Galatians 5:16-6:1-5
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and 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. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
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. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load. (ESV)
Introduction
• Galatians addresses legalism and the necessity of justification by faith alone.
• Justification is incomplete without sanctification; the Spirit must both justify and sanctify.
• The message covers the Christian walk, care for one another, and the standard of self-examination.
1. The Path of the Spirit (The Internal Life)
The Christian life is not about human willpower but the life of the Spirit.
• The Spirit commands us to walk.
• The Spirit protects us from gratifying the flesh.
• The Spirit wages war against the flesh.
• The Spirit frees us from the law.
• The Spirit shows us the works of the flesh.
• The Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit.
• The Spirit frees us from the law’s condemnation.
• The Spirit calls us to crucify the flesh.
• The Spirit calls us to keep in step.
• The Spirit guards us against conceit.
2. The Burden of the Saints (The External Life)
The Christian life is lived in community as part of the body of Christ.
• The saints should restore the fallen with gentleness.
• The saints must watch themselves.
• The saints must bear burdens.
• The saints must reject conceit.
• The saints must test their own work.
• The saints must bear their own load.
Conclusion
• The Christian life is a life of grace, the Spirit, and community.
• A call to walk in the Spirit, bear burdens, and test one’s own work.