WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.439 Chapter 6, we're going to read from verse 6 to verse 18, page 1172 in our church Bibles. 00:00:10.439 --> 00:00:18.179 I'm going to think about the two images of gospel sowing and reaping and gospel boasting. 00:00:19.120 --> 00:00:23.440 Galatians 6, page 1172, beginning at verse 6. 00:00:23.940 --> 00:00:28.719 Anyone who receives instruction in the Word must share all good things with his instructor. 00:00:28.719 --> 00:00:34.579 Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 00:00:35.179 --> 00:00:39.679 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction. 00:00:40.359 --> 00:00:44.659 The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 00:00:45.320 --> 00:00:52.179 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 00:00:52.179 --> 00:01:00.719 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 00:01:01.519 --> 00:01:05.760 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand. 00:01:06.539 --> 00:01:11.319 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. 00:01:11.819 --> 00:01:16.140 The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:19.599 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law. 00:01:20.099 --> 00:01:23.299 Yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:28.180 May I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:01:28.640 --> 00:01:32.740 through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world. 00:01:33.359 --> 00:01:36.980 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:39.939 What counts is a new creation. 00:01:39.939 --> 00:01:46.539 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 00:01:47.280 --> 00:01:54.280 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 00:01:54.959 --> 00:01:59.219 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. 00:02:00.060 --> 00:02:00.560 Amen. 00:02:01.979 --> 00:02:06.439 So here we are at the end of our study in Galatians. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:15.539 Here is Paul as pastor providing closing wisdom, warning, encouragement to these young Christians. 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:17.500 And I think today it's perfect timing. 00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:24.120 This is God's timing as we welcome new members, as we have in our church, young Christians. 00:02:24.740 --> 00:02:29.400 It's a wonderful reminder at the end of the letter, what is it that we are to keep believing? 00:02:29.939 --> 00:02:33.460 And how is it that we are to live as God's people? 00:02:33.460 --> 00:02:38.719 And of course, these are important for us at any stage of our Christian lives. 00:02:39.120 --> 00:02:44.460 And for people who are here who aren't Christians, it's a really helpful section, in a sense, 00:02:44.540 --> 00:02:47.819 a summary of what lies at the heart of Christianity. 00:02:49.020 --> 00:02:55.280 Keep on doing good, Paul will say, because of the goodness of God to you in sending the Lord Jesus. 00:02:55.939 --> 00:03:01.100 And keep the cross of Jesus at the heart of your life, at the heart of your faith. 00:03:01.099 --> 00:03:03.579 These are the two big ideas we're going to focus on. 00:03:04.479 --> 00:03:07.759 Now, as with the whole letter, we've seen this as we've gone through Galatians. 00:03:07.919 --> 00:03:14.539 Paul presents two very different ways of life, two ways that people try and pursue acceptance with God. 00:03:15.259 --> 00:03:20.979 There is the way of the false teachers, which was all about you need to save yourself. 00:03:21.099 --> 00:03:23.299 You need to do something to prove yourself. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:25.599 It's a religion based on appearance. 00:03:25.599 --> 00:03:28.099 And it's based on performance. 00:03:28.919 --> 00:03:33.219 And Paul will remind us one last time, it's a road to nowhere. 00:03:33.359 --> 00:03:35.579 That's not the way to know God. 00:03:36.219 --> 00:03:41.319 Or there is Paul's message, the gospel message, the Bible message that says, 00:03:41.319 --> 00:03:48.979 you can depend entirely and trust completely only in Jesus for salvation. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:53.879 And you'll find acceptance from God through him. 00:03:53.959 --> 00:04:01.539 And you'll find both the power and the motivation to live for him because of this grace that comes to us. 00:04:01.539 --> 00:04:04.679 So one last time, here is Paul. 00:04:04.759 --> 00:04:10.419 Like any good parent, like any good teacher, they know if a lesson is worth knowing, 00:04:10.599 --> 00:04:13.939 then it's going to need to be repeated time and time again. 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:18.779 Paul's lesson to us as a church is the lesson of grace. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:21.259 That it's all about God's grace. 00:04:21.259 --> 00:04:29.459 God acting out of sheer love and mercy to show undeserved favor and kindness to his people 00:04:29.459 --> 00:04:35.980 by dealing with our sin and bringing us back into friendship with himself. 00:04:36.899 --> 00:04:44.019 And that's why it's all about Jesus because it all rests on his work for us at the cross. 00:04:44.899 --> 00:04:46.699 So there's those two big ideas. 00:04:46.860 --> 00:04:49.500 There's gospel sowing and reaping and gospel boasting. 00:04:49.500 --> 00:04:52.540 We're actually going to start with gospel boasting. 00:04:53.000 --> 00:04:58.339 We're going to begin at verse 11 and think there. 00:04:58.439 --> 00:05:04.259 Now, in a document, in a modern document, if you were writing a piece of work or a letter 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:10.259 and you wanted to get somebody's attention, how would you show that what was coming would be important? 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:13.019 We might use bold type. 00:05:13.779 --> 00:05:16.420 We might go all capital letters. 00:05:16.420 --> 00:05:23.140 We might do bold capital letters and underline it to make clear this is something really important. 00:05:23.980 --> 00:05:25.600 So what Paul is doing in verse 11. 