Galatians: Starting Over {Yet Again} Anticipation

You are not under OT Law You are under NT Grace

Law produces hypocrisy (Peter) Pride and Insecurity You can't live up to it And weren't meant to

Doing religious things for God And walking away from God Produce the same result: Works of the Flesh - Galatians 5

Trusting Jesus Following by faith Empowered by his Spirit Produces: Fruit of the Spirit

How does church go wrong When it comes to Community?

What does Grace look like In Community?

Is it Performance-oriented?

Is it Performance-oriented? Is it acceptance of Self-destructive habits?

Is it Performance-oriented? Is it acceptance of Self-destructive habits? Is it Condemnation?

God calls his church to be People of Restoration In Restoration Community No one is Greater But each helps the other

We approach Church Not with expectations To be lived up to But anticipation of what God will do. And our part in it

We were made to Walk in Community Not with expectation But with anticipation

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness

Who is Paul talking to?

Who is Paul talking to? Not just leadership

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness

No sin-sniffing Pharisees Caught: "Unable to escape on your own"

"Well, that's what you deserve" There's no blame or Fault-finding

The moment the church becomes about what you deserve It's no longer the church of Jesus

…you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness Walking with Submitting to, Led by

Resume isn't the issue (Peter)

Resume isn't the issue (Peter) Spitting verses & theology= No

Resume isn't the issue (Peter) Spitting verses & theology= No Number of years doesn't matter

Those who are Spiritual: Led by God/discerning, Humble, Looking to Restore

…you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness

(Probably not FB or Prayer Time) Set it right (as they allow) Restoration is always the goal Creation, Fall, Redemption…

Engage: Community of Restoration - Can't ignore that which hurts Another person - Won't look down on or Force it on them

In the cross of Jesus, We are forgiven of all sin But we aren't free from the Consequences of sin

And because we Love God and Love People We seek to restore To help one another in the Faith It's an obligation

…you who are spiritual - Spirit-led so I can discern - Loving enough to engage - Restoration-oriented - Gentle in Grace

And all of this comes from What God's Spirit Produces in me as I Carry a cross and follow Christ

This…This!...is why It's so important that we Walk with Jesus daily Rather than fake it on Sunday

Hey, Spiritual Dude- careful! Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

Pride: Loving the position of Helper More than the person in need Better than…holier-than-thou Level ground, Same grace

Bear one another's burdens… Carry the weight alongside We don't just write Prescriptions- We walk together

Not just in areas of sin Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep - Romans 12:15

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ We are under Law

We are under Law …the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself" - James 2:8

OT Law: To Jews Blessings and Cursings (Land) Impossible Shows need for Jesus

NT Law: 1 Thing- Love. God and People ALL People- who's my neighbor? Not for approval, but from it No cursings By Christ's power and leading

Love I will seek what is in Your best interests Whether you deserve it or not Even if it costs me to do so

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ

We were made to Walk in Community Not with expectation- receiving But with anticipation- giving

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ Other's-centered living

For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself

"I don't need anyone!" Why should I allow my pride To cheat you out of helping?

"I'm the guy who sniffs out sin And brings everyone back" Jesus is hero And everything I have Comes from him

But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor

Pride and insecurity both come From the same place: Comparison

I'm the woman who Fixes people. I don't struggle with… Like she does!

I can't believe I needed help. How come everyone else Seems so put together?

…when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are unwise - 2 Cor. 10:12

For each will have to bear his own load Burdens= can't carry alone Loads= can't share with others

True View: - All I have is from God - All my identity is in God - I am fully accepted by God

Not because I'm awesome But because God loves me And sent his Son to die for me

We were made to Walk in Community Not with expectation- receiving But with anticipation- giving

Do I approach Community Looking to find problems? Or praying and anticipating For God to work in hearts- And to involve me in it?

Am I known so that Fellow believers can engage me And help me as we both walk In the grace of our King?

Next Steps: - Get known in Community - Pray for God to work As we meet And be available as he leads

Let's Pray…

Questions, Comments Disagreements

Spaghetti and Candy!!!