“You Can Bear It”
Series #2
"BURDEN BEARING!"
TEXT: Gal.
6:1-5; Ex.
28:29
INTRO: Mario Cuomo
told the story of when he was a young boy, they had just moved into this new
home in Holliswood, New York when a terrible storm blew in. They had this beautiful blue spruce that
stood almost 40 feet tall blow over in the storm. It had been almost completely uprooted,
lying over on its side with the top on the asphalt street outside. His father ran outside and said,
"ok, we gonna
push em up." As a boy, Mario challenged his father and
said it couldn't be saved; it was out of the ground! His father said it would grow again;
they would push it back up. Sure
enough, after pulling it back up and digging a new hole for the roots to settle
back into, the tree grew again ... today it is over 65 feet tall! They restored
it!
Americans love to restore things ... we fix antiques,
automobiles, houses, tools, etc. we are great at restoring things, but we often
ignore people!
God
calls us to "bear one another's burdens" ... meaning the
heavy loads that some people have upon them; even to restore those who are
fallen. Not only are we called to
bear fruit, we are called to bear burdens!
PROP.
SENT: God's people are called upon to
bear one another's burdens.
I. BEARING OTHER'S BURDENS Gal. 6:1-3; Ex.
28:29
A.
Restoration
Gal. 6:1
1.
The fact is that even as Christians we have moments of pain and wrong
doing!
a. The term here about being
“caught
in a sin” or as it is in the KJV "be
overtaken in a fault" refers to a lapse of faith into sin ... an
act that is not so much habitual as it is a single
act.
b.
The concept of surprise is almost hinted at ... in other words, the
person who sinned did so out of weakness and a poor choice ... not out of a long
term habit or rebellion.
c.
Restoration for those involved in a habitual issue requires
responsibilities and accountability along with
forgiveness.
2. The call in this verse is the
call for restoration
... the word in Greek means, "to
put a dislocated bone back in place" ... "To mend or
fix."
a. Notice the way we are to
restore this person ... "with gentleness!"
b.
The person who has sinned must already have a sense of guilt, the
next verse clearly implies this ... someone already broken by their sin does not
need a hard approach, they need loving
support!
3.
The goal is restoration, not
retribution!
4.
The person is not absolved from responsibility, but they are not
to be beat up on either when they are clearly broken and
contrite!
a.
Notice the warnings about pride here ... it can be just as easy for you
to walk in their shoes. "But watch
yourself, or you also may be tempted."
6:1b
b.
We are all capable of sin!
c.
We should treat them as we would want to be treated if we had
fallen!
5.
The Bible states that "love covers a multitude of
sins."
ILLUS: ON
MONDAY, AUGU5T 9, 1993 A 31 YEAR OLD WOMAN NAMED SOPHIA MARDRESS WHITE BURST
INTO A HOSPITAL NURSERY AT USC MEDICAL CENTER IN LOS ANGELES SWINGING A .38
CALIBER HANDGUN. SHE CAME GUNNING
FOR ELIZABETH STATEN, A NURSE WHOM SHE ACCUSED OF STEALING HER HUSBAND. WHITE FIRED 6 SHOTS AT STATEN, HITTING
HER IN THE STOMACH AND THE WRIST, SHE THEN FLED AND WHITE RAN AFTER HER. THEY ENDED UP IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM
WHERE SHE WAS READY TO START SHOOTING AGAIN, BUT A ANOTHER NURSE ON DUTY NAMED
JOAN BLACK BLOCKED HER FROM
SHOOTING THE NOW BLOOD SOAKED STATEN.
BLACK SIMPLY WALKED UP TO WHITE AND DID THE UNTHINKABLE ... SHE WALKED UP
TO HER AND SIMPLY HUGGED HER, WHITE WAS STILL HOLDING THE GUN IN HER HAND,
FINGER ON THE TRIGGER. AS BLACK
CONTINUED TO HUG HER, SHE STARTED TO LIFT THE GUN AS THOUGH TO SHOOT HERSELF,
BUT BLACK PUSHED HER HAND BACK DOWN AND SAID, "YOU'RE IN PAIN, I'M SORRY, BUT
EVERYBODY HAS PAIN IN THEIR LIFE ... I UNDERSTAND, WE CAN WORK IT OUT." AT LAST WHITE GAVE THE GUN TO MS. BLACK
... DISARMED BY LOVE AND A HUG!