00:05:27.160 --> 00:05:31.960 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:34.259 Here's Paul taking over from his scribe. 00:05:34.420 --> 00:05:35.600 So normally Paul would speak. 00:05:36.100 --> 00:05:37.080 Somebody else would write. 00:05:37.079 --> 00:05:45.599 But here Paul takes the papyrus, takes the pen, and he begins in very big letters to deliver one last message. 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:47.519 One personal message from his heart. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:51.399 And he's saying, hear me loud and clear on this. 00:05:51.899 --> 00:05:58.279 And what follows is one last attack on the false teaching that was saying Jesus is not enough. 00:05:58.799 --> 00:05:59.959 The cross is not enough. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:02.319 You also need to become Jewish and be circumcised. 00:06:02.319 --> 00:06:09.219 And there's also one more celebration of God's grace in Jesus as he calls us to boast in the cross. 00:06:09.659 --> 00:06:11.480 So he underlines two kinds of boasting. 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:17.120 There's the bad boasting of the false teachers and there's good gospel boasting. 00:06:17.699 --> 00:06:20.659 Now we need to think, what is boasting? 00:06:20.819 --> 00:06:24.600 What are we doing when we boast about something? 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:30.840 To boast in something is to say, this is where I place my confidence. 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:35.060 This is something that I think defines me. 00:06:35.980 --> 00:06:39.260 This is something that I think earns my place. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:41.680 Means I am a somebody. 00:06:42.820 --> 00:06:47.080 And so we'll meet people and they'll boast perhaps in their intelligence. 00:06:48.080 --> 00:06:51.200 In their academic or intellectual credentials. 00:06:51.379 --> 00:06:54.320 And they'll like to show intellectual superiority. 00:06:55.379 --> 00:06:58.000 Now we will find people who will boast in their wealth. 00:06:58.120 --> 00:07:03.720 I am somebody because of where I live, what I drive, what I wear. 00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:07.260 We'll find people who will boast in their children. 00:07:07.260 --> 00:07:12.740 I am somebody because of the achievements of my children. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:20.580 And there is also boasting about our religion and our morality. 00:07:20.700 --> 00:07:24.220 And this is what Paul warns us against. 00:07:24.600 --> 00:07:32.200 He's going to say to us, don't think you'll be okay with God based on appearances. 00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:38.040 Or based on the fact that other people approve of you and think that you're great and religious and moral and good. 00:07:38.520 --> 00:07:40.260 That's the wrong kind of boasting. 00:07:41.020 --> 00:07:44.420 Don't boast that you can save yourself. 00:07:44.420 --> 00:07:52.199 This is the attitude that we find in these false teachers that Paul has constantly been writing against. 00:07:53.439 --> 00:07:55.540 Paul loves the church in Galatia. 00:07:56.520 --> 00:07:59.319 And he hates to see them being led astray. 00:07:59.319 --> 00:08:06.139 And so he has hard words to say to those who are causing chaos in the church. 00:08:06.139 --> 00:08:13.599 So in verse 12, Paul effectively calls the teachers bullies. 00:08:13.979 --> 00:08:15.800 Look at what he says at the beginning of the verse. 00:08:15.919 --> 00:08:19.659 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to what? 00:08:19.740 --> 00:08:22.639 They're trying to compel you to be circumcised. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:28.599 They're exercising force to try and make people conform to the Jewish law. 00:08:28.600 --> 00:08:30.500 Paul calls them bullies. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:33.580 He says they're hypocrites in verse 13. 00:08:34.240 --> 00:08:36.779 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law. 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:39.100 Yet they want you to be circumcised. 00:08:39.200 --> 00:08:40.700 So they're not keeping the law. 00:08:41.180 --> 00:08:45.980 But they're saying to others, I'm going to force you to be law abiding. 00:08:46.480 --> 00:08:48.899 To try and keep the law that I myself am not keeping. 00:08:49.019 --> 00:08:50.180 So Paul calls them hypocrites. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:53.180 And he calls them cowards. 00:08:53.179 --> 00:08:55.899 Second part of verse 12. 00:08:57.099 --> 00:09:00.219 The only reason they're compelling people to be circumcised, Paul says, 00:09:00.399 --> 00:09:05.379 is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 00:09:07.339 --> 00:09:09.959 So they're delivering this message that says, 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:13.579 you can be good enough for God by trying harder and becoming Jewish 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:16.639 because they don't want to face opposition. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:22.339 So they are cowardly and they're avoiding the persecution of the cross. 00:09:23.179 --> 00:09:24.459 And they're boasting in. 00:09:24.479 --> 00:09:25.319 What are they boasting in? 00:09:25.679 --> 00:09:27.479 Well, they're trying to make a good impression. 00:09:27.699 --> 00:09:29.039 So they're boasting in themselves. 00:09:29.439 --> 00:09:35.799 And end of verse 13, they want people to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 00:09:36.679 --> 00:09:40.059 So they're boasting in, here's my good spiritual record. 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:42.739 Here's my record of appearances and performance. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:47.059 And they're boasting in their ability to make others like them. 00:09:47.799 --> 00:09:49.620 They're not trying to make others like Jesus, 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:52.580 more Christ-like, more spirit-filled, 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.620 to make them more like them. 00:09:56.620 --> 00:09:58.600 And so Paul delivers a warning. 