Sunday 21st September – Sowing and reaping freely

This letter to the Galatian churches is a ‘freedom-charter’ which so clearly shows that by various accounts and angles, we do not need to doubt our worth and place in God’s grace or the sure hope we have for this new life we have already received in Jesus’ gospel grace. Neither do we need anything to this wonderful gospel of grace to find or stay in that assurance.

It is why Luther loved this letter, calling it his ‘Kati von Bora to who I have given my heart….” and taught through it for six months in 1535, and why great biblical scholars and everyday Christians have lived in this letter forever.

Paul signs off his letter to these Christians by returning to where he began and giving some short punchy reminders of everything he has said to try and keep them in the freedom of the new creation to which they already belong.

If you missed it – this freedom in the gospel of Jesus; this life in God’s new community of grace is meant to make a pretty big difference to how we relate to each other as human beings.

Because we have this new life and a lasting hope that bears God’s fruit of joy, patience and self-control and all the rest, Paul issues a call;

This gospel we share has a major effect – it stops us being ‘conceited’ and shields us from envy.

‘Conceited’ here means ‘empty of honour’. It describes someone who has a deep insecurity. The person believes that they have no glory or honour. This leads to the person needing to constantly prove their value, worth and status.

This “honour-hunger” as Tim Keller names it, can make a person extremely competitive. When we seem better than the next person we get puffed up and feel great. When we don’t seem to be as good as the next person we are devastated.

And this topsy-turvey constant insecurity and need has its effect in relationships. It can be ‘provoking’ (v26), in Paul’s words.

John Stott believes this ‘provoking’ a two-way thing. You are sure of your superiority and so look down on the other ‘weaker’ person (conceit), or, you know your inferiority to another and look up to the one above you (envy).

In the end both inferiority and superiority absorb us. Our focus is so weighted to other people’s words and actions and how they make us feel inside and look before other people.

Turning back to trusting your keeping of the law of God will not help this, says Paul! Adding anything to the gospel of God’s grace in Jesus is no gospel, just more competition and comparison in the ‘conceit’ world where you either believe you are better than everyone else or much worse. Either way you are totally self-absorbed and ‘turned in’ on yourself (incurvatis), as Luther always saw.

I wonder which one you might find yourself being more or which one you are battling with at the moment? Here’s how to find out….

• Do have a tendency to ‘blow up’ or clam up?
• Do I tend to pick arguments with people, or do I avoid all conflict at all costs?
• Do I tend to have a low view of certain groups or types of people or am I more intimidated and embarrassed when around certain types or groups of people?
• When someone criticizes me do I get angry and judgemental and fight back in some way or do I get very discouraged and very defensive and maybe make a lot of excuses or just give in?
• Do I often think: “I would never do what that person did, or is it more “I could never, ever accomplish what that person does?

Paul points to a much better way to be human than one who dwells in this horrible conceited, envious, scared, lonely and loveless place!

There is a new community of new people being made new and growing good fruit that comes from good roots – God’s grace. It is a gospel-centred and power community. It is a local church!

As NT Wright nicely says here, “Christian virtue is a team sport” (Galatians, NT Wright, Love and the Sprit Gal 5:13-26).

Growing gospel character and living for the world is a team sport! There is no doubt about it. I need you to help me stay out of this conceit and comparison trap and you need me the same.

It is only the good news of God’s gracious acceptance of me – all of me – when I am at my worst and at my best that enables any of us to avoid over-confidence (conceit) or under-confidence (envy). The gospel makes us both bold and humble and that is what powers full and free relationships.

The gospel tells me that I am worth a lot before anyone else has to, or even when they say I am not. I am free to keep being shaped and live out those beautiful fruit of the Holy Spirit – and help you do the same.

But I need constant help. I need you to do two things that help me

1. Take responsibility for yourself as you walk in God’s grace. Take responsibility for your faith and your fruit and your living of this gospel.

2.  Take responsibility for me by doing what Paul says here – restore me gently and carry my burden with me.

I am not sure we really want to be his church. In our crazy individual and consumer culture ‘church’ tends to be about what I get, not who I care for and who cares for me.

And do we really want to share our mistakes and seek each other’s assistance? That is a bit uncomfortable. Better to just come to church and leave it at that….. I will keep my burdens to myself and not take too kindly to anyone ‘confronting’ me, even if it is with great gentleness!

So, I think we all get the truth that Paul speaks:

Yes. If you mess it up it is on you. Don’t ask me to give up my position to come and help you.

But friends, is that it? Is that ‘church’? Is that Christianity? Is that a life of new gospel character and joy? Does not sound like it to me.

How have we been treated by God? He gave up his position and went to the bottom of ours, bearing our sins with that heavy cross, ad all to lift us up to himself as he was lifted up on that cross for the world to see.

Yes. The gospel comes along and humbles me telling me I am sinner like everyone else and yet fully affirmed, accepted, loved and forgiven, all by the grace of God in this crucified Jesus.

And then I have a certain boldness because I know I am accepted, hnoured and loved by the One who formed me and called me to be his own.

These gifts from God of humility and boldness grow together with others in this new community of grace.

So, our task as church is not merely to have surface level fellowship or come to worship or another event and help out or take up a position of service. They are all very good, but what we are really here to do as we do what we do is;

Church is about new life, and new life together.

