Walk in the Spirit

Gal 5:16-26[1]

Preached at Rolling Hills Church,  29 August 2010

 Today we are going to learn some basics about walking in the Spirit from Paul; we won't cover it all, because I want to lay a foundation for understanding this conflict. So let's dig in.

Gal 5:16-26

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

This will be a two-part message; there is simply too much to cover in one sermon. It is about walking in the Holy Spirit; but for today we will consider this perspective: this text is about conflict, influence, and evidence. Here we read of the conflict within Christ-followers between the Spirit of God and the flesh. It is about whom we are going to listen to, depend on, and follow; and this determines what evidence or fruit is exhibited in our lives. What we will reflect is either the works of the flesh or the fruit of the Spirit.

This is the epic battle of God's good glory and sin's wicked deeds carried out in the frail human heart! First we'll look at the people and the opponents, then we'll look at the opponents in this conflict – the Holy Spirit vs. Flesh, and lastly we will consider submission. First let me talk about people: who we are, and there are two options here…

1)   Lost people. Spirit, soul, and body – and dead to God. We are by nature sinners – dead in trespasses and sins – opposed to God from birth (Eph 2:1-4, Rom 3:23).

a.     Now when we are lost, Scripture says that we sin because we are sinners, not vice-versa. If Christ hasn't come in, despite any religious activity or experiences – if Christ hasn't saved you and if you haven't received the Holy Spirit by faith when you were converted, you are still spiritually dead, and separated from God. Ruled by this flesh. There is no battle here; the lost person glorifies sin and Satan. You may be restrained by the law or influences, but you are dead.

2)   Christ-followers. Christians. Saved. This speaks of those who have believed in Christ, received Him, and received the Holy Spirit upon conversion (Rom 8:9, Eph 1:13). This is humans who have believed in and received Christ, been brought to life, that have been filled by the Holy Spirit. New creation, new life. Here is where the battle rages, in the believer.

a.     When we are converted, have been saved, have received Christ, His Holy Spirit has come in, and we have received a new nature, new life, and power to live for, love, believe, and follow Christ.

Those are the people; this text deals with Christ-followers. Now for the opponents in this battle raging inside the Christ follower…

1)   The Holy Spirit. This is the very Spirit of God, who seals, indwells, fills, and empowers believers upon their conversion from dead sinners to living Christ-followers. He is the third person of the Trinity. He is completely and fully God; time-to-time you'll hear Christians refer to the Holy Spirit as 'it'. I humbly suggest we not do so; He is God.

2)   The flesh. Now if you are a Christ-follower, you are a new creature in Christ; the power of sin and death has been broken in your lives. But there is a remnant of the human sin nature there to deal with; some theologians call it 'indwelling sin'[2], and others call it 'unredeemed humanness'[3]. Regardless of the term, it is important to know that this is that part of a believer that remains in us until complete redemption with Christ, and is often referred to in Scripture as 'the flesh', and it fights the will of God and the Spirit of God in us. It desires sin and debauchery and death.

 

The Spirit is the Holy Spirit of God; He is the third member of the Godhead, the Trinity: One God, yet Three in One. He is the One who regenerates (brings to life, Eph 2:5, Jn 6:63,) believers, and who baptizes them, seals them, and fills them when they believe. He is the God who indwells believers from their conversion from unbelief to belief in Christ. He is also the One who gives us power to obey God's Word.

Acts 1:8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  So there's a bit about people, and the opponents in this conflict; now let's look briefly at submission. You see we will submit to the Spirit of God or we will submit to the flesh. Either way, fruit and evidence will flow.

Submission to the flesh is not complicated; just ignore the Word of God, fellowship with Him, and the conviction and leading of the Holy Spirit. You see how it turns out.

Submission to the Spirit of God is not complicated either, but it is harder due to the fight.

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality,

20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,

21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. We would do well to pause and consider these words; they are very scary, very deadly, and very serious.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

Submitting isn't passive; it is active human will working to obey Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit! But it is not 'let go and let God'; it is not like we've learned from the Keswick tradition (movement in England years ago). Hannah Whitall Smith wrote a book called, The Christian's Secret of a Happy Life, teaching how we don't struggle, we simply submit and passively trust. Not true, unfortunately; we are involved in this conflict! But while working with all our might, we are still completely dependent upon the Holy Spirit's help and power! I think this text from Romans 8:1-9 helps us see a bit of this struggle…

Rom 8:1-9

1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.

