Stones Hill Community Church
In what areas of your life do you have a hard time saying no? Is it hard for you to say no to food? To excessive spending? Alcohol? Drugs? Illicit sex? Do you have trouble saying no to your feelings? Maybe you are really struggling with an addiction. What should I do if I am being mastered and even destroyed by things that are out of control? Whatever I can’t say “no” to, owns me. I don’t have an addiction; the addiction really has me.
When we embrace Jesus, He imparts His life into us. And even though we have a sinful, fallen human nature, we can draw a new power from Christ. And when we open our lives up to receive power from Christ, the sinful human nature can have less-and-less influence in how we think and behave. Even if there may be ventures into the "flesh", we run to Christ, attaching our identity to the unshakable love of the Savior. The look on His face, the touch of His hand, the tone of His voice that draws us back. I’m calling us to submit our lives to the Lordship of Christ and His Kingdom.
Welcome to another installment of Great Chapters of the Bible - Galatians 5.
We welcome you to Stone's Hill today!
A typical Stone's Hill service has:
* music (so feel free to sing out);
* some announcements (things that are upcoming that you can be a part of);
* a message out of the Bible (God speaks to us through his Word);
* and an opportunity for you to respond to the message (either immediately in the case of a decision that needs to be made OR in the future as you live out the message in your daily life.)
So relax and enjoy your morning! We're so glad you are here!
Galatians 5:19-26 NIV
MESSAGE TEXT
Galatians 5:19-26
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INTRODUCTION
One group in Galatia took offense at Paul’s message. If you make the Gospel a totally free deal where a person’s outcome and destiny is already guaranteed regardless of their behavior, you take away all incentive for them doing anything good with their life. Therefore, you have to teach Law and obedience. Otherwise, it’s like telling everyone on the first day of Calculus class, they all get A’s. If that’s the case, no one is going to do the work. Furthermore, they’ll just indulge the flesh and be self-focused.
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Paul’s message was better. He taught that you’re free. Don’t lose your freedom by this strict, perfect performance of law keeping NOR by indulging the fleshly sinful nature. You’re not free if you’re also a slave to your appetites. Paul’s answer in Galatians 5 was to live by the Spirit and the rule of love. Christ has rescued you already; you’re saved. Now, live in light of that reality out of love for Him. Christ died for you and saved you. Now, He lives in you through the Holy Spirit. Be Christ-focused.
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One life is self-focused with performance as a driving principle. One life is Christ-focused with love as the driving principle where there’s a willingness to be inconvenienced for the service of others. Paul argues, go with the second option! Paul contrasts how you know when you’re walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit. He says this is not something that you have to guess at. This is something that has very tangible effects and evidence. Acts of the flesh is just us listening to our appetites and human emotions. Paul offers 15 ways to help you evaluate if this is the realm you’re operating in. And if you’re a Christ-following believer, and operating here, then you’re in conflict with your new identity in Christ.
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MESSAGE
There are a few important IMPLICATIONS from this text that I think speak to us:
The Side-by-Side Arrangement of the Lists – This implies that we have a choice to make.
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The Use of the Plural “Acts” Versus the Singular “Fruit” – This implies that our lives can be more focused for a greater growth.
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The Terms in Each of the Lists – This implies that we have a life evaluation to conduct.
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The Passage Points To a Source for all the fruit – This implies that we have a Person to know.
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CONCLUSION
Nine great concepts… Paul, who lived what he wrote, is saying: I choose love… No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose joy… I will refuse the temptation to be cynical. I choose peace… I will live forgiven and I will forgive that I may truly live. I choose patience… I will overlook the inconveniences and not clinch my fist at new assignments. I choose kindness… I will be kind to the unkind. I choose goodness… I will confess before I accuse. I choose faithfulness… I will keep my word. I choose gentleness… I will not force it. I choose self-control… I will not allow the material to rule the eternal.
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What will be your choice today?