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Walking In The SpiritThe story is told of a young man who wanted to marry the farmer’s beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, "Son, go stand out in that field, and I’m going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter." The young man stood in the pasture waiting for the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He quickly decided that one of the next bulls may be a better choice than this one, so he ran to the side and let the bull through the back gate. The barn door opened again. Unbelievable! He had never seen anything so big and mean in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. So again he ran to side and let the bull pass through the pasture. The door opened a third time and a smile came across the young man’s face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was HIS bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment - he grabbed . . . . . only to find the bull had no tail! Ok, Pastor Rich, what's your point? Have you ever made foolish choices? Maybe it was a bad financial decision, or like this young man you waited for just the right opportunity only to find out you should have jumped sooner? Well, I think we can all relate, we have all missed out on opportunities, we have all looked for something to come along that would be a little easer and we have all made foolish decisions. As we continue our studies in Galatians the Apostle Paul is painting a picture to the churches in the area of Galatia. A picture of Jesus Christ, and how he works within the church, how he moves in a man's life, and how he functions in a woman's heart. The Galatians were being led astray by some people who sounded spiritual but were taking them away from the heart of Jesus. They told the Galatians, that a closer relationship with God – came only by keeping of Jewish customs, and laws that sounded spiritual, but in reality they were legalistic. So Paul will tell them. Gal 3:11 Clearly no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith." It is not what we do that makes us closer to the Lord, it is not human efforts that bring us to deeper ministry, or gives us a more effective wittiness, rather we live by faith. So in the text we will consider today Paul chasten this church to get back to their roots, go back to what they knew and forget those Judiezers who were giving them rules, and rituals. READ THE TEXT GALATIANS 3:1-5 WALKING IN THE SPIRIT 1. DON'T WALK IN FOOLISHNESS. V1 I”m sure every one of us can think of a time when we were led astray in some area. It may have been that you were led astray into sin. Or when you made some bad decisions, or like the Galatians you were led astray into legalism. Be that as it may, like the Galatians churches, we were bewitched, oh not that someone twitched their nose and cast a spell on us, but we walked away from the simplicity of walking in the Holy Spirit. Isa 58:11 The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. When we walk in the Spirit, we are like a - “well watered garden.” Producing good fruit according to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in John 16:13 that the Holy Spirit will be our “Guide.” Guiding us into the truth that: “The Righteous / the Just/ shall live by faith.” The Galatians were not walking in the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Lord desires to guide you every step, he wants to lead you in paths of righteousness, for his name sake. Yet like the Galatians many have been foolish. Its foolish to take what began as a work of faith, and in then try to live by legalism. Legalism has always been around. During Jesus time the Pharisees had become experts in legalism, they had 613 laws, 365 negative commands and 248 positive rules. In contrast Jesus Christ gave us the command of love: Love God and love one another. The religious leaders of Jesus day had were heartless, cold, and arrogant because legalism has to continually add new laws for new situations. Legalism takes accountability to God and replaces it by accountability to men. Legalism reduces a person’s ability to discern and creates a judgmental spirit. It creates a false standard of righteousness, and legalism becomes a burden to whoever wants to follow it. Like the story of a young pastor who found the roads blocked by snow one Sunday morning so he strapped on his cross country skis and headed out to church. When he arrived the elders of the church were horrified that their preacher had skied on the Lord’s day. After the service they held a meeting where the pastor explained that it was either ski to church or not go at all. Finally one elder asked, “Well, Did you enjoy it?” When the preacher answered, “No,” the board decided it was all right! When you were saved, and many in this room remember the exact place and date that the light went on and you turned to Jesus as your Lord and Savior. When you were saved, did you accomplish that by any human effort? No, it was the working of the Spirit. Many of us didn't even realize what we were doing -- all we knew was that we were far from God and we had a hunger for the this offer of salvation. So by faith, we prayed, by faith we confessed, by faith we repented, and by God's grace we began to walk in the Spirit. The Galatians churches, who had that same kind of Spirit filled experience, began to try to live for God - by human effort. Thinking that the keeping of religious rules, regulations, and practices was what what God wanted. Mic 6:8 He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. God has always looked for the woman or the man ruled by justice, mercy and humility before rules. Jesus gave the story we call “the parable of the Good