God’s Mysterious Will

Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT

⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan. ¹⁰ And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. ¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Examine the scriptures:

God’s Mysterious Will
Ephesians 1:9-11 NLT

⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—

• His (God’s) mysterious will revealed to us. A previously hidden divine truth, now revealed by God.

Ephesians 3:9 NLT
⁹ I (Paul) was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning. 

which is to fulfill his own good plan.  

God’s mysterious will (God’s plan) is multifaceted.  It has many different parts. 

• God has a good plan, from the beginning of time, which He will fulfill.

Psalm 33:11 NLT
¹¹ But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever;
his intentions can never be shaken. 

Proverbs 19:21 NLT
²¹ You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose (plans) will prevail. 

Ephesians 3:9 NLT
⁹ I (Paul) was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

One part of God’s plan:

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

A major part of God’s mysterious will:

¹⁰ And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.  

Since we have the New Testament, much of it written by Paul, we know as much of God’s mysterious will that we need to know. 

• Christ is the center of God’s plans.

1 Corinthians 15:27 NLT
²⁷ For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his(Christ’s) authority.” 

(Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) 

Philippians 2:10-11 NLT
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

 1 Timothy 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ Without question, this is the great mystery of our faith:

Christ was revealed in a human body
and vindicated by the Spirit.
He was seen by angels
and announced to the nations.
He was believed in throughout the world
and taken to heaven in glory. 

Christ, as described in Scripture:

Colossians 1:16-20 NLT
¹⁶ for through him (Christ) God created everything
in the heavenly realms and on earth.
He made the things we can see
and the things we can’t see—
such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world.
Everything was created through him and for him.
¹⁷ He existed before anything else,
and he holds all creation together.
¹⁸ Christ is also the head of the church,
which is his body.
He is the beginning,
supreme over all who rise from the dead.
So he is first in everything.
¹⁹ For God in all his fullness
was pleased to live in Christ,
²⁰ and through him God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.

1 Timothy 6:15 NLT
¹⁵ For,

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Revelation 19:16 NLT
The Rider on the White Horse
¹¹ Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war. ¹² His eyes were like flames of fire, and on his head were many crowns. A name was written on him that no one understood except himself. ¹³ He wore a robe dipped in blood, and his title was the Word of God. ¹⁴ The armies of heaven, dressed in the finest of pure white linen, followed him on white horses. ¹⁵ From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress. ¹⁶ On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

• Jesus Christ is the King of all kings and Lord of all lords.

Repeat: God’s mysterious will (God’s plan) is multifaceted.  It has many different parts.

Other aspects of God’s mysterious will:

Ephesians 3:3-6 NLT
³ As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. ⁴ As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. ⁵ God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

⁶ And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. 

Ephesians 6:19 NLT
¹⁹ And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News (the Gospel) is for Jews and Gentiles alike. 

Colossians 1:26-27 NLT
²⁶ This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. ²⁷ For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.

Colossians 2:2 NLT
² I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.

¹⁹…For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.

Mark 4:11 NLT
¹¹ He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, 

• Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.

¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ,

we have received an inheritance from God, 

• Those who are united with Christ, those adopted into God’s family, have received an inheritance from God. 

Romans 8:17 NLT
¹⁷ And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory.

Galatians 3:29 NLT
²⁹ And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.

Salvation.

Eternal life in heaven and all that goes with this. 

for he chose us in advance,

Review Ephesians 1:5
⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  

Romans 8:29-30 NLT
²⁹ For God knew his people in advance … 

Colossians 3:12 NLT
¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves …

1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT
⁴ We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

• God chose us in advance.

and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

A brief summary of God’s plan for his people.

Romans 8:28-30 NLT
²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. ²⁹ For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

• God is firmly in control of history. 

 

Quick review:

God chose us.

Jesus redeemed us.

The Holy Spirit protects us.

 

Praise God for His Amazing Grace

Ephesians 1:2-8 NLT
² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
Spiritual Blessings
³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. ⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. ⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. ⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:2-8 NLT
Praise God for His Amazing Grace.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

These words are more than just a “greeting”.

• Grace and peace are major themes in the book of Ephesians.

Paul uses the word “grace” 12 times and “peace” 7 times in Ephesians.

Grace:

In Christianity, God’s grace and God’s mercy are often confused. Although they are similar expressions of God’s favor and love, they possess a clear distinction. When we experience God’s grace, we receive blessings from God that we do not deserve. When we experience God’s mercy, we are spared from punishment that we do deserve.

Grace can even be defined by the acronym God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.

Grace expresses God’s steadfast love toward man.

In the next chapter of Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:4-5 NLT
⁴ But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, ⁵ that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

 Ephesians 2:8-9 NLT
⁸ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

Peace:

Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:14 NLT
¹⁴ For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people …

Ephesians 6:15 NLT
¹⁵ For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News …

Other writings from Paul:

Galatians 5:22 NLT
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

• Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.

• God’s saving grace is a theme found throughout the book of Ephesians.

• The Good news of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.

• Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Note: In Greek, verses 3-14 are one sentence.

³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. NIV

God’s superabundant blessings are given to all of His adopted children.

We are able to be called His children because of what Christ has done for us.

The words “Christ” or “Son” appear, or are implied, in verses 1-7.

