November 20-26
Finding Freedom - Galatians 5:26-6:18
All I Have is Christ
November 25, 2022 • Olivia Tew • Galatians 6:14
But as I ran my hell-bound race Indifferent to the cost You looked upon my helpless state And led me to the cross And I beheld God's love displayed You suffered in my place You bore the wrath reserved for me Now all I know is grace Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life Hallelujah! All I have is Christ Hallelujah! Jesus is my life —"All I Have is Christ” by Sovereign Grace Ministry As we finish up this study of Galatians I’m struck with one of Paul’s final words of instruction to the church: "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14 After all of Paul’s exhortations to deny the works of the flesh, to live in the Spirit and help others to do so too, he brings us back to the most important thing: the cross. Our works won’t justify us. Our successful ministries or good deeds don't make us worthy. In fact, we could never be worthy. We’re too sinful. The beauty of Paul’s words lie in the idea that we can live in the Freedom of the cross. We are FREE from the expectation to be perfect. We are FREE from our own judgmental tendencies. We are FREE from the desires of our flesh. We are FREE from comparing ourselves to others. We are FREE. We are FREE. Because of the cross of our Lord Jesus, WE ARE FREE. Hallelujah!
The Greatest Good
November 24, 2022 • Olivia Tew • Galatians 6:9
As we’re fast approaching the Christmas season, we are sure to be inundated with images of the perfectly quaffed Mary riding a donkey into Bethlehem, Joseph patiently leading the way. While we could take a deep dive into the historical accuracy of all these accounts, I think we can agree Joseph and Mary were probably very tired. They would not only be tired from a long journey, but from the months of emotional tumult leading up to the birth of Jesus: scandal, rumors, angelic visions, new marriage, and a baby on the way. In Galatians 6:9 Paul encourages us: “and lets us not lose heart and grow weary in doing good…” This original text for “lose heart” is a term often used in reference to a woman in labor, fearful and anxious for the arrival of her baby. I think Paul realized even when we are doing good it’s not always quick and easy. Sometimes things take a lot of time, and we could find ourselves frustrated and afraid, wondering if all our good work is for nothing. Paul himself experienced many setbacks and moments of frustration in his ministry to the church. Back to our famous couple, Mary and Joseph. I’m sure they often found themselves overwhelmed. They had the amazing privilege and frightening responsibility of birthing the messiah into the world! I’m sure they could have easily found themselves at risk of “losing heart.” I like to think they would have leaned hard on the promises in the Scriptures. Let’s think on a few as we begin wrapping up our week! "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:5,6 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:13
Seeds of the Spirit
November 23, 2022 • Olivia Tew • Galatians 6:7–8
Have you ever been with a person who overflows with joy? It's apparent on their face, in their speech, and it spills over to the people around them. It’s not a giddy happiness, but a deep contentment. Most of the people I personally know with this trait have been through some REALLY tough circumstances. Their joy is rooted so deeply within, the small things don’t seem to bother them. In contrast, I think we can all think of the “dark cloud” people. Those who remind you of the old Peanut’s character, Pig Pen. A swirl of unhappiness just follows them around. This kind of attitude can be contagious too! Galatians 6:7-8 brings up the idea of sowing and reaping. A lot of us in the church have been directed to these verses with regard to our tithes and offerings. And while I think there’s value in that line of thinking, I think the richness of these verses lies in verse 8. "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." We know the fruit of living in the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. How amazing it is to think of these things in terms of sowing and reaping. Sowing love and joy and reaping ETERNAL LIFE! And better yet, when we live in this way it overflows to the people around us. Sowing seeds of the Spirit- one of the greatest joys of our walk with Jesus. Some questions to think about today: 1. Would the people around me describe me as overflowing in good things (love, joy, peace, etc.)? 2. Would the people around me describe me as a “Pig Pen” or “Debbie Downer?” 3. What is one thing I can do today to sow a seed of the Spirit?
Lean on Me
November 22, 2022 • Olivia Tew • Galatians 6:2
When I was a kid, my family did a lot of hiking. Our ventures would range from a few-hour excursion to an all-day event. While my parents did take into account our ages and abilities, they didn’t let them stand in the way of some really tough hikes. I was not a fan. In fact, there are still many family stories in circulation regarding my accusations of child abuse and refusal to walk “even one more step.” The summer before eighth grade my parents decided the kids were old enough to take on an overnight backpacking trip. This meant days upon days of hiking and now we had to wear packs! Maybe I had built up enough endurance or a teeny tiny bit of maturity had snuck in, but I was actually excited! We bought our packs, our trekking poles and all the supplies. We practiced on the ¼ mile trails in our backwoods, all geared up and ready for the big trip. My parents cautioned and stressed, “No extras! Keep your packs light!” My pack was exactly fifteen pounds. It felt so easy and light FOR THE FIRST MILE. As we traveled, my pack felt heavier and heavier. My shoulders started hurting, my neck strained. My fifteen-pound pack felt like fifty. I looked at my dad carrying his enormous pack, full of food for six people and marveled. And then something amazing happened: when we stopped for a rest my dad strapped my pack onto his! I was able to finish our day’s hike, rest and wake up ready to start again. “Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 Whenever I read this verse, I think about that backpacking trip. The freedom I felt having that load taken from my back, the ease at which I finished our hike is something I can still feel to this day. When we think about Galatians 6:1 and our brothers and sisters who’ve been “overtaken with wrongdoing” I imagine that day on the trail. I can see them struggling under the weight of a heavy pack. If I can unburden them by working through their sin with them, bringing it into the light of God’s word and walking them back into fellowship with Jesus, then I’ll gladly bear that load. I know the freedom it brings; both physically and spiritually! "Lean on me When you're not strong And I'll be your friend I'll help you carry on... For it won't be long Till I'm gonna need somebody to lean on." —Bill Withers
Back to Health
November 21, 2022 • Olivia Tew • Galatians 6:1
Earlier this year my youngest son broke his hand. Amazingly, after twelve years of raising boys, this was the first broken bone in our house! When the school called to tell me he was hurt, I honestly didn’t think much of it. This kid is my tough guy; my ‘brush it off and keep playing’ kid. When I arrived, my heart sank. He was pale and dirty. He was clutching his wrist and refusing to move it. He said very little, but his face said it all. When we saw the orthopedic doctor the next day his hand and wrist had to be placed in a very specific position to ensure optimal healing. This was extremely painful for my son as he had to hold this position for the entirety of the casting process. When it was finished the acute pain was gone, but he needed to handle his hand and arm with a lot of caution and care. In Galatians 5 Paul took us through all the “works of the flesh” we should guard against, and the consequences of falling into these sins. As we kick off Galatians 6, he gives instructions on how to “handle” someone who has fallen into sin: “…if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit…” (vs. 1) The original translation of the word ‘restore’ is "katartizete." It means to set in joint, like a dislocated or broken bone. In most cases setting a dislocated joint is very painful at first. Then after, the joint requires tender care, with lots of ice and rest. I love this image when I think about this verse in Galatians. Calling out a sin in another’s life can be really painful at first. Keeping that in mind, our approach is direct, but takes methodical care like a specialized physician. We use caution to not injure our brother or sister further, while making sure they have the proper parameters in place to completely heal. What a wonderful expression of Christ’s love to treat sin in the lives of our church family with the same compassion as a dislocated shoulder or broken leg. We address the problem with a thoughtful approach to bring them back into the fullness of fellowship with Christ and the Church.