• “What do you want for Christmas?”
• Bible talks about money about 800 times… Jesus talks about money about 25%

 
You have no idea how many times I hear…

• We come to Leavener because they don’t ask for money.
• You don’t take an offering. Do you have another job?
• Doesn’t God command/expect us to tithe?
• Aren’t you robbing the attender of an opportunity?
• Tithe was an OT Law – for the Levitical Preisthood
• 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 – The point is this: The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously.
• You don’t give to get back.

7 Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.

• “Give until it hurts”

8 And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work.[1]

• You can’t find a command to tithe in any NT

 
APPRECIATION OF SUPPORT
PHILIPPIANS 4
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly because once again you renewed your care for me. You were, in fact, concerned about me but lacked the opportunity to show it. 11 I don’t say this out of need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I find myself.

• Are you content? (phone upgrades, TV’s, stuff)
• Content – Understanding needs vs wants.
• This is not prosperity Gospel.
• What is it that causes us to move from “I want” to an “I need” mentality?
• A child cannot discern between want and need.

12 I know how to make do with little, and I know how to make do with a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being content—whether well fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. 13 I am able to do all things through him who strengthens me.

• It was the power of Christ within him that gave him spiritual contentment.[2]
• When you get to the end of “yourself”… He’s there!
• Amplified - “I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency”
• Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavens in Christ.[3]

14 Still, you did well by partnering with me in my hardship.

• Paul is broke and in prison.
• Philippians is one of the most generous and giving churches.

 

• Leavener’s plan for giving… none/God…
• budget… none/God.

 

• How has Leavener, the community, ministered to people this past year?
• Our God is a giver… we are stewards
• Leavener – 77 givers in 2022 (26 families gave 80%) (33% of givers give 80%)
• Leavener gives to our community first – Then outside the community (other believers) and then even to the world (as the Spirit leads)
• This not boasting for me or Leavener
• Counseling for individuals
• Support for Jeff Pokone in general
• Scott Mescher – Missionary training around the world
• Support for former family who lost their wife/mother
• Youth for Christ Needs
• National Network of Youth Ministers for Indiana Lunch
• FUMC Food Pantry
• Car for Pinheads Employee
• Supported Pinheads employees (back surgery, mother, dining room table, gift cards)
• Meals for police / groceries for firemen
• 2 Kids who lost their father
• Friend in Ohio who had a liver transplant
• Friend in Texas who is homebound and dependent on machines to keep her alive
• FPU and coffee for Police
• Meals for Hamilton County Chaplains
• Lunches for Holio Road Pastors
• Helped our own families that are struggling
• Sticks & Stones
• Building a Refuge
• $3,600 database and App
• $900 Trailer Storage
• $180/wk for meals
• $35k – Camp expenses (53% is paid by Leavener)
• $3,500 – Sound Board & Monitor
• $1,300 - Camera

15 And you Philippians know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving except you alone. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent gifts for my need several times. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that is increasing to your account.

• (NLT) [17] I don't say this because I want a gift from you. What I want is for you to receive a well-earned reward because of your kindness.  (Message) [17] Not that I'm looking for handouts, but I do want you to experience the blessing that issues from generosity.

18 But I have received everything in full, and I have an abundance. I am fully supplied, having received from Epaphroditus (a good steward) what you provided—a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

• My family is well taken care of.
• Not by you… but by God.
• It may come through you… but it is all His in the first place.
• History of personal provision – Elder Meeting
• “How much do you need?”
• “Error on the side of generosity”
• I don’t have another job… at least a paying job.
• I rarely take additional income from speaking opportunities, weddings or funerals, etc.
• I have never been in need.
• I have no debt.
• I receive a salary; it includes a housing allowance.
• I have medical insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
• I have life insurance.
• The elders are helping me catch up on my retirement.
• You care for us well in other ways.
• Gifts to travel
• Take care of my car when it breaks down.
• Wedding food…etc

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
 
FINAL GREETINGS
21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you greetings. 22 All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household.

• Roman citizens, Roman guard… those guarding Paul?

