Living by Grace Pt 3

Morning. Would you all stand, please? We want to welcome you to Calvary Chapel this morning, and we want to welcome those who have joined us online. Would you join me in prayer? Father, we thank you for this opportunity to gather, to worship you in song, and to study your word, Lord Jesus. Father, we ask that you would just meet us right where we are, as we know you do, Lord.

Lord, we thank you for how your word, as it is taught, speaks to each one of us individually, right where we are. Bless our service, Lord. Bless the fellowship here, that you would be glorified, and we give you thanks, Lord Jesus. The treasures of faith are never... ...is now satisfied.

We can trust him. Amen. You may be seated. ...building and being willing. To come down from glory to be among us, and to live among us, to walk among men, to be that perfect God example, and to raise from the dead, and to ascend up into heaven at the right hand of the Father, to intercede for us. Thank you, Lord. When Satan accuses us, you're there to say, he received, she received grace that was granted in unmerited favor.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for that.

With your hands. I'm the canvas and a potter.

Of course, when we leave this topside, we'll still be yours. But you'll be using us here as we yield ourselves to you, as long as we're here, Lord. And may we trust you and look to you, Lord, and know that you are faithful.

You're worth all of our praise, Lord, because you're so good to us.

Matchless king, the saints adore. This passing time, Jesus. Father, as we are faced with this world in which we're living in now, Lord, remember to look to you, Lord, the author and finisher of our faith, Lord. Your faithfulness. You are worthy of our praise, Lord. Father, encourage each one of us here today, Lord. You know what is going on in each of our hearts, Lord.

You know those things that we want to hold back and not let you have at times. We know those things that we struggle with. You know that our flesh is. Such a mess. We know, Lord, that you are faithful, though, Lord, that you do encourage us. We can trust you. Father, I pray that we would just sense that closeness we have with you. And father, that by your Holy Spirit,

you would just continue to fill us afresh. And each day, Lord, may we be being filled with the Holy Spirit. Looking to you, Lord, to guide us. We need your help, Lord, in this world in which we live, Lord. Please encourage us, Lord. We thank you that you're so great.

Rejoice. God is good. All the time. God is good. Father, continue now to bless our service as Ryan. Pastor Ryan will come up and teach your word, Lord. We just ask for your blessing. Now give us listening ears, Lord, to hear what you have. Eyes to see, Lord, as you would have us see. And heart to see. And heart to perceive, as you would have us perceive by the power of the Holy Spirit.

To go forth and live it out, Lord. And we give you thanks. In Jesus' name, amen. Let's have fellowship, guys.

Good morning.

If you could, begin to locate your seats. Grab a bulletin. We'll get ready to go over some announcements.

Over on the left-hand side of your bulletin. Oh, first of all, welcome to Calvary Chapel. I'm really glad you're here this morning. Yeah, that's right. Okay, on the left-hand side of your bulletin are the things that are going on throughout the week. Places to get plugged into. Please, if you're not plugged into any kind of a small group right now, I'd really encourage you to get plugged in somewhere.

In the middle section of your bulletin are a few things to take note of that are coming up. First of all, remember that this coming Saturday, May 27th, is Alive in the Park. Our worship afternoon at Wilson Park. Snow cones, hot dogs. I think it's hogs dogs, actually, that's providing the hot dogs. And worship. Some of the different groups in the city. You do want to bring a chair to that.

Otherwise, you're going to be standing the whole time. So, if you like to sit, bring a chair. So, take note of that. Come join us. A couple of other things. June the 3rd is the annual Servants Conference over at Grace Calvary Fellowship in Wellington. Several of us pastors from local Calvary's will be teaching there. And then the Prophecy Conference, June 8th through the 10th, up at Calvary Chapel.

Both those conferences are free. The one in Emporia, you'll just need to provide your own lodging unless you want to sleep in your car. And that's up to you. So, those are the things that are going on. Before we do our responsive reading this morning, it's graduation season. And so, we have a handful of high school graduates here. And by the looks on a couple of their faces, they forgot I was doing this today.

So, high school graduates, come up. Yes, yay!

Okay, so first of all, we have a little bit of a gift for them. So. So, here's one for you. There's one for you. And then one for you. And one for you. And the other three, we'll just keep theirs. Okay. So, man, these guys have put in all the work. And now it's time to move on to the next things in life. This is Bryson and Leah and Kalia and Harper. And they each have different things that they're going into.

And we're just so blessed that they have been a part of our fellowship. For a portion of the last 18 years of their lives. And so, whatever they do next, we just want God to bless it. So, I want to lay hands on them and pray for them. So, if you all would bow with me as we pray for these kids. So, Father, we come to you now and I just thank you for these young people.

Lord, I thank you for what you have done in their lives and what you will continue to do in their lives. And Lord, I want to ask that you would bless them by the power of your Holy Spirit. That you would overflow each of them with a deeper understanding of who they are in you. And a deeper understanding of the calling that you have on their lives. Lord, I pray your protection against the things of the world.

And I pray your blessing on their lives. And I just thank you for the blessing that they are to me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

All right. Set these back here. Okay. Now, for our responsive reading, we are going to be in Psalm 111. Psalm 111. For responsive reading, we'll be looking at the New American Standard. If you need a copy. Should be one in a row around you. That's just so we all sound the same for this part. And then you can go back to using whatever uninspired translation you brought.

