Galatians 5. 16 – 6.1
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.
16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, & you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, & 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, & 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 & desires.
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.
Sermon Outline
I. The Audience
“Brothers … you who are spiritual …”
II. The Command
A. The _________ for restoration
“… anyone caught in any transgression …”
B. Our _________ in restoration
“ … in a spirit of gentleness…”
III. The Warning
“Keep watch on yourself …”
IV. The Gospel
… a bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not quench… – Matthew 12. 20
Sermon Quote & Reference
“The power that Christ has given the Church is for building up, and not for destruction. It is to be exercised under a dispensation of mercy & not of wrath … In this it acts the part of a tender mother, gently correcting her children for their good, that every one of them may be presented faultless in the day of the Lord Jesus.” – BCO, Rules of Discipline
“One test of true spirituality is a readiness to set those who stumble by the wayside on the right road again in a sympathetic spirit … If we cannot do this gently, we had better not do it at all. We should let someone else do it, someone spiritual enough to perform such a delicate task.” – Phil Ryken, Galatians
“Jesus’ mercy is not calculating & cautious, like ours. It is unrestrained, flood-like, sweeping, magnanimous. Our sins do not cause His love to take a hit. Our sins cause His love to surge forward, and His gentleness to be on full display, all the more. It means that on that day when we stand before Him … we will weep with relief, shocked at how impoverished a view of his mercy-rich heart we had.
Jesus is meek. Jesus is humble. Jesus is gentle. Jesus is not trigger-happy. He is not harsh, or reactionary, or easily exasperated. He is the most understanding person in the universe. The posture most natural to him is not a pointed finger but open arms.” – Dane C. Ortlund, Gentle and Lowly