Samaritan.” And that story was a response to a religious leader's question -- "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" So Jesus tests him and asks him, "What is written in the Law?" Then this Scribe said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" Jesus said, “great” - then exhorted him to "Go out and do it.” But this lawyer wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "Sooo – just who is my neighbor ?" That is when the Lord tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. Where two religious -legalistic men, did not help a man in need. But a Samaritan who was not considered a full human by the Jews, had compassion on a man in need. In part that story tells us that we serve God by serving other people. See there are people who think you serve God by self denial, or by living by rules and denying our bodies. Like the Hindu who beats his body into submission, or the man in the Philippines who crucifies himself on Good Friday enduring pain to show his devotion to God. But the Holy Spirit leads us into “servanthood.” Walking in the Spirit and following after the Spirit is going to lead you into “ventures of faith.” Ventures of faith like – Loving your wife, like Christ loved the church. Or showing your devotion to God by respecting your husband. Or talking to a stranger about our Lord, -- helping a neighbor with a project, or showing compassion on those who are different then you, all because the Holy Spirit is leading you. Remember when you came to faith, how free you were, maybe you didn't totally understand what this Jesus stuff was all about, but you knew you were far from God and you wanted the streams of living water he promised. You did not come to faith by any effort of your own, you didn't come saying “Ill clean up my act and then you'll take me.” You didn't come to faith by a vow of self denial, you came just as you were. Just as I am, without one plea -- But that Thy blood was shed for me -- And that Thou bidst me come to Thee -- O Lamb of God, I come, I come. Just as I am, though tossed about -- With many a conflict, many a doubt -- Fightings and fears within, without -- O Lamb of God, I come, I come. A man / a woman comes to Jesus Christ by faith, so as we live for God in this world it is not by human effort but the Holy Spirit's guidance. Paul says, “You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you that you would try to accomplish in the flesh what God started in the Spirit.” Then Paul takes them to the Cross. Before your eyes Christ was portrayed as crucified. Paul had painted them a picture of the grace of God, the cross, and the resurrection. Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Jesus Christ was crucified for my sins, so I have been crucified to the law, to the flesh, and to this world. Like anyone on a cross. I'm facing in only one direction, the Spirit before me and the world behind me. I'm not going back, God has worked in me - by faith I will not go back to religious rules or to sin. And like a man on a cross, I have no further plans of my own. I am crucified with Christ, yet I live as the Holy Spirit guides me and lead me into ministry. First we see don't walk in foolishness. 2. GET BACK TO THE SPIRIT. V2- 4 Paul takes the Galatians back to the work of the Spirit. I think it is important to remember what God has done in your life. On the day of your salvation and during your journey with him on earth. All that he has done you will see as a work of the Spirit. So the exhortation is for us today. Gal 3:2 Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard? Jon Courson says: “The Spirit comes into the life of all who believe, but not all who believe are walking in the Spirit.” You might be here today and say to yourself that you would love to be used by God to minister in the Spirit, and to work miracles, but you can't - because you are not worthy. If that is how you feel, understand this, it is not the person who says, “I've taken care of sin.” who is used by the Holy Spirit. It is not the man who says, “I've overcome all my issues, or I have a complete understanding of theology, that is used in the Spirit. Its the man / the woman who submits to the Holy Spirit that is used by God. D.L. Moody was a powerful American Pastor and Evangelist, in the mid 1800s and he felt a leading to go to England for an evangelistic campaign. On elderly British pastor protested, “Why do we need this ‘Mr. Moody’? He’s uneducated, inexperienced, and alike. Who does he think he is anyway? Does he think he has a monopoly on the Holy Spirit?” A younger, wiser pastor rose and responded, “No, but the Holy Spirit has a monopoly on Mr. Moody.” Are you trying to accomplish in the flesh - what God began in the Spirit? We have a tendency to say, “I can't teach, I can't witness, I can't pray for others, because I haven't go it down for myself yet. I don't have the ministry of the Spirit and can't be used by God - because of my lace of knowledge or my togetherness -- or my worldliness. Forget all that my friends, just as you were saved by faith, – so you will be used in the same way, just believing - not in who you are or what you know, but in who God is and in what he has promised. Our ministry, our service to the Lord is not based on works of great faith, but on our faith in a great God. There were two blind men on the road to Jericho who called out to Jesus "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" But some of Jesus men rebuked them, so they called out even louder, "Lord, have mercy on us!" So Jesus went over to them and asked them, what they wanted. Matt 20: 33 "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Jesus didn't tell them, “Get your act together then I will heal you!” He didn't