"THE EPISTLE TO THE GALATIANS"

Bearing Burdens (6:1-5)

INTRODUCTION
  1. Justification by faith in Christ provides wonderful blessings...
    1. We enjoy true liberty, freedom from the yoke of bondage - Ga 5:1
    2. We live in the Spirit, producing the fruit of the Spirit as we walk in the Spirit - Ga 5:16-26
  2. But such blessings do not come without responsibilities...
    1. There are burdens to bear
    2. There is good to be done

[In Galatians 6, Paul expounds on our responsibilities, beginning with "Bearing Burdens"...]

  1. WE ARE TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS (1-2)
    1. THE DUTY OF THOSE WHO ARE SPIRITUAL...
      1. Who are producing the fruit of the Spirit
        1. That fruit delineated in the previous chapter - Ga 5:22-23
        2. Which fruit (e.g., love, longsuffering, kindness) prepares one to be of service
      2. Fulfilling the law of Christ
        1. Perhaps alluding to that 'new commandment' to love one another - cf. Jn 13:34
        2. What Jesus described as 'My commandment - Jn 15:12
      3. Bearing with the infirmities of the weak
        1. The duty of those who are strong - Ro 15:1-2
        2. Following the example of Jesus - Ro 15:3; cf. 1Th 5:14
        -- The spiritually strong are to bear with the burdens of the weak
    2. TO RESTORE THOSE OVERTAKEN...
      1. Those overtaken by their sins
        1. Referring to cases of surprise, or of sudden temptation - Barnes
        2. Not gone into sin as a result of sinful premeditation, but surprised by it - B.W. Johnson
      2. Restoring them in a spirit of gentleness
        1. In the exercise of that grace which is a gift and fruit of the Spirit of God - Gill
        2. As Paul charged Timothy - 2Ti 2:24-26
      3. Considering one's own potential for temptation
        1. Aware that we all stumble in many things - Jm 3:2
        2. Remembering that we too can easily fall - 1Co 10:12
        -- The spiritually strong are to graciously restore their weak brethren - cf. Jm 5:19-20
    3. ARE WE WILLING TO BEAR ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS...?
      1. It begins with getting to know one another
        1. Enough to know when one is overtaken in a fault
        2. Enough to care when one is overtaken in a fault
      2. This is one reason we should attend every assembly of the church when possible
        1. It provides a way to become better acquainted with one another
        2. It provides a way to know when something may be wrong with a brother
        -- Are we willing to care enough to share one another's burdens? - cf. He 10:24-25

      ["Bearing Burdens" is not limited to the spiritually strong. Enjoined upon all Christians is this duty...]

  2. WE ARE TO BEAR OUR OWN BURDENS (3-5)
    1. THE DUTY OF ALL WHO FOLLOW CHRIST...
      1. Otherwise we are nothing, no matter what we think
        1. There is the temptation to think higher of ourselves than we ought - Ro 12:3
        2. Yet we can easily deceive ourselves - e.g., Jm 1:22
      2. Only then can we rejoice in ourselves, and not in another
        1. Some trust in being part of a group, without really contributing to the work
        2. But we will be judged as individuals, not as a group - Ro 14:12; 2Co 5:10
        -- Are we willing to bear our own load, or do we expect others to carry us?
    2. TO BEAR ONE'S OWN LOAD...
      1. By first examining ourselves
        1. Starting with the fundamentals: are we even in Christ? - cf. 2Co 13:5
        2. Then examining our lives weekly, as we observe the Supper - cf. 1Co 11:28
      2. And then carrying our own load
        1. Doing our part as members; in kindness, with faithfulness - Ep 4:16; Ga 5:22-23
        2. Understanding that we are needed just as much as anyone else - 1Co 12:15-20
        -- Do we handicap the body of Christ by failing to do our part?
    3. ARE WE WILLING TO BEAR OUR OWN LOAD...?
      1. It begins with accepting personal responsibility for our own spiritual growth
        1. Willing to learn what the Lord would have me know
        2. Willing to do what the Lord would have me do
      2. This is another reason we should attend every assembly of the church when possible
        1. It provides many opportunities to learn the Lord's will
        2. It provides many opportunities to do what the Lord desires
        -- Are we willing to do our fair share in bearing our own load? - cf. Ep 4:16
CONCLUSION
  1. The Lord saved us that we might be zealous for good works... - Ti 2:14
    1. Redeeming us from every lawless deed
    2. Purifying for Himself His special people
  2. Are we not willing to accept the work of the Lord with zeal...?
    1. To bear one another's burden, out of love for one another?
    2. To bear our own burden, out of love for the Lord?