3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh,

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

Our mindset, our focus of thoughts and dwellings, these are critical here! It is the same truth as is taught in John 15, abiding in the vine. The branch makes nothing; the branch holds and displays that which the vine produced through it.

There is much more to learn here, but when we are submitted to the Holy Spirit, walking in the Spirit, being led by the Spirit, we are believing in Christ, in God's Word, and setting our eyes, affections, hopes, and faith completely upon Him!

Church we must remember that cross; there He died by the power of the Holy Spirit so we could live by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So this lays a background for our learning next week. We've seen the people, the opponents, and a couple of thoughts about submission.

This text is about conflict, influence, and evidence.  The conflict in believers is strong; who will influence us depends on whom we submit to.

There is much more to consider in this text, but I would challenge you to read it, pray through it, and meditate on it until next week. Let's pray now…

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[1] All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved

[2] John Piper's view

[3] John MacArthur's wording

Free to Love

Gal 5:13-15[1]  Rolling Hills Church 

 22 Aug 2010

 

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

Paul has been, to this point in the book of Galatians, tearing down the notion that being circumcised would bring a measure of righteousness to the believers in Christ. He adamantly taught, warned, illustrated, and allegorized the truth that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Justification is only by faith in Christ Jesus! He put forth the 'what not to believe' and the 'what to believe'; he has 'swept out the house and put it in order', like in Matt 12:45. So what would fill the void of seeking to gain righteousness through the law? In other words, this might be the thought Paul is addressing: "OK, so if we don't have to gain righteousness through living the law, then; how DO we live? Here in this little three verses in chapter five Paul puts forth a model for the church; through love serve one another. And what did he tell them this would do? Fulfill the law.

So let's pray, and let's spend these brief minutes considering the message of this text: I believe it can be worded like this: Gospel freedom is not freedom to gratify the flesh; it is freedom to love and serve one another. Let's pray, shall we?

Called to Freedom: This call is the gospel call, church; not just a call to the church to be good; this is the call to repentance and faith in Christ. Called to follow Christ – that is freedom. What all were we freed from when we were called to believe in and follow Christ?

We were enslaved in it, hopelessly bound to do what sin dictated, pawns of our own fleshly lusts, the devil, and the lies of this world. But Christ has set us free! When He died on that cross, He paid the debt that all of us owed God 'in Adam'. He satisfied the wrath of God, and He rose from the dead to purchase new life, freedom for all who would repent of their sins and believe in Him. What kind of freedom did He purchase us, and call us to?

We are free from our bondage to sin. It's power no longer owns us, for a greater power, the Holy Spirit of God, has taken over our lives, and in Christ, we are free!

We are free from the penalty of sin. Scripture says the wages of sin is death. When we were lost, apart from Christ, we were dead in our trespasses and sins, and we were slated to die and be cast into hell forever for our offense against Holy God. God is just; there is no escaping His right judgment! But when we are called to Christ and we respond in faith, we are freed from this wrath of God!

We are free from works and earnings. Folks, as Paul so unwaveringly teaches in this book, Christ alone can make a man or woman right with God! Our striving for self-improvement or merit-earning is over, and we're freely MADE RIGHT with God.

We are free from death. We will never die; our call is complete and eternal in Christ! So we celebrate this joy, and we are set free from slavery to fleshly temptation.

With freedom comes responsibility. Because the doctrine of total depravity is true, and because indwelling sin fights us even when we're redeemed, the only way to avoid anarchy in a family, church, or a society is to keep freedom and responsibility connected. We are cautioned not to use our freedom to gratify our selfish desires. 'Opportunity for the flesh means "opportunity to follow your fallen, sinful desires and act contrary to God's moral laws[2]."' When freedom is divorced from responsibility, bad things happen. There is a statement repeated throughout the sad narrative of Judges: In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. (Judges17:6). If you know that story, you know they went from bondage to freedom, to self-gratification, back to bondage time and time again. It is a miserable read. A King would bring order, purpose, and responsibility for the nation; otherwise, we saw what happened.

Paul teaches in Romans 6:11-14 that when we are free, when we receive grace, we are to submit the members of our body for moral service to Christ.