2 Peter 1:2-4 (Peter an apostle expands on this thought.)
² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

• God has equipped us with everything we need to live the life he has planned for us. 

⁴ Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us (see verse 5)

This form of the Greek verb “chose” indicates that God not only chose by Himself but for Himself to the praise of His own glory. 

in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Colossians 1:22 NLT
²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Titus 3:5-7 NLT
⁵ he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. ⁶ He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. ⁷ Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

Jude 24 NLT
²⁴ Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 

• As a result of what Jesus did for us, God sees us as holy and blameless.

 ⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.  

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ … he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

 Romans 8:29-30 NLT
²⁹ For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. 

Colossians 3:12 NLT
¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves …

1 Thessalonians 1:4 NLT
⁴ We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be his own people.

Titus 1:1 NLT
¹ This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen …

John 6:44 NLT
⁴⁴ For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. 

• God decided in advance to adopt us (believers) into his own family, and it gave Him great pleasure. 

⁶ So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.  

• Praising God is an appropriate response for all He has done for us.

1 Chronicles 16:34 NLT
³⁴ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.

Revelation 5:12 NLT
¹² And they sang in a mighty chorus:
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered—
to receive power and riches
and wisdom and strength
and honor and glory and blessing.”

What did God do for us?

Colossians 1:13 NLT
¹³ For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness (destination – Hell) and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, (destination – Heaven)

Praise God.

Psalm 150:6 NLT
⁶ Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord! 

• Praise God for His amazing grace. 

⁷ He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. 

• God is rich in kindness and grace.

We read about God’s kindness and grace throughout scripture.

Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:14 NLT
¹⁴ The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.

Ephesians 2:13 NLT
¹³ But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 4:30 NLT
³⁰ … Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Other scriptures:

Romans 3:24 NLT
²⁴ Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

Mark 10:45 NLT
⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT
¹⁸ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. ¹⁹ It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 

• God purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.

⁸ He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

We can ask God for wisdom and understanding.

Colossians 1:9 NLT
⁹ So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding.

Proverbs 2:6 NLT
⁶ For the Lord grants wisdom!
From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Colossians 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives.  

• God has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.

 

This thought continues in verse 9

Disclaimer
There is a big difference between Scripture and commentary.
Scripture is God’s Word.  Commentary is man’s word.
Most of the content in this lesson is from the Scripture.  Some of the content is from commentaries.

Introduction to Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:1-2 NLT
Greetings from Paul¹ 
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus,
who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
²May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Examine the scriptures:

Ephesians 1:1-2 NLT

Greetings from Paul 

¹ This letter is from Paul,

Also Ephesians 3:1 NLT
When I think of all this, I, Paul, …

• Written by Paul – about 60-62 A.D. – while in prison in Rome – one of the Prison Epistles (Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon)

There are some differences in dates and locations in other commentaries. (5 of the commentaries I used support the above bullet point.) 

chosen by the will of God

A sovereign God fulfilling His plan.

God’s sovereignty, a theme throughout the book of Ephesians.

Ephesians 1:5 NLT
⁵ God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

Ephesians 1:9 NLT
⁹ God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill his own good plan.

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. 

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Other scriptures:
Psalm 139:16 NLT
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed. 

to be an apostle of Christ Jesus. 

Apostle: The word means “Messenger” or “send forth” and served as official title for Paul and the twelve disciples, who were eyewitness of the resurrected Jesus and were chosen by God to lay the foundation for the church. 

• It was God’s plan, not Paul’s plan, for Paul to be an apostle.
  • Commissioned and sent by God with the gospel message.
  • Paul’s authority comes from God.
  • 2 Timothy 3:16 (written by Paul) tells us that all of Paul’s writings were inspired by God.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 

I am writing to God’s holy people (saints) in Ephesus, who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

God’s holy people described in the book of Ephesians:

Ephesians 1:15 NLT
¹⁵ Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere …

Ephesians 1:18
¹⁸ I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

Ephesians 2:19
¹⁹ So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

Ephesians 3:18
¹⁸ And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.

Ephesians 4:12
¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Ephesians 5:3
³ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.

• Paul is writing this letter to God’s holy people.
• God’s holy people (Saints) are set apart for God’s use.
• The recipients of this letter are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.
• The recipients of this letter are “believers” in Christ Jesus. 

1:1 The most ancient manuscripts do not include in Ephesus. 

Because the name Ephesus is not mentioned in every early manuscript, and because there are no personal greetings in this letter, some scholars believe the letter was meant to be circulated and read among all the churches in Asia Minor and was simply sent fist to the believers in Ephesus.

Ephesians may have been a letter intended for other churches in addition to the church in Ephesus.

• To the Ephesians, but may also have been intended to be circulated among other churches. 

• The book of Ephesians is also written for us.

2 Timothy 3:16 NLT
¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us … 

Romans 15:4 NLT
⁴ Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled. 

Psalm 119:105 NLT
¹⁰⁵ Your word is a lamp to guide my feet
and a light for my path.

Interesting facts about Ephesus:

Ephesus was the capital of the Roman province of Asia.

Ephesus was an important port city.

Ephesus was located at an intersection of major trade routes.

At this time was the 4^th largest city in the Roman Empire, with an estimated population of 500,000 people.

Known for its temple of Artemis, (or Diana to the Romans).

