WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.120 Well, good morning, everyone. It's a privilege to be able to open up God's Word this morning. 00:00:05.200 --> 00:00:14.179 And what a passage we have to look at. Please do keep it open. You know, God's Word is the most important thing that we will hear from this morning. 00:00:14.179 --> 00:00:17.839 But please do keep it open to refer to as we go through. 00:00:18.980 --> 00:00:21.660 I'm JT. I'm one of the elders. Just add my welcome to you. 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:25.839 And we've been going through this letter of Galatians. 00:00:25.839 --> 00:00:29.899 And we'll get stuck in in a minute to what we have just heard. 00:00:30.879 --> 00:00:35.280 But, you know, if you could sum up your life in one word, what would it be? 00:00:35.840 --> 00:00:38.460 What characterizes your life? 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:42.159 You know, maybe you would say hard work. 00:00:42.939 --> 00:00:46.659 You know, my life is all about hard work. It's all about working really hard. 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:48.620 That's two words, but you'll forgive me. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:52.500 What characterizes your life? Is it difficulties? 00:00:52.500 --> 00:00:56.740 What characterizes your life? Is it hope? 00:00:57.659 --> 00:01:05.840 Well, here, Paul, who is writing this letter, he exhorts us to live a life that is characterized by love. 00:01:06.900 --> 00:01:10.539 A life that is characterized by love. 00:01:10.540 --> 00:01:14.840 So this is chapter 6. 00:01:14.960 --> 00:01:19.780 As Graham says, we've been going through, I think this is something like the 11th sermon in this series. 00:01:20.100 --> 00:01:22.040 So where have we been? Maybe you've not been here. 00:01:22.960 --> 00:01:26.700 Well, Galatians, it's a letter that Paul writes to the churches of Galatia. 00:01:27.560 --> 00:01:32.100 In terms of the Bible picture, the Lord Jesus has come, he has died, he has resurrected. 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:34.640 And then the early church has been planted. 00:01:34.640 --> 00:01:43.719 And the Christians, in a sense, they are finding their way of how to live in this new faith that they have, 00:01:44.239 --> 00:01:45.980 in this new life that they have. 00:01:47.079 --> 00:01:53.099 But this church, or the group of churches in Galatia, they are under pressure by these Jews. 00:01:53.200 --> 00:01:58.120 They have come in and they have said, you need to follow the customs of the Jewish religion. 00:01:58.120 --> 00:02:00.760 They are saying that Jesus isn't enough. 00:02:01.100 --> 00:02:04.460 You need Jesus plus X, Y, and Z. 00:02:04.840 --> 00:02:07.920 And the main thing that they are trying to put on them is circumcision. 00:02:09.819 --> 00:02:13.400 But Paul, he has explained so far through this whole letter, 00:02:13.900 --> 00:02:20.240 and it's a bit of a unique letter that he just keeps going on and on about the same thing in a marvelous way. 00:02:20.240 --> 00:02:25.939 But he explains that it is by faith alone that we are saved. 00:02:26.580 --> 00:02:31.159 By grace, through faith, in Jesus alone. 00:02:32.020 --> 00:02:34.120 The law is powerless to save. 00:02:34.240 --> 00:02:36.379 These rules, these customs, they're no good. 00:02:37.100 --> 00:02:37.939 We need Jesus. 00:02:39.820 --> 00:02:44.680 And we've seen in the last couple of weeks, we've seen this call to serve one another. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:48.819 In chapter 5, verse 14, it says, 00:02:49.260 --> 00:02:50.920 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:02:51.379 --> 00:02:56.060 Which, as you may know, that was what Jesus told his followers to do. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:03:01.640 And last week, Graham Dodds, he took us through walking by the Spirit, 00:03:02.340 --> 00:03:05.379 or walking free, as he described it. 00:03:06.620 --> 00:03:09.460 And we saw the fruit of the Spirit, 00:03:09.900 --> 00:03:13.960 if we live in the Spirit, if the Lord Jesus is our Savior. 00:03:14.680 --> 00:03:18.920 You know, just before this passage, I'm going to read chapter 5, verse 25 to 26, 00:03:19.040 --> 00:03:21.360 because it's worth remembering that this is all one letter. 00:03:21.760 --> 00:03:23.560 This would have all been read together. 00:03:24.020 --> 00:03:25.620 This was not small sections. 00:03:25.840 --> 00:03:30.400 The chapters in our Bibles are just put in to help us reference them. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:32.680 It says this, 00:03:32.719 --> 00:03:36.400 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:40.860 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, 00:03:41.920 --> 00:03:43.280 envying one another. 00:03:43.280 --> 00:03:49.120 So Paul goes on from describing what life in the Spirit looks like, 00:03:49.640 --> 00:03:54.000 to illustrate a life of love in the Spirit. 00:03:54.659 --> 00:03:58.099 What you could say is that here, Paul gets practical. 00:03:58.740 --> 00:03:59.000 Okay? 00:03:59.479 --> 00:04:02.479 So what a passage we have, and we're going to look at it. 00:04:02.479 --> 00:04:05.099 What we're going to look at this morning, 00:04:05.179 --> 00:04:09.419 we're going to see rightfully restoring in verse 1. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:13.759 We're going to see burden bearing in verse 2 to 5. 00:04:14.179 --> 00:04:17.439 In 6 to 8, we're going to see selfless sowing. 00:04:18.019 --> 00:04:22.620 And finally, 9 to 10, we're going to see patiently persevering. 00:04:22.620 --> 00:04:25.840 For any English students or scholars out there, 00:04:25.860 --> 00:04:28.240 I don't know if that's an okay phrase to say, 00:04:28.340 --> 00:04:32.139 but it worked for my alliteration, so I'm sticking to it. 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:38.160 So let's get stuck in to rightfully restoring in verse 1. 00:04:39.000 --> 00:04:42.040 It starts by saying brothers and sisters. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:45.280 This is a loving term. 00:04:45.780 --> 00:04:47.300 It is a church context. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:51.080 It is describing our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:04:51.819 --> 00:04:55.939 Graham just described the sisters that have joined in membership to Brunsfield. 00:04:56.780 --> 00:04:59.360 Our sisters in Christ. 00:05:00.520 --> 00:05:02.900 This is a church context that it's speaking to. 00:05:02.980 --> 00:05:05.660 It is speaking to Christians. 00:05:05.660 --> 00:05:05.900 Christians. 00:05:06.860 --> 00:05:10.439 And what it is saying that if there is a believer who has sinned, 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:12.760 a believer who has really got it wrong, 00:05:13.060 --> 00:05:15.820 has really messed up, which we all do, 00:05:17.600 --> 00:05:20.760 then you who live by the Spirit, it says, 00:05:21.260 --> 00:05:22.720 this is mature Christians, 00:05:22.920 --> 00:05:26.240 those who show that fruit of the Spirit we looked at last week. 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:30.340 Not just anyone, not new believers who may be susceptible, 00:05:30.340 --> 00:05:33.200 as it says at the end, to falling into temptation, 00:05:33.199 --> 00:05:36.459 into being tempted by that same sin. 00:05:37.620 --> 00:05:44.539 Well, these Christians are to restore the person who has stepped out wrongly. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:46.879 They are to do so gently. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:51.959 You know, this restoration word that is used there, 00:05:52.639 --> 00:05:57.180 interestingly, it's the same word that is used to mend fishing nets. 00:05:58.419 --> 00:05:59.980 To mend fishing nets. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:02.699 Now, fishermen, hardy men, you know, tough. 00:06:02.699 --> 00:06:03.599 It's a tough gig. 00:06:04.259 --> 00:06:06.599 But if you ever watch someone mending a fishing net, 00:06:07.019 --> 00:06:08.319 it needs to be done gently. 