FHBC Sermon Notes

Galatians 6:1-10 - What does is mean to be a deacon? How has Christ demonstrated what it truly means to serve?

Intro

In America, do we not lift up as virtue the man of the independent spirit. The master of our fate and captains of our souls. But this spirit is a spirit of the world and not a spirit from God. In this we have been made enemies of God. Yet God sought us out, and for his glory, that we might know if might, grace and glory, demonstrated to us the spirit of God.

To set the tone on this passage. How does it fit with everything else? What is the main point?

Main point: "Bear one another's burdens." (6:2)

We are called to come along each other and help each other bear our burdens. We are not to hold them by ourselves. We are to shoulder that load, to grab a corner and lift. This gives us encouragement and strength. As Martin Luther said, we should work to have broad shoulders and husky bones, to bear those burdens. This is for all of us. There are no exceptions. This is not for pastors and deacons, but for all. We are a family to bear burdens throughout.

There are those however that are called in the church to step out as servants for specific tasks. These servants are called deacons, which in the Greek means just that, servant.

1. What should I bear the burdens of others in the body of Christ?

A. Because God commands it. (6:2) This alone should be enough, but there is more.

B. Because the gospel frees us to serve one another. (5:13) We experience true freedom in life when we serve others.

C. Because it fulfills the law of Christ. (6:2;5:14) Just as Jesus spoke on for the greatest commandments we see that for the law Christ is summed up in the service we demonstrate to one another because of of Christ loved us.

D. Because it promotes fellowship and unity in the Body of Christ. (6:6) It is not about me, it is about we.

E. Because it gives evidence of the Spirit. (5:25-26; 6:7-8) We are doing the Spirit's work, and it is evidence that he is among us..

2. How should I bear the burdens of others in the body of Christ?

A. With selflessness and humility. (6:1) We are never so spiritually mature that we cannot do the menial things. It is not an exercise is humility to say I can do it by myself. We are never above any helping task, and never beyond the need to help either.

B. With good deeds. (6:10) This is not just an attitude thing. It is something that leads us to action. Thinking good thoughts does nothing. Just like we were looking in James this morning in bible study. We are not to be double minded. The heart and the deed are to be in unity.

C. With perseverance. (6:9)

Applications

• We are not to come to church and put on the pretty face. We must expose our burdens to one another. This doesn't mean just sitting in the corner.
• Let us learn from those from those God has given in the role of servants.

This is why we are called to assemble together. To lift up each other. We don't check our burdens at the door. We bring them in, lay them before the cross, to see Gods sufficiency to overcome all we have.




Today I was smothered in the prayers of all the deacons, and of my church as part of my deacon ordination. I prayer that God sustains me for his glory is all of this. His name be praised!