How to be an encourager by Alan Scobie Encourage One Another. Say Encouraging Words Daily (Encourage Others: Words of Encouragement Change People!) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11) Encouraging words are effective. Have you ever known someone who believed in you, someone who frequently spoke words of encouragement and praise? The kind of person who made you feel you could do it, whatever "it" was? That is the kind of person God wants us to be. Paul gave a good guideline when he wrote that everything, we say should build up the one who is listening. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). The same phenomenon, multiplied by thousands of cheering fans, becomes the home court advantage in sports contests. The book of Proverbs sums up the impact encouraging words can have when it says, "The tongue has the power of life and death" (Proverbs 18:21). Your words have an impact. May this Bible study encourage you to become an encourager! The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11). Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32). We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2). Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18). 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 (Hebrews 10:25). Follow God's example. Be an encourager! You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (Psalm 10:17). For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4). May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5). Think positively. Look for things to encourage. Do you bring sunshine or gloom into the room? If you are a negative person, do not say, "I'm just a worrier. I was born that way." Or "It’s my nature to be depressed." God is in the personality-changing business. He wants you to "be conformed to the likeness of his Son" (Romans 8:29). You can change. You can become known for your encouraging words. Life is full of problems, and we need to deal with them. But if we are not careful, all we see are the problems. There are lots of good things we can focus on. Instead of "catching people being bad," catch them being good. Make your words a fountain of life. Be a positive person. Encourage one another. Ask God to help you develop a positive thought life. Immerse yourself in his Word. Pray. Over time, you will discover that you can control the way you think, choosing to focus on some thoughts and to reject others. The following verse can be life changing. Write it out and post it where you will see it regularly, on your refrigerator, bathroom mirror or the dashboard of your car. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if any-thing is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). When you wake up in the morning, ask God to help you look for and focus on the positive. Pray for this attitude throughout the day. Choose to meditate on the positive. Bring sunshine into the world. Speak positively. Be an encourager. Encourage others daily. When you talk, you make a series of choices about what subjects to discuss, what memories to bring up, and what points to make. There always are negative things you could say, but there also are positive ones. Choose the positive. Choose to specialize in encouraging words, not in critical comments. As Paul wrote, "Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification" (Romans 14:19). Bring friendly speech into your relationships. Do not start complaining as soon as you see your spouse, child, employee, neighbour, or someone else. Ask about his or her day. Give a compliment. Share stories about your day, insights from Bible study, victories on the job, or other things they may be interested in. Voice words of encouragement, appreciation, support, and respect. Acknowledge others' abilities and efforts. If someone feels inadequate, encourage him or her. Monitor your positive and negative remarks. Learn to be self-aware and listen to what you say. Be sure you make many more positive comments than negative ones. Respond to problems with hope and encouragement. When someone talks about personal difficulties, do not respond with a "gloom and doom" attitude. Listen with compassion and avoid simplistic advice. Say something such as, "I know this is a tough time for you, but it won't last. Let me encourage you: God will see you through, and I'm here to help, too." [God] comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:4). And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone (1 Thessalonians 5:14). Avoid subtle criticisms. Watch out for subtle ways you may tear others down, such as pointing out how quickly you can mow the lawn when you know it takes them twice as long. Discuss problems as a friend. There are times in every relationship—in a family, on the job, or wherever—when people discuss difficult topics. When you do, speak in a courteous, friendly manner. The way you speak usually is more important than whether your opinions are right or wrong. You may wish to consider adopting one or both of the personal applications below. Personal application 1: Plan to say encouraging words. (1) List the key people in your life. (2) Beside each name, write how encouraging you are with that person. (3) Pray for God to help you recognize the power of encouragement and to encourage one another—to say encouraging words, not discouraging words. Personal application 2: Follow through and encourage others daily. Make it a habit to encourage those around you. Consider keeping track of how you are doing on a day-by-day basis. For example, you could: (1) Make a brief note on a calendar each day you encourage someone. (2) Keep an encouragement journal or diary. Amen Personal Prayer