00:06:08.560 --> 00:06:10.180 There is a real skill involved. 00:06:10.300 --> 00:06:12.519 It's more like knitting than anything. 00:06:13.279 --> 00:06:14.579 And that is the idea here, 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:20.379 this gentle restoration of someone who has stepped in the wrong direction, 00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:21.839 in terms of sin. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:25.779 It's also the same word used for the resetting of bones. 00:06:26.719 --> 00:06:27.680 Now, I'm not a doctor. 00:06:27.919 --> 00:06:30.399 I've only broken one bone in my life. 00:06:30.399 --> 00:06:35.399 But, you know, you don't want your doctor to be really rough and ready with you, do you? 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:37.159 You want them to be gentle. 00:06:37.319 --> 00:06:39.459 You want them to do it in the correct manner, 00:06:40.139 --> 00:06:41.339 a necessary manner. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:44.839 But you want them to do it in a way that is gentle 00:06:44.839 --> 00:06:47.339 and doesn't cause unnecessary pain. 00:06:47.339 --> 00:06:52.159 And that is the idea here of restoring one another 00:06:52.159 --> 00:06:57.959 if someone has sinned and needs put back. 00:06:58.479 --> 00:06:59.979 So what does it need put back to? 00:07:00.739 --> 00:07:02.199 What's it going on about here? 00:07:03.219 --> 00:07:06.559 Well, it's restoring someone to that previous moral condition. 00:07:07.739 --> 00:07:08.059 Sin. 00:07:08.559 --> 00:07:10.559 We need to know the seriousness of sin. 00:07:11.239 --> 00:07:13.239 Sin causes grievous harm. 00:07:13.240 --> 00:07:16.319 Sin damages us as Christians. 00:07:17.259 --> 00:07:21.340 We need to be put right on the right path once again. 00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:25.860 You know, the gentleness that is described here, 00:07:25.960 --> 00:07:27.960 it's in sharp contrast to the law. 00:07:28.420 --> 00:07:34.079 The law that Paul teaches that all it did was point out our flaws. 00:07:34.079 --> 00:07:42.099 But here, those are to be rightfully restored in that gentle manner. 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:44.560 So that's number one. 00:07:44.719 --> 00:07:50.659 Number one way of living out practically the life of love in the Spirit of God. 00:07:52.099 --> 00:07:55.439 Secondly, we have burden bearing. 00:07:56.439 --> 00:07:58.599 Look with me to verse 2. 00:07:58.600 --> 00:08:01.920 Bear one another's burdens. 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:05.340 Or yours might say, carry each other's burdens. 00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:11.080 And in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. 00:08:12.840 --> 00:08:14.700 Now you might be sitting there and go, hold on a minute. 00:08:14.780 --> 00:08:16.040 You told me there was no more law. 00:08:17.160 --> 00:08:18.700 You're contradicting yourself here. 00:08:19.760 --> 00:08:22.020 What does it mean by the law of Christ? 00:08:22.120 --> 00:08:24.060 Well, this is Christ's general teaching. 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:28.959 If we look through the New Testament and reread what the Lord Jesus was all about. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:35.240 Well, as I said at the start, the Lord Jesus was all about love. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:42.320 Not in the kind of way of banners and headbands and floral scenes. 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:43.360 Not in that kind of way. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:47.440 But in a practical, a working out of your life in love. 00:08:48.259 --> 00:08:52.620 The Lord Jesus' example as he lived with those around him. 00:08:54.059 --> 00:08:59.139 And especially as we thought about earlier, that love your neighbor as yourself. 00:09:00.319 --> 00:09:02.379 We're reminded of that in chapter 5. 00:09:02.500 --> 00:09:03.339 Jesus' teaching. 00:09:03.739 --> 00:09:06.459 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:09:07.439 --> 00:09:09.779 The loving instruction of Christ. 00:09:09.959 --> 00:09:11.579 That is what the law of Christ is. 00:09:12.279 --> 00:09:14.439 To those who already have life in him. 00:09:15.079 --> 00:09:18.279 Enabled by the Holy Spirit within us. 00:09:18.279 --> 00:09:24.899 And in doing so, we are to carry one another's burdens. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:30.199 You know, when I was thinking about this, I was thinking of the old lady crossing the street. 00:09:31.159 --> 00:09:34.720 I tried to find a picture of an old lady carrying two heavy shopping bags. 00:09:35.480 --> 00:09:37.879 At the men's breakfast yesterday, the speaker, he said, 00:09:37.980 --> 00:09:39.860 Use AI if you ever need a picture. 00:09:40.339 --> 00:09:41.959 Because you'll get exactly what you want. 00:09:42.019 --> 00:09:42.839 Because that's what he did. 00:09:43.319 --> 00:09:44.120 But it was too late. 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:45.699 I'd already sent the PowerPoint off. 00:09:45.700 --> 00:09:47.360 So this is what we've got. 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:53.280 But you know, you see an old lady or an old man crossing the street with heavy bags straining. 00:09:53.400 --> 00:09:54.540 You can picture it, can't you? 00:09:55.540 --> 00:09:59.120 You know, you would like to think that someone would go and would share that burden. 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:02.720 Would help them along across the road. 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:07.700 Carry each other's burdens. 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:10.259 What are burdens? 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.620 It's not shopping bags. 00:10:13.280 --> 00:10:18.320 Burdens, well, there are moral faults that we can't carry alone. 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.340 Failures. 00:10:21.660 --> 00:10:23.680 Testing situations in life. 00:10:25.200 --> 00:10:25.800 Temptations. 00:10:26.120 --> 00:10:26.780 Trials. 00:10:27.960 --> 00:10:31.280 The word here, burdens, it has that real sense of heaviness. 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:32.580 Of weight. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:33.360 Of gravity. 00:10:34.160 --> 00:10:35.460 It is a plural word. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:38.200 These burdens are to be shared. 00:10:38.379 --> 00:10:39.240 Are to be carried. 00:10:40.400 --> 00:10:41.420 For one another. 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:46.879 You know, the Christian life, it isn't isolation. 00:10:49.759 --> 00:10:52.100 I think you know that because you are here. 00:10:52.200 --> 00:10:52.820 And that is great. 00:10:52.900 --> 00:10:54.879 It is great to gather as a church family. 00:10:55.300 --> 00:10:57.340 It is great to have new members join. 00:10:58.139 --> 00:11:01.019 Not so that Brunsfield can say we've got X amount of members. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:03.940 But so that we can carry each other's burdens. 00:11:03.940 --> 00:11:06.060 We can meet on a Sunday. 00:11:06.200 --> 00:11:07.240 We can meet during the week. 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:08.600 We can say, how are you? 00:11:08.840 --> 00:11:10.220 No, really, how are you? 00:11:11.740 --> 00:11:13.980 We can look out for one another. 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.740 You know, like the illustration, 00:11:17.320 --> 00:11:20.800 we should ask for help if we are struggling. 00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:25.060 You would like to think that an old person carrying their bags would say, 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:27.820 here, son, could you help me? 00:11:27.820 --> 00:11:32.960 But likewise, if we're the young person in that story, 00:11:33.040 --> 00:11:35.600 we would like to think that we would go to them and say, 00:11:35.680 --> 00:11:36.360 can I help you? 00:11:36.400 --> 00:11:37.540 I see that you're struggling. 