With freedom in Christ comes love and service. Peter's mother in law was sick; her affliction, her bondage was physical. The Lord walked in to the house and He promptly set her free from this sickness. How did she respond? Matt 8:14-15 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. Our Lord did not set us free to set about blessing ourselves. He did not free us from the law so that we could live lawless and immoral – by no means! We are free from being justified by keeping the law; but we are free to fulfill the moral law for God's glory! When we're free in Christ, we're free to serve.

Freed to receive love. After all, love starts with God! 1 Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us. Let me trail along a few verses from John's gospel and his first letter that show this thought line…

Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 Jn 3:16-18 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Jn 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

1 Jn 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

God loved, God gave and served. We have God's love in us, it will result super-naturally in giving and serving! So in essence, we are freed by the gospel to serve one another. Paul called himself in Gal 1:10, Rom 1:1, and Phil 1:1 a bond-servant of Christ, a willing servant. He willingly signed up to serve Christ, which meant to serve Christ's people.

Service is the life; love is the motive, and the means. Love being in us, shed abroad in our hearts, works its way out in service to one another. Love led Jesus to serve us, folks:

Mat 20:28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Serving for serving sake wears out; serving the body for Christ through Christ's power fulfills us, rejuvenates us, blesses us, and brings us joy! One of the most fulfilling things I do as a pastor is to go to nursing homes and sing and preach the gospel for the otherwise forgotten few. JeriAnn takes her boys there often to minister to those precious older folks, and it is humbling how much you receive by giving there.

Paul wants this outfit to know this; "If you want to turn back to circumcision and thus the law, then hear this; you can fulfill the law if you do this; love your neighbor as yourself."

Church, what are we doing with our freedom?

How are we serving one another?

Or is it possible that our freedom is being misused on ourselves? If that is the case, then here is the warning from Paul about what will happen among us…

Biting and devouring. In this conversation we have to remember that Paul is teaching the Galatians not to listen to, not to give in to those Judaizers who lie and say circumcision is mandatory for righteousness before God. So when he says 'bite and devour one another', there is a thought from Philippians 3:2 that comes up… "2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh." Bite and devour one another like dogs – just made me chuckle.

When a pack of wolves is starving and begin to endanger a human being, there is a way to escape them; shoot one of them, and when they see and smell the blood of their own, they often turn on the wounded one. The enemy of our souls loves shoot one of us to see if we will serve, heal, and bless that member, or begin to bite and devour that member. I have seen too much of this in churches! Walking wounded who have been bitten by those who are supposed to love them, or even teach and shepherd them. God help us! When we turn on ourselves, who will be there for us, church?

Seriously, will we fight over carpet color, buildings, names on a nursery list, or a perceived snub? I've seen it. Bites of gossip, anger, division, and even hatred IN THE CHURCH. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be.

Is that the love of Christ in us?

I think not.

The love of Christ looks like selflessness, humility, service, and joy. Love is the means to our service, and love is the motive for our service. Sin is the means and motive for our biting and devouring; that is misused freedom, church.

So… Freedom. Responsibility. Love. Service. Biting and devouring. What sounds better? What reflects Christ better to a lost and dying, biting and devouring community!?

Here's the simple message from this text today: Gospel freedom is not freedom to gratify the flesh; it is freedom to love and serve one another.

I want to close with some words of Christ for us to consider…

Matt 7:12 "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matt 22:37-40 And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets."

 

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[1] All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved

[2] This is a good footnote to Gal 5:13 found in the ESV Study Bible, © Crossway Publishing, 2001-2010

Freed By or Severed From Christ

Gal 5:1-12[1]

Preached at Rolling Hills Church 15 Aug 2010

We have much to consider today, so let's open our Bibles to Gal 5:1-12 and open our minds to God and let's get to work.

1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you.

3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law.

4 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.

5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness.

6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

7 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?

8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump.

10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.

11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed.

12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves! Let us pray.

Here is the message I believe this text gives us today: Let us stand firm in Christ; let us mark and move away from those who would lead us from faith in Him, lest we fall away from Him. The truth in v 1…

V 1 Stand firm in what? 1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Stand firm in the truth of the gospel; a doctrine, a teaching, a truth, a belief. Stand firm in a belief in Christ. Don't waver as all around you doubt, disdain, and disparage this JESUS whom you believe. It's a tough thing to do these days; believing something and declaring so; taking sides on doctrine! Taking a concrete position on a religious belief that this world thinks is foolish to begin with. When one has become a Christ-follower, the New Testament warns us repeatedly that enemies come to steal away that faith. In Matthew 13 the devil came and snatched up the seed, tribulation presses some to fall away, and the cares of the world choked out more. Here in Galatians, and in many other places in the New Testament, false teachers pressed a different, false belief on you that calls you to abandon the truth. Paul calls this bunch of Christians in these young churches in heathen, idolatrous cities to stand firm in Christ – in their freedom!

