galatians-5-verses-13-to-171.ppt Christian Calling

Christian Calling Sermon Topic

1. OUR CHRISTIAN CALLING: ITS OUR CHRISTIAN CALLING: ITS
MEANING AND OUR RESPONSE MEANING AND OUR RESPONSE
TO ITTO IT
Text: Galatians 5:13-17Text: Galatians 5:13-17
Delivered at LCC church, August 29, 2010.Delivered at LCC church, August 29, 2010.
Delivered at Tarlac church, December 12, Delivered at Tarlac church, December 12,
2010.2010.

2. Galatians 5:13-17Galatians 5:13-17

13 13 For you were called to freedom, For you were called to freedom,
brethren; only do not use your brethren; only do not use your
freedom as an opportunity for the freedom as an opportunity for the
flesh, but through love be servants flesh, but through love be servants
of one another.of one another.

3. 
14 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in For the whole law is fulfilled in
one word, ‘You shall love your one word, ‘You shall love your
neighbor as yourself.’neighbor as yourself.’

4. 
15 15 But if you bite and devour one But if you bite and devour one
another take heed that you are not another take heed that you are not
consumed by one another. consumed by one another. 1616 But I But I
say, walk by the Spirit, and do not say, walk by the Spirit, and do not
gratify the desires of the flesh.gratify the desires of the flesh.

5. 
17 17 For the desires of the flesh are For the desires of the flesh are
against the Spirit, and the desires against the Spirit, and the desires
of the Spirit are against the flesh; of the Spirit are against the flesh;
for these are opposed to each for these are opposed to each
other, to prevent you from doing other, to prevent you from doing
what you would. what you would.

6. OUTLINEOUTLINE
CALLING.CALLING. “You were called to “You were called to
freedom” (4:13a).freedom” (4:13a).

SERVING. SERVING. “Through love be “Through love be
servants of one another” (4:13b).servants of one another” (4:13b).
FULFILLING.FULFILLING. “The whole law is “The whole law is
fulfilled in one word” (4:14a).fulfilled in one word” (4:14a).

WALKING. WALKING. “But I say, Walk by the “But I say, Walk by the
Spirit” (4:16a).Spirit” (4:16a).

7. First, THE CALLING.First, THE CALLING.

““For you were called to freedom, For you were called to freedom,
brethren” brethren” (5:13a).(5:13a).

This was the calling that God did when This was the calling that God did when
we were in sin. we were in sin.

Paul says, “Ye were called to freedom.” Paul says, “Ye were called to freedom.”

What does freedom mean to you?What does freedom mean to you?

8. 
To some it means freedom from debts To some it means freedom from debts
and financial burdens. Why? Because and financial burdens. Why? Because
someone paid your home mortgage! someone paid your home mortgage!
Because someone paid your motorcycle Because someone paid your motorcycle
mortgage!mortgage!

Because someone paid for your Because someone paid for your
children’s education!children’s education!
Because someone paid for your wife’s Because someone paid for your wife’s
eye operations!eye operations!

9. 
To a student, to be exempted from the To a student, to be exempted from the
final exam is freedom from exam worries! final exam is freedom from exam worries!

To a little boy, fatherly support is freedom To a little boy, fatherly support is freedom
from hunger and want! from hunger and want!

To one who is supporting a growing To one who is supporting a growing
family, getting an extra job or engaging in family, getting an extra job or engaging in
a business on the side is freedom from a business on the side is freedom from
economic worries.economic worries.

10. 
Paul says, “You were called to be free.” Paul says, “You were called to be free.”
Free from what? The context says it was Free from what? The context says it was
freedom from the law. What law?freedom from the law. What law?

The law that requires us to offer The law that requires us to offer
sacrifices of bulls and goats and sheep sacrifices of bulls and goats and sheep
every year. every year.

The law that requires us to make a trip to The law that requires us to make a trip to
Jerusalem in observance of it every year.Jerusalem in observance of it every year.