This temple was regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

Important political, educational, and commercial.

Why is all of this significant?  (Not much different than many cities in America.)

Paul visited Ephesus:

Acts 18:18-23   NLT
Paul Returns to Antioch of Syria (second missionary journey)          A.D. 49-52 (51-53)*
¹⁸ Paul stayed in Corinth for some time after that, then said good-bye to the brothers and sisters and went to nearby Cenchrea. There he shaved his head according to Jewish custom, marking the end of a vow. Then he set sail for Syria, taking Priscilla and Aquila with him.
¹⁹ They stopped first at the port of Ephesus, where Paul left the others behind. While he was there, he went to the synagogue to reason with the Jews. ²⁰ They asked him to stay longer, but he declined. ²¹ As he left, however, he said, “I will come back later, God willing.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. ²² The next stop was at the port of Caesarea. From there he went up and visited the church at Jerusalem and then went back to Antioch.
²³ After spending some time in Antioch, Paul went back through Galatia and Phrygia, visiting and strengthening all the believers.

(third missionary journey)^19:1 
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior regions until he reached Ephesus, on the coast, where he found several believers.
⁸ Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly for the next three months, arguing persuasively about the Kingdom of God. ⁹ But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him. Then he held daily discussions at the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for the next two years, so that people throughout the province of Asia—both Jews and Greeks—heard the word of the Lord.
¹⁸ Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.  

Acts 20:17 & 31 NLT
Third missionary journey A.D. 54-57
¹⁷ But when we landed at Miletus, he sent a message to the elders of the church at Ephesus, asking them to come and meet him.

³¹ Watch out! Remember the three years I was with you—my constant watch and care over you night and day, and my many tears for you.

• Paul was very familiar with the believers in Ephesus.

The first three chapters are theological, emphasizing New Testament doctrine,

while the last three chapters are practical and focus on Christian behavior.

• The book of Ephesians challenges the reader to focus on Christ and the Church and teaches practical Christian living.

Example of focusing on the church.
Ephesians 6:18 NLT
¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

• Jews and Gentiles make up the church.

Ephesians is a letter of encouragement and admonition.  The book talks a lot about the church, God’s grace, and who we are in Christ.

Unlike Galatians and Corinthians, Ephesians was not written to address a specific concern or concerns within the church. Instead, it was written to emphasize all that we receive when we become a Christian, and to appreciate the high goals God has for the church.

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

These words are more than just a “greeting”.

Grace and peace are major themes in the book of Ephesians.

Paul uses the word “grace” 12 times and “peace” 7 times in Ephesians.

Grace can even be defined by the acronym God’s Riches at Christ’s Expense.

In Christianity, God’s grace and God’s mercy are often confused. Although they are similar expressions of God’s favor and love, they possess a clear distinction. When we experience God’s grace, we receive favor that we do not deserve. When we experience God’s mercy, we are spared punishment that we do deserve.

Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.

Grace expresses God’s steadfast love toward man.

Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22 NLT
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Both are gifts from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:1-2 NLT
5 Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. ² Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.

• Grace is undeserved blessing that comes from God’s kindness.
• God’s saving grace is a theme found throughout the book of Ephesians.
• The Good news of God’s saving grace in Jesus Christ is for the Gentiles as well as for the Jews.
• Peace is a sense of well-being and contentedness rooted in the Good News and brought about by the Holy Spirit.

Overall goal:

Immerse our minds, hearts, and souls in the beauty of God’s Word.

Introduction:

Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling.

When we examine current events:

We see the demise of America as we once knew it.

We are surrounded by moral decay.

It’s easy to become discouraged.

It’s easy to lose focus.

            We read about the rise and fall of nations (God’s people) in the Old Testament.

The outcome for America is predictable.

Don’t lose your focus.

What is something that God has called you to do?

Our ministry (from the scriptures)

Ephesians 2:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. 

Ephesians 4:11-12 NLT
¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

Psalm 78 (NLT)
¹O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying,
²for I will speak to you in a parable.
I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—
³stories we have heard and known,
stories our ancestors handed down to us.
⁴We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the Lord,
about his power and his mighty wonders.
⁵For he issued his laws to Jacob;
he gave his instructions to Israel.
He commanded our ancestors
to teach them to their children,
⁶so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.
⁷So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

Actions

¹O my people, listen to my instructions.
Open your ears to what I am saying, (be receptive) 

YOU:

Listen – hear  (God speaks to us!)

Bible study is all important!

I will teach you …

I will speak to you …

• Listen to God’s instructions. Open your ears to what God is saying to you. (be receptive)

Tell:

⁴We will not hide these truths from our children;
we will tell the next generation
about the glorious deeds of the LORD,
about his power and his mighty wonders. 

Desired outcome:

⁶so the next generation might know them—
even the children not yet born—
and they in turn will teach their own children.

⁷So each generation should set its hope anew on God,
not forgetting his glorious miracles
and obeying his commands.

• Help others

You want them to:

Know God’s Story – Biblical truths.
Trust in God.
Remember Biblical truths.
Obey Biblical truths.

• Repetition is good.

How

• Remember Your Mission.

Deuteronomy 6 (NLT)
⁴ “Listen, O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. ⁵ And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. ⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. ⁷ Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. ⁸ Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.  ⁹ Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.

