Jun 24, 2016
Focus Text Gal 5:1, 13-25 Direct MP3 Download Another Sermon for Proper 8 c with a mission focus
Freed & Fuelled
The book of Galatians has as it’s
main theme a struggle between Paul who believes that God loves us
freely as a gift and others who believe that while God is loving
God demands we keep a set of rules called the Law in order for us
to be acceptable to God. Paul tells us that all the rules could be
substituted with “love your neighbour as yourself”. Forget the
rules; let them go, that is what he is telling us. We are free to
live as we wish for we are no longer bound by rules. Paul however
urges us not to use that freedom for self indulgence. Instead he
urges us to be slaves to one another. He urges us on the one hand
to avoid the bad stuff, “fornication, impurity, licentiousness,
idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels,
dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things
like these.” (Galatians 5:19-21, NRSV) More importantly he tells
us that through the work of the Spirit God produces good things in
us who believe. God empowers us to produce “love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and
self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23, NRSV) We are not just told to
stop doing bad, or told to do good. We are fuelled by the Spirit,
or empowered to live lives of service and love.
Questions for thought or
discussion.
What do you make of the idea that
the fruit of the Spirit are not something to strive for but a gift
that God produces in those who believe?
42% of St Stephen’s members
volunteer for community service outside the church and many others
love their neighbours informally. In what way if any is there a
connection between the fruit that the Spirit grows in us and that
wonderful community service?
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