Galatians 6:1-10

Order of Service

• Call to Worship — Ephesians 1:3-14
• Hymn — O Father, You Are Sovereign (#75)
• Prayer of Invocation
• Westminster Shorter Catechism — Questions 92 & 93
• Hymn — Blessed Are the Sons of God (#526)
• Pastoral Prayer
• Sermon
• Hymn — Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah (#598)
• Benediction — 2 Corinthians 13:14

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Sermon Title: The Arena, Attitude, and Activity of New Spiritual Life

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-10

I. The Arena of New Spiritual Life

A. Paul addresses the church as "brothers," situating new life within the community of believers

1. The Greek word adelphoi (brothers/sisters) signals Paul is writing as a member of the church to fellow members
2. The "law of Christ" in verse 2 echoes John 13, where Jesus commands his disciples to love one another — a love directed first within the fellowship of believers

B. The primary arena is the local church — specifically the household of faith (Galatians 6:10)

1. Concentric circles extend outward: local, regional, national, international church
2. Broadly, the arena includes all people ("do good to everyone"), but the church is the first priority

C. A second arena is before God himself (Galatians 6:7)

1. God is not mocked — he sees all thoughts, words, and deeds (Matthew 6; Hebrews 4:13)
2. He rewards what he sees, whether a life sown to flesh or to spirit
3. New spiritual life is ultimately lived to the praise of his glory (Ephesians 1)

II. The Attitude of New Spiritual Life

A. Restoration of a sinning brother or sister requires a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1)

1. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit already named in chapter 5, now applied practically
2. There is no room for pride, self-congratulation, or lording it over an erring brother or sister

B. Self-watchfulness is essential (Galatians 6:1)

1. We keep watch on ourselves because we know our own susceptibility to temptation
2. The one focused only on others' sin is like a woman watching out the front window while an intruder enters the back door

C. Right thinking about oneself guards against self-deception (Galatians 6:3)

1. The Galatians were blinded by works-focused living, unable to see their true condition
2. The Spirit, through the word, teaches us to see ourselves rightly — as Paul did, calling himself the chief of sinners

D. Testing one's own work is done through Christ, not by comparison with neighbors (Galatians 6:4)

1. Christ kept the law perfectly, setting the highest standard of holiness
2. His righteousness is imputed to believers; his cross shows us what our sin deserves
3. Calvin: the Christian has good reason to boast — not against a neighbor, but in the full work of Christ and the Spirit's forming of Christ within us (Ephesians 2:10)

III. The Activity of New Spiritual Life

A. Bearing burdens includes addressing known sin (Galatians 6:2)

1. Calvin: the burdens of verse 2 are the weaknesses and sins under which we groan
2. To overlook a known, serious sin is more harmful to a brother's soul than the discomfort of confronting it — illustrated by Nathan confronting David
3. Discernment is needed: not policing every move, but acting when sin has a hold, affects witness, or endangers others
4. The model for this process is Matthew 18

B. Restoration is the goal of addressing sin (Galatians 6:1)

1. The Greek word for "restore" carries the sense of setting a broken bone or resetting a dislocated joint — putting back into proper order
2. We move toward the erring brother or sister, not away; we are mindful of tone, posture, and nonverbal communication
3. We recall them to the gospel, to repentance, and to look upon Christ again

C. Generous sharing of burdens is part of the one-another life (Galatians 6:2, 6)

1. The fallen world brings unexpected loss, doubt, anxiety, and loneliness — no one bears these alone
2. Help may take the form of financial aid, a meal, presence, or a shared "me too"
3. Specifically, the local church is to support generously those who teach the word (Galatians 6:6)

D. Sowing to the spirit, not to the flesh, yields eternal life (Galatians 6:7-8)

1. Sowing to the flesh serves only self and only the temporal — it runs counter to one-another life
2. Sowing to the spirit is living now in view of eternity, keeping in step with the Spirit — the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit lived out
3. Illustration: as a child places his feet on his father's feet and is carried along, so believers move in concert with the Spirit who leads and works spiritual life into us

E. Perseverance in doing good is commanded (Galatians 6:9-10)

1. Do not grow weary — in due season there will be a harvest
2. Do good to everyone, and especially to those of the household of faith