00:11:39.080 --> 00:11:42.340 That is what the Christian life is meant to be like. 00:11:43.560 --> 00:11:45.980 Christian life is community. 00:11:47.060 --> 00:11:48.020 The church family. 00:11:48.019 --> 00:11:50.439 Yes, at Brunsfield, but globally. 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:54.379 The beauty of going on holiday sometimes is you can go to a different church 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:56.799 and you have that instant connection with someone 00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:58.720 because you share that faith in Jesus. 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.620 Christian life is community. 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:05.120 And there's many examples of that in the Bible. 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:11.740 So Paul moves on to verse 3 to 5. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:15.159 It says this. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.259 Let's remind ourselves. 00:12:17.440 --> 00:12:22.000 For if anyone thinks that he is something and they are not, 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.159 they deceive themselves. 00:12:24.100 --> 00:12:26.539 Each one should test their own actions. 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:29.940 Then they can take pride in themselves alone 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:33.539 without comparing themselves to someone else. 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:37.220 For each one should carry their own load. 00:12:37.220 --> 00:12:43.360 This section is a real warning against pride. 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:47.279 Keeping in mind our own faults. 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:49.120 Keeping in mind our own weaknesses. 00:12:49.420 --> 00:12:52.200 It helps us to be sympathetic to others. 00:12:55.860 --> 00:12:58.139 It is a mutual bearing of burdens. 00:12:58.840 --> 00:13:02.000 It is not that the good people help those that are struggling. 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:04.040 We all struggle at times. 00:13:04.040 --> 00:13:06.040 It is a mutual bearing of burdens. 00:13:07.220 --> 00:13:07.960 Humility. 00:13:08.139 --> 00:13:10.360 Realizing that we are nothing of ourselves. 00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:13.600 It helps us if we are restoring others 00:13:13.600 --> 00:13:16.639 if they have stepped out in sin. 00:13:18.580 --> 00:13:20.500 Don't play the comparison game. 00:13:20.820 --> 00:13:21.660 It doesn't work. 00:13:22.720 --> 00:13:25.600 All of us are compared, not to one another. 00:13:25.920 --> 00:13:26.500 You know, I can't say, 00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:28.519 well, I'm better than that guy, so that's fine. 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.820 We are compared to perfection. 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.600 That is God's holy standard. 00:13:35.399 --> 00:13:36.060 God is holy. 00:13:36.180 --> 00:13:36.840 God is just. 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:40.100 God cannot bear sin because he is perfect. 00:13:40.940 --> 00:13:44.019 Our comparison is not one another, but it is the Lord Jesus. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.300 The Lord Jesus, the one who came down, 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:51.100 he was fully God, and yet he was fully man. 00:13:51.820 --> 00:13:53.720 He was fully man so he could be tested, 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:57.420 and he went through trials and temptations just as we are, 00:13:58.060 --> 00:14:00.480 and yet he is fully God, so he never sinned. 00:14:00.800 --> 00:14:01.840 He never messed up. 00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:05.100 That is our comparison. 00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:06.200 That is our comparison. 00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:07.720 We will never match up. 00:14:08.120 --> 00:14:09.379 We will never be good enough. 00:14:09.379 --> 00:14:16.639 It's only through the Lord Jesus' work on the cross that we have thought about and sung about already this morning. 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:22.019 It is only through trusting in him that he has done it all, 00:14:22.019 --> 00:14:24.399 that we, nothing we do is enough, 00:14:24.819 --> 00:14:26.919 that we need to rely on him. 00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:29.000 He went all the way to that cross. 00:14:29.000 --> 00:14:31.339 He took that punishment that we deserved, 00:14:31.839 --> 00:14:33.399 that substitution. 00:14:34.099 --> 00:14:35.179 We deserve that. 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:37.359 And why did he go through that? 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.699 Why did he die? 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:42.339 Why did he take sin upon himself in those hours of darkness? 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:46.139 Well, he defeated sin. 00:14:47.339 --> 00:14:48.639 He defeated death. 00:14:49.339 --> 00:14:52.759 He rose again, showing that what he claimed was true. 00:14:55.139 --> 00:14:55.659 Why? 00:14:57.079 --> 00:14:58.739 So that if we trust in him, 00:14:59.439 --> 00:15:02.339 then we can have that life in him. 00:15:02.479 --> 00:15:03.919 We can have our sins forgiven, 00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:05.579 and that one day, 00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:07.679 when either the Lord Jesus comes back, 00:15:07.959 --> 00:15:08.799 or if we die, 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.860 then we can go to heaven, 00:15:11.059 --> 00:15:14.179 and we can spend life eternal with a God who made us, 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.319 who loves us, 00:15:15.559 --> 00:15:17.979 and who wants us to worship him, 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:18.719 and love him, 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:20.559 and be with him forever, 00:15:21.659 --> 00:15:23.899 otherwise known as heaven. 00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:26.879 So be self-looking, 00:15:27.459 --> 00:15:30.919 rather than focused on how others match up to us. 00:15:31.740 --> 00:15:33.219 I don't know when you were thinking about this, 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:36.000 but I was thinking about the Pharisee in Luke chapter 18. 00:15:36.399 --> 00:15:37.200 The Pharisee, 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.660 he goes to the temple to pray, 00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.139 and he stands there, 00:15:41.460 --> 00:15:42.779 chest puffed out, 00:15:43.120 --> 00:15:43.840 arms allowed, 00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:44.320 and he, 00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:44.960 arms allowed? 00:15:45.220 --> 00:15:45.800 Arms wide. 00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.040 And he says aloud, 00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:48.000 in a loud voice, 00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.519 and he says, 00:15:48.980 --> 00:15:50.019 I thank you that I, 00:15:50.100 --> 00:15:51.180 I'm paraphrasing here, 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:54.440 I thank you that I'm not like that sinner over there. 00:15:54.440 --> 00:15:57.360 I thank you that I give money to the temple. 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.880 I thank you that I am righteous. 00:15:59.020 --> 00:16:00.420 I thank you that I do everything good. 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:04.799 He was comparing himself, 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:07.599 to the lowly tax collector, 00:16:07.599 --> 00:16:08.500 who was there, 00:16:08.779 --> 00:16:09.639 in humility, 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:12.299 who couldn't even lift up his eyes to God, 00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.319 just crying out for help, 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:15.120 and forgiveness. 