00:09:59.519 --> 00:10:01.299 He says, don't rely on religious habits. 00:10:02.159 --> 00:10:04.480 What we need is not habits. 00:10:04.740 --> 00:10:06.639 We need a new heart. 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:07.899 See verse 15? 00:10:08.419 --> 00:10:11.940 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything. 00:10:12.080 --> 00:10:14.460 What counts is a new creation. 00:10:14.460 --> 00:10:20.340 We need God's power, God's grace in our lives making us new in Christ. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:24.940 And so Paul is saying to us, make sure that your religion is internal. 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:27.480 It's about our heart, not about the externals. 00:10:27.879 --> 00:10:33.780 And make sure that it's Christ-centered and not self-centered. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:37.419 So boasting. 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:40.740 Boasting is a person saying, here's where I place my confidence. 00:10:41.459 --> 00:10:43.740 Here's where I find my identity. 00:10:44.079 --> 00:10:45.559 Here is what defines me. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:48.480 Paul says there's a Christian kind of boasting. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:50.100 And that's a good thing. 00:10:50.419 --> 00:10:53.339 It's something that we should engage in as the church. 00:10:53.419 --> 00:10:55.600 So what is Christian boasting? 00:10:55.740 --> 00:10:56.839 What's gospel boasting? 00:10:56.840 --> 00:11:08.940 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. 00:11:09.500 --> 00:11:18.320 Our only source of boasting, our always source of boasting is Jesus and his death for us on the cross. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:24.860 We boast in God's grace in Jesus' sacrifice. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:34.940 But the question I suppose that it raises is why would we boast about the cross, this brutal, shameful form of execution? 00:11:35.960 --> 00:11:44.240 And what Paul has done throughout the letter of the Galatians is that he's shown what the death of Jesus has achieved for his people. 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:48.300 So let's just refresh our memories. 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:57.459 In chapter 1, we were told right at the beginning that God gave Jesus to rescue us from our sins. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:12:06.719 So we boast of the cross because the cross is the place where we're delivered from the power of sin, where we're set free to know life with God. 00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:18.200 In chapter 2, we discover that it's because Jesus dies for us that we can die to sin and enjoy new life in him. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:24.080 So we boast in the fact that this new life that we have is a gift secured for us at the cross. 00:12:24.080 --> 00:12:33.420 In chapter 3, Paul talked about being under a curse because of our law breaking, because of our disobedience. 00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:39.480 And then Jesus comes and he goes under the curse for us to lift the curse from us. 00:12:39.540 --> 00:12:45.440 So instead of curse from God, if our faith is in Jesus, we can enjoy the blessing of God. 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:55.460 We can enjoy the goodness and the love of God because Jesus took the just anger of God against our sin to set us free. 00:12:55.720 --> 00:13:02.780 In chapter 4, we discover that it's through what Jesus does for us that we can be adopted as children of God. 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:12.520 That right now we can live as sons and daughters of the King with that hope of glory to come because Jesus died for us on the cross. 00:13:12.519 --> 00:13:18.379 In chapter 5, we're told that it's because of Jesus that we enjoy true freedom. 00:13:19.019 --> 00:13:22.659 And we're called to stand firm in that freedom. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:28.519 So we boast because the cross of Jesus is everything to us. 00:13:29.659 --> 00:13:31.659 Jesus has given us everything. 00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:36.939 And here in chapter 6, verse 15, we already thought about it. 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:42.360 The cross is a part of that process of making us a new creation. 00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:49.379 God's powerful grace in dealing with our sin and bringing us back to God gives us new birth, brings us new life. 00:13:49.879 --> 00:13:58.079 And then in chapter 6, in verse 14, we see that the cross makes this distinctive break for us with the world. 00:13:58.079 --> 00:14:01.960 The cross marks the end of the world's claims on us. 00:14:02.340 --> 00:14:09.759 Before, we were controlled by sin and we pursued the values of the world and we wanted approval from the world. 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:12.559 But now we're no longer controlled by those desires. 00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:14.399 Now we live to please God. 00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:17.799 Now we know we have approval from God, our Father in heaven. 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:24.620 So Paul has come to understand that we must boast in something. 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:32.060 You can't boast in self and the cross at the same time. 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:35.159 So we all must choose. 00:14:36.899 --> 00:14:39.980 What we discover about the cross is the cross does two things for us. 00:14:40.039 --> 00:14:42.220 The cross, first of all, cuts us down to size. 00:14:42.340 --> 00:14:43.120 It humbles us. 00:14:43.879 --> 00:14:47.240 You know, the language that we find again in Galatians, there's language of curse. 