THE THREE BEARS
Gal 6:1-2, 6:5, 6:17
C:\JAMMc2011\GAL6-2bearsTAB.USE.wpd October 26, 2008
NKJV Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Gal 6:17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
NAS Gal 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.
Gal 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load.
Gal 6:17 From now on let no one cause trouble for me, for I bear on my body the brand-marks of Jesus.
Introduction
1. Far from a children’s story, the three "bears" listed in Galatians Chapter Six are vital to the Christian Life.
2. We need to spend some time thinking about these "bears" and evaluate what our response to them has been in the past. Allow me to introduce these "bears" to you.
Bear One another’s Burdens
Bear Your own Burden
Bear the Marks of Christ
The GREEK Word for “Bear” in all three verses is the same. The difference comes in the burdens we bear.
NT:941 bastazo (bas-tad'-zo); perhaps remotely derived from the base of NT:939 (through the idea of removal); to lift, literally or figuratively (endure, declare, sustain, receive, etc.): KJV - bear, carry, take up.
Illustration
A woman’s child died and she could not find comfort so she went to a wise old man, and asked what to do. Visit every home in your area and find a family that does not have any sorrow or grief, and ask them what to do. Several days went by, and she returned and said, “I have become aware of many sorrows, and found no home without some kind of sorrow. Sorrow although different is common to every home.”
We all have problems and cares, and they weigh down upon us like a burden on the back. Christians can help to relieve burdens.
I. The First of the Three Bears . . .
"BEAR" ONE ANOTHER'S BURDENS. v 2
6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. NKJV
A. Bear with . . Comprehension. v 1 a
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass,. . .”
1. This Is Not The Habitual Sinner.
“overtaken in any trespass,. . . “
B. Bear with . . Christlikeness. v 1 b
“. . . you who are spiritual. . .”
C. Bear with . . Consideration. v 1 c
“. . . restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.”
1. Consider the Purpose. “Restore”
2. Consider the Posture. “spirit of gentleness”
3. Consider the Partisanship, “Lest you also be tempted”
Greek word 'katarizo': it is a medical term used of setting a broken bone. We're to help the broken mend, not expose them to shame or to ignore the damage sin does to their lives.
D. Bear with . . Collaboration. v 2 a
Bear one another's burdens,. . .”
1. BURDEN from Vine's Expository Dictionary
1. baros NT:922 denotes "a weight, anything pressing on one physically," Matt 20:12, or "that makes a demand on one's resources," whether material, 1 Thess 2:6 (to be burdensome), or spiritual, Gal 6:2; Rev 2:24, or religious, Acts 15:28. Baros always suggests what is "heavy or burdensome."
1 Thess 2:6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ. KJV
2. The burden bearing is present tense which denotes
continuous action, not simply a one time act.
E. Bear with . . Counsel. v 2 b
“. . .and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
Joke—preacher was preaching on this theme, and asked if anyone had ever heard of a perfect person / man in back raised his hand / “I don’t know him, but I’ve heard a lot about him…my wife’s 1st husband!”
Illustration.—George W. Truett, 1st Baptist of Dallas years ago told of a lady in his church who had a baby who died. He tried and tried but could not comfort the woman. Hours of counsel didn’t do it. But then he remembered another lady in the church who had been thru it before. He enlisted her help, and she did more in 5 minutes than he ever did.
Illustration
For the umpteenth time Mrs. Young came to her preacher to tell him, "I’m so scared! Joe says he’s going to kill me if I continue to come to your church." Do you think I should go to the church down the road. "No! I understand your problem and we will pray for you.” But he was a little tired of hearing this because the man never did anything but threat. “I will continue to pray for you, Mrs. Young. Have faith that the Lord will watch over you."
"Oh yes, he has kept me safe thus far, only....." "Only what?" the preacher said. "Well, now he says if I keep coming to your church, he’s going to kill YOU!" "Well, now," said the preacher, "Perhaps it’s time for you to check out that little church on the other side of town."
Illustration
Dr. Halbeck, a missionary of the Church of England in the South of Africa, from the top of a neighboring hill saw lepers at work. He noticed two particularly, sowing peas in the field. One had no hands; the other had no feet: these members being wasted away by disease. The one who wanted the hands was carrying the other, who wanted the feet, upon his back; and he again carried the bag of seed, and dropped a pea every now and then, which the other pressed into the ground with his feet: and so they managed the work of one man between the two. Such should be the true union of the members of Christ's body, in which all the members should have the same care one for another.
