JOURNEY INTO LIBERATED LIVING

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LEADING OTHERS TO CHRIST

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(GALATIANS 6: 11-18)

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EMAIL AND TEXT MESSAGING HAVE MADE HANDWRITTEN NOTES AND LETTERS ALMOST OBSOLETE IN OUR DAY. HOWEVER, HANDWRITTEN NOTES AND LETTERS ARE STILL THE MOST PERSONAL AND MEANINGFUL TYPE OF COMMUNICATION.

 

IN THIS EPISTLE, PAUL IS TRYING TO LEAD THE GALATIANS AWAY FROM THE SLAVERY OF THE LAW TO A LIFE OF LIBERATED LIVING THROUGH FREEDOM IN CHRIST.

 

IN THIS PASSAGE, PAUL REVEALS THREE REQUIREMENTS FOR LEADING OTHERS TO A JOURNEY INTO LIBERATED LIVING.

 

I. THE PROPER MOTIVATION (6: 12-13)

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THE JUDAIZERS WERE TRYING TO STAY IN THE GOOD GRACES OF THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. THERE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO MAKE CHRISTIANITY FIT CURRENT CULTURE.

JOHN 12: 43

 

ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WEAPONS OF THE EVIL ONE IS FEAR, WHICH IS THE OPPOSITE OF FAITH.

 

THE JUDAIZERS WERE NOT CONCERNED WITH THE SPIRITUAL WELFARE OF THE GALATIANS; INSTEAD, THEY ONLY WANTED TO BE ABLE TO BOAST TO THEIR JEWISH PEERS ABOUT HOW THEY HAD TURNED THE GALATIANS BACK TO THE LAW (6: 13).

THIS IS LIKE SOME PASTORS TODAY WHO ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN NUMBERS BECAUSE THEY WANT TO IMPRESS THEIR PEERS. THEY USE EVERY GIMMICK AND TRICK IN THE BOOK TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE AND GET PEOPLE TO MAKE DECISIONS.

MATTHEW 10: 38

 

THE JUDAIZERS' MAIN MOTIVATION FOR TRYING TO GET CONVERTS AMONG THE GALATIANS WAS SO THEY COULD BOAST TO THEIR PEERS.

 

QUESTION: WHAT IS OUR MOTIVATION FOR LEADING OTHERS TO CHRIST?

 

LEADING OTHERS TO CHRIST REQUIRES THE PROPER MOTIVATION.

 

II. PERMANENT TRANSFORMATION (6: 14-16)

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WITHOUT THE CROSS OF CHRIST, ALL OF US WOULD BE WITHOUT HOPE AND PURPOSE IN THIS WORLD.

2 CORINTHIANS 10: 17

 

GOD HATES BOASTING. THE ONLY THING GOD LIKES TO HEAR US BOAST ABOUT IS WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US.

EPHESIANS 2: 9

 

PAUL'S ATTRACTION TO THIS WORLD HAS BEEN CRUCIFIED AND IS DEAD. THEREFORE, HE IS NO LONGER ENTICED BY THE POPULARITY AND PRESTIGE HE KNEW AS A PROMINET PHARISEE. PAUL IS A TOTALLY TRANSFORMED MAN.

2 CORINTHIANS 5: 17

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MERCY (ELEOS, EL-EH-OS) REFERS TO GOD'S COMPASSION IN FORGIVING ALL OUR SINS AND CONTINUING TO DO SO.

(1 JOHN 1: 9)

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TO LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST, YOU MUST HAVE THE PROPER MOTIVATION, A PERMANENT TRANSFORMATION.

 

III. A PROMINENT IDENTIFICATION (6: 17-18)

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THE GREEK WORD TRANSLATED MARKS (STIGMATA, STIG-MAH-TAH) REFERS TO DISTINGUISHING MARKS THAT ARE CUT OR BURNED INTO THE FLESH TO IDENTIFY OWNERSHIP OF SLAVES AND CATTLE.

PAUL HAD SCARS IDENTIFYING HIM AS A SLAVE OF JESUS CHRIST.

2 CORINTHIANS 11: 24

 

JESUS WARNED HIS DISCIPLES THEY WOULD HAVE TO FACE FLOGGING, OR SCOURGING.

MATTHEW 10: 17

 

THE WORD TRANSLATED GRACE (CHARIS, CAR-RIS) MEANS THAT WHICH BESTOWS PLEASURE, DELIGHT, OR CAUSES FAVORABLE REGARD.

 

LEADING OTHERS TO CHRIST REQUIRES A PROMINENT IDENTIFICATION; THE MARKS OF THE LORD JESUS.

MATTHEW 5: 16

 

TO LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST, SO THEY CAN BEGIN A "JOURNEY INTO LIBERATED LIVING," REQUIRES THE PROPER MOTIVATION, A PERMANENT TRANSFORMATION, AND A PROMINENT IDENTIFICATION.