The Seeds that Grow LoveGalatians 5-6

I. The contrast

A. Waiting

Isaiah 40:31But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

B. Abiding

John 15:5for without Me you can do nothing

C. Life in the Spirit

Circumcision

Law

Galatians Contrast

Law vs. Liberty

Galatians Contrast

Works Righteousness

vs. Righteousness by Faith

Galatians Contrast

Flesh vs. Spirit

Flesh

License Law

Flesh

Giving in to Desires Legalism

FleshGiving in to Desires Self Righteousness

FleshGiving in to Desires Works Righteousness

Flesh

Galatians 3:2-3This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?

Galatians 5:3-4And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Galatians 5:13-14For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself

II. The warning

A. Command

Galatians 5:16-17I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

B. Alarm

Galatians 5:19-21Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

My flesh issues…

adultery

murder

sorcery

idolatry

envy

outburst of anger

selfishness

unresolved conflict

C. Validation

Galatians 5:22-23But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.  

Romans 5:5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

III. The investment

A. The principle

Galatians 6:7Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

B. Sowing to the flesh

Galatians 6:8For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption

C. Sowing to the Spirit

Galatians 6:8-10For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.