Our biblical role models Can you name anyone who has encouraged you in the past? What did they say or do to encourage you? To speak encouragement is literally to speak courage into someone's life (speak courage into). We give them the courage to believe what God says, even when it seems so far removed from their experience. Ken Boa says that humans can survive the loss of anything – but not without hope. Hope is how we live. Hope is what gets us from one day to the next. When hope goes, we start to die. One of the most profound proverbs of the Bible says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12). When we place our hope in the wrong things, one of two things is likely to happen. Either we will never make it to the level we had hoped for, in which case we end up envious or bitter. Or we make it to that level only to discover that it does not fill our heart. In that case, we end up unfulfilled and disappointed. ¨When things are bad Satan tells us –it will never end! ¨When things are good Satan tells us-it will never last! God Himself is an encourager 2 Thessalonians 2:16 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, 17 encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word Coming along side to help In scripture both Jesus and the Holy Spirit are called the divine parakletos (an advocate- one who comes alongside to help, comfort and support. When disappointment or failure happen, a key role for the leader is that of keeping hope alive. When others lose their way and begin to despair, effective leaders will pour encouragement into the heart and soul of their team members. You will know when to come alongside someone. You will sense when a team member needs a quick correction or a shoulder to cry on. ¨Take affirmative action every day- affirm someone! Barnabas – the son of encouragement Barnabas was the disciple who believed in Saul of Tarsus when everyone else was frightened of Saul who became Paul. Barnabas was the nickname given to Joseph because he was so known for his encouragement. What a lovely accolade. Paul’s ministry might never have gotten off the ground if Barnabas had not believed in him and supported him (gave him a chance). When we encourage each other, we strengthen the church and enable us to fulfil God’s call and will for our lives. We all need somebody to believe in us Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Barnabas Fact-file Real name Joseph aka Barnabas Barnabas means –the son of encouragement He believed in Saul of Tarsus when everyone else feared and body-swerved him His believed in Paul and spoke up for him He believed in God’s call on Paul’s life. He gave Saul a chance Paul’s ministry might never have got started if not for an encourager! The encouragement of a friend 1 Samuel 18:1-4 After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow, and his belt. Jonathan encourages David Jonathan verbally encouraged David in their frequent meetings, Jonathan believed in David and that God had called to David to become King Jonathan was willing to step aside for David Jonathan demonstrated godly character by encouraging David in the times of hardship including death threats Let us encourage someone today being careful what type of words we speak to them; Harmful Words - You are a failure - You are worthless - You are guilty - There is a recession - You have no future - You are damaged goods - You are just ordinary Words of life - You are chosen - You are precious - You are forgiven - Your God will supply - You abide in his shadow - You are a new creation - You are created specially in Christ Jesus Amen Personal Prayer In Part 2 we look at the power of our words to encourage or discourage others.

Why serve with excellence? Question: What is your definition of excellence and what does it mean to be excellent? Dictionary definition: noun. 1. the fact or condition of excelling; superiority; surpassing goodness, merit, etc. 2. something in which a person or thing excels; with particular virtue 3. excellency Q. Does God require excellence from his children? What do you think? Q. Why should we serve God with excellence? A. The first and foremost reason is that our God is the most excellent God. Psalm 8:1 O LORD our Lord, how excellent [is] your name in all the earth! who has set your glory above the heavens. The Lord our God has an excellent name, and He is worthy of our absolute best. The excellency of God in scripture Job 37:23 [Touching] the Almighty, we cannot find him out: [he is] excellent in power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. Psalm 36:7 How excellent [is] thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. Psalm 150:2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness Is your offering/service acceptable? Q: why does it matter what we offer to God in terms of our ministry? Answer: All through the old testament God made it clear that whatever was offered to him in sacrifice should be without spot or blemish. The book of Leviticus has dozens of sacrifices specified but all without blemish. Q: What kind of sacrifice/ministry does God want? Lev 19:2 This is the ordinance of the law which the LORD has commanded, saying: ‘Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring you a red heifer without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never come. Jesus’ excellence of ministry In the New Testament, Jesus (the Lamb without blemish) will present his Church Ephesians 2:5 That he might present it to himself a glorious church not having spot, or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Jesus offers only excellent ministry to his Father. We should emulate Jesus. Amen Implications for us - Anything that we give to God whether spiritual, material or service it should be excellent in every way. - We should never offer anything that is a reject, or substandard or second quality nor damaged in any way, - Everything we offer to God should be excellent in nature, not defective in any way, not sloppy, ill prepared or executed Do not panic - Remember God’s grace will make up what we lack If you have 3 weeks, 3 days or just 3 hours to prepare a bible study God will give you the grace to make up the difference in what you can achieve. However. if we have plenty of time, we honour God by making excellent preparations. Do you remember the old Keith Green song lyrics- do your best, pray its blessed and He will take care of the rest. Remember that Christian excellence is not about striving! Amen Personal Prayer