LATER BLACK WAS INTERVIEWED AND SHE SAID THIS, "I SAW A SICK PERSON
AND HAD TO TAKE CARE OF HER."
AFTER ALL SHE WAS A NURSE!
HER WILLINGNESS TO LOVE AND HUG THIS ANGRY PERSON HAD SAVED THE LIFE OF
STATEN ... AND OPENED THE DOOR FOR HEALING ... DISARMED BY LOVE! –
SOURCE UNKNOWN
B.
Relationships! Gal. 6:2-3, Ex.
28:29
1. The verb used here for "carry" literally translates, "be
ready to carry"...
a.
Part of being a Christian is the call to help one
another!
b.
This is the call of relationships ... the believer does not exist
alone!
c.
This kind of "help" can only
happen where we are connected ... in church to one
another!
d.
It is nonsense for someone to call themselves a "Christian" and not
attend church! Jesus died for His
bride ... the church. There were
warnings in Scripture to not forsake assembling together! (Especially as we see the "day of the Lord"
drawing near ... a reference to the coming of Christ!) Heb.
10:25 "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see
the Day approaching."
e.
You can't be part of the body of Christ by yourself! Just as a toe, finger, or any other part
of your body can live on its own and apart from the body ... you can't either as
a believer!
2.
We were never meant to "go it alone" as a
Christian!
a. It is not alright to call yourself a Christian
and avoid the church!
b.
The concept of western individualism is foreign in the pages of
Scripture!
3.
The greatest testimony of Christianity is the way we sacrifice ourselves
for others ... the way we help to carry the burdens of one another ... even at
the expense of personal fortune at times!
Jesus Himself said this is how people would even know that we were His
disciples ... how well we love one another! John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my
disciples, if you love one another."
ILLUS: FATHER
MAXIMILIAN KOLBE IS A NAME KNOWN AMONGST THOSE WHO SUFFERED IN CONCENTRATION
CAMPS IN WORLD WAR II. HE WAS A
PRISONER AT AUSCHWITZ IN AUGUST 1941.
A PRISONER HAD ESCAPED THE CAMP AND IN REPRISAL THE GERMANS ORDERED THAT
10 PRISONERS HAD TO DIE BY STARVATION AS THE PENALTY OF SOMEONE ESCAPING. FATHER KOLBE OFFERED TO TAKE THE PLACE
OF ONE OF THE PRISONERS THAT HAD BEEN CHOSEN FOR DEATH, AND THE NAZI'S ACCEPTED
THE TRADE! THEY KEPT KOLBE IN THE
STARVATION BUNKER FOR 2 WEEKS AND THEN PUT HIM TO DEATH BY LETHAL INJECTION ON
AUGUST 14, 1941. 30 YEARS LATER, A
SURVIVOR FROM AUSCHWITZ DESCRIBED THE EFFECT FATHER KOLBE’S ACTIONS HAD ON THE
CAMP, "IT WAS AN ENORMOUS SHOCK TO THE WHOLE CAMP. WE BECAME AWARE THAT SOMEONE AMONG US IN
THIS SPIRITUALLY DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL WAS RAISING THE STANDARD OF LOVE ON
HIGH. Someone unknown, like everyone else,
tortured and bereft of name and social standing went to a horrible death for the
sake of someone not even related to him.
Therefore, it was not true, we cried, that humanity is cast down and
trampled in the mud, overcome by oppressors, and overwhelmed by
hopelessness. Thousands of
prisoners were convinced the true world continued to exist and that our
torturers would not be able to destroy it.” One man’s act of love to carry the
burden of another brought hope and light in the darkest moments of
existence. –
source unknown
4. Paul calls on the believers
here who are mature to be
willing to carry the "burdens" of
others...
a.
There are two Greek words translated "burden" in this verse and verse 5, in our English version they are both simply
translated "burden" but they are two different kinds of
burden!
b. The "burden" here is the Greek word; “baros” -- it has the
meaning of a very
heavy burden ... probably of some moral failure type ... meaning a heavy
shame and guilt!
c.
This person referred to in verse 1 was
under a very heavy burden of sin, shame, guilt! This was a weight large enough to break
someone, to weigh them down so they can't move!
5.
We are to carry one another's burdens of this type ... the heavy
burdens that others carry that have them weighed down with guilt, shame, and
anguish of soul!
a.
This does imply that the guilty party is broken, accepting responsibility
and accountable.
b.