Repeat again and again.

• Start with yourself.

YOU: You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.  

⁶ And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. 

• Repeat them (Biblical principles) again and again to your children.

Readily available resource.

2 Timothy 3:16-17
¹⁶All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. ¹⁷God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 

Remember Your Mission.

Remember, Redeemer Day School is a preschool.  We are here to establish a foundation for our students.  We are not building the entire building.

• Building on a Solid Foundation

Luke 6:46-49 NLT
Building on a Solid Foundation
⁴⁶“So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say? ⁴⁷I will show you what it’s like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. ⁴⁸It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. ⁴⁹But anyone who hears and doesn’t obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.”

Matthew 7:24-29 NLT
Building on a Solid Foundation
²⁴“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. ²⁵Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. ²⁶But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. ²⁷When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.”
²⁸When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹for he taught with real authority—quite unlike their teachers of religious law.

• We want our students to hear and obey basic Biblical principles.

Foundations

Costly to build.
Construction most people do not see.
Rain will come.  Foundations will be tested.

We are not in this alone. (Picture the following.)

Isaiah 41:8-10 NLT
⁸ “But as for you, Israel my servant,
Jacob my chosen one,
descended from Abraham my friend,
⁹ I have called you back from the ends of the earth,
saying, ‘You are my servant.’
For I have chosen you
and will not throw you away.
¹⁰ Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.
Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you.
I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

Final comments:

Proverbs 22:6 NLT
⁶Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT)
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

Psalm 127:1 NLT
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.

 

 

Overall goal:
     Immerse our minds, hearts, and souls in the beauty of God’s Word 

Introduction:
     Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling (September 2022 Part one)

 Look at Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

¹³ You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body
and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!
Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.
¹⁵ You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion,
as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.
¹⁶ You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.  (ESV)

 ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. (NIV)

• We are not here by mistake.

Look at Ephesians 2:10
New Living Translation
¹⁰ For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

New International Version
¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

• A Sovereign God is in control and has a plan for our lives.

1 Corinthians 10:31 NLT
³¹ So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

• Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

Current events

When we examine current events: (Just to name a few.)

Inflation
Recession
Coronavirus
Our Southern Border
Left wing policies – government spending – government defying the constitution.
Events in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Russia, China, Israel, Palestine, etc.
Support of Pro-abortion views.
The “woke” mentality.
The modern revolt against marriage.
The breakdown of the Biblical “male” and “female” marriage.
Wide spread acceptance of alternate life styles.
LGBTQ+
Trends in education

We see the demise of America as we once knew it.

We are surrounded by moral decay.

It’s easy to become discouraged.

It’s easy to lose focus.

When we read about the rise and fall of nations (God’s people) in the Old Testament.  The outcome for America is predictable.

Don’t lose your focus.

Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling.

• Don’t lose your focus.

• Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling. 

Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling.

Where do we start?

Philippians 4:6-9 NLT
⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
⁸ And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. ⁹ Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

You all know a lot of scripture.  Focus on what you know.  Do the things you know you should be doing, and don’t be sidetracked by the things you don’t understand.

Actions:

Don’t worry about anything.

Pray about everything. – Tell God what you need.

Thank God for all He has done.

Fix your thoughts on Scripture.

Put into practice all you learned from scripture.

• Keep putting into practice all you learned.

Results:
You will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

• You know a lot of scripture. Focus on what you know.

What are some things that you know?

• God is Sovereign

God is the supreme authority.

God is sovereign over history and time.

Ephesians 1:11 NLT
¹¹ Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

Psalm 47:7-9 NLT
⁷ For God is the King over all the earth.
Praise him with a psalm.
⁸ God reigns above the nations,
sitting on his holy throne.
⁹ The rulers of the world have gathered together
with the people of the God of Abraham.
For all the kings of the earth belong to God.
He is highly honored everywhere. 

Psalm 125:2 NLT
² Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem,
so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever.

• Some things never change.

• God never changes.

Malachi 3:6 (NLT)
⁶“I am the Lord, and I do not change. …

Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)
⁸Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.  

Numbers 23:19 (NLT)
God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?

• God’s Word never changes.

Isaiah 40:8 (NLT)
⁸The grass withers and the flowers fade,
but the word of our God stands forever.”

Psalm 119:89 (NLT)
⁸⁹Your eternal word, O Lord,
stands firm in heaven.

Luke 21:33 (NLT)
³³Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

John 10:34-35 (NLT)
³⁴Jesus replied … ³⁵And you know that the Scriptures cannot be altered. 

Matthew 5:18 (NLT)
¹⁸I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not even the smallest detail of God’s law will disappear until its purpose is achieved.

• Our philosophy of Christian Education should never change.

Ephesians 4:14 NLT
¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.

 

To be continued in:
“Remember Your Mission, Your Ministry, Your Calling (September 2022 Part two)”

 

Paul’s Final Advice

Galatians 6:11-18 NLT
¹¹ Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.
¹² Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. ¹³ And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.
¹⁴ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. ¹⁵ It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. ¹⁶ May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.
¹⁷ From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.
¹⁸ Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 6:11-18 NLT

Paul’s Final Advice 

¹¹ Notice what large letters I use as I write these closing words in my own handwriting.

• Paul frequently took the pen from his secretary and added a postscript in his own handwriting.