Leaving the old identity and the old life behind I remember well the joy of my own experience of being born again, the burden of my sin lifting off my shoulders, being cleansed in my heart, it felt like a sauna in that every pore of my heart was cleansed. Being delivered from swearing and bad language. My new life in Christ had begun. The selfishness, pride, greed and pleasing only myself had to come off under the water of baptism. Yet we need to keep the old man of the flesh crucified. He would like to get down of that cross, but we do not need to let him. John 3:7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So, it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” 9 “How can this be?” Nicodemus asked. Nicodemus was around 60-70 years old and had a lifetime of personal failures and character flaws behind him. Yet here was Jesus offering him a fresh start free from the old life of bondage. The picture here to a Jew like Nicodemus, is that of the Exodus, where the wind dried up the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to pass over on dry ground. The main point is that we need to leave the old life of bondage behind in Egypt and the old life of being under the circumstances. Being born again is the only way we can turn back the clock of our lives. Summary When we are born again, we are brought into all the victories of Jesus Christ All our blessings and spiritual riches are In Christ In Him we have a higher ranking than the angels In Him we are more than conquerors In Him we ought to be living in victory In Him we ought to be behaving like overcomers In Him we do not have to be under the circumstances Final Thoughts But you say sometimes God does require his people to go through suffering, and yes that is true sometimes. But the question is ‘What kind of suffering does God require us to go through?’ The humbling of our pride or reputation, or putting under our fleshly desires? But does God require us to go through depression or live in constant defeat or fear, downtrodden, always be the tail and not the head? The answer is an emphatic No! Prayer and ministry Brothers and Sisters, it is now time to reclaim your identity in Christ. Let us do it. Let us pray and ask the Lord to help us leave our old identities behind and move into our new victorious identities. False identity/ vs True Identity in Christ Defeated /Victorious Depressed or Downtrodden/ Uplifted Cursed or hate your life/Blessed/ or love your life Lonely/ Part of his family Sleepless/ Resting in Him Empty/ Full Worried or anxious/ Faith filled Poor or lack/ Rich or plentiful Hopeless or a Loser/ Hopeful or a Winner Oppressed or addicted/ Set free Panic attacks or under unhealthy pressure/ Peace of mind Personal prayer Amen Printable copy of the full composite study and much more in 'related posts' below. Footnotes from Parts 1-5 [1] From Ephesians 1:18 [2] Roger Price, Special Topic Series no. 11: The Glorified Man [mp3]. See Additional resources menu on last dropdown menu. [3] Roger Price, Basic Bible Study no. 102: 37 Things which accompany salvation [mp3]. [4] Greek: metamorphoo (metamorphosis) same word as used in Jesus’ transfiguration, coal to diamond, caterpillar to butterfly etc.

The new birth-right Jesus marvellous victory purchased us our new birth right. What does the bible say about the birth-right of new believers? 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: [a] The old has gone, the new is here! Another translation puts it like this 2 Corinthians 5:17 … that person is a new creation. So many wonderful things happen to us when we are born-again, and we become a new creation. According to my favourite bible teacher (the late Roger Price [3]) there are at least 37 wonderful things that happen at the point of the new birth). Our victories are all in Christ; here are a few examples from the 37. All Christians have reconciled to God Rom 5:10 Eph 2:14-17 All Christians have been brought near to God Lk 10:20 Eph 2:13+19 The sins of all Christians have been judged in Christ Rom 4:25 Eph 1:7 All Christians have been forgiven their trespasses Eph 1:7 Col 1:14 All Christians have been justified (declared righteous) Rom 3:24 1 Cor 6:11 All Christians have been redeemed Rom 3:24 Col 1:14 All Christians have a new status; citizens of heaven Phil 3:20 seated in heavenly places Eph 2:6 higher rank than angels Eph 1:20-21 Heb 1:14 Rom 16:19-20. In Christ new birth realities Ephesians 1:11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, Romans 14:7 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit Does your day-to-day life reflect the above, living in right standing with God, experiencing heart peace and joy in the Holy Spirit? Are you sleeping well and know that whatever is going on in your life, it is going to be OK, because you are in Christ? There is an example in scripture of born-again Christians who had forgotten their born-again identities and were acting like spiritual babies. 1 Corinthians 3:1 Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. 3 You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarrelling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? God wants us to be mature believers who know who we are in Christ, not babies always squabbling. To maintain our true identities in Christ we must take control of our thinking… Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed[4] by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will. The world wants to squeeze us into its mould and form worldly identities in us. But God has given us new identities and wants us to fully embrace them, and we find them in the bible. Do you think people will notice your new identity in Christ? How are you doing with your identity in Christ today, do you recognize the desired changes? Amen Personal prayer In Part 5 we will find out how to ensure that we leave the old identity and life behind. https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/our-identity-is-in-christ-part-5