00:16:16.620 --> 00:16:17.339 But you know, 00:16:17.399 --> 00:16:18.620 it was the tax collector, 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:20.399 who went away justified that day, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:22.719 because his heart was correct. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:26.820 And as we finish this section, 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.639 verse 5, 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:30.420 each one should carry their own load. 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.600 Once again, 00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.940 we're contradicting ourselves, 00:16:34.060 --> 00:16:34.360 aren't we? 00:16:34.399 --> 00:16:37.360 I thought we were to carry one another's burdens. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:40.320 Well, our load here, 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.940 it's a different word in Greek. 00:16:42.180 --> 00:16:43.300 Not that I'm a scholar, 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:46.420 but so I'm told by people cleverer than me. 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.700 But it's a personal term. 00:16:48.779 --> 00:16:49.600 The other one was plural. 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:51.019 This is a singular word. 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:52.519 And what is it? 00:16:53.500 --> 00:16:56.080 Well, it's our obligations before God. 00:16:56.200 --> 00:17:00.639 We each have an individual responsibility before God 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:02.160 for our moral condition. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.460 Our actions, our words, 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.620 that's all on us. 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:12.940 One day we will face God in judgment. 00:17:13.700 --> 00:17:15.660 We will either face God in judgment 00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:18.819 as one who hasn't trusted in the Lord Jesus. 00:17:19.799 --> 00:17:20.880 We will be on our own. 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.019 And as I've said before, 00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:24.460 we will not match up to God's perfect standards. 00:17:24.879 --> 00:17:29.079 So we will not be able to spend eternity with him. 00:17:30.579 --> 00:17:32.059 Or we will go as believers 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:34.779 and God will judge us on our work on earth. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:37.619 We will be judged for our work as Christians, 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:40.059 how we lived out our lives in faith. 00:17:40.059 --> 00:17:43.220 We are not saved just to sit back and wait for heaven. 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:46.500 We are saved from our sins, 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:50.079 but we are saved to good works in love 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.599 as we are thinking about this morning. 00:17:51.599 --> 00:17:56.659 So we should carry our own load. 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.160 We cannot rely on others. 00:17:57.160 --> 00:17:59.340 We cannot rely on others. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:03.100 Oh, my church, they were great at doing outreach into the community. 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:05.140 So I'm just going to ride on the back of that. 00:18:06.100 --> 00:18:08.920 Oh, my family, well, I grew up in a Christian household. 00:18:09.080 --> 00:18:11.380 So surely when I get to heaven, God will let me in. 00:18:11.940 --> 00:18:12.800 It doesn't work like that. 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:16.140 We each carry our own load. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:19.140 So we have this balance in the Christian life. 00:18:20.020 --> 00:18:22.100 We have that balance of relying on one another, 00:18:22.220 --> 00:18:24.700 helping one another, that communal aspect, 00:18:25.120 --> 00:18:29.280 but also our personal responsibility before God. 00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:32.700 And we each just need to work that out for ourselves. 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:36.400 And so selfless sowing. 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:41.040 Selfless sowing. 00:18:41.040 --> 00:18:41.900 Verse six. 00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:47.360 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word 00:18:47.360 --> 00:18:51.220 should share all good things with their instructors. 00:18:53.000 --> 00:18:54.000 Pay your pastor. 00:18:55.280 --> 00:18:56.259 There's a simple one. 00:18:57.100 --> 00:18:59.200 I don't know if I was giving this on purpose, 00:18:59.360 --> 00:19:02.019 whether Graham didn't want to stand here himself and say, pay me. 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.820 But you know, it's right. 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.920 Those who give up, 00:19:07.920 --> 00:19:10.100 I was going to say a normal life, but that's not fair. 00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:12.919 Those who give up, you know, a job where they work 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:15.839 and then they do other things for God in their spare time. 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.279 Those who give their whole life to God's work. 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:21.839 Those who make it their full-time job. 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:24.299 Well, they deserve to be recompensed, don't they? 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.279 That is what it's saying here. 00:19:27.339 --> 00:19:30.039 Whether that is in a church, in a pastor context, 00:19:30.139 --> 00:19:33.459 whether it is those who go across to the other side of the world 00:19:33.459 --> 00:19:35.099 to speak about Jesus. 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:37.480 But what it's saying here is support them. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:42.819 They deserve to be supported in what they want to do for God. 00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:47.940 Those who have the courage and boldness to step out in faith 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:49.740 and to serve God full-time. 00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.480 So yes, pay them. 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:56.380 But you know, also support them. 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:59.640 Pray for those who do such things. 00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.099 Care for them. 00:20:02.799 --> 00:20:03.360 Love them. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.240 It's not an easy gig. 00:20:05.240 --> 00:20:11.579 Look out for those who work for God full-time or part-time. 00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:15.460 And so verse 7. 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:18.880 In verse 7 we have, 00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:21.500 Do not be deceived. 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.859 God cannot be mocked. 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:25.680 A man reaps what he sows. 00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.859 A solemn verse. 00:20:28.620 --> 00:20:29.319 What is it? 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:34.139 Well, it's a reminder, a very needed reminder of our selfish ways. 00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:36.599 I'm a bit of a DIYer. 