I'm just kidding. Whatever translation you brought with you. I've always wanted to make that joke and I've never done it. So, while you're turning to Psalm 111, if you would stand in the honor of the reading of God's word.

I will read the odd verses if you will follow along with Pastor Allen and the even verses. Psalm 111. Praise the Lord. I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart. In the company. Of the upright. And in the assembly. Great are the works of the Lord. They are studied by all who delight in them. Splendid and majestic is his work. And his righteousness endures forever.

He's made his wonders to be remembered. The Lord is gracious and compassionate. He has given food to those who fear him. He will remember his covenant forever. He has made known to his people the power of his works. In giving them the heritage of the nations. The work of his hands are truth and justice. All his precepts are sure. They are upheld forever and ever.

They are performed in truth and uprightness. He has sent redemption to his people. He has ordained his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. A good understanding have all those who do his commandments. His praise endures forever. And Father we do praise you for who you are. Lord I ask right now that you would begin to do a work.

By the power of your Holy Spirit. In the lives of each person that's here this morning. Lord as all the things of this week. Often times can weigh on our mind. The week past and the week to come. I pray that we would take this moment. To lay all those things aside. And Lord to hear from you. Father may this not just be a morning. Where we gather with a bunch of strangers.

But Lord may it be a morning where we meet together as family. So that we can see our Savior. And so Lord do the work that only your Holy Spirit can do this morning we pray. In Jesus name. Amen. You may be seated. And if you would open up in your Bibles. To the book of Galatians. Chapter 6.

Galatians chapter 6.

Today we come to part 3. In our study of living by grace. As we have mentioned before. Galatians is the book of grace. Paul shared with us. The importance of the message of grace. He explained to us the message of grace. And now he's been telling us. What it means to live as believers in Jesus Christ. By the grace of God. We've been saved by God's grace. And now we're living according to the power of God's grace.

And so. So far he's shown us two things. Number one we said that grace means freedom. And as he explained freedom to us. He told us that we needed to stand in the liberty that God has given to us. We need to think about the consequences of not standing in that liberty. And we need to use our liberty as an opportunity to show love for each other. He then told us last week that grace produces fruit.

We said that we needed to walk in the spirit. Because if we walk in the spirit. We will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh. We said that work is what we produce. And that work that we produce is nothing but the works of the flesh. Which we discern. Discussed last week. But as we walk in the spirit. His Holy Spirit produces fruit inside of our lives. That love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Well as we come to part three. Of our series of living by grace. We see that grace cares for others. Grace cares for others. By God's grace each of you has been placed into the body of Christ. Once you become a believer in Jesus Christ. You experience God's grace for yourself. You've been put into the body of Jesus Christ. And because you've been put in a body of believers.

You are no longer just one single solitary unit. You're a part of a family. A family that's ties run deeper than any blood family you can imagine. Because it runs deeply through the blood of Jesus Christ. And as the body of Christ. There is a distinct need that we have for each other as the body. And there's a great care that we should have for each other. As the body of Christ.

Last night was a little bit of a cool evening. And I thought man what a great night to spend a little time on my back patio. Preparing my message for today. And so I got everything cleaned up. And got the furniture all set the way I wanted it to be. And I thought man it'd be a great night for a fire. I've got a I live in town. But I have a fire bowl that I can have a little campfire in.

And so I went and grabbed some limbs that I had cut up in my yard that day. And several bills that I don't want to pay. And I put them all inside of this fire pit. And I lit the fire and it was great. Had this little roaring fire that was going inside of this metal bowl. And every now and then I had to do what we often have to do with a fire. I had to kind of stoke the fire a little bit.

Which basically means I need to push all of the embers closer together. And breathe a little life into them. So that they continue to glow and burn red hot. So they produce the fire. Well as the evening went on I got finished with my study. And it was time for me to go in. And there was still a pile of glowing embers. And I thought I don't want to run into any problems.

With this. So I'm going to take this fire bowl and spread all of the embers out inside of the bowl. You know why I did that? Because if all of those embers in the bowl get spread out. And they get separated from each other. The same thing happens to all of them. They all fizzle and turn cold. Because they are no longer connected with the rest of the fire. Because the rest of the fire would keep them going.

And that's the way we are as believers in Jesus Christ. God intended us to be in a body. Because grace put us in a body. Therefore we need each other. And just like with that fire. If you as one of those burning embers get separated out from the rest of the fire. You no longer are a part of that glowing circle of fire. Then you too will begin to grow cold and fizzle out.

That's why by God's grace. We've been given a charge to care for each other. To pour into the lives of each other. To help each other along the way. When our fire is growing a little bit dim. And that's exactly what we talk about today. So we pick up in verse 1 of chapter 6. And this is what it says. Brethren, if anyone is caught in any trespass. You who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness.

Each one looking to yourself so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another's burdens and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks. He is something when he is nothing. He deceives himself. But each one must examine his own works. And then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself. And not in regard to another. For each will bear his own load.

The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows. This he will 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. Let us not lose heart in doing good.

For in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. So then. While we have opportunity. Let us do good to all people. Especially to those who are the household of faith. Grace cares for others. And in those first ten days. And verses. Paul gave us what I feel like are six principles. For what it looks like. To have God's grace work through us. To care for others.

The first principle that he gives us is this. Restore. Restore. Notice what it says at the beginning of verse one. It says brethren. If anyone is caught in any trespass. You who are spiritual. Restore such a one. In a spirit of gentleness. Each one looking to yourself. So that you too will not. Be tempted. He says if anyone is caught up in a trespass. Now you may remember.