00:14:47.240 --> 00:14:49.980 There's death, there's suffering, there's death. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:54.659 Jesus experiences all of that because of me. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:58.980 And so there is inevitably a humility there. 00:14:59.360 --> 00:15:01.779 But the cross doesn't just cut us down to size. 00:15:01.860 --> 00:15:03.879 It also raises us up. 00:15:04.220 --> 00:15:08.820 It gives us dignity because we discover in chapter 2, in verse 20, 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:14.200 the Son of God loved me and gave himself for me. 00:15:14.200 --> 00:15:19.320 It's at the heart of every Christian confession of faith in Jesus. 00:15:20.040 --> 00:15:23.000 The cross is for me personally. 00:15:24.220 --> 00:15:28.980 So there is an invitation here to gospel boasting. 00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:38.120 That we are able to boast in our weakness and to rejoice in and trust in Christ's strength. 00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:48.060 Boasting in the gospel means I bring nothing, recognizing that Jesus supplies everything. 00:15:49.679 --> 00:15:55.519 Gospel boasting means keeping the cross of Jesus at the heart of our faith. 00:15:56.399 --> 00:16:04.639 It means reflecting on, meditating on, worshiping God because of what Jesus did for us at the cross. 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:07.699 So that's gospel boasting. 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:15.000 Now let's return to the first picture that Paul gives us of gospel sowing and reaping. 00:16:16.379 --> 00:16:19.000 So we've discovered what we believe. 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:23.759 That my only hope is God's goodness and love in sending Jesus to die on the cross for me. 00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:28.139 And then the question then is, how should we live in light of that? 00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:30.399 What difference does the cross make? 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:33.559 Takes us to verse 9 and 10. 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:36.859 Let us not become weary in doing good. 00:16:37.239 --> 00:16:40.679 For at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:45.919 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, 00:16:46.479 --> 00:16:49.159 especially to those who belong to the family of believers. 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.779 It's a great summary for how to live. 00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:57.399 We are to do good to be those who do good because of the goodness of God to us. 00:16:57.399 --> 00:17:01.879 That's the main reason why we looked at verse 14 first. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:06.119 Because otherwise we might hear it as Paul saying, turn over a new leaf. 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:12.220 Here is me saying you need to be moral and to achieve a certain level of goodness. 00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:14.900 And if you can do that, if you can reach a standard, God will accept. 00:17:15.019 --> 00:17:16.119 That's not what he's saying. 00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:19.420 He's not saying be a better person in your own strength. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:26.220 Paul is talking to those who have already been transformed by God's grace in Jesus. 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:32.600 They have that new power of the Spirit in their hearts and this new motivation to obey. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:38.840 It's to those that he says, therefore, in response to what Jesus has done, do good. 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:45.519 To give us a picture to help perhaps, my random piece of trivia from this week, 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:48.779 I discovered that Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, 00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:55.039 not only is it difficult to say, it's also regarded by some as the water capital of Europe. 00:17:55.159 --> 00:17:59.899 So you can walk around the city and you'll find 38 drinking fountains, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:02.639 all freely available, dotted around the city, 00:18:02.640 --> 00:18:09.600 all of them supplied by this pure groundwater that bubbles up below. 00:18:11.560 --> 00:18:18.400 We, as Christians, our calling is to refresh our city. 00:18:19.680 --> 00:18:20.860 And we will do that. 00:18:20.940 --> 00:18:28.820 We will supply that goodness to others because or when we are connected to Jesus. 00:18:29.020 --> 00:18:31.480 Jesus is that groundwater source. 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:34.759 As he is the water of life, as we are connected to him by the Spirit, 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:40.779 then we are able to do good and to bring refreshing to others. 00:18:42.360 --> 00:18:43.180 Now, let's begin. 00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:48.440 The first bit of our section, verse 7, contains a general principle 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:50.460 that all of us will recognize. 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:55.259 A man reaps what he sows, the law of just returns. 00:18:55.259 --> 00:18:56.960 We know it in farming. 00:18:57.620 --> 00:18:58.720 You sow potatoes. 00:18:59.120 --> 00:19:01.460 You will expect to get potatoes. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:09.400 It applies in agriculture, but it also applies, Paul is saying to us, morally and spiritually. 