00:20:36.980 --> 00:20:38.579 My wife will say in the house, she'll say, 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.579 Oh, we need this done. 00:20:39.659 --> 00:20:40.539 And I'll go, I could do that. 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.720 I could do that. 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.319 No problem. 00:20:43.659 --> 00:20:44.679 Why should we get a man in? 00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.519 I'm sure I could try. 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.460 Go on YouTube. 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.519 Work it out. 00:20:48.240 --> 00:20:50.319 And then where I end up is I end up at Screwfix. 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:55.379 I'm sure there's other good, reputable places you can buy stuff. 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.419 But I like Screwfix. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:20:57.720 You go on the app. 00:20:58.240 --> 00:20:59.079 Search for what you need. 00:21:00.000 --> 00:21:01.359 You go through the payment process. 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.240 How do you want to pay? 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:04.139 And it says something like this. 00:21:04.339 --> 00:21:04.859 It says, 00:21:06.099 --> 00:21:07.879 Donate 51 pence. 00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:10.359 Round it up to 20 pounds. 00:21:11.379 --> 00:21:13.200 It helps the Screwfix foundations. 00:21:13.439 --> 00:21:14.200 It does good work. 00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.819 Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:18.039 And you know what I pick? 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.480 No thanks. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:22.819 It's 51 pence. 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:25.039 Every time, no thanks. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:30.240 There's no greater reminder to me of my selfish heart than the Screwfix website. 00:21:32.140 --> 00:21:35.539 I don't know if you're more of a McDonald's fan than Screwfix. 00:21:35.620 --> 00:21:36.660 They do a similar thing. 00:21:37.099 --> 00:21:38.240 Often you get to the end, it says, 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:39.920 Would you like to round up three pence? 00:21:40.160 --> 00:21:41.200 How many times do you just go, 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:41.839 Not today. 00:21:42.940 --> 00:21:43.620 Not today. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:47.099 You know, it's an insight to our selfish heart, isn't it? 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.059 We're all the same. 00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:51.480 We might like to think that we are generous with our time and our money. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.899 And I'm sure a lot of us are. 00:21:52.900 --> 00:21:56.860 But you know, we sometimes need reminders of our selfish ways. 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:59.700 And that's what Paul is doing here. 00:22:00.340 --> 00:22:01.100 Do not be deceived. 00:22:01.280 --> 00:22:02.540 God cannot be mocked. 00:22:03.220 --> 00:22:05.040 A man reaps what he sows. 00:22:06.160 --> 00:22:08.080 And it's not talking in this section. 00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.920 Let me just be clear. 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:11.580 It's not talking in this section about sinners and sins. 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:13.699 This is not about salvation. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:16.099 It's talking about our meanness. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:18.659 Our lack of generosity. 00:22:19.439 --> 00:22:20.139 God knows. 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.939 God knows our heart behind things. 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.019 He cannot be fooled. 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:29.079 Here we have this exhortation, this encouragement to Christian giving. 00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:34.179 It is part of our service to God. 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:36.740 And so it goes on. 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:37.080 It says, 00:22:37.400 --> 00:22:39.220 Whoever sows to please their flesh, 00:22:39.720 --> 00:22:43.539 from the flesh will reap destruction. 00:22:44.779 --> 00:22:46.759 Whoever sows to please the Spirit, 00:22:46.900 --> 00:22:49.680 from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:53.779 Maybe like you, you read that for the first time this morning 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:55.720 and had to reread it and read it again. 00:22:55.840 --> 00:22:58.759 And you're still trying to work out what on earth that means. 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:02.940 Well, this was written into a context of farmers. 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:06.079 So most of the people who were reading this, 00:23:06.420 --> 00:23:07.960 they were either full-time farmers 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.200 or they would have had a plot, 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.859 kind of like an allotment, 00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.799 and they would have grown food to feed themselves. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:16.160 They were self, I can't remember the word for that, 00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.420 self-subsistence farming. 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.200 Is that what they call it? 00:23:18.619 --> 00:23:19.680 Anyway, not important. 00:23:20.079 --> 00:23:21.019 But that's what they were up to. 00:23:21.019 --> 00:23:24.140 So to them, this imagery made a lot of sense. 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.200 You reap what you sow. 00:23:25.299 --> 00:23:26.379 What you put in, you get out. 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:28.740 An example for us nowadays, 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:32.720 I don't know if you remember the Green Giant advert. 00:23:33.280 --> 00:23:34.760 So the kids are sitting eating their dinner 00:23:34.760 --> 00:23:36.980 and they've got peas on their plate. 00:23:37.520 --> 00:23:38.540 And if anyone's got kids, 00:23:39.300 --> 00:23:40.580 kids don't like vegetables. 00:23:41.740 --> 00:23:43.000 So what it is, and it says, 00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:43.900 the mum's saying, 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.600 oh, you know, you are what you eat. 00:23:46.080 --> 00:23:48.000 What goes in, that's what you are. 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:49.560 So the kid goes, 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:51.160 oh, if I eat a broccoli, 00:23:51.320 --> 00:23:52.260 will I become a broccoli? 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:54.460 And dodgy parenting, 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:55.800 but she's like, oh, yeah, yeah. 00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:58.940 She said, well, what if I eat jolly green giant peas? 00:23:59.019 --> 00:24:00.279 Will I become a big giant? 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.759 Oh, yeah, that's what will happen. 00:24:01.859 --> 00:24:03.619 So the kid starts wolfing the peas. 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:06.019 You know, if it was my kids, 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:07.119 they would just be running around 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.720 as big bits of tomato pasta 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:10.399 because that's what they eat. 00:24:11.720 --> 00:24:14.480 But that would be a modern day equivalent 00:24:14.480 --> 00:24:15.740 of what this verse is saying. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:16.879 You are what you eat. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.879 What you put in is what you get out. 00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:23.259 Here we have this farming analogy. 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:25.220 Let me just say, 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.039 let me be clear 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:28.420 that this is not what people refer to 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.779 as the prosperity gospel. 00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:32.319 This is not saying 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:34.339 that if you give to the church, 00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.500 you will become rich, 00:24:35.940 --> 00:24:38.099 that things in life will go swimmingly. 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:40.119 That is not what it is saying. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.720 We are not promised that in the Bible. 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:45.519 There is a sense here 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.859 that what we give to God, 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:47.680 we will get back. 00:24:48.119 --> 00:24:49.279 And it may well be 00:24:49.279 --> 00:24:51.240 that it is in material things, 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:52.980 but it is not guaranteed 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:55.480 and it is certainly not something 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.539 that is promised. 00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.640 But what does it say? 00:25:00.660 --> 00:25:01.559 Well, it says, 00:25:02.160 --> 00:25:04.339 number one is those who sow 00:25:04.339 --> 00:25:06.019 to please their flesh. 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.500 What that is saying 00:25:08.500 --> 00:25:11.779 is that those that put God aside 00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:15.220 in order to serve themselves. 00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:17.420 And then there's those 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.980 who sow to please the Spirit 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.660 and that is saying 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:21.360 those who put themselves aside 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:23.779 in order to serve God. 00:25:24.539 --> 00:25:27.019 That is the two contrasting groups 00:25:27.019 --> 00:25:28.720 that we see here. 00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.920 As I said, 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:33.120 this is not about salvation. 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.660 So this isn't working 00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:35.900 for our salvation. 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:37.100 Hopefully that has been clear. 00:25:37.579 --> 00:25:38.600 We are not working 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.880 for eternal life, 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.980 for that forgiveness. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:43.539 No. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.460 Put God aside 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:48.019 to serve yourself, 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.940 sowing to please their flesh. 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:51.640 This is probably Christians 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.539 who are investing 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:54.160 and we're talking money 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:55.200 in the context, 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:56.059 but it can be anything. 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:56.900 It can be time. 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.559 It can be our resources. 00:25:58.860 --> 00:26:00.220 It can be our energy. 00:26:01.279 --> 00:26:02.279 Those who are investing 00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:02.940 in the world 00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:04.220 and the empty pleasures 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.220 that it offers, 00:26:05.660 --> 00:26:07.160 that temporary happiness, 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.720 these things that don't last, 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.839 well, they will reap destruction. 00:26:10.839 --> 00:26:13.980 It's not talking about 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.539 eternal separation from God. 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.480 What does it mean by destruction? 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.419 Well, sin is serious. 00:26:21.919 --> 00:26:24.059 And if we are idolizing other things, 00:26:24.159 --> 00:26:25.980 then we will have distance from God, 00:26:26.919 --> 00:26:28.319 distance from His joy, 00:26:28.599 --> 00:26:30.559 distance from the peace that He gives. 00:26:32.500 --> 00:26:34.079 Whereas if we are investing 00:26:34.079 --> 00:26:34.980 in God's things, 00:26:35.079 --> 00:26:36.819 if we are sowing to please the Spirit, 00:26:37.299 --> 00:26:38.799 then we will have life eternal. 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:40.879 It is not talking about 00:26:40.879 --> 00:26:42.419 our salvation, 00:26:42.619 --> 00:26:43.659 but it is talking about 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.819 fulfillment now. 00:26:46.000 --> 00:26:47.159 This word that is used 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.720 is different. 00:26:47.859 --> 00:26:49.000 It is talking about 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.759 the joy and contentment 00:26:50.759 --> 00:26:51.399 in our lives 00:26:51.399 --> 00:26:52.579 that we can have now 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:54.259 on earth. 00:26:55.599 --> 00:26:57.200 Communion with God, 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.200 that fellowship 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.319 with God the Father 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:01.099 through the Son. 00:27:01.099 --> 00:27:04.079 So here's a challenge. 00:27:05.079 --> 00:27:05.699 If we are struggling 00:27:05.699 --> 00:27:06.819 in our Christian life, 00:27:08.399 --> 00:27:08.659 you know, 00:27:08.699 --> 00:27:10.139 instead of maybe blaming God 00:27:10.139 --> 00:27:11.480 for spiritual weakness, 00:27:11.779 --> 00:27:13.519 for lack of sense of power, 00:27:14.259 --> 00:27:15.119 where's my joy 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:16.059 in God's things? 00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.980 But what are you putting into it? 00:27:19.719 --> 00:27:20.980 Because what you put in 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.839 is what you get out. 00:27:24.339 --> 00:27:24.859 You know, 00:27:24.899 --> 00:27:26.399 it's not just harmful things, 00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:29.259 but a lot of the time 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.700 it's just useless things. 00:27:31.800 --> 00:27:32.080 Yes, 00:27:32.120 --> 00:27:33.220 there is massive damage 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:34.100 if we are watching 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.360 explicit images 00:27:35.360 --> 00:27:37.500 and videos on our phones. 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:39.640 Yes, 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.759 there is massive damage 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.920 if we are committing sins 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:43.500 that we just know 00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:44.100 are not right. 