If you were with us for chapter five. We discussed the works of the flesh. And then he gave us a pretty what I would call ominous warning. For those who were living according to the flesh. He said those who live according to these things. In other words. You order your life in a habitual manner. According to the deeds of the flesh. Will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But that's not what he's talking about in this first verse. What he's talking about in this first verse. Is those who have been caught up in any trespass. One of the commentators I read. Translated it like this. He said. You were running from sin. But sin ran faster. The idea is you were seeking the things of God. You were wanting to walk with God. Your goal was not to live.

According to the flesh. But sin caught up with you. And you found yourself trapped. You found yourself caught up with the things. Of sin. Perhaps you can relate with that this morning. Perhaps you too were running from sin. And you found that. Sin ran faster. And now you've been caught up in the things of sin. Well he tells us. That we're to do something. He says.

If anyone is caught up in sin. Then let those who are spiritual. Now who would qualify as those who are spiritual. Well he already told us in chapter 5. What it looks like to be someone who is spiritual. Someone who habitually orders their life. According to the spirit. Who is constantly. Listening to. And receptive to. The moving of the Holy Spirit in their life.

It's not that you're better. It's just that you're living in communion with the Holy Spirit. Therefore those of you that are living in communion with the Holy Spirit. Are to do something for those that are caught up in the flesh. Those that got caught up in the trespasses of the world. You are to restore them. That word restore. Means to mend what has been broken.

To mend what has been broken. Let me give you a little bit of an illustration. Several years ago. We were down in Ponca City. My daughter did competitive cheer down there. And while she was doing her competitive cheer thing. Doing the really dangerous things in the world. My younger daughter was playing in the gym. Which is what she always did. And she goes running through the gym.

And there was a little square. A little square box that covered up a place. Where a cable went into the floor. To hold the bar in place. And so she went to jump over that box. And because she's a nickel. She couldn't quite make it over the box. And she hit the box with her foot. And so she stiff-armed the floor. And when she did. It caused two major injuries in her arm.

Number one. It caused a fracture. Number two. It caused a dislocation. And so here's what we did. My wife put her in the car. And she drove her to me. And we took her to the hospital. And when we got to the hospital. They said you have a problem. And so they sent us on to an orthopedic surgeon. And he said you have a problem. The problem is twofold. He diagnosed it.

He said you have a dislocation. You have a break. So here's what we need to do. We need to put the arm back in place. Make sure that the break doesn't need anything done to it. And then we'll put a cast. And so that's exactly what he did. He put her to sleep. So that she wouldn't know what was going on. And he put the arm back in place. And he put a cast on it.

And the cast had to be on there for six weeks. And you know what my wife and I did for six weeks? We protected her. She wanted to jump on trampolines. She wanted to ride bicycles. She wanted to go swimming. She wanted to do all these things. And we had to say no. And anytime somebody wanted a rough house with her. We had to say no. You can't do that. We protected her.

Brothers and sisters. That is exactly what we did. That is exactly what Paul is talking about here. He says when you see someone caught up in a trespass. The first thing you need to do is help them diagnose the problem. Then you need to help them reset it back into place. And then listen. You need to protect them. You need to protect them from themselves. And from everybody else around them.

Who may want to cause them harm. Because they are in the process of restoration. They are in the process. Of being. Mended. After they have. Been. Broken. That's the process that you and I are to play. In the body of Christ. Now. With shame. Facedness. I'm going to say this. Do you know what the body of Christ tends to do. When we see someone caught up in a trespass.

There's usually two things. That are both wrong. That we tend to do. Number one. We ignore the problem. Or we ignore them. Well you know what. If that's the way they're going to live their life. Then I'm just going to ignore them. Now listen. There comes a point in time. Where after you have confronted. Someone with sin long enough. You eventually have to let them go do their own thing.

That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about somebody who's caught up in sin. That wants to be set free from the sin. And we just ignore the problem. We ignore that sin ever took place. That's the wrong way to handle it. But the other thing that we do. Is we condemn them. Sometimes we condemn them to their face. And we tell them how horrible of a person they are.

How could you have done that? How could you have fallen into that sin? But do you know the way we usually condemn other believers? Because that would involve confrontation. And we don't like confrontation. You know. We usually condemn other believers. When they have fallen into sin. We talk about them behind their backs. And that's what takes place within the body of Christ.

We see somebody caught up in a sin. And rather than confronting them and saying. I see you have a problem. Let me help you with the problem. I'll be your protector. I'll be the one who helps you. We say. Do you know what they did? Do you know what they fell into? Man. I've fallen into some things in my life. But I've never done that. Right? And both of those are the wrong way to handle things.

What are we to do instead? We're to restore. We're to mend what has been broken. Because brothers and sisters. That's what we've been called to do. And we do it in. As Paul tells us here. A spirit of gentleness. Let me tell you how the Amplified Bible translates that. It says. In a spirit of gentleness. In brackets. Not superiority. Or self-righteousness. In other words.

I restore someone with a distinct understanding. That. But for the grace of God. I'd be in the exact same position. But for the grace of God. I would be the one that someone would be restoring. And brothers and sisters. That's what we're called to do. As the body of Christ. We're called to restore. And listen. Once someone is restored. We need to let them be restored.