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:14.259 So just as a farmer at planting time needs to think, 00:19:14.640 --> 00:19:17.940 come the harvest, what is the crop that I want? 00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:24.059 We also need to think, what eternal harvest do I want? 00:19:24.059 --> 00:19:31.940 Because that will then influence how we live day to day. 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:35.779 So again, there's a warning here from Paul. 00:19:36.579 --> 00:19:38.599 Do not be deceived, in verse 7. 00:19:38.980 --> 00:19:41.279 God cannot be mocked. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:46.279 That's a way of saying that while we can fool ourselves about our own goodness, 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:51.700 about our own religious performance perhaps, and we can certainly fool other people, 00:19:52.440 --> 00:19:54.700 looking like we're the people that have got everything all together, 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:58.960 when it comes to God, we can never fool him. 00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:02.500 And Paul says, don't be deceived about that. 00:20:02.500 --> 00:20:08.099 Don't pretend like you can pull one over on God. 00:20:08.420 --> 00:20:11.920 Verse 8, the one who sows to please his sinful nature, 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:16.339 from that nature will reap destruction. 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:22.920 If our desire is to please the sinful nature, we will reap destruction. 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.420 Now what does he mean by that? 00:20:24.839 --> 00:20:27.940 Let's return to a passage that we looked at a couple of weeks ago. 00:20:27.940 --> 00:20:32.059 So it's just over the page, well, chapter 5, verse 19 to 21. 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:37.720 And we find there the list of the acts of the sinful nature as an example. 00:20:38.380 --> 00:20:43.759 And what we find in that section is actions that are self-indulgent. 00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:48.640 This is something I want to do, and I'm going to do it regardless of consequences, 00:20:48.840 --> 00:20:50.220 regardless of who it might hurt. 00:20:50.860 --> 00:20:55.720 We see a lifestyle where relationships are very self-centered, 00:20:55.720 --> 00:21:00.920 quite happy to break and destroy and fracture relationships, 00:21:02.299 --> 00:21:06.360 and self-reliant in terms of worship and salvation, 00:21:06.539 --> 00:21:08.440 guilty of idolatry, 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:15.220 deciding for ourselves what should be the central thing in our hearts and lives. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:18.539 And what Paul is saying is that if this is our habit, 00:21:18.640 --> 00:21:20.740 if this is the kind of patterns that we pursue, 00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:23.559 if this is what we sow, to use the image, 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:28.779 if we are to reject the gospel, 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:31.700 the good news of God's grace to us and Jesus, 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:35.359 in order to follow our religion of works and performance, 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:41.299 or if we reject the gospel to live to please ourselves 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:43.519 and live for the flesh and ignoring God, 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:47.200 the Bible says we will reap destruction. 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:55.180 The Bible uses destructive images when it talks about sin 00:21:55.180 --> 00:21:57.480 to give us that stark warning. 00:21:57.620 --> 00:22:02.299 So in James chapter 3, we've seen the wildfires in California 00:22:02.299 --> 00:22:03.980 and the devastation that's happened there. 00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:11.660 James says our tongues are capable of sparking that kind of devastation. 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.620 Forest wildfires. 00:22:13.619 --> 00:22:17.819 We can destroy other people's reputation and character. 00:22:18.459 --> 00:22:21.899 We can spread lies and gossip and slander. 00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:27.619 The message of the Bible is that sin by its nature destroys. 00:22:28.479 --> 00:22:30.839 The wages of sin is death. 00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:34.179 When sin came into the world in the Garden of Eden, 00:22:34.879 --> 00:22:37.459 relationships are broken. 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:41.379 That Adam and Eve are hiding from each other. 00:22:41.380 --> 00:22:42.940 They're accusing one another. 00:22:43.040 --> 00:22:45.180 They're shifting the blame onto one another. 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:49.360 God comes and the man and the woman, they hide from God. 00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:52.300 And God has to banish them from the garden. 00:22:52.420 --> 00:22:56.580 They cannot have access to the tree of life and live forever in that state. 00:22:56.680 --> 00:23:04.400 So sin damages, destroys relationships with one another and with God. 00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:12.680 And so Paul is warning us about the actions that we sow. 00:23:12.920 --> 00:23:15.780 Instead, there is an invitation in verse 8. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:21.380 The one who sows to please the Spirit, 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:25.920 from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 00:23:26.780 --> 00:23:29.420 Here is an invitation to choose to obey God 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:32.100 because of the joy of being a child of God. 00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:35.679 Here is an invitation to live to please the Spirit, 00:23:36.079 --> 00:23:37.619 to pursue His values. 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:41.019 His values are seeking to glorify the Father and the Son. 