Romans 16:22 NLT
²² I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.

1 Corinthians 16:21 NLT
²¹ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting–Paul.

Colossians 4:18 NLT
¹⁸ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting–Paul.

2 Thessalonians 3:17 NLT
¹⁷ Here is my greeting in my own handwriting–Paul.  I do this in all my letters to prove they are from me. 

Paul did this to show that the letter really did come from him

And

In this case to make a final appeal.

The large letters may have been used for emphasis. 

¹² Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others.

Throughout the book of Galatians Paul was addressing a group of Judaizers in Galatia who claimed that Paul’s teaching about the Good News was inadequate.  The Judaizers argued that Paul’s law-free gospel was incomplete, and they claimed that the real gospel required Gentiles to be circumcised and to keep other aspects of the law.

Paul continues to address this topic in his closing comments.

Paul believed that the Judaizers were more concerned about their own reputation than with pleasing God.

The Judaizers were only thinking of themselves. They want to look good to others.

• The Judaizers wanted to look good to others.

They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 

By advocating circumcision, the Judaizers were less likely to experience opposition from the Jewish opponents to Christianity.

1 Corinthians 1:23 NLT
²³ So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.

• The Judaizers wanted to avoid persecution.

For us it might be: criticism, opposition, condemnation, disapproval, disfavor, rebuke, etc. 

¹³ And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

The motivation of the false teachers was self-serving. They “want to look good to others.”

They were more concerned about their own reputation than with honoring God.

“… so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.”

• The Judaizers only wanted to boast about the number of people they had convinced to be circumcised.

Some people are more interested in numbers than in truth.

¹⁴ As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s motivation was to increase, not his own reputation, but God’s glory.  Boasting about law -keeping would detract from recognition of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s writings:

1 Corinthians 1:31 NLT
³¹ Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 2:2 NLT
² For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified.

1 Corinthians 1:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ For Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the Good News—and not with clever speech, for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power.
¹⁸ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.

1 Corinthians 15:3 NLT
³ I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.

Colossians 1:20-22 NLT
²⁰ and through him (Christ) God reconciled
everything to himself.
He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth
by means of Christ’s blood on the cross.
²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.

Colossians 2:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

Paul’s message was “salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone”.

• Paul stated that he never boasted about anything except the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 

• The things of “this world” no longer attracted or influenced Paul. The “world” had no interest in Paul.

¹⁵ It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 

The Galatians missed the point.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 NLT
¹⁶ So we have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! ¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 

Colossians 2:11-12 NLT
¹¹ When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature.¹² For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

Colossians 1:21-22
²¹ This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. ²² Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault. 

¹⁶ May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle;

Those who have been transformed into a new creation by the power of the cross. (V. 14-15)

 they are the new people of God.

• Those who have been transformed into a new creation are the people of God. 

¹⁷ From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. 

Paul makes one final attempt to defense of his authority as an apostle.

The false teachers, and perhaps some of the Galatians, have been misrepresenting Paul.  Paul insists on the respect that is due his ministry.

No one has a right to criticize Paul or his message because of his proven status as Christ’s servant. 

For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

• Paul is a genuine minister of Christ and has the scars to prove it.

Acts 14:19 NLT
¹⁹ Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead.

2 Corinthians 6:4-5 NLT
⁴ In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. ⁵ We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. 

2 Corinthians 11:21-27 NLT
²¹ … But whatever they dare to boast about—I’m talking like a fool again—I dare to boast about it, too. ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. ²³ Are they servants of Christ? I know I sound like a madman, but I have served him far more! I have worked harder, been put in prison more often, been whipped times without number, and faced death again and again. ²⁴ Five different times the Jewish leaders gave me thirty-nine lashes. ²⁵ Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked. Once I spent a whole night and a day adrift at sea. ²⁶ I have traveled on many long journeys. I have faced danger from rivers and from robbers. I have faced danger from my own people, the Jews, as well as from the Gentiles. I have faced danger in the cities, in the deserts, and on the seas. And I have faced danger from men who claim to be believers but are not. ²⁷ I have worked hard and long, enduring many sleepless nights. I have been hungry and thirsty and have often gone without food. I have shivered in the cold, without enough clothing to keep me warm.

Exodus 21:6 NLT
⁶ If he does this, his master must present him before God. Then his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life. 

¹⁸ Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. 

• Paul has not given up on the Galatians. He still refers to them as brothers and sisters. 

It’s all boils down to God’s grace. 

Paul ends where he began. 

Galatians 1:3-4 NLT
³ May God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. ⁴ Jesus gave his life for our sins, just as God our Father planned, in order to rescue us from this evil world in which we live.

 *****************************

• Paul frequently took the pen from his secretary and added a postscript in his own handwriting.

• The Judaizers wanted to look good to others.

• The Judaizers wanted to avoid persecution.

• The Judaizers only wanted to boast about the number of people they had convinced to be circumcised.

• Paul stated that he never boasted about anything except the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

• The things of “this world” no longer attract or influence Paul. The “world” has no interest in Paul.

• Those who have been transformed into a new creation are the people of God.

• Paul was a genuine minister of Christ and had the scars to prove it.

• Paul had not given up on the Galatians. He still referred to them as brothers and sisters.