We need to not bring it up anymore. Not continue to throw it back in their face. Because that's not what the spirit of gentleness. I'm here to tell you right now. I have seen some individuals. That have fallen in really great ways. And I have seen them be restored. In really powerful ways. And you know what makes me more angry than anything. Is when somebody sees them serving.

And they say. Do you know what they did? I'm here to tell you right now. I will go to war. Because if someone's been restored. That's not who they are any longer. They're who they are now. And so he says restore such one. With a spirit of gentleness. But he gives us a warning. He says each one looking to yourself. So that you too will not be tempted. Not be tempted to what?

Not be tempted to do. Either fall into that same sin. Or to gain a spirit of superiority. We're to all look to ourselves. Because but by the grace of God. Go I. So number one. We are to restore. Number two. We are to restore. We are to bear burdens. And that literally is what it says in verse two. He says bear one another's burdens. And thereby fulfill the law of Christ.

The word burden means. A heavy weight.

A heavy weight. And that word bear. Literally means. To take up with hands. Or to carry. Now I want to point something out about that. That word to bear. To take up with hands. Or to carry. Would indicate that. If I am to bear another's burdens. I have to have a hands-on experience. I have to have a hands-on experience with people. I have to have a hands-on experience with the body of Christ.

Let me paint a picture for you. Perhaps you're at the grocery store. And you see someone trying to carry all of their groceries at one time. Ladies why y'all do this? Why y'all grab like 37 bags at one time. And you're like it's okay. I can make it in one trip right. Anyway. You see some lady that thought she could carry 37 bags all at one time. And you can see her you know weighed down under the weight of what she's carrying.

And you say she's carrying a heavy load. I'm going to help. Now you can either help by being like. Hey. Be careful don't drop any of that. Right. I mean that's a helpful statement. But it's not helping. No you need to get hands-on with it. Hey let me grab some of those for you. That's the idea of what he means by. Bear someone's burdens. Bear. Each other's burdens.

Brothers and sisters we live in a world with an incredible amount of heavy things right now. There are people that are going through heavy things right now. There are people who are dealing with temptations that you have no idea about. And they need somebody that can come alongside them. That will not only pray with them. Support them. Hold them accountable.

But also help point them in the right direction. And listen the only way they can do this. If the body of Christ comes alongside them. And helps bear their burdens. There we. We got tons of young moms in this church with kids that man sometimes they just need an afternoon. Where they don't have to answer 3,000 questions and fix 37 PB&Js and change five diapers.

And man what an amazing thing for the body of Christ. If someone were to come alongside and say you know what. You just you go do your thing for a little bit. I'll watch the kids. We got people that are way down under the burden of the fact that they're dealing with grief. And they need somebody else to come alongside them. And help them carry that grief. We have kids that are way down by the burden of the fact that.

When I talk about a father. They don't have a good image in their mind. When I talk about a mom. They don't have a good image in their mind. And they need a man that will come alongside. That will show them exactly what it looks like to be a loving father. Even though they don't have one themselves. Even though in their minds. A father is someone who abuses.

They need a godly man who will come alongside one of these kids. That doesn't have a dad like that. And will show them how to go fishing. And will show them how to fix a car. And will show them how to love someone. Because they don't know how to. That's bearing someone else's burdens. And brothers and sisters. If we don't do it as the body of Christ. They're going to find it somewhere.

They're going to find someone that will teach them. It's unfortunate who they end up might finding. And so he tells us. Bear one another's burdens. And I want you to notice why. Because by bearing one another's burdens. We fulfill. The law of Christ. Ultimately what happens when we do that. Is we fulfill the law of Christ. Because what did Jesus say the greatest commandment was?

Well to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. But the second is like to it. Love your neighbor as yourself. Matter of fact the last command that Jesus gave his disciples in the upper room was. Guys I got a new command for you. That you love one another. As I have loved you. As I have loved you. As I have loved you. That's how everybody's going to know you're my disciples.

Is if you have that kind of love. For each other. So when we come alongside other brothers and sisters in Christ. To help them bear their burden. We fulfill the law of Christ. You don't need someone to make you a list of rules. Because you're living it out in your everyday life. Number three. Examine yourself.

Examine yourself. Notice what it says. Notice what it says in verse three. For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing. He deceives himself. But each one must examine his own work. And then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone. And not in regard to another. For each will bear his own load. As he tells us this. He's going to say three things.

He says if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing. He deceives himself. What does he mean by that? Well he had just told us to bear one another's burdens. For if someone thinks he is something when he is nothing. He deceives himself. Let me tell you what that means. There are two types of pride in the world. One type of pride says. I don't need anyone's help.

No one's going to come help me. I've got this on my own. And you struggle. And you slog through life on your own. Never sharing any of your burdens with anyone else. And when all is said and done. You play the martyr. And you go. Nobody ever helped me. Well you wouldn't let anybody help you. Right? Listen that's the one I'm really good at. Okay? I'm just going to.

Full honesty. I'm the one who's really good at being like. No it's okay. I've got it myself. But then there's a second type of people in the world. Second type of people. Or second type of pride in the world is. I'm not helping anybody. Sometimes it's because of laziness. Sometimes. Listen. It's because of pride. It's because you will not take time to help somebody else.

Nobody ever took time to help me. I'm not helping anybody. Nobody ever looked out for me. I'm not looking out for anybody else. If anyone thinks he's something. When he's nothing. He deceives himself. And you need to examine yourself. Do I have one of those types. One of those aspects of pride in my life. He goes on. The second thing he says is. But each one must examine his own work.