00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:45.960 But you know, 00:27:46.040 --> 00:27:47.620 our time is often spent 00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.500 doom scrolling, 00:27:48.620 --> 00:27:49.000 isn't it? 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:49.940 Just looking at 00:27:49.940 --> 00:27:51.140 useless things. 00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:53.019 It's a total waste of time. 00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.820 We all do it. 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:56.259 mind-numbing content 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:57.960 that is just no good for us. 00:27:59.960 --> 00:28:01.099 Or maybe it's being able 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.439 to outbench press 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:04.159 that really strong person 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:04.759 in the gym. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.319 Maybe that's where 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.599 we devote our time to. 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:11.059 Potentially we're wasting money 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:12.879 on flashy possessions, 00:28:13.179 --> 00:28:14.859 experiences that won't fulfill, 00:28:15.079 --> 00:28:16.220 meals out that just 00:28:16.220 --> 00:28:17.240 we forget about. 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.779 Someone put it like this, 00:28:20.220 --> 00:28:21.939 cut out the harmless amusement, 00:28:22.659 --> 00:28:23.559 unprofitable, 00:28:23.819 --> 00:28:24.639 frivolities, 00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:26.439 time-wasting engagements 00:28:26.439 --> 00:28:28.559 that accomplish nothing 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.859 and lead nowhere. 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.799 Fill time with the word of God, 00:28:34.419 --> 00:28:34.720 prayer, 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:35.899 and service. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:38.759 How are we spending our time? 00:28:38.759 --> 00:28:40.099 What are we investing 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.500 in our lives? 00:28:42.419 --> 00:28:43.139 I'm not saying 00:28:43.139 --> 00:28:44.079 don't go and have fun. 00:28:44.419 --> 00:28:45.099 I'm not saying, 00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.759 you know, 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:47.579 we must live a minimalist life 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.859 and we must lock ourselves 00:28:48.859 --> 00:28:49.859 away from everything 00:28:49.859 --> 00:28:51.700 and we can't enjoy ourselves 00:28:51.700 --> 00:28:52.799 or do nice things. 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:54.079 I'm not saying that at all. 00:28:55.200 --> 00:28:56.559 I like going out for meals. 00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:59.119 I like having things 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:00.500 probably too much. 00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:02.639 But you know, 00:29:02.779 --> 00:29:04.079 what is our focus? 00:29:05.559 --> 00:29:06.599 Where is our heart 00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.740 in all of these things? 00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:10.000 What do we really value? 00:29:10.159 --> 00:29:11.480 That's what it's getting at here. 00:29:12.480 --> 00:29:14.139 What does a life of love 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:15.220 look like? 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:17.559 Well, finally, 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:21.019 patiently persevering. 00:29:21.900 --> 00:29:23.079 Verse 9 and 10, 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:25.319 it finishes by saying this, 00:29:25.400 --> 00:29:26.779 let us not become weary 00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.900 in doing good, 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.839 for at the proper time 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:31.079 we will reap a harvest 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:33.160 if we do not give up. 00:29:34.140 --> 00:29:34.600 Therefore, 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.720 as we have opportunity, 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.400 let us do good 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.539 to all people, 00:29:40.420 --> 00:29:41.700 especially to those 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.360 who belong 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.879 to the family 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.919 of believers. 00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.919 Don't weary 00:29:46.919 --> 00:29:49.199 in doing good. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.079 Yes, 00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:51.979 to all people, 00:29:52.659 --> 00:29:53.299 but especially 00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.859 to fellow believers, 00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.639 to our brothers 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.819 and sisters 00:29:56.819 --> 00:29:57.899 in Christ. 00:30:00.119 --> 00:30:01.240 We are waiting 00:30:01.240 --> 00:30:02.559 for that reward 00:30:02.559 --> 00:30:03.159 of heaven, 00:30:03.379 --> 00:30:03.839 aren't we? 00:30:04.559 --> 00:30:05.879 We live in hope, 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.099 that assured hope 00:30:07.099 --> 00:30:07.939 that we are going there 00:30:07.939 --> 00:30:08.359 one day 00:30:08.359 --> 00:30:09.279 and that is our aim 00:30:09.279 --> 00:30:09.819 in life. 00:30:12.319 --> 00:30:12.539 You know, 00:30:12.559 --> 00:30:13.159 as it says, 00:30:13.219 --> 00:30:14.139 it says the phrase, 00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.859 God's proper time, 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:17.659 for at the proper time 00:30:17.659 --> 00:30:18.740 we will reap a harvest. 00:30:19.419 --> 00:30:20.599 We will be rewarded 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.259 for the good 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.279 that we do for God. 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:24.219 It might well be 00:30:24.219 --> 00:30:24.979 in this life, 00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.500 it may well be 00:30:26.500 --> 00:30:27.099 in the next. 00:30:29.839 --> 00:30:30.339 You know, 00:30:30.379 --> 00:30:31.759 in that farming analogy, 00:30:31.899 --> 00:30:32.459 and once again, 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.240 I don't have a clue 00:30:33.240 --> 00:30:33.979 about these things, 00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:36.159 but you do not sow 00:30:36.159 --> 00:30:36.639 and reap 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:37.399 on the same day. 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:39.000 If you get a seed 00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:39.600 from an apple 00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.460 and put it in the ground 00:30:40.460 --> 00:30:43.160 and stand and watch it, 00:30:45.460 --> 00:30:50.580 looks like apple crumbles 00:30:50.580 --> 00:30:51.580 off the menu. 00:30:51.960 --> 00:30:52.740 You're not going to get it 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.540 on the same day, 00:30:53.580 --> 00:30:54.019 are you? 00:30:54.840 --> 00:30:56.200 You reap what you sow, 00:30:56.340 --> 00:30:56.660 yes, 00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.620 but you wait. 00:30:59.140 --> 00:31:00.320 You have to wait. 00:31:01.740 --> 00:31:02.480 And as it is, 00:31:02.540 --> 00:31:03.500 we are not in control 00:31:03.500 --> 00:31:04.160 of the timing. 