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:43.980 In chapter 5, a little bit earlier, 00:23:44.459 --> 00:23:46.019 in verses 13 to 15, 00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.559 you've been set free. 00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:52.099 You have the Spirit in you so that you might love and serve others, 00:23:53.099 --> 00:23:56.159 that you might obey God joyfully. 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:59.560 Chapter 5, verse 22 and 23, 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:02.300 that you might become more like Jesus, 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:06.180 day by day and bit by bit. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:10.000 That here in verses 9 and 10, 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:13.160 that there's an invitation to do good to others. 00:24:13.940 --> 00:24:16.960 And in these ways, we will reap, we're told, 00:24:17.600 --> 00:24:18.540 eternal life. 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:23.980 The joy of the new creation to come 00:24:23.980 --> 00:24:29.500 and the joy of knowing relationship with God right now. 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:35.159 So Paul says in verses 9 and 10, 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.980 led by the Spirit, 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:41.700 do good to the person who's right in front of you 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:45.039 when you have an opportunity to help them. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:47.039 He says in verse 10, 00:24:47.480 --> 00:24:50.159 it begins with the family of believers, 00:24:50.399 --> 00:24:53.240 love starts and the family charity begins at home. 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:56.680 What's to characterize a local church? 00:24:57.539 --> 00:25:00.099 Goodness towards one another. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.480 An attitude of wanting to love 00:25:02.480 --> 00:25:04.339 and show kindness and help to each other. 00:25:04.539 --> 00:25:06.480 But that expands out 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:09.399 to our community, 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.680 to our families, 00:25:10.779 --> 00:25:13.379 to whoever is in front of us. 00:25:13.380 --> 00:25:16.800 Led by the Spirit, Paul says, 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:19.060 don't become weary in doing good, 00:25:19.440 --> 00:25:21.880 persevere in doing good. 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.780 So he acknowledges that 00:25:23.780 --> 00:25:25.400 that a life of goodness, 00:25:25.540 --> 00:25:26.500 a life for others, 00:25:26.600 --> 00:25:28.720 can be tiring sometimes. 00:25:29.760 --> 00:25:32.660 And it can be discouraging sometimes. 00:25:33.420 --> 00:25:34.460 We help people 00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.600 and 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:38.420 we get no thanks in return. 00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:41.020 We extend kindness to someone 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:42.859 and they'll take it 00:25:42.859 --> 00:25:44.720 and then they leave us. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:48.740 Goodness requires sacrifice, 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.519 doesn't it? 00:25:50.920 --> 00:25:52.200 Sometimes it requires us 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:54.000 to use our money to help others. 00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:56.980 It always requires time and energy 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:58.200 on our part. 00:25:58.299 --> 00:26:01.619 There's an emotional investment there 00:26:01.619 --> 00:26:03.619 in the life of someone else. 00:26:04.059 --> 00:26:06.259 And it's a general attitude 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:08.220 where we're out for the good of others, 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:10.880 where we're not just thinking about ourselves. 00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:12.339 So, 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:15.440 how are Christians called 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:17.360 to keep this kind of goodness going? 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:19.500 Why not just stop 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:21.400 and look after number one? 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:24.880 Well, in this section, 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:26.279 we're reminded first 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:27.799 that the rewards 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:30.140 are incredible. 00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.900 Remember what he said, 00:26:31.980 --> 00:26:33.920 the one who sows to please the Spirit 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:35.100 from the Spirit 00:26:35.100 --> 00:26:35.900 will reap 00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:37.420 eternal life. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:39.220 Now, there's a wonderful motivation 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:39.800 to be 00:26:39.800 --> 00:26:41.800 in the presence of Jesus 00:26:41.800 --> 00:26:44.000 in a world of perfect joy 00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.600 and love 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:45.279 and peace. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.460 No more pain, 00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:47.160 no more hurt, 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.900 no more sorrow, 00:26:48.019 --> 00:26:48.279 no more, 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.000 forever. 00:26:51.300 --> 00:26:52.160 There's a motivation 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.300 to keep pursuing good. 