Believe something: be a man, be a woman, and take a stand, folks!

-       Either Christ is God or He is not.

-       Either Christ has set you free from the law of sin and death – has made you righteous – or He has not.

-       Either Christ, through His shed blood on that cross, will save you from the sure punishment for your rebellion against God, or you must work to be saved through some form of self-generated righteousness.

What's it gonna be? I ask you now – what do you believe? Who do you believe? Will you stand firm in the gospel of Jesus Christ? Wavering is for dead people; only the living will stand firm, come what may. Let's hear the stern old prophet Elijah up on the mountain as he challenged the priests of Baal to call down fire from heaven. He said this to the people… "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." (1 King 18:21) There it is, right in front of you, huh!?

When Martin Luther was on trial at the Diet of Worms and they demanded that he give an answer before the Emperor Charles V and the Bishop of Trier as to whether he wrote these works and believed what they stated, He gave this reply… "Your Imperial Majesty and your lordships demand a simple answer. Here it is, plain and unvarnished. Unless I am convinced by Scripture or by clear reason – for I do not trust the Pope or church councils, since everyone knows that they can make mistakes and contradict themselves – I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted. My conscience is held captive by the Word of God. I cannot and will not take back anything, because it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience."[2] Church let me remind you from this text that to believe in Christ unwaveringly, publicly, and boldly is FREEDOM. To deny Christ is to be enslaved to sin and death, simply existing until you are cast into hell forever. Christ IS freedom. Now on to…

V 2-6 Severed from Christ.  Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.

This can't be, Paul emphasizes, synchronization; there is no joining of hope in Christ and hope in keeping of the law. So he uses strong words to make this very clear; it is a warning.

-       Christ will be of no advantage to you

-       Severed from Christ

-       Fallen away from grace

This brings up questions Christians often wrestle with, and it is proper that we should!

Can one be cut off from faith in Christ?

Can one fall away from Christ?

Let me say with a clear voice – YES. Why else  would Paul warn the church away from false doctrine lest they fall away? "But pastor Jeff, what about the doctrine of eternal security? Aren't you a Southern Baptist!? Don't we believe that God keeps all that He saves? To which I also answer in a clear voice – YES. I certainly believe the doctrine of eternal security is taught in Scriptures. Rom 8:30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified. And there are warnings not to fall away are taught in Scriptures. There is no contradiction; we should consider and receive both truths. Clear enough? The New Testament writers veto assuming safety once you've received Christ; rather, they challenge us to evaluate. "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test." (2 Cor 13:5-6)

Let me attempt to make this clear. Here is how these two doctrines fit. Many say that once saved, always saved; we can rest in God's good salvation, secure that we can never fall away. This is true with a qualifying definition of who 'WE' is, and what 'REST' is!

-       Are WE genuine believers in Christ? Have WE repented from sin and believed in Jesus?  Are WE resting our hope in grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone? Then WE won't fall away. John 10:27-29 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

-       Are we simply church-goers? Are we religious tag-alongs, wannabes, or those who put on a fake face of faith – hypocrites? If so, then falling away simply proves there was never a genuine faith. 1 Jn 2:18-19 Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

The healthy thing is for all of us examine our faith and our fruit, and let the Holy Spirit convince us that we do indeed believe we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone! And if we examine ourselves and find no genuine, life-saving, life-changing faith, then wouldn't it be good to know that so we CAN be saved? And we as believers should never take the good saving, keeping grace of God for granted; we should labor to believe and keep believing and we should FEAR lest we fall away, church. Heb 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; This is why Paul warns these folks "If you take circumcision, you are severed from Christ. He is of no value to you." We can't remain secure in our faith in Christ and believe what contradicts faith in Christ. We must hold to the good gospel of Jesus Christ, church! So stand firm in Christ, and don't be severed from Christ! Now the rest of this passage…

V 7-12 Who Hindered You? You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

If Paul sounds harsh when he says, "I wish they would emasculate themselves", know that he isn't; he is simply Christ-like. There is, as he wrote, a penalty to bear. He's already declared them accursed (1:8-9). Folks, let me put you into the shoes, just for a few minutes, of those who hinder the church from following truth.