I will change your name When I first met my wife Christine, her name was Gilchrist. It is quite rare to meet a person whose name began with Christ and ends with Christ! When we married Christine adopted my surname and became Christine Green, so in a sense you could say that I changed Christine’s name. Another legal way of changing your name in modern times is have it changed by deed poll. In the bible name changes are highly significant and often reflect a new identity or character. God is in the business of changing the names of his covenant people. Here are some examples from the Old Testament. Genesis 17:5 The Lord changed the name of Abram meaning ‘exalted father’ to Abraham meaning ‘father of a multitude of nations.’ Genesis 17:15 The Lord changed the name of Sarai meaning ‘my princess’ to Sarah meaning ‘princess and mother of the nations.’ Genesis 32:28 The Lord changed the name of Jacob meaning ‘supplanter, cheat, heelgrabber’ to Israel ‘a prince with God, striver with God and man’ When God gives someone a new name, he gives them the nature and character to go with it. God fulfilled this for the above examples. Jesus, the son of God continued to change names in the new testament. John 1:42 Simon meaning ‘hearer’ was changed to Petros meaning ‘rock’ or ‘stone.’ You could say that when Simon heard the Living Word, he was transformed into a rock who provided solid strength to his brothers. In the book of Revelation 2:17 we are told that Jesus Christ will give each victor a new name, and a name which no one will know except the one who receives it. This suggests to me a wonderful intimacy between the Lord and the recipient. Over the centuries and millennia God has given various name changes to the nation of Israel. In Isaiah 62:2-4 No longer ‘forsaken’[1] and ‘deserted’[2] but a ‘delight’[3] and ‘married’[4]. In Hosea 1:6-9 the Lord calls Israel the following names v6 Lohrumah meaning ‘not obtained compassion’, v9 Lo-ammi meaning ‘not my people’. But in Hosea 1:10 and in Hosea 2:1 God shows the future name changes he will bring for Israel. In 1:10 they will be called ‘sons of the Living God’ and in 2:1 ‘ammi’ meaning ‘my people’ and Ruhamah meaning’ those deserving compassion. Here are some examples of how God has changed our names through Jesus Christ. Perhaps today, the Lord could change any unwanted names that others have applied to you, and if He does so, He will give us his grace and favour to enter the new names and characters. Consider the following table of names. Prayer; if any of these old names have been applied to you, let us now ask the Lord to change these name(s) knowing that if He does then He will give you the character and nature to walk and live in your new name(s). Amen [1] azubah [2] shemamah [3] hephzibah [4] beulah

Spiritual gifts versus Love Today we conclude our study in the gifts of the Godhead. Over the last sessions we have studied, the spiritual gifts given by God. 1. The spiritual gifts are given to us by the Father. These are the so-called “motivational gifts” described in (Romans 12:3-8) and include prophecy, serving, teaching, exhortation, giving, leadership, and mercy. 2. The spiritual gifts given to us by the Son are the “ministry or office” gifts described in (Ephesians 4:11-13) and are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers whose role is to equip and prepare the saints for ministry. 3. The spiritual gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:11). These gifts are given to build up and profit the body and bring unity to the church. They include the word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, different tongues, and interpretation. Together these gifts are blended into the life of the believer. Other gifts given by God include hospitality, celibacy, and martyrdom. However, although these gifts are wonderful, scripture points beyond them to the most excellent thing of all in the life of a believer which is love i.e. agape love. Agape love is the very love of God Himself (see Romans 5:5). Love is not a gift as such, but love is the fruit of the Spirit and as we saw last time (Galatians 5:22). Love is not one fruit of nine, but love is the blended whole or you could say the full character of God. Here is an analogy. If you take white light and shine through a prism (or raindrop). We get a rainbow i.e. a spectrum of seven colours (ROYGBIV), white light consists of a blend of these seven colours. When God shines his love through the heart of believer. The components of love are shown in his/her life from amongst the joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. In any given circumstance, the love of God that is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit will show in our lives in the appropriate way. With the difficult person/situation – our love is expressed by longsuffering With praise/thankfulness – our love is expressed by joy With temptation – our love is expressed by self-control With a person in need – our love is expressed by kindness God is love; he describes himself as love. The very being of God is love. With this in mind let us turn to our keynote scripture. 