This is the greatest law fulfilled! This will fulfill the love of
Christ!
c.
The laws of Moses might bring condemnation, but the law of Christ brings
forgiveness and healing ... a lifting of the
burden!
6.
There is no room for arrogance in the family of God when someone is
broken, we are there to lift each other up, not put each other
down!
a.
The worst kind of pride is spiritual
pride!
b.
Those that are weighted down don't need lectures, they need
love!
ILLUS: A CERTAIN
BRAGGART WAS TELLING OTHERS HOW WONDERFUL HE WAS, HOW MUCH HE HAS ACCOMPLISHED,
AND HE ENDED IT WITH THIS, "I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW THAT I'M A SELF-MADE
MAN!" ONE OF THOSE WHO HEARD
HIM SAY THIS RESPONDED WITH, "WELL, I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT ... IT CERTAINLY
RELIEVES THE CREATOR OF A TREMENDOUS RESPONSIBILITY!" – SOURCE UNKNOWN
7. Notice that even in the Old Testament
(Ex. 28:29) Aaron was to wear a breastplate with the
names of the tribes of Israel (the 12
tribes' names) when he entered the Holy Place ... he was to "bear" their names in the presence of
God, to carry their burdens over his
heart!
a.
Do we really pray for one another, or simply use that as an
expression?
b.
How about setting aside one day a week to pray for others, nothing in
that day for youself!
c.
What would happen in the body of Christ if we began to bear one another's
burdens with real passion and commitment?
8. The man that thinks he is something when he is
really nothing is self-deceived the Apostle Paul
states!
a.
What is important in the kingdom of God is to be burden
bearers!
b.
Status means nothing in God's eyes ... importance comes from serving and
loving!
c.
We can sound spiritual, have all the gifts of the Spirit ... but if we
don't carry one another's burdens in love ... we ARE
nothing!
d.
It doesn't mean that you have “done
nothing” … but the verse clearly says that you “are
nothing!” 1 Cor 13:2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can
fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move
mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (Underlined for emphasis by me) This is an important
distinction!
II. BEARING OWN BURDENS Gal.
6:4-5
A.
Responsibility Gal.
6:4
1.
Paul now turns his attention to the individual ... that we are each
responsible to test ourselves, not others!
a.
Before we get worked up over others, how are we doing in that same
area?
b.
Actually, Paul's point here is for us to only look at ourselves
... then if we are doing a good job we have a right to a healthy pride over self
(self-esteem, not boasting pride!) (Gal.
6:4a) -- without comparing ourselves with
others!
c.
Our actions should be tested alone, not against
others!
2.
We are not good standards to use against each other ... this will end in
a futile exercise of arrogant pride or
self-debasement!
a.
The question is never, "How am I doing compared to someone else?"...
It is "How
am I doing – period!"
b.
There is such a thing as healthy pride too ... this is pride that comes
from knowing you are pleasing God, not in relationship to how well you are doing
compared with someone else.
3.
We must be happy with ourselves ... we cannot make ourselves happy
based on someone else or something else!
ILLUS: IN A COMEDY FILM
WITH JOHN CANDY CALLED "COOL RUNNINGS" THERE IS A BOBSLED TEAM FROM
JAMAICA THAT IS GOING TO BE THE FIRST FROM THAT COUNTRY TO ENTER THE WINTER
OLYMPICS. THE PLAYERS GOT A FORMER
GOLD MEDALIST (JOHN CANDY) TO COACH THEM.
THE DARK SIDE OF JOHN CANDY'S CHARACTER HOWEVER FINALLY COMES OUT AS THE
STORY UNFOLDS ... THOUGH HE HAD WON A GOLD MEDAL BEFORE, DURING ANOTHER OLYMPICS
GAME HE WAS CAUGHT CHEATING AND DISGRACED HIMSELF AND THE U.S. TEAM. ONE OF THE JAMAICAN BOBSLEDDERS COULD
NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A MAN WHO HAD IN AN EARLIER OLYMPICS WON A GOLD MEDAL TRY TO
CHEAT TO WIN ANOTHER ONE! CANDY
EXPLAINED WITH THE FOLLOWING OBSERVATION THAT IS SO TRUE, "I HAD TO WIN, I
LEARNED SOMETHING, IF YOU ARE NOT HAPPY WITHOUT A GOLD MEDAL, YOU WON'T BE HAPPY
WITH ONE!" HE NEEDED TO LOOK
INTO HIMSELF, NOT TO OTHERS! – SOURCE
UNKNOWN
4.
