
out
and
to
collapse
back
in
on
ourselves
but
good
works
are
a part
of
what
is
new
in
the
new
creation
I
don't
know if
you've
thought
about
that
but
what
does
it
mean
to be
the
new
creation
well
it
must
mean
from
here
good
works
it's
part
of
what's
new
and
at
the
proper
time
when
Christ
returns
or we
go to
be
with
him
through
death
we
will
reap
a
harvest
if we
do
not
give
up
we're
born
again
in
order
to
be
like
Jesus
have
you
considered
that
we're
born
again
to
be
like
Jesus
to
love
like
Jesus
loves
to
do
good
Jesus
said
by
this
everyone
will
know
that
you
are
my
disciples
if
you
love
one
another
love
for
one
another
it's
hard
especially
now
but
do
not
grow
weary
through
the
stones
and
the
brambles
that
we
encounter
on
the
path
God
is
calling
us
to
not
grow
weary
in
doing
good
especially
to
the
family
right
here
what
does
doing
good
look
like
well
we
skipped
over
it
but
let's
go
back
to
verse
6
because
verse
6
and
if
you
look
at
them
verse
6
and
verse
10
are
kind
of
bookends
of
this
section
on
the
spirit
I
think
verse
6
is a
practical
outworking
of
verse
10
but did
you read
or hear
verse
6
right
let me
help
you out
pay
your
pastor
jeannie
are you
allowed
to say
that
in a
sermon
I
don't
know
we'll
see
we'll
see
what
we get
away
with
this
morning
so
let
me
help
you
out
it
says
pay
your
pastor
what
yep
pay
your
pastor
it's
a
simple
enough
idea
nevertheless
the one
who receives
instruction
in the
word
should
share
all
good
things
with
their
instructor
as
someone
is
sharing
the
word
of
god
with
you
ministering
and
giving
and
doing
good
to
you
by
giving
you
the
word
you
should
share
back
with
them
that's
what
this
Christian
community
life
is
like
together
you
should
share
your
goods
the
good
things
that
you
have
share
them
in
return
yes
that
means
that
one
key
application
of
this
verse
is
that
we
should
care
for
the
needs
of
our
primary
instructor
in
the
word
our
pastor
Johnny
Grant
should
pay
our
pastor
now
I'm
thankful
that
as a
church
I
think
we
get
this
we
get
this
as
God
has
blessed
us
financially
we
have
shared
good
things
with
our
pastor
and
long
may
continue
as
the
Lord
provides
so
this
is
an
encouragement
to us
this
morning
and
that's
an
example
a
very
practical
example
of
doing
good
within
the
church
of
sowing
to
the
spirit
sharing
with
those
who
minister
to
us
let
me
tell
you
the
other
part
from
that
receiving
you
are
being
instructed
and
we're
getting
the
better
side
of
the
deal
we're
getting
the
better
side
of
the
deal
we may
think
we're
the
ones
doing
good
to
our
pastor
by
sharing
our
finances
or
our
money
but
we're
being
fed
by
the
eternal
word
of
God
Sunday
after
Sunday
and
week
after
week
of
pastoral
care
and
ministry
that
hard
spiritual
unseen
work
that the
world
can
ever
offer
the
world
does
not
have
is
happening
here
in the
Christian
community
and
through
our
pastor
so
share
with
each
other
share
good
things
share
the
word
share
our
resources
do
good
to
one
another
church
find
opportunities
even in
lockdown
or
restricted
times
like
these
do
good
to
the
family
now
is
a
unique
time
to
practically
demonstrate
to the
watching
world
our
love
for
God's
family
the
church
family
don't
give up
Paul says
don't
grow weary
it is
hard
but give
and receive
share with
one another
all that
you have
we are
new
creations
we walk
by the
spirit
and
so good
to
our
church
family
not
insisting
on
recruiting
others
to our
causes
like the
circumcision
party
we are
doing
but sharing
what we
have
as the
Lord
has given
to each
one of
us
I want
us all
to arrive
together
at our
eternal
reward
God
has put
me with
you
and he's
put you
with
me
together
peace
and mercy
from God
towards one
another in
this family
love God
love others
I want to end
this morning
just by reading
from verse 14
to the end
of the chapter
and to the end
of the book
together
to encourage
our hearts
in this work
verse 14
may I never
boast
except
in the cross
of our Lord
Jesus Christ
through which
the world
has been
crucified
to me
and I
to the world
neither
circumcision
nor uncircumcision
means anything
what counts
is the new
creation
peace
and mercy
to all
who follow
this rule
to 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
and sisters
amen
thank you Ralph
I'd like us
to keep
our Bibles
open
just for a
moment
at the
passage
we've just
looked at
Galatians
chapter 6
together we
are going
to share
in the
Lord's
supper
as we
gather
together
as God's
people
it is
for those
who are
trusting
in Christ
for those
who have
that story
that we
were reminded
of that
they can
say but
when
when God
intervened
and caused
me and enabled
me to turn
to him
verse 14
says may I
never boast
except in the
cross of our
Lord Jesus
Christ
it's never
about our
performance
but about
Christ's
perfect
performance
on our
behalf
his life
from my
life
again to
use and to
think of the
language that
Ralph has
directed our
thoughts to
that Christ
came and
took on
our flesh
that
opposition
to God
and paid
the penalty
for us
dying
our death
living
the perfect
life
on our
behalf so
that we
could receive
the goodness
of his
life
so
there should
be a joyful
confidence
from us
today not
in self
but only
in Christ
and that is
what we are
going to
celebrate
together
as we
share in
the Lord's
Supper
we remember
we look
back to
that point
in time
where we
moved from
a life
of flesh
to living
by the
spirit
no longer
trusting
in self
but trusting
only
in him
we need
to come
back time
and time
again
and renounce
all means
and all
ways
of the
flesh
to confess
before him
to humbly
come before
him
and say
not I
but Christ
before
communion
is served
to you
Nick and
Ralph
or Alex
I think
are going
to do that
but you can
stay where you
are to be
served
to you
the bread
and juice
will be
brought to
you
in a
little
container
just take
it
eat
and drink
as you
receive it
and we're
going to play
a song
which you
can meditate
and follow
the words
on the
screen
as we
do that
the Lord
Jesus
reminds us
that he
took bread
and gave
thanks
and he
broke it
and he
gave it
to his
disciples
saying
this is
my body
given
for you
do this
in remembrance
of me
in the same
way after
supper
he took
the cup
saying
this cup
is the
new
covenant
in my
blood
which is
poured
out
for you
so as
we eat
of the
bread
as we
drink
of the
juice
we
remember
that
point
in time
where we
turn to
Christ
worked
in our
life
we
confess
our
sin
afresh
we
trust
in him
so
before
it is
served
let's
just
take
a
moment
to
just
reflect
on what
we've
heard
bring
our
confession
to
the
Lord
and
rest
in his
perfect
work
for
us