1 Corinthians 12:29-31 Verse 31; We are told to covet (strongly desire) the best gifts and yet there is something beyond the gifts of God. Something for every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13; The love chapter is often read at weddings, but it is not talking about romantic love but something even more solid, real, and stronger. This is the love of Christian marriage This is the Love of Church Life. This is the Love of Jesus Christ that we must show to the lost. 13:1-3; Love is necessary in our lives. Without God`s love in us, motivating us and working through us. No matter how great the gifts and miracles in our lives, they amount to nothing because God who is love was not present in them. It is not the issue from your mouth so much as the issue of love from your heart that pleases God. God values his love in our hearts much more than all knowledge, wisdom, and learning. Moving mountains and great obstacles impresses men but love-in-action, which is practical day-to-day love counts with God. Love is open-hearted and is open-handed as required. Love is open minded to all that is good. Even to lay down your very life (out of any other motive than pure love) would be wasted. Verse 4-7; Try reading 1 Corinthians Chapter 13 but replacing each example of the word’ love’ with ‘Jesus Christ’. Love is patient, endures evil, being provoked, being attacked and persecuted, suffering for a long time and does not allow itself to be filled with resentment or desire for revenge. Love keeps no record of evil. Love actively searches for good and kind deeds to perform. Love does assert its rights but forfeits them. Love doesn`t fret or get jealous at the success of others (even the wicked). Love never wishes or rejoices in evil coming upon anyone. King David fasted and prayed for his enemies! Love doesn`t even rejoice at a human enemy`s demise. Love is not puffed up with pride, position, title, or status nor is it bloated with self-conceit. The true love of God in our hearts produces care for others and a growing concern for their welfare. We must decrease that he might increase in love. Love calms anger and rage that would seek to well up within us and consume us. Love brings peace and restores our joy. Love never sets out to trip, trick or cause a neighbour to stumble or fall. If you are acting in love, you won`t tempt a brother or sister to commit a sin. Love is never touchy, tetchy, or irritable, nor quick to fly off handle. Love hates flattery and deception. Love believes the best in any given situation. Verse 8-13; Love never fails. Use it freely in every circumstance. Gifts are only partial, incomplete. Love is the master-key, or should we say the master’s key? The spiritual gifts are for this life not eternity, but God`s love is eternal (as well as for this life). Faith, hope, and love are necessary for this life. Faith will give way to sight for we shall see His face. Hope will turn into an experience fulfilled, but Love is eternal, for God is Love. Love is practical: Galatians 6:9-10 You and I must show God`s love to the people in our lives. Here are the things that will show God’s love to others. 1. Be patient with our wives and husbands, children, parents, relatives, neighbours, bosses, workers, friends, and enemies. Submit to that love, surrender your hearts, and submit any resentment or bitterness to Him. 2. Be kind to them 3. Do not envy them 4. Do not boast or display arrogance 5. Do not be rude 6. Do not believe the worst of them but the best 7. Do encourage them 8. Do serve them sharing your life with them including your goods, time, money, abilities and be there for them. If God’s agape love is already in your heart, submit to it, act on its prompting and the moving of your heart, let it flow, love never fails. Love is our goal. Let us pray that we would spread around that love of God from our hearts to all people in our lives but particularly to our fellow believers. Amen Personal Prayer

Summary of key learning points from Galatians Chapters 1-6 Key learning points 1. There is one true Gospel, that we are justified by faith alone without the works of the law. 2. The one true gospel is to believe in Jesus full stop, not believe in Jesus and … anything else! 3. It is crucial we know and understand the basis of the gospel, so that no one can take away our wonderful liberty that Christ has purchased by his blood for us. 4. Paul concludes that if we can be saved by simply by obeying the Law then Jesus Christ died for nothing. 5. It was always God’s position that man could only be justified by faith and that God accounted Abraham a righteous man who acted in faith. The law gives way to expose sin and sinfulness and was our schoolmaster to teach the ABC of salvation, which is that we are unable to keep the law and can only be saved through faith in the promised seed of Jesus Christ. Through him, we have become sons of God and can inherit all the great and precious promises of God. He is our God; we are His people. He dwells in us and with us. We shall be with him forever. 