In fulfilling our responsibilities before God, we build self-esteem and
are then stronger to help carry other people's burdens
too!
5.
Paul is not contradicting himself here to what was said earlier, he is
helping us understand the need for personal responsibilities in the over-all
scheme of personal growth ... to be strong to help
others!
B.
Reasonable Gal.
6:5
1. Here is where Paul adds the
second thought about BURDEN BEARING ... that we should bear our "own
burden" also!
a. The word used here for "burden" is completely different from the one
used in verse 2 ... here the Greek word is “phortion,” not “baros.”
b.
“baros” meant "heavy
burden" ... “phortion” means just “burden” as in "normal
burden," probably a reference to the regular grind of day to day
responsibilities.
c.
Thus Paul is saying that when it comes to the "normal" burdens, we are to carry our own load, but when it comes to "heavy" burdens, we are to carry one
another's!
d.
It is not right for other people to expect that you "take
care" of them if they are not doing what they should be doing to
provide for themselves.
2.
It is reasonable to expect that we will each carry the normal load of
burdens without adding this to others ... but when we are struck with those "heavy" burdens we are to share these
in love!
3. Sometimes in the course of
carrying our own load of responsibilities, we help give
an example to others that will
help them learn to carry their load also!
ILLUS: DR.
GEORGE TRUETT WAS PRESSING THE CLAIMS OF CHRIST ON A YOUNG MAN WHO WAS NOT A
CHRISTIAN. THE BOY'S FATHER WAS A
VERY DISTINGUISHED DOCTOR IN THE AREA AND WELL RESPECTED. THE BOY NEARLY WORSHIPPED HIS FATHER,
THOUGH THE FATHER WAS NOT A CHRISTIAN.
AFTER THEY HAD TALKED FOR A WHILE THE BOY SPOKE TO THE MINISTER AND SAID
THIS, “THE BEST MAN IN THIS CITY IS NOT A CHRISTIAN, WHY SHOULD I BE
ONE?" THE NEXT DAY WAS SUNDAY;
THE PASTOR DECIDED TO GO SEE THE DOCTOR AND SO MADE AN APPOINTMENT. WITH A GREAT BURDEN ON HIS HEART HE
SHARED THE COMMENTS WITH THIS DOCTOR THAT HIS SON HAD SHARED WITH HIM AS A
PASTOR. HE SAID TO THIS DOCTOR “DO
YOU KNOW SIR THAT YOU ARE KEEPING SOMEONE ELSE OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD?” THE DOCTOR RESPONDED WITH, “WHAT DO YOU
MEan?” THE PASTOR SAID, “I MEAN
THAT YOUR BOY TOLD ME YOU WERE THE BEST MAN IN THIS CITY, AND THAT AS YOU DID
NOT SEEM TO NEED CHRIST IN ORDER TO BE SAVEd, HE DID NOT SEE WHY HE
SHOULD!” A LITTLE STUNNED AT THIS
NEWS, THE DOCTOR SAID, “DID MY BOY SAY THAT?” “HE CERTAINLY DID” REPLIED THE
PASTOR. THEN THE DOCTOR ASKED,
“Pastor, what is the first service in your church at which I could make a public
confession of Christ?” the pastor
and him worked out a time that fit the doctor’s schedule and sure enough that
evening at 8:00 the doctor and his son arrived in church. When the hour came to respond to the
altar call … the doctor rose from his seat and walked forward to confess Christ
as his lord, openly showing his need of Christ as savior. Suddenly the pastor noticed the doctor’s
son stand from his seat and slowly raise his hand to accept christ too … in a
few moments later, he stepped out and stood next to this father at the altar to
publically receive jesus Christ as lord … what joy came to both father and son
as together they received Christ.
The father’s willingness to accept his own personal responsibility before
god had CHALLENGED his son to do the same.
Even the greatest man in the city needed jesus!
– source unknown
4. We can help others by carrying our own
burdens ... we teach them to be responsible this
way!
5.
This also strengthens us to then carry the "heavy" burdens of others as an act of God's
love and grace!
6.
Are you a burden bearer!?
CONCLUSION:
One of the great characteristics of the Spirit filled church is that of
carrying one another's burdens! As
long as the church exists there will be burdens to carry. The knowledge that we are not alone in
the struggles of faith is most encouraging ... and when God answers the need, we
are together in rejoicing
too!