11. 
Freedom from the law means freedom Freedom from the law means freedom
from observing a ritual that could not from observing a ritual that could not
save. The blood of bulls and of goats save. The blood of bulls and of goats
could not take away sin (Heb. 9:12-13).could not take away sin (Heb. 9:12-13).
Paul says in Galatians that the law could Paul says in Galatians that the law could
not justify (3:11), that those under the not justify (3:11), that those under the
law needed redemption (4:5). law needed redemption (4:5).
He says that we are not the children of He says that we are not the children of
the bondwoman but of the free (4:31).the bondwoman but of the free (4:31).

12. 
The Galatians had been taught by false The Galatians had been taught by false
teachers to be subject to that law again. teachers to be subject to that law again.

Paul said no! They were now free from that Paul said no! They were now free from that
law!law!

True Christians were thus not in subjection to True Christians were thus not in subjection to
the law of Moses, or the Ten Commandments. the law of Moses, or the Ten Commandments.
They were free---free from the servitude of They were free---free from the servitude of
sin, free from subjection to expensive and sin, free from subjection to expensive and
burdensome rites and customs. burdensome rites and customs.

13. Second, THE SERVING.Second, THE SERVING.
““Only do not use your freedom as an Only do not use your freedom as an
opportunity for the flesh”opportunity for the flesh” (5:13b).(5:13b).

Paul says, “You are free but do not use Paul says, “You are free but do not use
that freedom as an occasion for the flesh.”that freedom as an occasion for the flesh.”

The Greek word “aphorme” means “a The Greek word “aphorme” means “a
starting point” for doing a thing, “an starting point” for doing a thing, “an
occasion” for doing it.occasion” for doing it.
Don’t use that freedom as an opportunity Don’t use that freedom as an opportunity
to indulge in your fleshly desires.to indulge in your fleshly desires.

14. 
Christians are called to liberty, but Christians are called to liberty, but
not liberty to fulfill their fleshly wants. not liberty to fulfill their fleshly wants.

Christians are free, but it is not Christians are free, but it is not
freedom from virtuous restraints freedom from virtuous restraints
from God’s eternal principles.from God’s eternal principles.

It is not freedom from the necessary It is not freedom from the necessary
restraints of virtue.restraints of virtue.

15. 
Rather it is liberty from serving sin, Rather it is liberty from serving sin,
because from now on you are not under because from now on you are not under
obligation to serve sin.obligation to serve sin.

It is freedom from expensive and It is freedom from expensive and
burdensome religious rites and burdensome religious rites and
ceremonies.ceremonies.

It is freedom that allows you to keep on It is freedom that allows you to keep on
doing good.doing good.

16. 
““But by love be slaves to one anotherBut by love be slaves to one another” ”
(5:13c).(5:13c).

Another reading says: “By love be Another reading says: “By love be
servants to one another.”servants to one another.”

This is an admonition to become slaves This is an admonition to become slaves
of one another and the instrument or of one another and the instrument or
basis for such an action is love.basis for such an action is love.

17. 
The meaning is that we must strive to The meaning is that we must strive to
promote each other's welfare by the promote each other's welfare by the
proper manifestation of love one to proper manifestation of love one to
another. another.

Doing this act is not inconsistent with the Doing this act is not inconsistent with the
freedom the gospel brings. freedom the gospel brings.

““When there is When there is lovelove, duty is pleasant, and , duty is pleasant, and
doing all acts of kindness is agreeable.” doing all acts of kindness is agreeable.”

18. 
Hear the story of Fernando, who Hear the story of Fernando, who
supported his friend Ferdinand’s family supported his friend Ferdinand’s family
until his friend was released from until his friend was released from
prison ten years after. He had six prison ten years after. He had six
mouths to feed from his friend’s family, mouths to feed from his friend’s family,
plus seven of his own! This true love!plus seven of his own! This true love!

19. 
But hear the story of Fermin, who also But hear the story of Fermin, who also
supported three of his friend Doro’s supported three of his friend Doro’s
family when Doro went to prison for family when Doro went to prison for
killing an American. Fermin was single. killing an American. Fermin was single.
When Doro came back from prison, he When Doro came back from prison, he
would not take back his wife Dora, would not take back his wife Dora,
because Dora had become Fermin’s because Dora had become Fermin’s
wife! This is not love but sexual wife! This is not love but sexual
opportunism!opportunism!