And then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone. Listen. Brothers and sisters in Christ. You need to on a consistent basis. Give yourself a self-examination. Ask yourself the hard questions. Do I allow people to help me? Am I being prideful? Am I willing to help those that are in need? But listen. When you give yourself a self-examination.

You realize something. You'll have a blind spot. So you know what the best thing that you can do to examine yourself is? Read God's word. Because it's the greatest mirror into who you are. You ever wonder why I stand up here every Sunday. And tell you all the things I do wrong. It's because for three days. I do nothing but examine God's word. And you know what it does to me?

It examines me. And it shows me the areas where I'm going wrong. And then God's all like now tell him about it. I'm like no. And he's like yes. I'm like no. And he's like yes. I'm like fine.

We need to examine ourselves. Because as we examine ourselves. Then God can change what he needs to in us. And listen. Then we'll have reason for boasting. Not because of who we are. But because of what God's done in us. Look at what God's done in me. And then he closes with this. Because ultimately each one will bear his own load. Now wait a second. Paul just said we're supposed to bear one another's burdens.

And then he just said. But each one's going to bear their own load. How do we justify those two statements being made within three verses of each other? Well we need to understand a little bit about the Greek language right now. Because there's two different Greek words that are used. The New American Standard does a pretty good job of pointing that out. You may notice that in verse 2 he says bear one another's burdens.

You may notice in verse 5 he says each must bear his own load. Those are two different Greek words that are used. The word for burden means a heavy weight. The word for load means a small pack. It speaks of the backpack that a soldier would have carried at that point in time. The idea is this. There are going to be loads that happen in your life. There are going to be weights that come upon you that are more than you can bear.

That's where the body of Christ comes into play. But you ultimately have a responsibility to not make your issues everybody else's issues. Because each of you is going to stand before God. And when you stand before God and you say. Well I kept sinning. Because nobody came alongside me. He's going to go. I didn't ask what everybody else did. I asked what you did.

Well I didn't fulfill my calling because it was too hard for me. I didn't ask what everybody else did. I asked what you did. Too many of us as believers are really good at making our problems. Everybody else's problem. And while we as the body are to take an active role in coming alongside people. When it comes right down to it. When we stand before Jesus. It's just going to be us.

And him. Not what did everybody else do. What did you do? Therefore brothers and sisters. Examine yourselves. Examine yourselves. Number four. You reap what you sow. You reap what you sow. Starting in verse six it says this. The one who is taught the word is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows this he will also reap.

For the one who sows to his flesh. Well from the flesh reap corruption. But the one who sows to the spirit. Well from the spirit reap eternal life. He gives us a principle. A principle that we see throughout scripture. That's what that's that you will reap what you sow. Interestingly enough. As he talks about reaping and sowing. He first of all talks about reaping and sowing.

As it comes to those who are giving out the word of God. Notice what he says. He says the one who is taught. That's the congregation. Is to share all good things with the one who teaches him. That's the Bible teachers. That's the pastors and leaders within churches. It speaks of taking care of both the spiritual and physical well-being of the pastor. That's all I'll say about that part.

What I really want to share with you is this. The word that's used there for share is the word koinonia. So let me read it to you in a little bit more of a literal translation. The one who is taught. The word is to have communion in all good things with the one. Who teaches him. And listen. While a pastor's physical needs while a while a leader in the church's physical needs need to be met.

A lot of pastors will never say this and this is very hard for me to say but pastor has spiritual needs to. Now I'm going to tell you something that most pastors won't say. And I probably shouldn't say I don't know. It just is what it is. God told me to be honest a long time ago. That's all I know how to be. I've lived my entire life around pastors. I mean it's it's it's who I grew up around.

It's who I've lived around. My dad's a pastor. My uncle is a pastor. And of course pastor Mark was like a second dad to me. And in all of the many of the men in my life are in pastoral roles. I remember when I got married pastor Rick who did our wedding up in Johnson County. He he said before the wedding. He started he goes. I think there's more pastors here than lay people because I just had been around in my entire life.

And you know what's consistent across the board of every pastor. I've ever been around. It's a lonely calling. Listen partly because we have to stand up in front of people and tell the truth. And when you have to stand up in front of people and tell the truth. Listen, sometimes it makes you unpopular when you have to confront people with things that makes you a little bit unpopular.

But also by the nature of who we are as human beings. We tend to be loners. Because it's who we are. It's part of what makes us able to stand strong when we need to but there is such a desperate need for pastors for communion for all of you as believers in Jesus Christ to have communion with us to not think that we're better to not think that we're stronger to not think that that we are trying to set ourselves apart but for that genuine communion to take place in the body of Christ and listen if you want strong leadership within church.

You need to give communion to the strong leadership in churches. You reap what you sow. Enough of that. Now, he goes on to say, Do not be deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. It's interesting that he tells them not to be deceived about this. You know why? Because we tend to deceive ourselves. We think we can trick God.

I'll do whatever I want to do and still grow spiritually. I'll live according to the world all week long. Only come to church on Sunday and I'll still grow spiritually. And God's like, Don't be deceived. I'm not going to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. So I don't know about y'all, but my yard has not fared very well in the past couple of years.

Anybody else's yard look like that? So between army worms and no rain and extreme heat and all the things that have gone on, my yard was just looking like trash. So I thought, you know what? I know it costs $11 billion to water your garden, Arc City. I know it costs $11 billion to water your garden, Arc City. I know it costs $11 billion to water your garden, Arc City.