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.[4]

[1] Christian Standard Bible (2 Co 9:6–8). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 98). Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (Eph 1:3). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Php 4:10–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Review:

• We have moved on from marriage, sex and circumcision to a new topic today!
• Paul turns to issues of food sacrificed to idols in 1 Corinthians 8.
• It looks, in chapter 9, as if he has moved on to yet another topic (money for ministry) but comes full circle in chapter 10 back to the issue of food sacrificed to idols in a way that makes it clear that chapters 8–10 are meant to be taken as a unit.
• What ties them all together is the theme of not allowing Christian freedom to become a license to sin, or to potentially lead another fellow believer into sin or even to acting against his or her conscience.[1]
  
  

FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS
1 CORINTHIANS 8
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “we all have knowledge.” Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

• “We all have knowledge” is another Corinthian slogan of that time period.
• Similar to “All things are permissible but not all things are profitable.”
• Secular slogans that Paul uses as logic in Christian lifestyle.
• Difference between “knowledge” and “wisdom”.
• What are we hearing during election week?
• Knowledge (facts)… and proving that they don’t mean anything.
• “We just need a little more love… that leads to grace.”
• Paul is saying… BREATHE!
• Proverbs 21:1 - A king’s heart is like channeled water in the Lord’s hand:

He directs it wherever he chooses.[2]

• The king has authority… but God has ultimate authority.

2 If anyone thinks he knows anything, he does not yet know it as he ought to know it.

• Know it all… hard to listen to.
• They may know it all but have no wisdom in sharing their knowledge.
• Rusty, you do this every week…
• But, I will listen to you as well.

3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by him.

• God takes the initiative in human interactions.
• For God so loved the world…

4 About eating food sacrificed to idols, then, we know that “an idol is nothing in the world,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth—as there are many “gods” and many “lords”--6 yet for us there is one God, the Father. All things are from him, and we exist for him. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ. All things are through him, and we exist through him.

• Why take meat sacrificed to idols and make it such an issue?
• Probably because some of the poorest believers only ate meat on any regular basis on the two or three or four days every month that were Roman or Greek holidays and festivals in which the temple to Aphrodite in Corinth offered free food to the populace as long as it lasted; and poor and rich alike could come, but always in the context of some religious devotion or worship.
• Was the meat somehow inherently tainted?
• Paul is going to argue not and that Christians have full freedom to participate, but he recognizes the disagreements among them and so he will also stress that “If I have a clean conscience, a clear conscience to eat, but my Christian brother or sister doesn’t, then I should refrain.”[3]

7 However, not everyone has this knowledge. Some have been so used to idolatry up until now that when they eat food sacrificed to an idol, their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not bring us close to God. We are not worse off if we don’t eat, and we are not better if we do eat.

• Some have wondered if Paul is contradicting the apostolic decree of Acts 15 here, where, with Peter and James, they agreed that for the sake of Jewish ministry, as Paul traveled, believers would—even Jewish believers—would refrain from sexual immorality, blood, the meat of strangled animals, and food sacrificed to idols.
• I don’t think it’s a contradiction, because that was a decree sent off to a group of churches, much closer to Jerusalem in contemporary Southeastern Turkey and Syria, and it was a voluntary approach for the sake of Jewish evangelism not to put unnecessary stumbling blocks in front of the gospel.
• Here, the context is entirely different.
• Is it okay for poor Christians who don’t get to eat meat very often to eat meat at these special holidays, even though it has been dedicated to a pagan idol? And Paul says, “Yes, it is.”[4]

 
9 But be careful that this right of yours in no way becomes a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if someone sees you, the one who has knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, won’t his weak conscience be encouraged to eat food offered to idols? 11 So the weak person, the brother or sister for whom Christ died, is ruined, by your knowledge. 12 Now when you sin like this against brothers and sisters and wound their weak conscience, you are sinning against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food causes my brother or sister to fall, I will never again eat meat, so that I won’t cause my brother or sister to fall.