6. In the fulness of time, Jesus Christ the son of God was born subject to the Law. He came to redeem humankind from the penalty of the Law, so that we could be freed from sin and be able to enter the family of God as mature sons. When you heard and believed the Gospel, God poured out his Holy Spirit into your heart, and he cries ‘Abba Father', Daddy God and causes us to know that we are saved, and not only saved, but that we have become sons of the living God. When the Spirit within us cries Abba Father, we can know for certain that the Father hears Him and through him us. Since we are now sons of God, we can no longer be slaves, but are now heirs of all the exceeding great and precious promises of God. We are children of the free woman not the bond woman and must never permit ourselves to be enslaved by the Law or anything else again (denominational laws etc. by trying to earn our salvation). Christ has set us wonderfully free from an intricate system of rules (the Law) that always left us defeated. The new and living way Jesus has given to us is that his Holy Spirit lives in us and guides us together with the Word of God into all good things The Holy Spirit pours out his love into our hearts and through us which provides the power and ability in our lives to become like Christ, bit by bit. This is all by faith and the faith itself comes when we recognise God’s love in us and flowing though us to fellow man. With this mind let us help to restore each other, bearing in mind to be careful, since we do not want to fall into the same sin. Sow to the spirit not the flesh if you want an eternal reward. Finally, 'to be circumcised or not' is not the question, the true question is’ are you born again through believing in Jesus Christ’? Amen Your Prayer

Chapter 6:1-18 How to restore someone from sin 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. There is in the original Greek an element of being caught out by surprise! However we know from other scriptures that we do not fall into sin in some way without giving our consent. It is a hallmark of our love that we can restore a brother or sister. If it, was you, how would you like to be dealt with? Restoring a brother or sister is like setting a bone back into place so that the body is fully functioning again. But we are warned to be careful unless we fall into the same as the person who has sinned. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Let us be there for each other the stronger giving their strength to the weaker. Place a steadying hand on your brother arm. That is what love is all about and should be what church is about. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. Pride comes before a fall. 4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. If you must compare yourself to another then compare yourself with Jesus Christ. Only when your eyes are on Christ can you see clearly to monitor your own life and walk. All flesh is grass! 5 For every man shall bear his own burden. At the end of the day each one of us are accountable to the Lord and to him alone. We will stand in a moral and spiritual sense naked before him, so now is the time to get our lives sorted out before judgement day. 6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Anyone receiving instruction in the Word of God must share all good things with their teacher. Our teachers bless us in a very tangible and godly way, and it is right we should bless them in every way. There is a strong hint of finance in this verse. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Do not make excuses! 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. We need to hang in there in life! 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Let your light shine before men. Remember to bless your Christian family just as much as your natural family. If we give to the poor, then do not forget the poor in the church. Remember the widows and orphans especially those in the church. 11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with my own hand. The meaning here is a 'grand' letter in the context of he he had personally laboured over this letter. It is nothing to do with bad eyesight! 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. The Judaizing teachers wanted converts to their own erroneous teaching and gain brownie-points from their friends. 14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. The only thing that delighted Paul was when someone had a revelation of what Jesus Christ did at the cross. Paul was dead to the world, including all its so-called pleasures, honours, and temptations and like the world had nothing in common with Paul. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availed anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. It is the new birth that is the important thing. A new heart and a new mind and having been given a new life for the old sinful one. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. The new birth is the model or pattern to follow. This includes all the spiritual children of Abraham (Jew or Gentile) through faith in Jesus Christ. 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Literally stigmata! Paul's suffering and injuries on his body were proof that he was in the master’s service. 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Note Paul calls them brothers! Amen Your Prayer For full text for printout and access to the full series of 'Lessons from Galatians' please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-6

Chapter 5:16-26 The fruit of the Spirit is love Galatians 5;22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. As we study the fruit of the Spirit you will begin to see that we are really studying is the character of God. We must become Christ-like and therefore it is essential that we know what he is like, so we know what we are aiming at in our lives. Jesus says ‘by their fruit shall ye know them’ referring to the character of the false prophets. We need to know what good fruit is like to be able to spot the false prophet. This is important in these last days of increasing deception. Or how about a marriage, business, or ministry partner or even a leader in the church. It is all about character. The fruit of the Spirit in your life will draw those who are open to salvation to you and will cause those who hate God to hate you. Fruit in the natural sense contains seeds for reproduction. When an unbeliever tastes or sees the fruit in your life, a seed of love is sown in their hearts which God can bring to life; love reproducing love. Galatians 