Galatians 5. 13-15, 25- 26; 6. 1-5
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.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
6.1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.
Sermon Quotes & References
“Let’s face it – you are a burden. And so am I. And that’s good news. Why? Because it pulls the covers off of our suffocating pride & announces to the world that we can’t do life on your own. You & I need community. God places us, strategically & intentionally, into natural families & spiritual families. We are made for cities, not remote self-sufficient farms. We need each other.” – TM Suffield, “You Are a Burden”
“Christians who have suffered soon learn the difference between those who bear their wounds & those who aggravate them—those who help heal their sorrows & those who make them worse. So often what people want in their suffering is to be treated gently & to allow their hearts & burdens to heal at a slow but manageable pace. Though time does not heal all wounds, wounds cannot heal without time. What can often hinder healing is exposure caused by curiosity & correction rather than compassion.” – Tim Challies, “Are You Bearing the Wound or Aggravating It?”
“Sin makes us operate on this principle: “Your life for me. I’m going to make you sacrifice for me, for my interests, for my self-image. You must sacrifice your needs to serve mine.” But Jesus Christ came into the world saying, “My life for you. My life to serve you. My life poured out for you. I sacrifice for you.” He says that those are the two ways you can live your life, and every single day—every hour—you decide to operate on one of those principles. All real love is a substitutionary sacrifice—my life for yours. And that’s what Paul tells us: “You can live life that way, and go into relationships that way—my life for yours. Or you can go the old way, the way of self- deception & pride —your life for mine.” – Timothy Keller, “Your Main Problem is Not Other People”