We sow to those fruit of the Spirit at work in us and reap the blessing of gospel-freedom character, and you help me with the same seeding and reaping program!

And yes, when I get it wrong, be gentle. The word ‘gently restore’ comes from a medical term describing a procedure to put a broken bone back in place. That would require some gentleness.

If you need some more gentleness, Paul knows where to find it. Gentle confronting ability comes from an awareness that you could be me; that you are capable of the worst, just as I am; that Jesus forgives you at your worst, as he does me.

So, Paul signs off. Apparently even in his own writing, rather than his helper (v11).

He has lived this bold humility and has scars to prove it (v17) and he end where everything begins….and ends; ‘grace’

It is the grace; the underserved acceptance and honour God places on you as you receive the gospel message that got you here, grew that fruit in you so far and will carry you safe and secure to the throne of grace with all the saints come Resurrection Day.

This Christianity, this church, this religion, this life is a life, not a set or principles or a system of right behaviours or human values.

This gospel we carry is what makes life deeply fulfilling, secure and true.

MORE REFLECTION

This sermon explores the freedom offered by the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in Paul’s letter to the Galatians. It emphasizes living a life free from conceit and envy through the grace of God, fostering genuine community, mutual support, and spiritual growth within the church.

• Freedom through the gospel:Paul’s letter to the Galatians is described as a “freedom-charter” that assures believers of their worth and place in God’s grace without needing additional works or laws. This gospel grace brings new life and hope in Jesus Christ. 1 2
• Avoid conceit and envy:The gospel stops believers from becoming conceited—defined as an insecurity-driven need to prove worth—and shields them from envy, which can provoke harmful relationships marked by superiority or inferiority complexes. 3 4
• The new community of grace:Believers are called to live as a new creation in a gospel-centered community (the church), where growing in Christian virtue is a collective effort, supporting each other to avoid self-absorption and comparison. 5 6
• Mutual responsibility:Each person should take responsibility for their own faith and actions, while also gently restoring and carrying one another’s burdens, fulfilling the law of Christ through mutual care. 7 8
• Challenges of true community:The sermon acknowledges the difficulty of authentic church life in a culture focused on individualism and consumerism, where people may be reluctant to share burdens or accept gentle correction. 9 10
• Sowing and reaping spiritual fruit:The principle that “a man reaps what he sows” is applied spiritually; sowing to please the Spirit results in eternal life and gospel freedom, while sowing to the flesh leads to destruction. 11 12
• Gentle restoration:When believers falter, restoration should be done with gentleness, recognizing that all are capable of sin and are forgiven by Jesus, fostering humility and grace in correction. 13 14
• Grace as foundation:The sermon concludes by emphasizing the sustaining power of God’s grace, which undergirds believers’ acceptance, growth, and ultimate hope, making Christian life a dynamic, grace-filled journey rather than a mere system of rules. 15 16

Freedom through the Gospel

1. Understanding Freedom: How does Paul’s letter to the Galatians describe the freedom offered by the gospel? What does it mean to be free in Christ?
2. Personal Reflection: In what ways have you experienced freedom through the gospel in your own life? Can you share a specific example?

Avoiding Conceit and Envy

1. Defining Conceit and Envy: How does the sermon define conceit and envy? Why are these attitudes harmful to our relationships and spiritual growth?
2. Practical Application: What steps can we take to avoid conceit and envy in our daily lives? How can we support each other in this effort?

The New Community of Grace

1. Community Dynamics: What characteristics define a gospel-centered community according to the sermon? How does this differ from other types of communities?
2. Building Community: What practical actions can we take to foster a supportive and grace-filled community within our church or small group?

Mutual Responsibility

1. Individual and Collective Responsibility: How does the sermon balance the concepts of individual responsibility and mutual support? Why are both important in a Christian community?
2. Carrying Burdens: Can you think of a time when someone helped carry your burden or when you helped carry someone else’s? How did this experience impact your faith?

Challenges of True Community

1. Cultural Challenges: What are some cultural challenges to building an authentic church community mentioned in the sermon? How can we overcome these challenges?
2. Sharing and Correction: Why might people be reluctant to share their burdens or accept gentle correction? How can we create an environment where these actions are welcomed?

Sowing and Reaping Spiritual Fruit

1. Spiritual Sowing and Reaping: How does the principle of “a man reaps what he sows” apply to our spiritual lives? What are some examples of sowing to please the Spirit versus sowing to the flesh?
2. Long-term Perspective: How can we maintain a long-term perspective on spiritual growth and the consequences of our actions?

Gentle Restoration

1. Approach to Restoration: What does it mean to restore someone gently? Why is gentleness important in the process of correction and restoration?
2. Humility and Grace: How can we cultivate humility and grace in our interactions with others, especially when addressing their faults or mistakes?

Grace as Foundation

1. Role of Grace: How does the sermon describe the role of God’s grace in our lives? Why is grace considered the foundation of Christian life?
2. Living by Grace: How can we live out the principles of grace in our daily interactions and decisions? What challenges might we face in doing so?

PRAY

Pray for the Holy Spirit to gift you the sustaining power of the Father’s grace, as the foundation of your  acceptance, growth, and ultimate hope, so that your life at the moment is a dynamic, grace-filled journey rather than a mere system of keeping someone’s or your own rules.

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