5:16-18 the battle between the spirit and the flesh is dealt with in a separate teaching at https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/the-fruit-of-the-spirit-part-2 Galatians 5:19-21 These verses describe the life that we lived as unbelievers. Paul reminds the Church that those who habitually practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22-23 The Greek word for fruit is karpos (also see John 15 1-8) is singular and therefore it is incorrect to refer to the fruits of the spirit. The idea conveyed by the expression ‘fruit’ is that of a blended whole and not nine separate items. The blended whole is love… which expresses itself in numerous ways: Love is Joy Love is Peace Love is Longsuffering Love is Gentleness Love is Goodness Love is Faith and Faithfulness Love is Meekness Love is Temperance (self-control). When white light shines through a raindrop (which acts as a prism) it is separated into red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. The colours in the rainbow merge so that it has hard to tell where one ends and another begins, so with the fruit of the spirit. The love (akin to the white light) is shed abroad in our hearts (prism) by the Holy Spirit, and as it passes through us the love is split into its component parts such as joy, peace etc. The fruit produced over time is appropriate to the upcoming circumstances e.g. temperance or self-control under a season of temptation etc. The fruit of the spirit is produced as the Holy spirit sheds the Love of Christ into our hearts (Romans 5:5). The Holy Spirit is reproducing the life of Christ in us. This process involves obedience both to the written word and to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Word and the Spirit work together. God is love……and if this is true then God is joy, peace etc. these must must be part of his being. John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. Jesus is the vine; the Father is the gardener, and we are the branches. The Holy Spirit is the sap (liquid love that is pumped into hearts and through us) that causes leaves, flowers, and fruit to appear in our lives. We can hinder this process by disobeying the word of God i.e. sins such as, selfishness, unforgiveness etc. which sins are like ligatures that stop the flow of love out to ourselves and others. Abiding in the vine (walking close to the Lord in obedience) allows a steady flow of the liquid love that produces the fruit of the spirit. Spiritual fruit as with natural fruit takes time to develop. Some other thoughts about Love We are born with the need to love and to be loved. That is why love is such a big seller of songs, books, and movies etc. There are distinct types of love as can be illustrated by the four Greek words for love [1]. 1. phileo; the love of a friend or a brother. 2. storge; mother love (for her child). 3. eros; sexual love. 4. agape; the love of God. The first three are types of human love and at best, are only pale reflections of agape love, the selfless love of God. When the believer is filled and moved by the love of God, then they can surpass the human loves [2]. [1] C S Lewis The four loves [2] An example might be, if a young man or woman with Christian parents, is called to the mission field, the storge love of the parents might tempt them to dissuade their child. However, the agape love would overcome this and send them out with a blessing. There is a lovely revealing use of the two different words used in scripture for love i.e. agapeo and phileo in John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter if he loves (using agapeo-selfless love) him twice, but Peter answers with phileo (friendly or brotherly love). Jesus then uses Peter’s phileo when he asks a third time. The message is that agape is willing to lay down its very life for God. Agape (love) became the characteristic word of Christianity. The Holy Spirit brought new meaning to this word. Agape love is selfless and seeks to do good to all me but especially to our fellow believers. This agape love flows from God to us and through us, to our fellow man. Amen Your Prayer For full text for printout and access to all parts of 'Lessons from Galatians' please click below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-5b

Galatians 5:1-15 Christian Liberty Jesus Christ has set us wonderfully free from a difficult set of rules that always seemed to leave us defeated. Jesus has given us a new and living way in that the Holy Spirit comes and dwells in each believer. The Holy Spirit working in us with the Word of God leads and guides us into the abundant life and all good things. 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. The believer must walk in the freedom that Christ has purchased for them. The believer must not submit to legalism in any of its forms all of which bring bondages. This includes the legalism of the Judaizing teachers who wanted to circumcise them as part of keeping the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. You can have either salvation by grace or try to earn it by keeping the Law and the choice is yours. However you will not manage to keep the Law and hence you can fall away from grace! The believer must highly prize the grace of God as a gift for this is what makes the difference in a believer’s walk of faith. Our faith is demonstrated by love in action towards God and our fellow man. Love Fulfils the Law 7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off! Paul here alludes to the Judaizing teachers who were hindering the believers, trying to dissuade them from the true faith, and they were troubling the Galatian Christians. Paul in reference to those preaching circumcision says that he wishes that they would go the whole hog and emasculate themselves! 13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another! The whole point of Christian liberty is not to remove the moral constraints of the Law but to give us the opportunity to serve one another in love. The constraints of love are the highest form of constraint. The goal of our liberty is to be of loving service to other people. Amen Your Prayer For full text for printout and access to our full sermon library please click on the link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-5a