How would you like to become like Sodom and Gomorrah to God? (Jer 23:14)

How about being fed bitter food and given poison water to drink? (Jer 23:15)

How would you like to have a huge millstone hung around your neck and be thrown into the sea? (Luke 17:2)

How about God coming to execute judgment against all the false teachers for all the false teachings they have uttered? (Jude 15).

There is a penalty to be borne by those false teachers who lead God's sheep away from the good truth and into barren pastures of lies and laws.

Here is what we must see and hear from this, church…

Let fear lead us to move far away from false teachers, blasphemers, liars, and all who disdain the gospel of Jesus Christ to lead the church away from truth. Worse than heavy lightning when we're on an antenna, worse than standing on a beach in a Category 5 hurricane, worse than carrying sandbags through a river in a flood, let us FEAR their judgment.

Let wisdom lead us to draw near to those gospel teachers who, like Paul, preach the truth come what may from this godless world.

What about you? Let every single one of us ask this question of ourselves:

Am I freed by Christ, or am I severed from Christ?

Can you answer that question firmly, with genuine peace in your heart? No hypocrisy, no hiding serious doubts about Christ or serious leanings to the lies of the world? I pray you can, and if you can't, I pray you repent of your sin and believe Jesus Christ today, that His death on that cross is fully sufficient and alone is sufficient to save you, and RECEIVE God's good forgiveness and adoption!

To those who can say I have been freed by Christ, Paul's warning is worth considering:

Let us stand firm in Christ; let us mark and move away from those who lead us from faith in Him, lest we fall away from Him.

 

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[1] All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved

[2] Quoted from page 252 of Zondervan Handbook to the History of Christianity, written by Jonathan Hill, © 2006 by Jonathan Hill, published by Lion Publishing Plc. 

Become As I Am

Gal 4:8-20[1] 

Rolling Hills Church, 25 July 2010

I want to read a portion of a parable that Jesus taught; it's often called The Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11-24

11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.

12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.

15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.

19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.

That's a beautiful story from Scripture about that which was lost (the son) being found. Now let's imagine it's two years later and this is the story we hear…

Two men came to the family farm where the former prodigal was working hard in the fields. They stopped to pass the time of day with him, and the topic of religion came up. "I believe in Jehovah God, as does my family." The reply came quickly, "Oh we do too, sir! In fact, we're out talking about that with folks today. We have a couple of these scroll-copies we would like to give you, and if you'd be open to it, we'd really like to sit down and talk about this with you some more." The son took the scrolls, and thought, "These guys are diligent and devoted! I'd like to hear some more of this."

Six months later he is astounded at the reaction of his father when he tells him that he had joined a group called Jehovah's Martyrs. "Father, they love God, and they are hard-working, diligent folks. They commit very much time to sharing the Scriptures with people, and they have very wise teachers who help us see new things in the law and the prophets." His father, grieving in his heart, asked the son, "Would you again turn from me?" Now let's turn to our text today in Gal 4:8-20

8 Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.

9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

10 You observe days and months and seasons and years!

11 I am afraid I may have labored over you in vain.

12 Brothers, I entreat you, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You did me no wrong.

13 You know it was because of a bodily ailment that I preached the gospel to you at first,

14 and though my condition was a trial to you, you did not scorn or despise me, but received me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus.

15 What then has become of the blessing you felt? For I testify to you that, if possible, you would have gouged out your eyes and given them to me.

16 Have I then become your enemy by telling you the truth?

17 They make much of you, but for no good purpose. They want to shut you out, that you may make much of them.

18 It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you,

19 my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!

20 I wish I could be present with you now and change my tone, for I am perplexed about you.

Jeremiah Wendt, would you offer a prayer for us, brother?

We know what Paul is so concerned about: Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone.

Did you notice in this text a turning from the strong, direct, and authoritative tone Paul had been using to a more loving, relational tone with the Galatians? It reveals to us this truth that can often be overlooked: When you turn from the gospel to a lie, you are also turning from those who brought the gospel to you. In fact, it is necessary to do so, if the ones who shared the gospel with you are standing firm in this gospel. Now I have read this text, and given you the main idea; let me address it today through a series of questions.

When Paul says 'become as I am, what in the world is Paul talking about?