We Harvest What We Plant

Galatians 6:6-10 NLT
⁶ Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.
⁷ Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. ⁸ Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

Examine the scriptures:

Galatians 6:6-10 NLT
We Harvest What We Plant 

⁶ Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. 

More from Paul:
1 Corinthians 9:11, 14, 15 NLT

¹¹ Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? 

¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. 

¹⁵ Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. 

Some teachers who teach the Good News choose not to pursue these rights. 

Philippians 4:14-19 NLT
¹⁴ Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
¹⁵ As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. ¹⁶ Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. ¹⁷ I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
¹⁸ At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. 

• Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. (Galatians 6:6 NLT) 

Teachers or pastors getting paid for their services is not the primary theme of this passage of scripture. 

⁷ Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. 

You will always harvest what you plant. 

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 NLT (giving to the church in Jerusalem)
⁶ Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.

⁷ You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 

 ⁸ And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. ⁹ As the Scriptures say,
“They share freely and give generously to the poor.
Their good deeds will be remembered forever.”
¹⁰ For God is the one who provides seed for the farmer and then bread to eat. In the same way, he will provide and increase your resources and then produce a great harvest of generosity in you.
¹¹ Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God. ¹² So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
¹³ As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ. ¹⁴ And they will pray for you with deep affection because of the overflowing grace God has given to you. ¹⁵ Thank God for this gift too wonderful for words!

• Share with others because you want to share with them, not in response to pressure. Give cheerfully.

More scripture relating to reaping what you plant:

Job 4:8 NLT
⁸ My experience shows that those who plant trouble
and cultivate evil will harvest the same.

Proverbs 1:31-33 NLT
³¹ Therefore, they must eat the bitter fruit of living their own way,
choking on their own schemes.
³² For simpletons turn away from me—to death.
Fools are destroyed by their own complacency.
³³ But all who listen to me will live in peace,
untroubled by fear of harm.”

Proverbs 22:8 NLT
⁸ Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
and their reign of terror will come to an end.

Hosea 10:12 NLT
¹² I said, ‘Plant the good seeds of righteousness,
and you will harvest a crop of love.
Plow up the hard ground of your hearts,
for now is the time to seek the Lord,
that he may come
and shower righteousness upon you.’ 

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT
¹² Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

• You will always harvest what you plant. 

Remember, some harvests take time.

⁸ Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature

We have a sinful nature.

Romans 7:18 NLT
¹⁸ And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t.

There is nothing good in our sinful nature. 

will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.

Sin always corrupts.

A sinful nature progressively gets worse.

Romans 6:23 NLT
²³ For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. 

A sinful nature leads to death.

Romans 8:12-14 NLT
¹² Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. ¹³ For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. ¹⁴ For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Christians have no obligation to do what their sinful nature urges you to do. 

Galatians 5:19-21 NLT
¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Those who live by the dictates of their sinful nature, will die.

• Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. 

• • • We all have a sinful nature.
    • There is nothing good in our sinful nature.

But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. 

Go back to chapter 5.

Galatians 5:1-14 NLT
^5:1 So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. 

⁵ But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us.   (Salvation through Jesus Christ)

¹³ For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 

• Live to please the Spirit. (A primary theme of this passage.) 

⁹ So let’s not get tired of doing what is good.

Don’t allow sinful behavior to creep in.
Don’t become legalistic.
Don’t yield to temptations.
Don’t give up.

Luke 18:1 NLT
^18:1 One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  

• Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Always pray and never give up. 

¹⁰ Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.

• Our primary focus should be on serving other believers, but not to the exclusion of people outside the church. 

 ****************************************

 

• Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them. (Galatians 6:6 NLT) 

• Share with others because you want to share with them, not in response to pressure. Give cheerfully.

• You will always harvest what you plant. 

• Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. 

We all have a sinful nature.

There is nothing good in our sinful nature.

• Live to please the Spirit.

• Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Always pray and never give up. 

• Our primary focus should be on serving other believers, but not to the exclusion of people outside the church.

Bear One Another’s Burdens

Introduction:

The last bullet point of our previous lesson was:

Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

That principle is key in this lesson.

Galatians 6:1-5 NLT
^6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. ³ If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
⁴ Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. ⁵ For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Examine the scriptures:
Galatians 6:1-5 NLT
Bear One Another’s Burdens

^6:1 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin,

Another believer

Is overcome by some sin 

1 Peter 5:8 NLT
⁸ Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 

you who are godly 

• Some are better equipped than others to help those overcome by sin.

• The task of restoration is only for those who are godly, that is believers who walk by the spirit.

Galatians 5:16 NLT
¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 

• The task of restoration is only for those who are mature in the faith. 

Hebrews 5:13-14 NLT
¹³ For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. ¹⁴ Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. 

1 Corinthians 2:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ But people who aren’t spiritual can’t receive these truths from God’s Spirit. It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. ¹⁵ Those who are spiritual can evaluate all things, 

Our tendency might be like:

John 8:3-5 NLT
³ As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.
⁴ “Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

Acts 21:27-29 NLT
²⁷ The seven days were almost ended when some Jews from the province of Asia saw Paul in the Temple and roused a mob against him. They grabbed him, ²⁸ yelling, “Men of Israel, help us! This is the man who preaches against our people everywhere and tells everybody to disobey the Jewish laws. He speaks against the Temple—and even defiles this holy place by bringing in Gentiles.” ²⁹ (For earlier that day they had seen him in the city with Trophimus, a Gentile from Ephesus, and they assumed Paul had taken him into the Temple.)

should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.    