say to them, “make sure your motives are pure and you follow all the law, --then I will heal you.” No, he just touched them and they were healed and by faith they followed Jesus. They followed him, not by the law - but by the Spirit. Paul says, “Oh foolish Galatians, return to the work of the Spirit.” TURN TO REVELATION 2:1-5 This church had good deeds and hard work. They had persevered and had good doctrine. They exposed false teachers, and had suffered for Jesus name. They had not bowed to false gods. Yet Jesus held something against them - they had walked away from how it all started, they had forsaken their first love. “Go back to where you were says the Lord!” “Remember the height from which you have fallen.” Turn around - repent and “do” the things you did at first. This church was doing a lot, they were solid in doctrine and moving in good works, but they were walking in the Holy Spirit. So Jesus tells them, remember that place of simple faith and love for me. So Paul chastens the churches in Galatia to return to their first love and not be led astray into the keeping of the law as a way of service to God. We have seen, we are not to be foolish, and we are to get back to the Spirit. Finally. 3. MOVE OUT IN THE SPIRIT. V5 Gal 3:5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? God does not work through anyone because they are observing the law, rather he uses them because of faith – and faith moves into action. TURN ONE MORE TIME TO JAMES 2:17-23 By faith we move in the Holy Spirit, when a brother comes and pours out his heart, “I'm struggling with sin.” Do you condemn with the law? “Your guilty!” Or do you minister in the Spirit? “Let me pray for you and show you God's heart on this matter.” Like James says: “Faith not accompanied by action, is dead.” When a sister comes to you and tells you of her emotional depression, do you tell her that she is suffering because of her lack of faith and hidden sin. Or do you grab her hand in faith and say, “let me pray for you.” James says, "You will see my faith by what I do.” Faith moves in the leading of the Holy Spirit. When the Spirit whispers to give a few bucks to someone in need, you obey. When your heart tugs to help a brother with his home repair project, you let your hands be available. When someone is hurting you help. Years ago, we had a new family move in down the street, and the husband, was trying to build a barn for their horses. Well, myself and another brother watched him struggle with his building project and went down to help him. We introduced ourselves and over the next couple weeks we helped him with his barn. Well that “act of faith”, built a friendship that blossomed. Soon Sue and took this couple to hear “Dr. Richard Eby” a very successful obstetrician - who fell off a balcony and hit his head and had a “near-death experience” and a wonderful conversion to Jesus Christ. As he gave his testimony and followed with an invitation to receive Jesus Christ, this couple gave their lives to Jesus. They are still serving the Lord to this day, and he is an elder in his church in Dayton. James says: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that. “What are you doing about that faith?” Move in the Spirit, like Abraham who believe God and did what he was told. Move out in the Holy Spirit, and follow what we know from God's word, then listen to the Holy Spirit as he leads us in - paths of righteousness for his name sake. As you walk in the Spirit you will point people to Jesus. When they struggle with an addiction, you don't have to give them a procedure - but the person of Jesus. When they are convicted by sins weight you take them to the Lord, when they don't understand the scriptures, you get to led them to the simplicity of the Gospel. When we have personal issues, we take those to the Lord, not with instructions of what he should do. But simply laying out our situation for God to work in what is best for our lives. Then we can thank him for how he answers our prayers and thank him for prayers that were not answered as we thought best. For he is the Lord, and he knows what we need even before we ask. So walk in the Spirit. Gal 5:16 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. God has placed you in places where you get to represent him. He you in a unique work place, some of you are in service clubs or political organizations. Some of you are in the mission field of A.A. Others can minister to shut ins, and prisoners. It is awesome to know that God gives us all divine appointments to be used by him. So we do not to promote legalistic attitudes, but we bring grace as we walk in faith. Just like you received the Holy Spirit in faith, when we walk in faith we will bless others and not follow after sin - in our own lives. In the New Testament the word for the Holy Spirit is the Greek word, pneuma or pneumatikos. We get our English word “pneumatics” from that word. Pneumatics is “air driven power”, that is the working of the Holy Spirit, its a current of air, or the breath of God. God breathed into man and he became a living soul, Jesus breathed on his followers and said “receive the Holy Spirit.” The wind blew on the day of Pentecost and the church was birthed in the Spirits power. Let the wind of God / the breath of God work within your life. Don't step on the air- hose – if you quench the Spirit and fail to live in the power of the Holy Spirit, if you try to accomplish in the flesh what was begun in the Spirit you will be ineffective personally, and in ministry. Gal 3:5 Does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you believe what you heard? INVITE, PRAY, BENEDICTION, SING. Series: Galatians -Through the Bible |
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