I know it costs $11 billion to water your garden, Arc City. I know it costs $11 billion to water your garden, Arc City. Gosh darn it. Let's do this thing. So a couple of weeks ago, I went and I rented the verticutter and I bought some tall fescue and I went and I just worked my yard over. I ran that and I have a really, really, really big front yard. And so I worked that yard over with the verticutter and I put seed down.

And I'm here to tell you right now as a sidebar, I do not work like that anymore. And I was worn out that night. Anyway, so I go and do all that. And so then I go and do all that. And then I turn and I say, right, I water. I get up the next morning and I look, no grass. And I water. I get up the next morning and I look, no grass. I do that for about a week.

And so finally one day I go out and I look and I go, oh, grass. So every day I'm like, hey, Aaron, come look at my baby grasses. Look, aren't they cute? Oh, they're so cute. Nora said, can I build a nursery for them? I'm like, I don't see why not. Look at all of them growing. They're just like cute little grasses. You bet. I've never seen them. And I talk to them and then I water them some more.

And it's a great thing. You know why grass is what's coming up? Because I put down grass seed. Now, can you imagine if I put down grass seed and the next day I come out and there's a bunch of fruit trees in my yard? I would be like, kind of Jack and the Beanstalk situation's going on here. That's not what I put down. I put down grass seed. Why is there a fruit tree growing up here?

That's really odd. You know why? Why? Because whatever you sow, that's what you're going to reap. All of nature teaches us that. And it's the same in my walk with Jesus Christ. Whatever I sow, that's what I'm going to reap. He goes on to explain a little bit more. He says, for the one who sows to his flesh will from the flesh reap corruption. Listen, I'm going to make y'all a promise.

If all you put into your minds is garbage, what you're going to get out is garbage. If the music that you listen to, if the movies that you watch, if the people that you hang around, if the things that you entertain in your mind are all trash, then what's going to come out of you is trash. You can't help it. Be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever you sow, that's what you're going to reap.

Therefore, you should ask yourself a question. What comes into my mind on a consistent basis? What do I let in? In my ear gates, in my eye gates, what does my mind think about? Listen, I've always said one of the most theologically sound songs you ever sang as a kid was this. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little ears what you hear.

Little hands what you do. Little mind what you think. Little feet where you go. You know why? Because whatever you sow, that's what you're going to reap. Now, I understand that sometimes you can't help the people that you're around, right? I've shared with you before that I have not battled with bad language for a really long time. It's something God took away from me really quickly after I started walking with Jesus.

But there was one time in my life where I really battled with it. And it was actually the summer before I moved down here because I was working construction. We worked seven days a week all summer long. Starting July the 5th all the way through the end of August, I worked every day, 10 hour days around a bunch of guys who swore in ways that I didn't even know you could swear according to.

I was like, first of all, you should buy a thesaurus because we surely can come up with some other words for you to use. But they actually were creative. And I was like, well, that's awful. I can't believe there's one guy that I worked with. I loved him dearly. I got to share Jesus with him right before I left Firehorm Construction. But I mean, it took a lot to make me blush at that point in time.

There was a couple of times where I was like, I don't think anybody should say that. That is just awful. Well, anyway, so I worked that whole summer like that. And there was two or three times that summer where words that Jesus doesn't like came out of my mouth. And I had to go to the guys that I worked with and say, guys, I'm sorry, that was wrong. I should not have done that.

And they said, Ryan, what are you talking about? Everybody else talks that way. I'm like, yeah, but I love Jesus. And that's not what's supposed to come out of my mouth. And so I'm really, really sorry. Do you know why I struggled that summer? It's because everything that went into my ears was nothing but profanity. Therefore, oftentimes what went through my mind and then came out of my mouth was profanity.

Matter of fact, at that point in time, when I would get off work and come home, if there was a show on TV that had bad language, I just turned it off. Because I was like, man, I don't want to hear that all day long. I don't want to hear it when I'm away from the job site. And honestly, when you're raising kids, they're like, why does it matter if I listen to songs that have those words in it?

Or why does it matter if I watch a movie that have those words in it? I've heard those words already. I'm like. Yeah, but why put them in more? Because that's just what you're going to get out. He says, be not deceived. God is not mocked. Whatever a man sows, that he's going to reap. And if you're sowing to the flesh, I promise you what you're going to reap is corruption.

But in the reverse, in the exact opposite of that, it says this. But the one who sows to the spirit will from the spirit reap eternal life. In other words, if you are continually putting God's word into your mind, if the songs that you're listening to, if the things that you're watching, if the teaching that you're listening to, if the people that you're around are continuing to put God's word into your mind, then you will continue to grow. That's why one of the greatest things that you can do is surround yourself as often as you can with believers who are talking about the things of God.

That's why one of the greatest things that you can do is surround yourself with music that is praising God. Now, listen, I am the first one to tell you that so much Christian music is cheesy. Listen, I'm the biggest critic of a lot of Christians. Christian music and Christian movies. I mean, there comes a point in time where it's like, who cares if it's cringy?