20. 
Christians are to serve one another like Christians are to serve one another like
slaves. This means you serve him or her slaves. This means you serve him or her
and he or she serves you too. and he or she serves you too.

The manner of serving is that of The manner of serving is that of
pleasing one’s master, to avoid pleasing one’s master, to avoid
displeasing one another, and to repay displeasing one another, and to repay
each other’s kindness.each other’s kindness.

21. Thirdly, THE FULFILLING of the Thirdly, THE FULFILLING of the
law.law.

"For the whole law is fulfilled in one "For the whole law is fulfilled in one
word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as word, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself”yourself” (5:14)(5:14)
It means that, by fulfilling the law of It means that, by fulfilling the law of
love, you are expressing through your love, you are expressing through your
action the substance of the whole law. action the substance of the whole law.
That loving action that you do embraces That loving action that you do embraces
and comprises all intents and purposes and comprises all intents and purposes
of the law. of the law.

22. The apostle Paul here is saying that the law of The apostle Paul here is saying that the law of
love would counteract all the evil workings of love would counteract all the evil workings of
the flesh; and, if this law were fulfilled, all our the flesh; and, if this law were fulfilled, all our
duty to others would be discharged.duty to others would be discharged.
If you love your neighbor, you would not If you love your neighbor, you would not
sleep with his wife, for this will hurt him and sleep with his wife, for this will hurt him and
his marriage.his marriage.
If you love your neighbor, you will not steal If you love your neighbor, you will not steal
his property for this will leave him and his his property for this will leave him and his
children destitute.children destitute.

23. 
If you love your neighbor, you will not gossip If you love your neighbor, you will not gossip
about him for this will destroy his about him for this will destroy his
reputation.reputation.

If you love your neighbor, you will not force If you love your neighbor, you will not force
him to give if he does not have the ability to him to give if he does not have the ability to
do so, and anathematize him if he does not do so, and anathematize him if he does not
give.give.

Masarap pa rin ang kapeng kusang ibinigay, Masarap pa rin ang kapeng kusang ibinigay,
kaysa kapeng sadyang piniga mula sa wallet!kaysa kapeng sadyang piniga mula sa wallet!

24. ““But if you bite and devour one another take But if you bite and devour one another take
heed that you are not consumed by one heed that you are not consumed by one
another”another” (5:15).(5:15).
Paul uses the word “bite” here, and it means Paul uses the word “bite” here, and it means
properly to bite or to sting.properly to bite or to sting.
In the context, it is here used in the sense of In the context, it is here used in the sense of
contending and striving--a metaphor contending and striving--a metaphor
probably taken from dogs and wild beasts.probably taken from dogs and wild beasts.
We bite one another by gossiping about each We bite one another by gossiping about each
other. If we do so, we are like dogs!other. If we do so, we are like dogs!

25. ““And if you devour one anotherAnd if you devour one another.. As wild As wild
beasts do. The sense is, "if you contend beasts do. The sense is, "if you contend
with each other." with each other."

The reference is, probably, to the strifes The reference is, probably, to the strifes
which would arise between the two which would arise between the two
parties in the churches-the Jewish and the parties in the churches-the Jewish and the
Gentile converts.”Gentile converts.”
If we contend with each other, we are If we contend with each other, we are
devouring one another like wild beasts do!devouring one another like wild beasts do!

26. 
““Take heed that ye be not consumedTake heed that ye be not consumed,,
etc. As wild beasts contend sometimes etc. As wild beasts contend sometimes
until both are slain. until both are slain.
Thus the idea is:Thus the idea is:

In their contentions they would destroy In their contentions they would destroy
the spirituality and happiness of each the spirituality and happiness of each
other.other.
Their characters would be ruined.Their characters would be ruined.
And the church would be overthrown!And the church would be overthrown!

27. 
““The readiest way to destroy the The readiest way to destroy the
spirituality of a church, and to spirituality of a church, and to
annihilate the influence of religion, is to annihilate the influence of religion, is to
excite a spirit of contention” (Barnes' excite a spirit of contention” (Barnes'
Notes on the New Testament).Notes on the New Testament).