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.380 But also, 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.680 in verse 9, 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:58.420 it also says, 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.320 let's not become weary 00:26:59.320 --> 00:26:59.800 in doing good 00:26:59.800 --> 00:27:01.140 for at the proper time 00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.640 we'll reap a harvest 00:27:02.640 --> 00:27:03.840 if we do not give up. 00:27:04.780 --> 00:27:05.200 Here, 00:27:05.280 --> 00:27:05.840 there's the idea 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:07.060 of reaping a harvest 00:27:07.060 --> 00:27:07.700 in the present 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:08.460 that our goodness 00:27:08.460 --> 00:27:10.240 can make a difference. 00:27:11.200 --> 00:27:11.360 Do you know, 00:27:11.400 --> 00:27:12.020 I was thinking about 00:27:12.020 --> 00:27:14.060 some of our mission partners 00:27:14.060 --> 00:27:15.259 this week, 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.920 some of the examples 00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.980 of their goodness. 00:27:18.700 --> 00:27:18.880 So, 00:27:18.960 --> 00:27:19.400 we had a visit 00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:20.540 last year, 00:27:20.560 --> 00:27:21.259 I think it was last year, 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.740 from Marsily Campbell. 00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:24.380 Goodness for her 00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:25.100 in Uganda 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:27.440 is rescuing street children, 00:27:27.920 --> 00:27:29.100 giving them education 00:27:29.100 --> 00:27:29.960 and healthcare 00:27:29.960 --> 00:27:31.360 and sharing the gospel 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:33.179 and giving them stability. 00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.240 Patrick Jock, 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:36.379 who came to visit us 00:27:36.379 --> 00:27:37.479 last year 00:27:37.479 --> 00:27:38.519 from South Sudan. 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.879 Goodness for him 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:40.359 and his church 00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:42.139 is caring for refugees 00:27:42.139 --> 00:27:42.799 who are fleeing 00:27:42.799 --> 00:27:44.219 from war, 00:27:44.979 --> 00:27:45.919 looking to set up 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:47.059 micro-businesses 00:27:47.059 --> 00:27:47.639 to help people 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.319 get back up 00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:48.919 on their feet. 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:51.719 Manuel and Patti Reanio, 00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.279 we know that goodness 00:27:53.279 --> 00:27:53.779 for them 00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.039 looks like supporting 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:56.479 pastors and their families 00:27:56.479 --> 00:27:57.699 and the stresses 00:27:57.699 --> 00:27:58.599 of church life 00:27:58.599 --> 00:28:00.119 or looking to 00:28:00.119 --> 00:28:01.419 share the gospel 00:28:01.419 --> 00:28:03.539 with disadvantaged youth 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:05.019 in Medellin. 00:28:06.779 --> 00:28:08.359 Some examples of goodness, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.740 but there are many more 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:11.059 and more that are perhaps 00:28:11.059 --> 00:28:11.919 more everyday, 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:13.859 but still significant. 00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:15.740 That our kindness, 00:28:16.419 --> 00:28:17.279 our goodness, 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.279 might change 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:20.799 someone's life. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.939 It might make work 00:28:22.939 --> 00:28:23.740 or school 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:25.819 just that little bit happier 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.879 for somebody 00:28:26.879 --> 00:28:27.500 who's struggling 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.119 to fit in 00:28:28.119 --> 00:28:29.200 or feeling under pressure. 00:28:30.139 --> 00:28:31.879 We can provide comfort 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:33.059 and relief 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:35.599 for those who need it. 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.579 We can offer friendship 00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:39.419 to the lonely. 00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.859 We can give support 00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:43.019 to a family 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.000 that's stretched 00:28:44.000 --> 00:28:45.299 and stressed out. 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.740 And as Christians, 00:28:48.279 --> 00:28:49.059 the greatest good 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:50.079 that we can offer someone 00:28:50.079 --> 00:28:52.000 is the love of God 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.960 and to know Jesus 00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.779 and perhaps our goodness 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.740 will be by our words 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.299 and our example 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.059 to lead people 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:57.700 to repentance, 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.539 to lead people 00:28:59.539 --> 00:29:00.620 to trust in Jesus. 