At least it's not putting garbage in my ears. Because when it comes right down to it, I'd rather be holy. So when we reap to the spirit or when we sow to the spirit, we will from the spirit reap eternal life. Now, number five, do not lose heart. Do not. Lose heart. Notice what he says in verse nine. Let us not lose heart in doing good. For in due time, we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Now, the new American standard translates it. Let us not lose heart. The new King James and the old King James translates it. Let us not grow weary in well-doing. I prefer that translation. I want to tell you why. It's because of what the word weary means. The word weary literally means exhausted. Let us not become exhausted. Now, I read a couple of different word studies on this word weary or exhausted,

and they gave me a couple of different ideas of what it meant. One of the commentaries, one of the word studies that I read said that this word spoke of a farmer who in the middle of trying to grow crops finds himself so exhausted that he doesn't even want to finish his work because it just doesn't seem like anything's happening. That was one option that was given for the word weary. But the second option that was given for the word weary was that it was given for the word weary.

I actually think it's a pretty good statement on what it actually says here. They said that it was a word that was used in Greek medicine at that point in time for a woman who had been in labor for many hours and nothing was happening, and she finds that she wants to quit even though she can't. Now, that sounds like what that word probably really means. You know what has to be done.

You're in the middle of what has to be done, and it hasn't happened yet. And you're in the middle of what has to be done. And you're in the middle of what has to be done. And you're in the middle of what has to be done. And you can't quit. Brothers and sisters, I would venture to say that there's some weary people in the sanctuary this morning. One of them might be standing on the stage.

Because it's easy to become weary in these things. It's easy to become weary and to lose heart because you give out and you give out and you give out and you feel like you don't always see the results that you want to take place. And so I got to thinking, how do we become people who are no longer weary? How do we become people who are no longer weary? We need to understand something.

Paul wrote this, I think, because he struggled with it too. I think Paul knew what it was to become weary in ministry, to become weary in the good things that he was doing. And he had to remind not only himself, but the believers in Galatia to not grow weary in well-doing because the battle will not end. Because the battle just keeps going and we need to not grow weary in the middle of it.

And so perhaps you're like me and you started asking, well, if I feel weary, what do I need to do? It, if I feel that exhaustion, what do I need to do now? And so I've really been praying about this a lot for the last couple of days. And I feel like the Lord gave me a handful of things that I think that we need to do if we're feeling weary. So, so these are, these are things you can do if you feel weary in doing good right now.

Number one, remember your calling. Remember your calling. But, but I want to point out one particular word that's important in that sentence. Remember your calling. Because your calling is different than everybody else's calling. And I think that that's something we have to remind ourselves over and over again in the Western culture church of social media is that what God is calling you to do is not

the same as what God is calling everybody else to do. Don't get me wrong. There's some blanket statements that can be made of everybody made for everybody, right? God's will for you is your sanctification. We know that when it comes to your calling, doing good, God calls us each to do something different. Because sometimes we want to live out other people's calling.

You know why? Because first of all, we see it exampled for us. We see what somebody else did. We're like, oh, what they did was so great. That's what I should be doing. Or you, or you get on the gram, right? And you look and you're like, oh, look what that pastor's doing. That's what I should be doing. Oh, look what that mom is doing. That's what I should be doing.

Oh, look what that family does. Why are we more like them? We should be doing what they do. Listen, that's not your calling. And sometimes we put that pressure on ourselves because we see what somebody else is doing. And we think that's what I should be doing. Sometimes. Sometimes we grow weary and we forget our calling because somebody has told you what your calling should be, even though they don't know.

They've said, you know what? If you want to do it right, you have to do this. You should be doing this. And they've told you exactly what your calling should look like. And because they've told you what your calling should look like, but it was never God's calling, you're now weary in it. Because it wasn't what you wanted to do to begin with. Quite frankly, you're worn out.

You need to remember your calling. I've shared with you before that a few years ago, I ran a half marathon. You had to sign up for a time. You had to sign up for what your goal time was, your calling, if you will, was. Mine was two hours. The guy that won it did an hour and 20 minutes. That's not my calling. Listen, if I ran that pace, I'd pass out after half a mile, right?

Because that's not my calling. But if I tried to do what he was doing because he said, but this is how fast everybody should run. This is how everybody should do. I would be like, but I can't do it. And I would become worn out. And I'd give up. But you see, when I know what my calling is, it's a lot easier for me to endure because I go, it's okay, it's what God's called me to do.

And he knew exactly what he was doing when he called me to do it. So number one, remember your calling. Number two, rest in the Lord. Rest in the Lord. Again, I think this takes on two forms. Number one, I think it takes on the form of physical rest. Brothers and sisters, sometimes y'all just need to take a nap. Sometimes I just need to take a nap. Because usually once you've taken a nap,

you wake up feeling so good, right? Listen, if you're going to take a nap, sidebar. If you're going to take a nap this afternoon, do not go lay down on your bed. You know why? Because that's called going to sleep, right? And then you'll wake up at 7 o'clock tonight feeling all groggy like somebody drugged you up and you'll be like, now I can't sleep, right?

Go lay down on your couch. Take your little resty rest. Jesus napped on boats all the time. And he was always refreshed. Brothers and sisters, we live in a time that tells us if you're not always going, you're doing it wrong. If you're not always moving, you're doing something wrong. If you're not going from one event to the next, you're doing it wrong. Man, I see some of these things parents post and they're like,

well, earlier this morning we were doing this and then later today we were doing this and then later today I'm going to rebuild a house and then maybe Sunday morning we'll go to church and after church we'll go. We'll go to the water park and after we go to the water park perhaps we'll construct a tree house at that point in time. And I'm like, oh sweet Jesus, when did you sleep? Right?

