Living Out Goodness: Spiritual and Physical Care
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the concept of goodness as one of the fruits of the Spirit, focusing on how it manifests in our lives and impacts our community. We began by reflecting on the importance of spiritual care, emphasizing that when someone is caught in sin, our role is to restore them gently, being cautious not to fall into the same temptations. This act of restoration is a demonstration of God's goodness through us. We also discussed the importance of carrying each other's burdens, which fulfills the law of Christ, and how this command is both simple and challenging.
We then explored the necessity of physical care, particularly in supporting those who instruct us in the Word. This includes financial support and sharing our gifts, which is a tangible expression of goodness. Paul’s reminder that "God cannot be mocked" underscores the principle that we will reap what we sow, whether we live by the flesh or by the Spirit. This is not about earning salvation but about living a life that reflects our faith.
Finally, we were encouraged not to grow weary in doing good. Paul’s exhortation to persist in goodness, even when we don't see immediate results, is a call to dedication. This dedication is especially important within our church community, where we are to prioritize doing good to those who belong to the family of believers. The message concluded with a reminder that living out God's goodness requires both spiritual and physical care, and a steadfast commitment to not give up.
### Key Takeaways
1. Spiritual Care and Restoration: When someone is caught in sin, our responsibility is to restore them gently, reflecting God's grace and mercy. This requires us to be cautious not to fall into the same temptations, emphasizing the importance of spiritual care within the community. Restoration should be done with compassion, aiming for the sinner's return to a righteous path. [27:43]
2. Carrying Each Other's Burdens: Fulfilling the law of Christ involves carrying each other's burdens, which means looking out for those who are struggling and offering help. This act of goodness is a practical demonstration of love and support within the church, ensuring that no one walks alone in their struggles. [34:08]
3. Physical Care and Support: Supporting those who instruct us in the Word, including financial support, is a vital aspect of living out God's goodness. This principle extends to sharing our gifts and resources with others, ensuring that the needs of the community are met. [42:24]
4. Reaping What We Sow: The principle that we will reap what we sow serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences. Living by the Spirit leads to eternal life, while living by the flesh leads to destruction. This underscores the importance of making choices that reflect our faith and commitment to God. [45:08]
5. Dedication to Doing Good: Persistence in doing good, even when results are not immediately visible, is crucial. Paul encourages us not to grow weary, as the harvest will come in due time. This dedication is especially important within the church, where we are called to prioritize doing good to fellow believers. [47:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[12:52] - Announcements
[14:51] - Opening Prayer
[20:12] - Scripture Reading: Galatians 6:1-10
[21:10] - Introduction to Goodness
[22:08] - Reading Galatians 5:22-23
[22:56] - Living Out Goodness: Spiritual Care
[27:43] - Restoring Gently
[34:08] - Carrying Each Other's Burdens
[42:24] - Living Out Goodness: Physical Care
[45:08] - Reaping What We Sow
[47:06] - Dedication to Doing Good
[51:05] - Closing Prayer
[56:30] - Benediction and Closing Hymn
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
- Galatians 6:1-10
### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 6:1, what is the responsibility of those who are spiritual when someone is caught in sin? How should they approach the situation? [27:43]
2. What does Galatians 6:2 mean by "carrying each other's burdens," and how does this fulfill the law of Christ? [34:08]
3. In Galatians 6:7-8, Paul talks about reaping what we sow. What are the two outcomes he describes based on whether we live by the flesh or by the Spirit? [45:08]
4. What encouragement does Paul give in Galatians 6:9-10 about doing good, and who should we prioritize in our acts of goodness? [47:06]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the act of restoring someone gently, as mentioned in Galatians 6:1, reflect God's grace and mercy? Why is it important to be cautious not to fall into the same temptations? [27:43]
2. What practical steps can a church community take to effectively carry each other's burdens as described in Galatians 6:2? How does this act demonstrate love and support within the church? [34:08]
3. How does the principle of reaping what we sow in Galatians 6:7-8 apply to our daily lives? What are some examples of living by the Spirit versus living by the flesh? [45:08]
4. Why is it important to persist in doing good even when immediate results are not visible, as Paul encourages in Galatians 6:9-10? How can this dedication impact our church community? [47:06]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you had to restore someone gently who was caught in sin. How did you approach the situation, and what did you learn from it? How can you apply this experience to future situations? [27:43]
2. Identify a person in your church community who seems to be struggling. What specific actions can you take this week to help carry their burdens and fulfill the law of Christ? [34:08]
3. Think about your daily choices and actions. Are there areas in your life where you are sowing to please the flesh rather than the Spirit? What changes can you make to align more closely with living by the Spirit? [45:08]
4. Have you ever felt weary in doing good because you didn't see immediate results? How can you stay motivated and dedicated to doing good, especially within your church community? [47:06]
5. Consider the financial and physical support you provide to those who instruct you in the Word. Are there ways you can increase your support or share your gifts more effectively? [42:24]
6. How can you cultivate a habit of looking out for those who need help in your church community? What practical steps can you take to ensure no one walks alone in their struggles? [34:08]
7. Reflect on the importance of not giving up in doing good. What are some specific ways you can encourage others in your church to persist in their acts of goodness? [47:06]
Devotional
Day 1: Gentle Restoration in Community
When someone is caught in sin, our responsibility is to restore them gently, reflecting God's grace and mercy. This requires us to be cautious not to fall into the same temptations, emphasizing the importance of spiritual care within the community. Restoration should be done with compassion, aiming for the sinner's return to a righteous path. [27:43]
Galatians 6:1 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be struggling with sin. How can you approach them with gentleness and compassion to help restore them?