“you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.”

• Gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.

Gently and humble help restore that person. (mend, repair) 

Galatians 5:22-23 NLT
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.

Helping others back onto the right path can be a dangerous task.

• No one is immune from falling into sin.

1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT
¹² If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. 

Romans 3:9-12 NLT
All People Are Sinners
⁹ Well then, should we conclude that we Jews are better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. ¹⁰ As the Scriptures say,
“No one is righteous—
not even one.
¹¹ No one is truly wise;
no one is seeking God.
¹² All have turned away;
all have become useless.
No one does good,
not a single one.” 

1 John 1:8-9 NLT
⁸ If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. ⁹ But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Proverbs 28:13 NLT
¹³ People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy.

 ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. 

“Burdens” heavy load, troubles, and problems. (sin – verse 1)

While the “spiritual” do the work of restoring, all believers can become involved by prayer and encouragement.

Galatians 5:14 NLT
¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

• Share each other’s burdens.

³ If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

Don’t be conceited.

Philippians 2:4 NLT
⁴ Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

1 Corinthians 12
¹⁴ Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. ¹⁵ If the foot says, “I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand,” that does not make it any less a part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear says, “I am not part of the body because I am not an eye,” would that make it any less a part of the body? ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if your whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?
¹⁸ But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it. ¹⁹ How strange a body would be if it had only one part! ²⁰ Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. ²¹ The eye can never say to the hand, “I don’t need you.” The head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you.”
²² In fact, some parts of the body that seem weakest and least important are actually the most necessary. ²³ And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen, ²⁴ while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. ²⁵ This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad.
²⁷ All of you together are Christ’s body, and each of you is a part of it. 

• Don’t think that you are too important to help others.

• Treat other Christians with love when they sin.

Romans 12:16 NLT
¹⁶ Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!

⁴ Pay careful attention to your own work,

“Test their own actions” NIV

“Examine his own work” NASB

• Carefully scrutinize, examine, and test your own actions.

Romans 12:3 NLT
³ Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 

Matthew 7:3-5 NLT
³ “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? ⁴ How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.  

1 Corinthians 3:12-15 NLT
¹² Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. ¹³ But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value. ¹⁴ If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames. 

⁵ For we are each responsible for our own conduct. 

“each one should carry their own load.” NIV 

Don’t play the “Blame Game”.

You are 100% responsible for your actions.

Romans 14:12 NLT
¹² Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.

2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT
¹⁰ For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body. 

• We are each responsible for our own conduct. 
• Some are better equipped than others to help those overcome by sin.
• The task of restoration is only for those who are godly, that is believers who walk by the spirit.
• The task of restoration is only for those who are mature in the faith.
• Gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path.
• No one is immune from falling into sin.
• Share each other’s burdens.
• Don’t think that you are too important to help others.
• Treat other Christians with love when they sin.
• Carefully scrutinize, examine, and test your own actions.
• We are each responsible for our own conduct.

 

 

Introduction:

Matthew 7:20 NLT
²⁰ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

Galatians 5:19-26 NLT
Results of the Sinful Nature
¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Fruit of the Spirit
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Following the Spirit’s Leading
²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Examine the scriptures:

Matthew 7:20 NLT
²⁰ Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.

• You can identify people by their actions.

Galatians 5:19-26 NLT
Results of the Sinful Nature
¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear:

• Without the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, sinful humans follow wicked desires and actions.

sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these.

Sexual sins:

sexual immorality,
impurity, moral corruption (CEB)
lustful pleasures, debauchery (NIV), sensuality (ESV), doing whatever feels good (CEB)

Religious sins:

idolatry,
sorcery, witchcraft (NIV), casting spells (CEB)

Social sins:

hostility, hatred (NIV), enmity (ESV)
quarreling, discord (NIV), strife (ESV), fighting (CEB)
jealousy, obsession (CEB)
outbursts of anger, fits of rage (NIV), fits of anger (ESV), losing your temper (CEB)
selfish ambition, rivalries (ESV), competitive opposition (CEB)
dissension, conflict (CEB)
division, factions (NIV), group rivalry (CEB)
envy, jealousy (CEB)

drunkenness,
wild parties, orgies (NIV)

and other sins like these. And the like (NIV)

This long list is only representative and not exhaustive.

See also:1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Ephesians 5:5, Revelation 22:15 

Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

Romans 1:32 NLT
³² They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.

Romans 2:14-15 NLT
¹⁴ Even Gentiles, who do not have God’s written law, show that they know his law when they instinctively obey it, even without having heard it. ¹⁵ They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.

• Basic understanding of right and wrong is universal.

Those who live like this, who habitually indulge in these sins do not give evidence of being a child of God.

• When you live your life following the desires of your sinful nature you will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 John 5:18 NLT
¹⁸ We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.

Romans 6:17-18 NLT
¹⁷ Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. ¹⁸ Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Fruit of the Spirit
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Habits of mind:

love,
 joy,
 peace

Reaches out to others:

patience, forbearance (NIV)
 kindness,
 goodness,

General conduct:

faithfulness,
gentleness,
self-control 

Note: This list is identical, except for instance, in the NLT, NIV, ESV, and CEB.