28. 
Have you seen two dogs fight until they Have you seen two dogs fight until they
killed each other? killed each other?
When we gossip and argue with each When we gossip and argue with each
other, when we slander and libel each other, when we slander and libel each
other, when we backbite each other, we other, when we backbite each other, we
too will consume each other!too will consume each other!
The way to treat a person who hurts us The way to treat a person who hurts us
is to ignore him, not to answer him, but is to ignore him, not to answer him, but
to pray for him, and to forgive him.to pray for him, and to forgive him.

29. A Story About ForgivenessA Story About Forgiveness
Diabolico and Bonito were walking in a forest. Diabolico and Bonito were walking in a forest.
They were arguing. Suddenly Diabolico picked They were arguing. Suddenly Diabolico picked
up a stone and hit Bonito on the head. Bonito up a stone and hit Bonito on the head. Bonito
just looked at his friend, wiped his bloodied just looked at his friend, wiped his bloodied
face, and wrote his friend’s sin on the sand. face, and wrote his friend’s sin on the sand.
They kept on walking. Then Diabolico fell into They kept on walking. Then Diabolico fell into
a quagmire and shouted for help. Bonito a quagmire and shouted for help. Bonito
stretched out his hand and slowly, inch by stretched out his hand and slowly, inch by
inch, pulled his friend. inch, pulled his friend.
Diabolico sat down, scraped the mud on his Diabolico sat down, scraped the mud on his
face and asked: “Why are you doing all this?”face and asked: “Why are you doing all this?”

30. Bonito said: “I wrote your sin on the sand Bonito said: “I wrote your sin on the sand
because I know the winds will blow it away. If because I know the winds will blow it away. If
I wrote it on stone, I might often remember it. I wrote it on stone, I might often remember it.
Some years ago I stabbed a man and as he Some years ago I stabbed a man and as he
lay dying there he wrote my sin on the pool of lay dying there he wrote my sin on the pool of
his blood. And before he breathed his last, he his blood. And before he breathed his last, he
hugged me.”hugged me.”
Bonito paused for a moment: “I pulled you Bonito paused for a moment: “I pulled you
out because I have forgiven you. I pardoned out because I have forgiven you. I pardoned
your little sin because someone pardoned me your little sin because someone pardoned me
for my big sin.”for my big sin.”

31. A LETTER FROM A FORMER A LETTER FROM A FORMER
ENEMYENEMY
Dear Ed, Dear Ed, 
I am bowled over by your offer.  I am bowled over by your offer. 
Stunned.  The reason it took me so long to Stunned.  The reason it took me so long to
reply is I do not know what to say.  You did reply is I do not know what to say.  You did
something I never expected in a million something I never expected in a million
years.  No one here in the Philippines has years.  No one here in the Philippines has
ever displayed such kindness and generosity ever displayed such kindness and generosity
to me… to me…
Your offer is just amazing and I want to thank Your offer is just amazing and I want to thank
you for that.  You changed my heart about you for that.  You changed my heart about
you in one instant.you in one instant.

32. 
I'm not worthy of your generosity, I'm not worthy of your generosity,
brother.  Maybe you believe like I do, brother.  Maybe you believe like I do,
that Christian education is important for that Christian education is important for
our young people.  I sense that you do our young people.  I sense that you do
believe that wholeheartedly and is the believe that wholeheartedly and is the
only reason I can think of that you want only reason I can think of that you want
to do this free of charge, and because to do this free of charge, and because
you love the Lord.  I can only say you love the Lord.  I can only say
"THANK YOU, BROTHER.""THANK YOU, BROTHER."

33. 
  Once again, I apologize for my shortcomings Once again, I apologize for my shortcomings
as a leader and manager.  Thank you for as a leader and manager.  Thank you for
overlooking them and wishing to continue overlooking them and wishing to continue
your help to us without pay, like the Apostle your help to us without pay, like the Apostle
Paul preaching the Gospel "without charge."  I Paul preaching the Gospel "without charge."  I
know that what you do, you will do it as unto know that what you do, you will do it as unto
the Lord.  I know your abilities, without the Lord.  I know your abilities, without
question you will do a wonderful job. May question you will do a wonderful job. May
God bless you, brother.  Thank you again.God bless you, brother.  Thank you again.