Day 2: Bearing Each Other's Burdens
Fulfilling the law of Christ involves carrying each other's burdens, which means looking out for those who are struggling and offering help. This act of goodness is a practical demonstration of love and support within the church, ensuring that no one walks alone in their struggles. [34:08]
Galatians 6:2 (ESV): "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
Reflection: Identify a person in your church or community who is going through a tough time. What specific action can you take today to help carry their burden?
Day 3: Supporting Those Who Teach
Supporting those who instruct us in the Word, including financial support, is a vital aspect of living out God's goodness. This principle extends to sharing our gifts and resources with others, ensuring that the needs of the community are met. [42:24]
1 Timothy 5:17-18 (ESV): "Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.'"
Reflection: Consider how you can support your church leaders and teachers. Is there a way you can contribute financially or offer your time and talents to assist them?
Day 4: The Principle of Sowing and Reaping
The principle that we will reap what we sow serves as a reminder that our actions have consequences. Living by the Spirit leads to eternal life, while living by the flesh leads to destruction. This underscores the importance of making choices that reflect our faith and commitment to God. [45:08]
Galatians 6:7-8 (ESV): "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."
Reflection: Reflect on your recent actions and decisions. Are they sowing to the Spirit or to the flesh? What changes can you make to ensure you are sowing seeds that lead to eternal life?
Day 5: Persistence in Doing Good
Persistence in doing good, even when results are not immediately visible, is crucial. Paul encourages us not to grow weary, as the harvest will come in due time. This dedication is especially important within the church, where we are called to prioritize doing good to fellow believers. [47:06]
Galatians 6:9-10 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith."
Reflection: Think of a good deed or act of service you have been doing without seeing immediate results. How can you renew your commitment to this act of goodness, trusting that the harvest will come in God's timing?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "As God has showed his goodness and mercy and love, so we must do the same. It's much of the Christian life. Look at Jesus, look what he's done for us and we do the same. And I tell you this, you don't have to look far and you will find someone you can show goodness to, even in our local church." [35:52] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Living out God's goodness to others is shown by spiritual care. In verse 1, it seems Paul calls us to something very obvious. He calls out something very obvious in the Galatian church. If anyone is overtaken in sin, if anyone has sinned, if anyone has slipped into sin, if anyone is in a sin battle, the church as a whole should restore that person with grace and mercy and compassion." [28:22] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Let us not become weary in doing good. For at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have every opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." [23:33] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Living out God's goodness to others is shown through physical care. This verse is interesting. Scholars and pastors widely across the country, across the board, believe this verse is actually touching on caring for the financial needs of your pastor." [42:24] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Living out God's goodness requires dedication. Much of Paul's letter up to this point has been stern exhortation. And he almost, he pulls back at the end here. And he concludes the section of the letter by saying three simple words that can sum up the whole life of the believer. If I could tell people in our church who are struggling, these were the three words that I would say. Don't give up." [48:11] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Paul says, if there are some of you in the church, who think they are better than the sinner or better than the person who may need help, you're actually tricking yourself. You're deceiving yourself. Romans 3.23 tells us this, for all have sinned, every single one of us, and fallen short of the glory of God. We're no better than the other. From the moment we were born, we are no better. We have been born in a sinful nature." [36:52] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "See, Paul gives a stern warning at the end of verse 1, though. He says that, restore them gently, but he says this, be careful. Be careful that you do not join them in their sin. See, it's so easy to slip into sin out of compassion for others." [29:02] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Paul says, look into your own life, examine it. See, I know personally, I have a problem with pride. I struggle with it, and I've told you this before, and I will say it again, one of the biggest downfalls in my walk with Jesus is my desire to take credit for things he is obviously giving to me or doing in my life." [38:28] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "I think the greatest privilege as a pastor one day for myself will be to see the church serve each other. That's the greatest gift that I could see. And so that's our heart's desire here at Friesland Community Church as well." [44:16] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And so I end with three words that Paul says and is a theme throughout the scriptures. Don't give up. Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for your word. Thank you that it's sharp and that it pierces our hearts. And I've read this sermon countless times this week and it still pierces my heart straight to the core." [51:05] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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