What Grace means… (3 things)

• 1^st – Grace means – helping a brother in need… vs. 1-6 (3 things)
  • 1^st – If you know someone who is struggling with sin – help out… vs. 1-2
    • This is not talking about someone who wants to sin – you can do to help them – just pray…
      • It is hard to see someone destroy their lives with poor sinful choices…
      • Yet there are people who do not want to stop sinning – they like they way they live…
      • And there is really not much you can do for them – but wait – till they are broken…
    • If someone is struggling with sin – and want to stop – then we are called to help them out…
      • Once a person realizes they need to change – sees their sin is destructive…
      • That is when we can – in fact need to – step in and help them in any way we can…
    • By giving them accountability – be willing to ask them the hard questions…
      • If they struggle with lust – have you looked at ‘those pictures’…
      • If they struggle with drinking – ‘have you been tempted to pick up ‘the bottle’…
      • Not so that we can condemn them – but to help them avoid sin!
    • By helping to ‘restore’ them – the word means to mend a broken net – Matthew 4:21
      • Sin tears lives apart – it separates us from our walk with Jesus Christ…
        • When we make a mistake – we feel condemned – like we cannot come to Jesus…
        • That is when we need someone to come along side – and point us to Jesus…
        • Romans 8:1 – “There is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.”
        • Jesus is the in the business of forgiving sins – mending torn up lives!
      • Conviction is good – the work of God’s Spirit telling us not to sin – but repent…
        • Condemnation is bad – focusing on our failures – dwelling on our mistakes…
        • Disappointed – frustrated – that we cannot keep ourselves from sin…
        • When we are focused on our mistakes – we are not looking to Jesus…
        • We are condemning ourselves – even though God says we are NOT guilty…
        • I John 3:20 – “For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart.”
        • If someone is caught up in self loathing / pity over their sins and poor choices…
        • We need to help them get their eyes off themselves – and put them back onto Jesus!
    • But we must be careful not to get pulled into their sin…
      • Often when people are caught up in sin – they are not comfortable coming to church…
      • They think everyone knows – and is talking about ‘what they did’…
      • They fear if they come they will look foolish – so they stay away…
      • So it is our responsibility to go to them – reach them where they are!
      • If they are wandering around the plaza – wander with them…
      • But we do need to be careful – we do not want to get caught up in their sin…
      • Do not get sucked what they are doing – but go and share Jesus with them!
    • By helping carry one another’s ‘burden’- we fulfill the Law of Christ…
      • The word ‘burden’ – means overwhelming / crushing weight…
        • It is the same word used in John 19:17 – of Jesus carrying the cross!
        • When we see our brother – ‘over loaded’ / weighed down we NEED to help…
        • In doing so we fulfill the Law of Christ that Jesus gave us to us…
      • The Law of Christ – is to love each other the way Jesus loved us…
        • John 15:12 – “My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
        • God did not love us only when we did the right thing – He loves us as sinners…
        • Romans 5:8 – “God demonstrates His love … while we were sinners, Christ died for us!”
        • It is easy to love someone who is perfect – is not struggling with sin…
        • But that is not the Love of Christ – we are called to Love sinners!
  • 2^nd – Do not boast in the failures of others… vs. 3-5
    • There are people who like to look down on the mistakes of others…
      • The reason – if they focus on others mistakes – it makes them look better…
      • There are many today who enjoy tearing others down – so they do not look so bad…
      • Want to look tall – stand next to the short guy / white – next to the dark guy…
      • If you want to look ‘good’ point out all the sin of the ‘bad’ guy…
      • Did you even notice how people love to gossip about those who are sinning…
      • As though somehow they are more righteous – because at least they are ‘not as bad’…
    • But they are deceiving themselves – and need to examine their own lives…
      • Whenever we try to ‘justify’ ourselves – we end up having to lower God’s standards…
      • Looking for people who are worse sinners than we are – so we look better!
      • Assume because we are more ‘Godly’ than there are – we are a good person…
      • But God does not grade on a curve – He has only one standard – His Word…
      • And compared to God’s standard – all of us are in desperate need of Jesus!
    • So do not rejoice in others failure – we are ultimately only responsible for our own actions…
      • We must all carry our own ‘burden’ – different word – it means fair portion…
      • The truth is we will all stand before Jesus – and be accountable for our lives…
      • So rather than focusing on what others are doing right or wrong…
      • We need to make sure we are walking pure and holy before the Lord!
  • 3^rd – Provide for those who teach the Word… vs. 6
    • One of the best ways to help those overcome by sin – teaching the Word of God…
      • The only thing that sin does well – is separate us from God
      • The Bible will keep you from sin – sin will keep you from the Bible!
      • Psalms 119:11–“Your word I have hidden in my heart, I might not sin against You!”
    • Those who ‘instruct’ others in the Word of God – should be paid for their work…
      • As much as possible a pastor should be provided for practically by those within the church
      • I Timothy 5:18 / Matthew 10:10 – “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
      • If a pastor has to work to support himself practically – little time for the church…
      • It is a blessing to the people to provide for the pastor to free him up to minister
• 2^nd – Grace means – we do not get away with sin… vs. 7-10 (3 things)
  • 1^st – God is not mocked – sin comes with a price… vs. 7
    • Paul warns us not be deceived – we cannot ‘turn our nose up’ at God…
      • Many assume they are ‘ok’ because God does not immediately punish them…
      • They make mistake of interpreting God’s ‘patience’ for God’s ‘acceptance’…
      • When we see the wicked/godless/evil men of the world prosper – we wonder…
      • Where is the justice of God – where is His judgment against sin…
      • Just because God has not judged yet – does not mean God will not judge…
      • Psalm 73:16-17 – “So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!  Then one day I went into your sanctuary… and I thought about the destiny of the wicked.”
