Sermon - 2016-06-12
As we continue tonight, you may have noticed that we are continuing to go through the letter to the Galatians. We are already in chapter two, and Paul is getting to the heart of the matter. Getting the people of Galatia to understand what they need, but also helping them and us identifying the constant distraction and path that we can so often feel that we are going down in our journey of faith. For people sometimes assume that because of their birth, they are saved. Because I am Jewish, I am one of the chosen people of God. Because I was born into a Christian family and baptized, I am going to be saved. Just because you are or have done one of these things in your life, does not mean that you are saved and that salvation is secure. No, it is not your doing that gives you salvation. It is the work of Jesus Christ.
Paul speaks of the other distraction for our faith journey, that it is the law. The law is so often lifted up as what it is we should do so that we shall be a Christian. Now I understand, the law is something that often has an outward appearance, something that we can see, something that we can point to and truly hold people accountable to. So often this comes down to: have you attended church? Have you given to the church lately? Are you living your life the way that God wants you to? However, each one of these questions is actually missing the real purpose and draws us to what Paul is truly getting the people of Galatia to look at. What is your motivation to do these acts?
The law is indeed an outward sign and something that we can hold others accountable to. However, their design is for us to change the way we have lived and think about our lives. Let’s look at the Ten Commandments which are usually thought of as the LAW that everyone speaks of. The first three commandments have to do with our relationship with God. They help us to be reminded that God is the most important aspect of our life. The Law then helps us change our mindset and our focus to what is suppose to be important. The other seven of the ten commandments deal with our relationship with others. But here again, these are outward signs that we can do so that our lives are changed for the sake of a higher purpose.
Paul reminds the Galatians and even us, that it is not what we do that saves us, but it is what we believe that saves us. We believe in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. This is a very important distinction, but then one that also gets us to fall into a trap. We think that all we need is this relationship with Jesus and not to be in a faith community. This is a problem because we need that community to support us and care for us in times of fear, doubt, and struggle. We need the community, and the community needs us.
So, if you are sitting there wondering. Ok! So what am I supposed to do? I want a task; I want something that I can measure; and I want something that I can share with others to help them too. Just believe in Jesus Christ? YES! We need to continually go back to that faith and the sharing of it with others. Be reminded that it is not what you DO that will save you, but it is what God continues to call you to do for the sake of OTHERS.
Paul speaks of the other distraction for our faith journey, that it is the law. The law is so often lifted up as what it is we should do so that we shall be a Christian. Now I understand, the law is something that often has an outward appearance, something that we can see, something that we can point to and truly hold people accountable to. So often this comes down to: have you attended church? Have you given to the church lately? Are you living your life the way that God wants you to? However, each one of these questions is actually missing the real purpose and draws us to what Paul is truly getting the people of Galatia to look at. What is your motivation to do these acts?
The law is indeed an outward sign and something that we can hold others accountable to. However, their design is for us to change the way we have lived and think about our lives. Let’s look at the Ten Commandments which are usually thought of as the LAW that everyone speaks of. The first three commandments have to do with our relationship with God. They help us to be reminded that God is the most important aspect of our life. The Law then helps us change our mindset and our focus to what is suppose to be important. The other seven of the ten commandments deal with our relationship with others. But here again, these are outward signs that we can do so that our lives are changed for the sake of a higher purpose.
Paul reminds the Galatians and even us, that it is not what we do that saves us, but it is what we believe that saves us. We believe in Jesus Christ and what he has done for us. This is a very important distinction, but then one that also gets us to fall into a trap. We think that all we need is this relationship with Jesus and not to be in a faith community. This is a problem because we need that community to support us and care for us in times of fear, doubt, and struggle. We need the community, and the community needs us.
So, if you are sitting there wondering. Ok! So what am I supposed to do? I want a task; I want something that I can measure; and I want something that I can share with others to help them too. Just believe in Jesus Christ? YES! We need to continually go back to that faith and the sharing of it with others. Be reminded that it is not what you DO that will save you, but it is what God continues to call you to do for the sake of OTHERS.
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