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.579 I'm reading a book 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.160 at the moment 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.759 by John Dixon, 00:29:04.880 --> 00:29:05.779 the guy who produced 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:07.539 our Life of Jesus course 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.200 that we've been doing 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:09.019 on Thursdays. 00:29:09.140 --> 00:29:10.180 He became a Christian 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:11.240 because of the example 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:13.059 of his scripture teacher 00:29:13.059 --> 00:29:14.799 while he was a teenager 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.579 in high school 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.200 in Australia 00:29:17.200 --> 00:29:18.960 that she spent 00:29:19.600 --> 00:29:20.360 over a year 00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.779 welcoming kids 00:29:21.779 --> 00:29:22.539 into her home 00:29:22.539 --> 00:29:23.680 to feed them 00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:25.420 and to read the Bible 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:25.879 with them 00:29:25.879 --> 00:29:27.799 even when some of them 00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:28.399 were regarded 00:29:28.399 --> 00:29:29.700 as good for nothings. 00:29:29.720 --> 00:29:31.700 And that kind of life 00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.839 and witness 00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:35.399 led him to trust Jesus. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.539 So our goodness, 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:38.819 here's an encouragement 00:29:38.819 --> 00:29:39.359 to goodness 00:29:39.359 --> 00:29:40.559 because we can reap 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:41.220 a harvest 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.440 in the present. 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.440 And the other way 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.519 that we keep going 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:47.619 is that motivation 00:29:47.619 --> 00:29:48.440 of the gospel 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.399 is remembering 00:29:49.399 --> 00:29:51.139 the goodness of God 00:29:51.139 --> 00:29:52.299 to us. 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.279 To recognize 00:29:53.279 --> 00:29:53.960 every good thing 00:29:53.960 --> 00:29:54.559 we have 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.759 comes from God 00:29:55.759 --> 00:29:57.259 and to recognize 00:29:57.259 --> 00:29:58.099 that God gave 00:29:58.099 --> 00:29:59.319 his own son Jesus 00:29:59.319 --> 00:30:01.159 to rescue us 00:30:01.159 --> 00:30:02.639 and to save us 00:30:02.639 --> 00:30:04.259 and that he continues 00:30:04.259 --> 00:30:06.039 to give us his love 00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.480 and his power 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.599 now. 00:30:09.559 --> 00:30:11.440 So we come to the conclusion 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.920 of Galatians, 00:30:13.000 --> 00:30:14.240 a letter which in a sense 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:16.079 is like a symphony 00:30:16.079 --> 00:30:17.420 of grace. 00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.039 You know in those 00:30:18.039 --> 00:30:20.000 classical pieces 00:30:20.000 --> 00:30:20.619 where there's that 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:21.660 recurring motif 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:23.000 that keeps coming through 00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:23.880 and sometimes it's heard 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.700 in different moods 00:30:24.700 --> 00:30:25.799 and there's different movements, 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.500 there's minor and major keys 00:30:27.500 --> 00:30:30.039 but the motif in Galatians 00:30:30.039 --> 00:30:31.940 is grace from beginning to end. 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:35.079 So whether we're young Christians, 00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.680 whether you've been Christian 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.579 for a long time, 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:40.500 whether you're new to Christianity, 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:40.980 you're wondering 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.859 what it's all about. 00:30:41.859 --> 00:30:44.259 This is the theme 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.939 that grace alone, 00:30:46.639 --> 00:30:49.039 by faith in Jesus alone, 00:30:49.619 --> 00:30:50.919 what he did for us on the cross 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:52.119 is what saves us, 00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.699 not our good deeds. 00:30:54.359 --> 00:30:56.039 God's grace to us in Jesus 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:57.179 is what sets us free, 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:59.559 it's what makes us children of God 00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:01.139 and it's God's grace 00:31:01.139 --> 00:31:02.119 that gives us the power 00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.939 and the motivation 00:31:02.939 --> 00:31:04.339 to show goodness 00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:06.699 and love to others. 00:31:07.819 --> 00:31:09.519 Let me close with the words 00:31:09.519 --> 00:31:10.379 of verse 18. 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:13.600 In the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:13.600 --> 00:31:15.280 be with your spirit, 00:31:15.420 --> 00:31:16.300 brothers and sisters. 00:31:17.140 --> 00:31:17.420 Amen.