He's writing to Gentiles who have believed Christ and are now considering circumcision as a way of righteousness with God. He is a Jew who was under the law but came to believe in Jesus as the only 'justifier' of any man, woman, or child of any culture, skin color, or religious background. I believe we'll see what he meant by that as we go along. 

They had come to faith in Christ from pagan idolatries, and Paul had come to faith in Christ from diligent Judaism. Here is what I believe Paul means. He had turned from the non-saving belief of a Christ-rejecting Judaism; he had set aside any and all hope of the law-keeping as a means of salvation. Rather his entire and complete hope of being made right with God and not having God's wrath poured out on him eternally was Jesus Christ's substitutionary death on the cross. Paul says, 'become as I am' meaning, "C'mon, brothers- believe this truth I taught you, and stand firm in it like I do! Don't consider circumcision as a means of righteousness! Let's ask this question as well…

How does Paul describe what they are turning back to?

As both non-gods and elementary principles of the world that enslave people. Elementary principles or spirits of the world is a thought Paul brought up in Colossians 2:8 as well…

2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Down in 2:20-23 Paul writes this: If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— "Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch" (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Calling both idolatry and law-keeping 'elementary principles' points out that idolatry and law-keeping as a means of righteousness have some things in common:

They can't save you. There is a reason God sent the apostles – and sends us – to preach the gospel to those bound up in religious and non-religious idolatry; the need the blood of Christ applied to their lives before they are free! Neither road leads to life, only death.

They are contrasted with the gospel, with truth. Just like when I added to the story of the prodigal; he went from debauchery, to faith, to a cult adding to the gospel (and thus NULLIFYING the gospel). It's like a little boy who was playing in a mud puddle when his Mom told him to get out of there and clean up and come in! He got out of the mud puddle, jumped in the clean pool, and then took a quick leap into the stagnant, scum-topped pond before coming into the house. Neither the mud nor the scum is clean. Only Christ is our righteousness; both law-keeping and pagan idolatry disdain faith in Christ alone. They are lies; that is what is contrasted with truth – lies. Good news? No, bad news! Furthermore…

Both require unbelief in Christ – or rather, God requires that we not claim to believe in Christ AND anything to save us. If we claim to believe Christ and anything, we do not believe in Christ – that's God's opinion. "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

Now let's consider another question this text brings out to us that is new here…

Who are these people to Paul? They are brothers, friends, and little children.

Consider that Paul loves these people. Remember the scorned, rejected Father running down the road to meet and hug the returning rebel? Why? It is because he loved Him, just as God loves us, folks! But not only does God loves us, those who brought the gospel to us and who shepherd us in the truth love us as well. This is a continual sub-theme in Scripture. Paul to the Thessalonians: "But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." 1 Thess 2:7-8

John to Gaius: "For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth." 3 John 3-4. It was the same with Peter. Jesus taught us to love one another! These people are dear to Paul; brothers, friends, children. So…

What affect is their potential apostasy having on Paul? It's hurting him terribly! He is afraid, in anguish, and perplexed. 

These words aren't trying to communicate a depletion in convert statistics or resume-drainers; this is about people he loves! So, as with any parents who have children who turn from truth to a lie, he was grieving deeply. Afraid, in anguish, and perplexed. Greatest fear? That their faith wasn't genuine; that they would turn or fall away from Christ, thus proving their faith to be fake. Church let me pose this question to you as I wrap this up and turn to the Lord's Table:

Do we think about what affect our apostasy or sin has on God?

What affect do we think our apostasy and sin has on those who love us?

What happens to those who care about us when we turn from faith in Christ, and turn back to what we had before (worldly satisfaction, death)?

Answer: anyone who loves Christ and loves us, hurts deeply.

God hurts. He loves you, of course He will hurt! Read the Old Testament, the prophets; feel the pain of God.

Parents hurt. We age, we suffer.

Pastors hurt.

Teachers, friends, fellow Christ-followers in church or small group with us, evangelists who led us to Christ – they all suffer.

I'm no great man, but I'm greatly loved; imagine the impact on those who love me, who have invested in me, if I were to turn from the gospel? It chills me to even consider such.

Do you ever think about the effect of your sin and possible turning from Christ on others?

Church, let us heed Paul's painful appeal: Become as I am. Stand firm in believing Christ alone for salvation.

Let's pray.

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[1] All Scripture, unless otherwise noted, are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, (via E-Sword Software) © 2001 Crossway Publishing. All Rights Reserved