This is a continuing study of the book of Galatians, in which I do a verse-by-verse exposition of Galatians 6:1-5. This message was delivered on the evening of July 8, 2012 at Hillcrest Baptist Church. The message deals with restoring the fallen brother or sister in Christ. You will find the text of the sermon, and the audio. Please note that the sermon text is NOT a full transcript. Typically, as I preach, I add to what is in my notes. So, for the full sermon, please listen to the audio version.
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SERMON TEXT:
Galatians 6:1-5 / The Fallen
V.1:
Elders and mature Christians bear the greatest responsibility in restoring a fallen believer.
There is a method in place to deal with those who are caught up in sin. It meant to restore the fallen, and to protect those who must confront him.
Matthew 18:15-17
Such confrontation and correction should always be done in meekness (humility), NOT with a condemning attitude.
We should always be mindful of our own faults when confronting a fallen brother.
We also need to understand that we can’t force anyone to comply, but we are obligated to warn and share the truth.
Ezekiel 33:8-9
You also need to take special care so as not to get caught up in the temptation that caused your brother to fall.
Taking care to follow God’s plan will help protect you.
There is also a great reward for one who turns a brother round.
James 5:19-20
The reward is great because the task is great.
V.2:
Part of this correction requires that we bear each others burdens.
This fulfills the law of Christ because it is an act of love.
Galatians 5:14
V.3:
You can’t be a blessing and a help to anyone if you are conceited and puffed up with pride.
As soon as you have determined that you are “God’s gift” you have ceased to be a useful servant. You won’t be of any help to anyone.
The only person you will have fooled is yourself.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Matthew 23:11-12
Proverbs 16:18
1 Timothy 3:6
V.4:
Believers should never compare themselves to others.
Comparing yourself to someone else is never a good measure of the quality of your work or the strength of your faith.
When you compare yourself to another, you can usually find reason to rejoice.
One can always find ways in which he is “superior” to another.
But, The only comparison we should be doing is to God.
When we measure ourselves according to His Word, we will soon find out how much we lack.
A Christian should first be concerned with his own work. In fact we are told to work out our own salvation.
Philippians 2:12
That simply means that we are to prove our salvation by our works, and no one else can do it for you.
Faith without works is dead, and the only way that we can see faith is through works.
V.5:
This in no way contradicts verse 2.
Two different Greek words are used here.
In verse 2, it refers to hardships. The word denotes something that would be too much for one person to bear, very weighty or serious.
In verse 5 it refers to one’s personal work or ministry. It is what each Christian is personally called to do.
The word is even used to refer to produce (fruit). It could rightfully be likened to the fruit of the Spirit.
There are certain things that no one else can do for you. We each have personal responsibility and accountability as a Christian.
In Defense: The Blog 
Posted on July 10, 2012
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