34. Lastly, YOUR WALKING in the Lastly, YOUR WALKING in the
Spirit as you go through life.Spirit as you go through life.

““But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do But I say, walk by the Spirit, and do
not gratify the desires of the flesh” not gratify the desires of the flesh”
(5:16).(5:16).

““WalkWalk. The Christian life is often . The Christian life is often
represented as a journey; and the word represented as a journey; and the word
walkwalk, in the Scripture, is often equivalent , in the Scripture, is often equivalent
to live.” Thus, to walk by the Spirit is to to live.” Thus, to walk by the Spirit is to
live by what the Spirit dictates.live by what the Spirit dictates.

35. 
This means living under the This means living under the
influences of the Holy Spirit, influences of the Holy Spirit,

admitting those influences fully admitting those influences fully
into your hearts, into your hearts,

not resisting him, not resisting him,

but yielding to all his suggestions but yielding to all his suggestions
as found in the Word of God.as found in the Word of God.

36. 
If a man would yield his heart to those If a man would yield his heart to those
influences, he would be able to overcome influences, he would be able to overcome
all his evil propensities.all his evil propensities.

If he resists that Spirit, he is overcome by If he resists that Spirit, he is overcome by
the corrupt passions of his nature. the corrupt passions of his nature.

There was never was a better, safer, or a There was never was a better, safer, or a
more easy rule given to us to overcome more easy rule given to us to overcome
our corrupt and sensual desires than that our corrupt and sensual desires than that
here furnished by Paul in Galatians!here furnished by Paul in Galatians!

37. He who is being led by the Spirit produces He who is being led by the Spirit produces
fruit the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23).fruit the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:22,23).

““But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”But the fruit of the Spirit is love…”

This means sacrificial love for God and for This means sacrificial love for God and for
man; the kind of love that holds the man; the kind of love that holds the
object of its love in high esteem and object of its love in high esteem and
admiration.admiration.

The love that is expressed to the unlovely, The love that is expressed to the unlovely,
the unloved and the unloving, seeking the the unloved and the unloving, seeking the
best for them (Rogers & Rogers, 431).best for them (Rogers & Rogers, 431).

38. 
““The fruit of the Spirit is… joy”The fruit of the Spirit is… joy”

This is referring to This is referring to joy that is joy that is
grounded on a right relationship with grounded on a right relationship with
God (Rogers & Rogers, 431).God (Rogers & Rogers, 431).

39. 
““The fruit of the Spirit is… peace”The fruit of the Spirit is… peace”

Peace herePeace here is referring to the is referring to the
wholeness of soul which issues in a wholeness of soul which issues in a
tranquil disposition regardless of the tranquil disposition regardless of the
outward circumstances of life (Rogers outward circumstances of life (Rogers
& Rogers, 431).& Rogers, 431).

40. 
““The fruit of the Spirit is… The fruit of the Spirit is…
longsuffering”longsuffering”

““Longsuffering” describes the Longsuffering” describes the
response of Christians towards response of Christians towards
circumstances and events, his circumstances and events, his
patient endurance under injuries patient endurance under injuries
inflicted by others (Rogers & Rogers, inflicted by others (Rogers & Rogers,
431).431).

41. ““The fruit of the Spirit… is The fruit of the Spirit… is
gentleness”gentleness”
This is referring to one’s kindly This is referring to one’s kindly
disposition, goodness, and disposition, goodness, and
concern toward his neighbors; a concern toward his neighbors; a
kindness that expresses itself in kindness that expresses itself in
sympathy toward others (Rogers & sympathy toward others (Rogers &
Rogers, 431).Rogers, 431).

42. 
““The fruit of the Spirit is … The fruit of the Spirit is …
goodness”goodness”

It refers to a generosity that It refers to a generosity that
springs from the heart that is kind springs from the heart that is kind
and will always take care to obtain and will always take care to obtain
for others that which is useful and for others that which is useful and
beneficial (Rogers & Rogers, 431).beneficial (Rogers & Rogers, 431).