00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:05.400 God is in control 00:31:05.400 --> 00:31:07.000 of the timing. 00:31:07.840 --> 00:31:09.440 We are just to faithfully 00:31:09.440 --> 00:31:10.560 do good to all, 00:31:11.220 --> 00:31:12.220 live out that life 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:12.920 of love. 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:15.200 You know, 00:31:15.240 --> 00:31:15.800 we are linked 00:31:15.800 --> 00:31:17.440 to every single other person 00:31:17.440 --> 00:31:19.100 on earth 00:31:19.100 --> 00:31:20.100 through creation. 00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.700 Naturally speaking, 00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.600 we are all linked. 00:31:25.300 --> 00:31:25.600 But you know, 00:31:25.640 --> 00:31:26.880 we are especially linked 00:31:26.880 --> 00:31:27.880 to fellow believers, 00:31:29.280 --> 00:31:30.040 fellow Christians, 00:31:30.160 --> 00:31:30.680 the church. 00:31:30.680 --> 00:31:32.500 we are linked spiritually 00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:34.900 through our common faith 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:36.240 in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:40.259 So as we live this out, 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:40.480 well, 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.820 what is some of these things 00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:43.100 that are doing good? 00:31:44.140 --> 00:31:44.360 Well, 00:31:44.400 --> 00:31:45.380 he's just summarizing 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:46.480 what he's already said. 00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:49.060 Living a life 00:31:49.060 --> 00:31:50.380 of love 00:31:50.380 --> 00:31:51.180 in the Spirit 00:31:51.180 --> 00:31:54.120 by restoring gently, 00:31:54.620 --> 00:31:56.000 by bearing burdens, 00:31:56.240 --> 00:31:57.380 supporting our teachers, 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:59.220 giving generously, 00:32:00.060 --> 00:32:01.360 and persevering 00:32:01.360 --> 00:32:02.519 in all that we do. 00:32:02.519 --> 00:32:04.660 You know, 00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:05.660 it's a tough gig that. 00:32:06.019 --> 00:32:07.139 These things aren't easy. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.539 It's not easy 00:32:08.539 --> 00:32:09.900 to live up to these things. 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.700 As we thought about, 00:32:11.759 --> 00:32:13.119 we have the Spirit's help. 00:32:13.240 --> 00:32:14.160 We are living a life 00:32:14.160 --> 00:32:14.819 of love, 00:32:15.379 --> 00:32:16.160 not on our own, 00:32:16.160 --> 00:32:18.779 but in the Spirit. 00:32:20.000 --> 00:32:20.680 The Lord Jesus, 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.960 look to him. 00:32:23.000 --> 00:32:23.960 Don't look to other people. 00:32:24.120 --> 00:32:24.680 The Lord Jesus 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:26.100 is our ultimate example 00:32:26.100 --> 00:32:27.019 of how to live 00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:28.120 a life of love 00:32:28.120 --> 00:32:30.840 here on earth. 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.779 So look to the Lord Jesus 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:35.300 as our ultimate example. 00:32:37.740 --> 00:32:38.759 Let me just pray 00:32:38.759 --> 00:32:42.800 before we sing 00:32:42.800 --> 00:32:44.040 a few hymns to close. 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:49.320 God and Father, 00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:49.940 we just thank you 00:32:49.940 --> 00:32:50.580 for your word. 00:32:52.940 --> 00:32:53.680 We thank you 00:32:53.680 --> 00:32:54.480 for Paul's letter 00:32:54.480 --> 00:32:55.460 to the Galatians 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.600 and the truth 00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.380 that he writes 00:32:57.380 --> 00:32:58.340 in many of his letters. 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.960 We thank you 00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.680 that we can apply 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:01.160 these things 00:33:01.160 --> 00:33:02.560 to our lives nowadays 00:33:02.560 --> 00:33:05.160 because we face 00:33:05.160 --> 00:33:05.900 the same struggles, 00:33:06.040 --> 00:33:07.540 we face the same difficulties. 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:10.440 We thank you, 00:33:10.540 --> 00:33:11.600 as it says in Hebrews, 00:33:11.720 --> 00:33:12.279 that we do not have 00:33:12.279 --> 00:33:12.980 a high priest 00:33:12.980 --> 00:33:14.000 who is unable 00:33:14.000 --> 00:33:16.460 to sympathize 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.240 with our weaknesses, 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:19.279 but who is tested 00:33:19.279 --> 00:33:19.900 and trialed 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.680 in the same ways 00:33:20.680 --> 00:33:21.279 that we are 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:23.000 and yet he did not sin. 00:33:25.940 --> 00:33:26.720 We thank you 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.500 for the Lord Jesus. 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.140 We thank you 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:29.000 for his death 00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.779 and resurrection. 00:33:29.779 --> 00:33:30.019 And 00:33:30.019 --> 00:33:35.700 the work of the cross 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:38.500 that allows us 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:40.599 to come before you, 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:40.920 Father, 00:33:40.920 --> 00:33:41.539 and that when you 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.360 look upon us, 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.620 you see the righteousness 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.460 of Christ, 00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:48.519 not our sinful ways. 00:33:49.560 --> 00:33:50.460 So we thank you 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.400 that if we have faith 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:52.080 in the Lord Jesus 00:33:52.080 --> 00:33:52.940 that we have been 00:33:52.940 --> 00:33:54.720 made right before you 00:33:54.720 --> 00:33:55.740 and that we have 00:33:55.740 --> 00:33:56.960 that glorious future 00:33:56.960 --> 00:33:58.000 to look forward to. 00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.620 So as we do so, 00:33:59.700 --> 00:34:00.980 help us to live a life 00:34:00.980 --> 00:34:01.880 that is worthy 00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:03.300 of that calling 00:34:03.300 --> 00:34:04.120 we have received 00:34:04.120 --> 00:34:05.820 and to go out 00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.560 and to love 00:34:06.560 --> 00:34:07.220 one another. 00:34:07.220 --> 00:34:10.500 And so help us 00:34:10.500 --> 00:34:11.480 as each of us 00:34:11.480 --> 00:34:12.539 works these things out 00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:13.699 in our lives this week. 00:34:15.559 --> 00:34:16.800 Give us the strength. 00:34:17.320 --> 00:34:17.760 We thank you 00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.559 that the Holy Spirit 00:34:18.559 --> 00:34:19.360 is within us 00:34:19.360 --> 00:34:20.659 and we just ask 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:21.220 your blessing 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:22.440 as we continue 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.559 to think on these things 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.860 and as we respond 00:34:24.860 --> 00:34:26.139 in worship now. 00:34:26.840 --> 00:34:27.500 In the name 00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.240 of the Lord Jesus, 00:34:29.059 --> 00:34:29.380 Amen.