3.  “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2).  “Bear” means to hold in one’s hands or to lift up.  “Burden” refers to a large weight.

4.  New Testament has many examples where people bore the burdens of others.  Jesus and the leper (Mk 1:40-45).  Barnabas & Saul (Acts 9:26-28).

5.  How does bearing another’s burden “fulfill the law of Christ”?  Jesus taught us to love one another. “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (Jn 13:34).  Jesus taught us to serve. He washed the disciples’ feet. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave” (Matt 20:26-27).

6.  “Each one shall bear his own load” (Gal 6:5).  The Greek word was a military term used for a soldier’s kit or a man’s pack.  The word at verse 2 refers to something someone could never lift by himself; the word at verse 5 refers to something easily lifted by one person.

7. How do we put this into practice?

8.  One: We must be people who are willing to bear the burdens of others.  We can pray with/for the individual. Prayer has great power. In Acts 12, Peter has a heavy burden. “Constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church” (Acts 12:5). God sends an angel to release Peter. Let people know you’re praying for them!

9.  One: We must be people who are willing to bear the burdens of others.  We can pray with/for the individual.  We can be willing to serve.  Commit to bearing someone’s burden this week!

10.  Two: We must allow others to bear our burdens!  If I refuse to allow you to bear a burden, I’m refusing you an opportunity to be a blessing.  Commit to allowing someone to bear a burden for you this week.

11.  Three: We must carry our own loads.  We must determine what we can do for ourselves and what we need help doing.  Carry your loads yourself and do not burden others.

12.  You could never save yourself.  “When we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom 5:6).  Will you allow Jesus to bear your burden of sin?