And you see those things and you're like, because this is what we've told everybody that we need to do all the time. Well, if you're not going 90 to nothing all the time, you're doing it wrong. Jesus is pretty big on rest. Matter of fact, there was a point in time when Elijah, the prophet, was so worn out. He was so discouraged. He was so weary, if you will,

that he thought, Lord, the best thing for me to do is just die. I'm the only one that's left. I'm the only one still following you. I think I just need to die. You know where God led him? God led him beside a peaceful brook and made him go to sleep and then he gave him a snack and then Elijah ran for 40 days. Brothers and sisters, you need a rest and a snack, right?

And then you're going to be good. We need to rest in the Lord. But not only do we need to rest in the Lord physically, but listen, you need to rest in the Lord spiritually because he, who called you as faithful, who also will do it because it's ultimately his work. And I'm giving away my third point here, but he's the one that's going to do it and you need to rest in his ability.

If he didn't think he, one more time with feeling, if he wasn't going to give you what you needed, he would have never called you to do it. And you can rest in God's ability. Number three, it's his battle, not yours. It's his battle, not yours. We forget that this, all of the things, none of it rests on my shoulders. None of it rests on your shoulders. It's all up to him.

It's his world, you're just living in it. It's his world, you're just serving in it. And ultimately he's the one that's going to bring the results. He's, it's his battle. I used to work for a guy and he would come into the shop and he would talk to me and he would lay out 11 billion things that needed to be done. And I would go, I can't do all that. And I would say,

I don't, I don't know if, I don't know if I can do all of that. And he would say, I don't need you to do all of it. I just want you to know what's coming. And so I had to learn a really important lesson. I had to learn to ask, so what do you want me to do? And then he would say, well, I just want you to do this. Well, I can do that. He said, the rest of it's my problem, not yours.

It's my business. That's not your problem. I just want you to know what's coming. And I was like, oh, okay. Well, sometimes God allows us to see all of the needs and the world are like, I can't do all that. And he goes, I don't need you to do any of that. And we need to learn to ask God a question. What do you need me to do? He's like, well, I just need you to do this.

All the rest of that, that's my problem, not yours. Because it's my business. We need to remember that it's his battle, not ours. And brothers and sisters, don't grow weary in well-doing. Why? Because in due time, we will reap if we don't grow weary. Listen, when the time is right, you'll see the results. You may see the results on this side of you. You may see the results on the other side of eternity.

You may see the results on the other side of eternity, but you will see the results. Then number six, take advantage of every opportunity. Take advantage of every opportunity. Notice what it says in verse 10. So then, while we have opportunity, since we're not to grow weary in well-doing, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who are of the household of faith.

He says, while we have opportunity. Now, according to Wiest's word study, the construction of the world, the construction of that sentence would indicate that individuals are to look for opportunities. In other words, you're to have your eyes open for the opportunities to do good to the people that are around you. Listen, they're everywhere. We usually just don't see them.

They're everywhere. We usually just don't pay attention to them because we live in a very self-absorbed world, right? We live in a material world, and I am a material girl, right? And that's the way most of us live our lives. And we don't pay attention to the things that are going on around us. He says, look for the opportunities. And what do we have to look for the opportunities to do?

To do good to, to do good to all people. This is a great pastor joke. Are you ready? The word all in the Greek means all. Now, listen, I'm going to tell you what that means. That means you need to do good to all of the people that you like. And you need to do good to all of the people that you don't like. You need to do good to all of the people that like you.

And you need to do good to all of the people that don't like you. You need to do good to all of the people that you agree with theologically. And you need to do good to all the people that you disagree with theologically. You need to do good to the homosexual people of the world. You need to do good to the transgender people of the world. You need to do good to the Muslims.

You need to do good to those that are pro-abortion. You need to do good to all of the people that you disagree with because we are to look for every opportunity to do good to, all people. You know why? Because Jesus tells us that it's his kindness that leads us to repentance. It's his kindness that draws us to himself. And I'm here to tell you right now, when you do good

to all people, they want to know why. Well, let me tell you about Jesus. We do good to all people. But listen, but especially those in the household of faith. In other words, especially to those believers in Jesus Christ. Let me put it to you in another word, especially to our family. Right? Because if you can't do good to the people that are here, you're going to really struggle to

do good to the people that are out there. Look for every opportunity to do good. Brothers and sisters, we have been blessed with God's grace. And while God's grace means freedom, while God's grace produces fruit, God's grace put us into a family, and his grace prompts us to care for others. Amen? Amen. Let's all stand. And if you would bow with me. Father, we come to you. And Lord, I want to thank

you for what your word has to say. And Lord, right now, I want to lift up those that are here this morning. Lord, I want to especially lift up those that feel weary or that those that feel exhausted in the things that they've been doing because it feels like they have not seen any results. And Lord, first of all, I pray that you would release them from the pressure that they're putting on themselves.

And Lord, help them to rest in you. And Lord, if it be your will, I pray that they would begin to see some small results or some small harvest in the things that they've been doing so that they know it's not for nothing. Lord, in the meantime, help us to walk by faith. And Lord, may your grace continue to do its work in our hearts, not because it's a work of me, but because your grace does these things in us.

And we just praise you for who you are, Father, in Jesus' name. Amen. Be blessed. The activities and all that goes on. Bless, Lord, and encourage us and strengthen us and lead us and guide us by your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name. Amen. Lord bless y'all. Have a great week.