Chapter 4:16-31 Believers are children of the free woman 4:16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? How often it seems like this, our flesh hates to be corrected, and we want to make the person who pointed out our error, the enemy. A faithful friend will admonish his erring brother/sister, and if the erring brother has any sense at all he will thank his friend. In the world truth produces hatred. Whoever speaks the truth is counted an enemy. But among friends it is not so, much less among Christians. The Apostle wants his Galatians to know that just because he had told them the truth, they are not to think that he dislikes them. "I told you the truth because I love you." 17 Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may be zealous for them. In this way Paul brings the false apostles into suspicion. He questions their motives. He maintains that their zeal is mere pretence to deceive the Galatians. Our Saviour Christ also warned us, saying: "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." (Matt. 7:15.) 18 It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you. 19 My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, As parents reproduce their physical characteristics in their children, so the apostles reproduced their faith in the hearts of the hearers, until Christ was formed in them. The Word of God falling from the lips of the apostle or minister enters the heart of the hearer. The Holy Spirit impregnates the Word so that it brings forth the fruit of faith. In this manner every Christian pastor/leader is a spiritual father who forms Christ in the hearts of his hearers. 20 how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you! Two Covenants 21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says? Here Paul would have closed his Epistle because he did not know what else to say. He wishes he could see the Galatians in person and straighten out their difficulties. But he is not sure whether the Galatians have fully understood the difference between the Gospel and the Law. To make sure, he introduces another illustration. He knows people like illustrations and stories. 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. 24 These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar. 25 Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26 But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labour pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband." 28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now. 30 But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son." His final argument is an appeal to the Law itself, and is addressed directly to those who desire to be under the Law. He reminds them of Abraham's two sons by Sarah and Hagar and contends there are allegorical implications concerning the two covenants. Hagar, the bondwoman who gave birth to Ishmael, represents the covenant given at Mt. Sinai, and corresponds to physical Jerusalem and the bondage of those under the Law. Sarah, Abraham's wife who gave birth to Isaac, who represents the new covenant, and corresponds to the heavenly Jerusalem which offers freedom to all who accept it. With a reminder that those born of the Spirit can expect persecution by those born according to the flesh, Paul concludes his defence of the gospel of justification by faith in Christ by proclaiming that those in Christ are of not of the bondwoman but of the free (vv.21-31). Sarah's demand that the bondwoman and her son be cast out of the house was undoubtedly a blow to Abraham. He felt sorry for his son Ishmael. The Scripture explicitly states Abraham's grief in these words: "And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight, because of his son." (Gen. 21:11.) But God approved Sarah's action and said to Abraham: "Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called." (Gen. 21:12.) The Holy Ghost contemptuously calls the admirers of the Law the children of the bondwoman. "If you do not know your mother, I will tell you what kind of a woman she is. She is a slave. And you are slaves. You are slaves of the Law and therefore slaves of sin and death. You are not fit to be heirs. You are put out of the house." 31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman. This leads us in nicely to chapter 5 which deals with the wonderful liberty we have in the Holy Spirit. Summary In the fulness of time, Jesus Christ the son of God was born subject to the Law. He came to redeem humankind from the penalty of the Law, so that we could be freed from sin and able to enter the Family of God as mature sons. When you heard and believed the Gospel, God poured out his Holy Spirit into your heart, and he cries ‘Abba Father, Daddy God and causes us to know that we are saved, and not only saved, but that we have become sons of the living God. When the Spirit within us cries Abba Father, we can know for certain that the Father hears him and through him us. Since we are now sons of God, we can no longer be slaves, but heirs of the all the exceeding great and precious promises of God. We are the children of the free woman not the bond woman and must never permit ourselves to be enslaved by the Law or anything else again. For full text for printout and access to other parts of 'Lessons from Galatians' please click on link below https://www.psalmonesermons.com/post/lessons-from-galatians-part-4b