THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

AUGUST 14TH, 2005

GALATIANS 6:1-2

THE FAULTS OF OTHERS

 

 

I.     Paul gives a theoretical example of how a “Walk in the Spirit” is revealed in our lives (1).

 

     A.     Paul refers to “Brethren” in order to clarify that Christians sin.

 

     B.     A brother in Christ is “overtaken in a fault.”

 

          1.     In context, this brother WAS living and walking in the Spirit.

          2.     This brother has NOW been overtaken by a sin (fault).

               -     Paul does not state whether this fault is a minor or major fault.

          3.     It was a characteristic of legalists to judge severely ANY outward violation of the Law, or addition to the Law.

 

     C.     Paul issues a warning to the church, (then and now), on the right way, as opposed to he wrong way, of dealing with fallen brethren.

 

          1.     THE GOAL OF THE CHURCH towards a fallen brother should be restoration.

 

               -     Restoration is not simply getting the brother back into the church but persuading the brother to forsake the “fault” (sin), and restore fellowship with God.

 

          2.     THE CONDITION OF THE CHURCH should be “spiritual.”

 

               -     Only Christians who are living and walking in the Spirit are qualified to attempt ANY restoration.

 

          3.     THE ATTITUDE OF THE CHURCH should be “in the spirit of meekness.”

 

               -     The mark of a Christian man is not standing on your own two feet and sentencing someone to Hell; but kneeling on your own two knees and praying someone into Heaven.

 

          4.     THE FRAME-OF-MIND OF THE CHURCH should be “considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”

 

               -     Spiritual brethren see the condition of a fallen brother as an opportunity to analyze themselves.

 

II.     The practical basis of the Christian life is, SAVED TO SERVE.

 

     A.     In Galatians 6:2, Paul is repeating what he has already said in Galatians 5:14.

 

               -     The Law of Christ is fulfilled by burden-bearing NOT burdening bearers.

 

     B.     Concerning Galatians 6:2, Warren Wiersbe said:

 

               -     “The legalist is always harder on other people than he is on himself, but the Spirit-led Christian demands more of himself than he does of others that he might be able to help others.”

 

     C.     Since all of us have burdens of our own, it’s not natural to bear other people’s burdens too.

 

          1.     There’s a big difference between fault-finding and burden bearing.

 

          2.     The fruit of the Spirit is to be exemplified at all times but is most visible in times of crisis.

 

 

 

Conclusion:     Paul began chapter 5 with “Stand fast”, and he begins chapter 6 with being “overtaken in a fault.”

 

               -     We should always remember that while we should all “stand fast” that any of us can also be “overtaken in a fault.”