This week, we are looking at a section of a letter in the
Bible called the book of Galatians where we see Paul reveal for us the timeless
reason that we are to vote no on religion because religion does not produce
gospel centered community. Yesterday, we saw Paul reveal the reality that
gospel centered communities are focused on helping others stay on track when it
comes to their relationship with Christ. Gospel centered communities practice
loving accountability in community with one another that is focused on the goal
of every follower of Jesus living a gospel centered lifestyle that is
influenced and controlled by the Holy Spirit and that reveals and reflects
Jesus in their character and conduct. Today, we see Paul reveal for us a second
aspect of gospel centered community in verse 2:
Bear one another's burdens, and thereby
fulfill the law of Christ.
Here we see Paul command followers of Jesus throughout
history to bear one another’s burdens. Now this command conveys the sense of
sustaining and supporting one another through the difficulties that come about
as we follow Jesus here on earth. And it is here that we see Paul reveal for us
the reality that gospel centered communities are focused on supporting and
encouraging one another when it comes to their relationship with Christ. Gospel
centered communities are communities that are marked by deepening relationships
that strive to support and encourage one another as we live life in community
with one another.
That is why we are such strong proponents of community
groups here at City Bible Church. Community
groups are intentional environments that afford the opportunity for us as
followers of Jesus to develop supportive and encouraging relationships where
people can grow in their relationship with God as they experience the loving
accountability of gospel centered community. It is in community groups that we
can experience gospel centered community that is focused on supporting and encouraging one another when it
comes to our relationship with Christ.
Paul then reveals for us the reality that when we focus
on supporting and encouraging one another in our relationship with Christ, we
fulfill the law of Christ. Now this word fulfill literally means to carry out
an obligation. And that obligation is the law of Christ, which refers to the
standard that Christ set on earth. Paul’s point here is that when we live
gospel centered lives as part of a gospel centered community that is marked by
deepening relationships that strive to support and encourage one another, we
reveal and reflect Christ’s character and conduct. We are living in such a way
that meets Christ’s standard to love God with our total being and that shows
our love for God by how we love and treat others. However, as Paul continues, we see him
confront a potential danger and threat to gospel centered community in verse 3.
Let’s look at it together:
For if
anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But each
one must examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in
regard to another. For each one will bear his own load.
Now verse three, if communicated in the language that we
use in our culture today, would sound something like this: “Anyone who thinks
that they are somebody when they are a nobody is only deceiving themselves.
Just because you have not needed to be supported and encouraged through
difficult circumstances as a follower of Jesus here on earth, you are only
misleading yourself if you think that you are better than others”.
You see, a potential danger that can threaten gospel
centered community is when we begin to compare our circumstances and struggles
with others circumstances and struggles. A potential danger that can threaten
gospel centered community is when we begin to compare how well we are staying
on track with others around us who may be getting off track when it comes to
living a gospel centered lifestyle. And that potential danger, according to
Paul, is that we become full of ourselves and think we are somebody
spiritually.
Instead of deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are
somebody when we are nobody, in verse 4 Paul commands followers of Jesus
throughout history, to examine his own work. Now this phrase literally means to
make a critical examination so as to put to the test. What we are to put to the
test is how we are living our lives as followers of Jesus. Paul’s point here is
that instead of comparing ourselves with others, we are to focus on whether or
not we are living a gospel centered lifestyle that is influenced, controlled,
and empowered by the Holy Spirit to reveal and reflect Jesus in their character
and conduct.
If their close examination of their lives reveals that they
are living a gospel centered lifestyle, Paul explains that they can boast, or
take pride, in something. But what they can boast in is only in regard to how
they are doing when it comes to meeting the standard of Jesus. Paul’s point
here is that if you want to compare yourself with someone, your comparison is
to be against the example of Jesus and not other followers of Jesus.
Paul hammers his point home in verse 5 when he states
that “For each one will bear his own load.” Paul’s point here is that at the
end of our lives, when we stand before Jesus, there will no comparison of our
character and conduct with other follower of Jesus character and conduct. Paul
is saying “you better focus on your own character and conduct instead of
comparing yourself with others”. Paul then provides a practical example of how
followers of Jesus live gospel centered lives as part of a gospel centered
community that strive to support and encourage one another as we live life in
community in verse 6:
The one who is taught the word is to share all
good things with the one who teaches him.
Here we see Paul provide a practical example of how a
gospel centered community strives to support and encourage one another in
community. When Paul commands the readers of this letter to share all good
things with the one who teaches, this phrase literally means to give or
contribute a share financially in order to meet the material needs of the
person who preaches and teaches the message and teachings of Jesus.
Now while this passage most specifically applies to
providing material support for a pastor, I want to expand the application of
this verse to the church as a whole. You see, when we worship the Lord through
giving, we are acknowledging God as the one who owns everything and as our
provider, and we are responding to the generosity of God by reflecting His
generosity as an act of worship. And that act of worship was divinely designed
by God to be the means by which His Kingdom Mission would be funded.
And that Kingdom mission is not
just about paying the salaries of the staff at church. That Kingdom mission is
also about providing the resources so that churches can continue to create
environments where people can explore faith, grow in their faith, and
experience genuine and authentic community. So when we affirm a budget at a church,
we are agreeing to live gospel centered lives as part of a gospel centered
community that is striving to support and encourage this community financially.
The vast majority of the ministry that occurs here is accomplished through
you’re your willingness to support the ministries financially, because all of
these ministries require resources. And these resources are provided as a
result of your commitment to the mission and ministry of the church as we
worship the Lord through giving. A
gospel centered community that is striving to support and encourage one another
as we live life in community, does so in every aspect of their lives, including
financially.
Tomorrow, we will see Paul reveal
a third aspect of gospel centered community…
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