Similar passages to Galatians 5:22-23

Colossians 3:12-15 NLT
¹² Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. ¹⁴ Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Ephesians 4:2 NLT
² Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Ephesians 5:8-9 NLT
⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

2 Corinthians 6:6 NLT
⁶ We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love.

• The Holy Spirit defends against sin.

• Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit.

Following the Spirit’s Leading

²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 

Galatians 2:20 NLT
²⁰ My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
¹⁷ This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

Romans 6:6 NLT
⁶ We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin.

Romans 7:4-6 NLT
⁴ So, my dear brothers and sisters, this is the point: You died to the power of the law when you died with Christ. And now you are united with the one who was raised from the dead. As a result, we can produce a harvest of good deeds for God. ⁵ When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:14 NLT
¹⁴ Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. 

John 15:5-8 NLT
⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. 

• Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

• Apart from Christ we can do nothing. 

• Christ and the Holy Spirit come together in the believer’s life.

John 14:16-20 NLT
¹⁶ And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. ¹⁷ He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. ¹⁸ No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. ¹⁹ Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. ²⁰ When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.

²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 

Follow the Spirit’s leading.

From previous lesson:

The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
¹⁹ Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?

The Holy Spirit guides us.

John 16:13 NLT
¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction.

John 16:8 NLT
⁸ And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us.

1 Peter 1:2 NLT
² God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. 

Galatians 5:16
¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

• Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

²⁶ Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

These are likely issues that were evident in the Galatian churches. 

************************** 

• You can identify people by their actions.

• Without the transforming work of the Holy Spirit, sinful humans follow wicked desires and actions.

• Basic understanding of right and wrong is universal.

• When you live your life following the desires of your sinful nature you will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

• The Holy Spirit defends against sin.

• Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit.

• Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!

• Apart from Christ we can do nothing. 

• Christ and the Holy Spirit come together in the believer’s life.

• Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

 

Living by the Spirit’s Power

Galatians 5:16-18 NLT
¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

Examine the scriptures:

Galatians 5:16-18 NLT
Living by the Spirit’s Power 

The Holy Spirit is God.

The Holy Spirit is a person.

He thinks (Acts 15:28), He speaks (Acts 1:16), He grieves (Ephesians 4:30), and He decides (1 Corinthians 12:11).

The Holy Spirit dwells in Christians.

1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT
¹⁹ Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?

The Holy Spirit illuminates the Word of God.

John 14:26 NLT
²⁶ But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

The Holy Spirit tells us what Christ has done.

John 15:26 NLT
²⁶ “But I will send you the Advocate—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me.

The Holy Spirit speaks on our behalf.  He intercedes for us.

Romans 8:27 NLT
²⁷ And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.

The Holy Spirit guides us.

John 16:13 NLT
¹³ When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.

The Holy Spirit brings conviction.

John 16:8 NLT
⁸ And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

The Holy Spirit sanctifies us.

1 Peter 1:2 NLT
² God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. 

The Holy Spirit inspires writers.

2 Peter 1:20-21 NLT
²⁰ Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, ²¹ or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God. 

 

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

In light of all that is happening in their lives.

“Let” used here and “but when” used in verse 18 remind us that we are not always being guided by the Holy Spirit.

Yield to the Holy Spirit.
Walk by the Spirit.
Make decisions and choices according to the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

Romans 12:2 NLT
² Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

• Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

• Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

Every Christian has two natures.

A sinful nature received at birth, inherited from fallen Adam.

A divine nature received when we came to God, when we were adopted into His family, when we were born again.

• Every Christian has a sinful nature and a divine nature.

Romans 8:2-4 NLT
² And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. ³ The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. ⁴ He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 

2 Peter 1:3-4 NLT
³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 

Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.  

¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, 

which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants.

A desire for evil.

1 Peter 2:11 NLT
¹¹ Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls.

• The sinful nature wants to do evil.

And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.

A desire for holiness.

• A divine nature desires holiness. 

These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 

• The Christian’s divine nature and the sinful nature are at war with each other.

• The war between the Christian’s divine nature and sinful nature will continue until the Christian is resurrected with Jesus Christ.

Romans 8:18-25 NLT
The Future Glory
¹⁸ Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. ¹⁹ For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. ²⁰ Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, ²¹ the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. ²² For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. ²³ And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. ²⁴ We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hope for it. ²⁵ But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.) 

¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. 

“but when”

The Spirit’s active presence in believer’s lives shows that they are no longer under the pre-Christian system.

• A Godly life is not lived under the rules of the Law but is a life led by the Spirit.

A law-free faith will not lead to moral ruin because having the Holy Spirit to guide people’s lives changes their hearts to follow the will of God and not sin.

Just as justification is not possible by works so sanctification cannot be achieved by human effort.

This of course does not mean that a Christian is totally passive in either case for the response of faith is necessary-faith in Christ to save and faith in the Holy Spirit to sanctify.

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• Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.

• Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.

• Every Christian has a sinful nature and a divine nature.

• The sinful nature wants to do evil.

• A divine nature desires holiness.

• The Christian’s divine nature and the sinful nature are at war with each other.

• The war between the Christian’s divine nature and sinful nature will continue until the Christian is resurrected with Jesus Christ.

• A Godly life is not lived under the rules of the Law but is a life led by the Spirit.