Application
2 Cor 7:5-7 5 For even when we came into Macedonia our flesh had no rest, but we were afflicted on every side: conflicts without, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the depressed, comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the comfort with which he was comforted in you, as he reported to us your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me; so that I rejoiced even more. (NAS)
2. The Second of the Three Bears . .
"BEAR" YOUR OWN BURDENS. v 5
Gal 6:5 For each one shall bear his own load. NKJV
A. Bear Your Load . . Personally. 5 a
For each one shall bear . . .”
B. Bear Your Load . . Privately. 5 a
“. . . shall bear his own load.”
1. 2 Cor 5:10 (NAS)
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.
LOAD NT:5413 phortion (for-tee'-on); diminutive of NT:5414; an invoice (as part of freight), i.e. (figuratively) a task or service: KJV - burden.
LOAD - - BURDEN from Vine's Expository Dictionary
Note: Baros always suggests what is "heavy or burden-some." Thus Christ speaks of His "burden" (phortion) as "light".
2. We have many responsibilities in regard to:
a. Sin. b. God. c. Church.
d. World. e. Family. f. Self.
Illustration Topic: Trouble Index: 1952 Date: 12/1996.26
It was one of the worst days of my life: the washing machine broke down, the telephone kept ringing, my head ached, and the mail carrier brought a bill I had no money to pay. Almost to the breaking point, I lifted my one-year-old into his highchair, leaned my head against the tray, and began to cry.
Without a word, my son took his pacifier out of his mouth and stuck it in mine.
Illustration Topic: Burdens Index: 555 Date: 3/1996.4
It was due to the efforts of Samuel Plimsoll (1824-98), British reformer, that the Merchant Shipping Act of 1876 was passed, requiring all ships to bear a mark known as the Plimsoll mark indicating the maximum load line. By this act the Board of Trade of England was empowered to detain any vessel deemed unsafe, and the amount of cargo was restricted, thus making the long and perilous ocean voyage of those days much safer. Because of his work, Plimsoll became known as the sailor's friend.
The Plimsoll mark, with its gradations and figures, may be seen on the bow of ships near the water line as they lie at anchor in a harbor. In God's sight, each of us has a similar mark, though we may not be able to see it. The burdens and responsibilities He gives us may seem unbearable, but He knows our limit.
Application
1 Peter 5:6-7 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. NKJV
Matt 11:28-30 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NKJV
3. The Third of the Tree Bears . . "BEAR"
THE MARKS OF CHRIST IN YOUR BODY. 6:17
17 From now on let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
A. Bearing the . . Distressful Messages. v 17 a
“From now on let no one trouble me,. . .”
B. Bearing the . . Distinguishing Marks. v 17 b
“. . . for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.”
1. NT:4742 stigma (stig'-mah); from a primary stizo (to "stick", i.e. prick); a mark incised or punched (for recognition of ownership), i.e. (figuratively) scar of service: KJV - mark.
2. Those marks in his body were "battle scars" obtained in warfare for Christ. 2 Cor 11:23-30
23 Are they servants of Christ? (I speak as if insane) I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine {lashes.} 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was ship-wrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 {I have been} on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from {my} countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren;
27`{I have been} in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28`Apart from {such} external things, there is the daily pressure upon me {of} concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? 30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. (NAS)
3. While we may never have to bear physical marks in our bodies, are we willing to bear the marks that come from:
a. Ridicule. b. Anger. c. Misrepresentation.
d. Isolation.
Illustration
A drifter in town saw a house burning one night and rescued a little child. Everyone in the home was lost but this little child. A hearing was held to decide who would get the child. The drifter came and claimed the child. A wealth man said what give you the right to claim this child. He simple held out his hands and show the scars from the burns he experienced during the night of rescue. He was given the child.
CONCLUSION
If we participate in the ministry of these three bears, we will be obedient to the Word of the Lord.
1. Let us bear one anther's burdens.
2. Bear our own burdens.
3. Bear in our bodies the marks of Christ.
Some Illustrative Material was gleaned from: