Galatians: Starting Over {Yet Again} Sowing…

Judas…looking out for number 1 So…what gives?

Peter…when eyes on Jesus= OK When consumed with self…?

The greatest way to get Your needs met Is to begin to serve As Christ leads

Move from "me-centered" To "mission-oriented"

God calls his church to be People of Restoration In Restoration Community No one is Greater But each helps the other

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves - Philippians 2

Last week: Bear one another's burdens And so fulfill the Law of Christ For each will have to bear his own load

We were made to Walk in Community Not with expectation- receiving But with anticipation- giving

Early Church: Had all things in common

Early Church: Had all things in common Not Communism Not Socialism No Coercion

They had Biblical Community Because the Wealthy Fellowshipping alongside the Starving is not true Fellowship

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

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” - John 13:34-35

God designed us so that… …there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other - 1 Cor. 12:25

Love is…?

Some of this was produced By the Spirit from the start Some of it had to be taught

OT Religious Leaders: Tithes and Taxes and Exchanges

NT: God has given…Pastors - Eph. 4 "Beats me…I guess we Pray for them…"

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches

Share= Koinōneitō "Let share" Present, Active, Imperative, Singular

Share= Koinōneitō "Communion" The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?- 1 Cor. 10

Share= Koinōneitō Don't let him starve…But also Don't make him the outsider Share all good things with…

I have a list… I still look at it and pray for Koinonia= "You're not alone…"

Specific instruction to Galatians Christians: Take care of your Teacher(s)

Governing Spiritual Principle: Sowing and Reaping

For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life

I'm just here for what I can get = Works of the Flesh

In the early church: Letting the guy who gives his life To teaching life-changing Truth Scramble for a meal While I enjoy "mine"

Today?

Sows to his own flesh= will…reap corruption Me-centered= Decay Sows to the Spirit= will…reap Eternal life

The greatest way to get Your needs met Is to begin to serve As Christ leads

Sows to the Spirit= life: If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me - Jesus, Luke 9

We were made to Walk in Community Not with expectation- receiving But with anticipation- giving

Sows to the Spirit= will…reap eternal life Evidence, not earning

The evidence of my Faith Is found in how I approach The Koinonia

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” - John 13

We are blessed: "I'm just here to serve God And serve his people"

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap

I'm good…I'm in church I'm good…I walked an aisle I'm good…I prayed a prayer

Don't be deceived God isn't mocked… Fruit comes from what is sown Not what is shown

I need to look at what I'm Planting If I want to change what I'm Producing

God is not mocked I can't make it all about me And wind up full, fruitful And content in Christ

Actions determine results What we do determines What we receive And reveals what we believe

The greatest way to get Your needs met Is to begin to serve As Christ leads

Then is Grace a lie? On the contrary… This proves God's grace That we're still breathing And so blessed

Grace forgives Jesus takes our sin= Ultimate consequences Actions determine experience And reveal the truth

So live Koinonia: Deny self, pick up the cross Follow Jesus in Community

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up

Keep teaching, Teacher God sees and knows He'll make it right

Keep supporting and encouraging, Disciple God sees and knows You'll see the fruit of your labor

Stay in sharing Fellowship It'll be messy It won't be easy It's the mission Sowing that brings reaping

The greatest way to get Your needs met Is to begin to serve As Christ leads

…in due season we will reap, if we do not give up

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith Not just ability, but occasion

Engage: Carry one another's burdens and so fulfill the Law Help each other Belong: share in all good things Fellowship deeply

It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ

Compromise: - I want to look good - I want to avoid hardship (Romans…and some Jews)

Discipleship: - Set free to be thought foolish - Count the cost- won't be easy

For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world

Christian bragging Spiritual one-upmanship Exterior righteousness Bleeds out and dies right here

Bragging? OK… Jesus! So…I'm dead to self And I don't have to follow your silly religious rules or play your silly religious games anymore

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation

For neither (degrees…) (experiences…) (past…) (praying well in public…) (being a missionary…) counts for anything, but a new creation

And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen

Next Step: Honestly, what's my focus? What's my mission? Do I share (time, attention, etc) With those in need?

Is the Fellowship about me: How it makes me feel? What I get out of it? What it can do for me & mine?

Or is it about serving God By loving his people well?

Questions, Comments Disagreements

Let's Pray…

iMarriage

Easter Candy Easter Services= Invite