43. 
““The fruit of the Spirit … is faith.”The fruit of the Spirit … is faith.”

This means faithfulness, reliability, This means faithfulness, reliability,
loyalty to God and to His word loyalty to God and to His word
(Vine’s).(Vine’s).

44. 
““The fruit of the Spirit is … The fruit of the Spirit is …
meekness.”meekness.”

Meekness is referring to gentle Meekness is referring to gentle
submissiveness, controlled strength, submissiveness, controlled strength,
the ability to bear reproaches and the ability to bear reproaches and
slights without bitterness and slights without bitterness and
resentment (Rogers & Rogers, 431).resentment (Rogers & Rogers, 431).

45. 
““The fruit of the Spirit is … The fruit of the Spirit is …
temperance.”temperance.”

Temperance is self-control, self-Temperance is self-control, self-
restraint or the holding of restraint or the holding of
passions and appetites under passions and appetites under
control (Rogers & Rogers, 432control (Rogers & Rogers, 432).).

46. IN CONCLUSIONIN CONCLUSION

Calling.Calling. Remember that you have been Remember that you have been
called to be free. called to be free.

Don’t be slaves to the law, to the Don’t be slaves to the law, to the
doctrines of men, to the rites and doctrines of men, to the rites and
ordinances that replace God’s law, ordinances that replace God’s law,
God’s doctrine, God’s ordinance.God’s doctrine, God’s ordinance.

47. 
Serving. Serving. Christians are to serve one Christians are to serve one
another as they also serve God. Serving another as they also serve God. Serving
here means becoming a slave. here means becoming a slave.

We are to honor and please one another. We are to honor and please one another.
Let us avoid displeasing one another. Let us avoid displeasing one another.

There is no master among us; only Jesus There is no master among us; only Jesus
is our Master. When we please one is our Master. When we please one
another, we also please Jesus.another, we also please Jesus.

48. 
Fulfilling. Fulfilling. By loving one another, and By loving one another, and
becoming slaves to one another, we are becoming slaves to one another, we are
fulfilling the true intents of the law. fulfilling the true intents of the law.

We fulfill that law when we offer even a We fulfill that law when we offer even a
glass of water to the man who is thirsty glass of water to the man who is thirsty
or a piece of bread to the hungry boy.or a piece of bread to the hungry boy.

49. IllustrationIllustration

There was that little boy I saw at Avenida Veteranos in There was that little boy I saw at Avenida Veteranos in
Tacloban City early one morning one month ago. His Tacloban City early one morning one month ago. His
two hands were outstretched, his arms so thin like he two hands were outstretched, his arms so thin like he
had not eaten for many days. “Where is your father?” I had not eaten for many days. “Where is your father?” I
asked. asked.

““He went to Manila.” “Looking for a job?” I ventured. He went to Manila.” “Looking for a job?” I ventured.

““No, he left my mother.” No, he left my mother.”

““I won’t give you money,” I said. “What I have is I won’t give you money,” I said. “What I have is
enough for my gasoline.”enough for my gasoline.”

““Just one piece of bread.” His eyes were focused on the Just one piece of bread.” His eyes were focused on the
Dunkins I had just bought.Dunkins I had just bought.

““Thank you so much, Sir.” His voice was weak but the Thank you so much, Sir.” His voice was weak but the
two donuts I gave him vanished in a wink. He was two donuts I gave him vanished in a wink. He was
really hungry!really hungry!

50. Walking. Walking. Our walking should be Our walking should be
characterized by the walk of one who is being characterized by the walk of one who is being
led by the Spirit.led by the Spirit.
Our acts must express the spirituality created Our acts must express the spirituality created
in our souls and minds by the Spirit who lives in our souls and minds by the Spirit who lives
in us.in us.
We walk by faith and not by sight. We walk by We walk by faith and not by sight. We walk by
thinking about the rewards we will receive thinking about the rewards we will receive
from God in the future, not the benefits we from God in the future, not the benefits we
will reap from men today.will reap from men today.

51. 
THANK YOU SO MUCH!THANK YOU SO MUCH!