    • God is patient – longsuffering – giving time to repent and turn back to Him…
      • God waits to punish sin only because He loves the sinner – II Peter 3:9
      • God is patient – longsuffering – to give time to repent and turn back to Him…
      • But if we harden our hearts – choose not to repent – our sin will not remain hidden
      • Numbers 32:22 – “Be sure your sin will find you out…”
  • 2^nd – Sowing to the flesh / sowing to the Spirit… vs. 8
    • Paul uses the analogy of sowing and reaping…
      • If you plant a kalamansi seed in the ground – you are going to reap kalamansi…
      • You do not expect to plant a kalamansi seed – and harvest papaya!
    • In the same way we will reap what we sow in our life…
      • If we sow to the flesh – sexual sins / idolatry / jealously and anger / partying…
        • Then it should come as no surprise that we reap corruption / destruction…
        • Whether it is some disease / prison / fight / death – sin will destroy our life…
        • And in the end it will keep us out of heaven – we will miss out on eternal life!
      • If we sow to the spirit – spending our time with Jesus / in the Word…
        • Then it should come as no surprise that we reap life / blessings…
        • We become Godly men – with Godly wives and children – blessed in all we do…
        • And in the end – we will inherit eternal life – forever with Jesus!
  • 3^rd – Therefore do not stop doing what is good… vs. 9-10
    • A harvest does not happen the day after you plant the fruit…
      • You do not plant a seed – and expect there to be fruit on the branches in the morning…
      • And if you sat there and waited for the plant to grow – you would likely give up!
      • The solution is to keep busy – weeding / plowing – in time the fruit will come…
      • So often we want to see the good fruit from our efforts right now!
      • When the fruit does not come – we get tired – assuming nothing will every happen…
      • It is easy to get frustrated with the failures in our Christian walk…
      • It can be tempting to want to ‘give up’ – thinking things will never change…
    • Do not give up – good fruit takes time and patience to grow…
      • Psalm 1:1-3 – “Blessed is the man… delight is in he Law of the Lord… he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in its season.”
      • As we attend church / read our Bibles / pray – changes do happen – slowly…
      • Rather than looking for the fruit – we just need to keep busy serving Jesus…
      • As we are faithful to abide in Jesus – stand up for His Word…
      • In God’s time we will bear great fruit – be used powerfully for the Lord!
      • So keep doing good – especially to those who are brother and sisters in the Lord!
• 3^rd – Grace means – it is all about Jesus… vs. 11-18 (3 things)
  • 1^st – See what large letters I have written to you… vs. 11
    • We know Paul dictated most of his letters to the churches – Romans 16:22
    • It is believe that Paul had a problem with his eyes – a severe infection…
    • But Paul concludes this letter by personally writing the last 7 verses…
    • And his handwriting was in ‘large letters’ – because he could not see very well…
    • Proof he wrote this final section – to emphasize its importance to the church!
  • 2^nd – The reason for teaching legalism… vs. 12-13
    • The Judaizers only taught the Law – because they did not want to be persecuted…
      • They knew if they stood up for the cross – they would be mocked…
      • One of the first questions you get when you walk about Jesus – ‘what is your religion’…
      • Ever wonder why people are so defensive about their ‘religion’…
      • It is not because they are so convinced they are right…
      • It is because they want to blend in – they do not want to be made fun of!
    • Yet even those who are teach the religion (circumcised) – do not keep their rules (Law)…
      • The evidence that people are not convinced of their religion is in their actions…
      • The same person who is adamant about their religion – do not even go to church!
    • They may even try to convince you to believe their religion…
      • But it is only so that they can brag about you – rather than be convicted by you…
      • If you accept religion – then it strengthens their position…
      • The more people who are on their side – the more convinced they are they are right…
      • In contrast if you stand by Jesus – then they are convicted by your relationship with God!
  • 3^rd – Boasting only in Jesus Christ… vs. 14-18
    • Paul did not brag about religion – he only boasted in Jesus Christ…
      • Because there is not a single religion (circumcision) that can save you…
      • It does not matter if you belong to this church or that church…
      • All that matters is the new life you have by grace through faith in Jesus Christ!
      • II Corinthians 5:17 – “ If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation…”
    • Those who follow this rule are the ‘Israel’ (people) of God…
      • The whole purpose of belonging to a religion / denomination – is to be accepted by God…
      • Almost every ‘church’ out there claims they are ‘the church of God’…
      • But it is not about your religion – or your works – that is not what makes you God’s people…
      • THE CHURCH of GOD – are those who have a living relationship with Jesus Christ…
    • I bear in my body the marks of Jesus…
      • In Roman times – a slave would be ‘branded’ with the mark of his master…
        • Much the same way we ‘brand’ cattle today with the mark of their owner…
        • Paul was saying he was ‘branded’ by Jesus Christ – he belonged to God…
        • Referring to the ‘marks’ from his beatings he received for his faith – II Corinthians 11
      • What mark do we carry – who owns us…
        • Are we still bound up in sin – in bondage to our flesh – Romans 6:16
        • Are we still bound up in empty religion – foolishly thinking rules make us right with God
        • Or do we carry the mark of Jesus – do we show the new life we have in Christ…
        • Maybe the fruit is slow in coming – but are confident we are the people of God!
    • The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you in Spirit – Amen!