• Brother or sister… you know them well.
• One of the biggest issues in our society and in this community is the consumption of alcohol.
• We are free to drink… I will have a drink on occasion.
• I do not have a problem with people drinking alcohol.
• Jesus did turn water into wine.
• But I have to measure the room/situation.
• I have an impact on the room… as do you.
• Alcoholism is typically a private issue because it causes others to see you as weak.
• Just as identity issues or any other sin does.
• You don’t know all the alcohol issues in this room… neither do I… But I know a lot of them.
• Some of them have sought help, some have discussed and some are just obvious.
• But believe it or not… what I do impacts those around me.
• I rarely get invited to alcohol socials. Why?
• Because some people are considerate enough to not put me in awkward situation.
• Other just want the freedom to drink without the freedom from a “suspected” judgment.
• Others don’t want me around because they might just go beyond what they can handle.
• I rarely drink because I am sensitive to the many people that I deal with that have this issue.
• This is all Paul is saying here… They are free to eat the meat… and so are you… but if it bothers you or you think your actions may lead to others stumbling… then don’t partake!
• Paul is still saying it is about “others”.
• Are you really participating “socially” if you are putting your own selfish desires first?

 
PAUL’S EXAMPLE AS AN APOSTLE
1 CORINTHIANS 9
1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, because you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

• What do I have to do to prove to you that I am a true apostle?
• The criteria for apostles to be selected was to be both an eyewitness of Jesus’ resurrection, but also one who then can witness, in the sense of proclaiming the gospel message to others.[5]
• Give Paul credit for starting the Gentile churches.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Don’t we have the right to eat and drink? 5 Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife like the other apostles, the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas? 6 Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to refrain from working?

• Paul now goes on to prove his personal ministry by asking a series of rhetorical questions.
• Shouldn’t Barnabas and I be taken care of?
• If we had wives with us, shouldn’t they be taken care of as well?
• Who does what we do for free?
• Can I not participate like other Greco/Roman teachers and leaders… to eat from their generosity?
• When it comes to benevolence… I cannot receive from Leavener funds without it being taxed as income.
• I am given a designated salary just like everyone else.
• Money given to Leavener goes into the Leavener account and can be dispersed to help others… but not my family.
• Trust me… we are well taken care of by God… through many of you.
• We receive gift cards or items… or car surprises… as I am sure that Paul and Barnabas did as well.
• But at Leavener… we still have not asked for a dime.

7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? 8 Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain., Is God really concerned about oxen? 10 Isn’t he really saying it for our sake? Yes, this is written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing the crop.

• Don’t over burden the oxen so that it cannot do its work.
• There are provisions made for those who are laboring.
• This is not my personal issue… this is Paul’s at the time.
• It seems as if he is still having to establish his credibility and trust.
• He might have to because he is not actually present with them and doesn’t know how they are interpreting his teachings on difficult personal topics.

11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right;

• Paul has earned the right for such benefits but refused to take them (at least from Corinthians) for the sake of the Gospel being considered cheap or a business.
• He continued to make tents and earn his living.

instead, we endure everything so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ.

• Asking for money, demanding money for ministry, can lead to all kinds of abuses.
• Paul wants to avoid every hint of these scandals.
• He wants to avoid every chance, in a culture rife with the practice of patronage, of anybody giving money to him thinking that that entitled them to give it with strings attached and dictate where Paul had to go, what he had to do, what he could preach about, what he could not say.[6]

13 Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the offerings of the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.

• Paul once again declares the right for those who share the Gospel with others can also earn their living this way.
• Although Paul refused to do this from the Corinthians.

15 For my part I have used none of these rights, nor have I written these things that they may be applied in my case. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because I am compelled to preach—and woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my rights in the gospel.[7]

• Paul will interestingly accept money and be grateful for it when he writes the letter to the Philippians, who have sent him a generous gift while he is in prison, probably a Roman prison in around the year 60–62.
• So it’s clear that what he is saying here to the Corinthians is not an absolute relinquishing of a willingness to receive financial and material support, but it is his consistent policy thus far with respect to the Corinthians.[8]
• “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.”
• I can’t imagine a world where I would not talk about the Good News of Jesus Christ… whether I got paid/supported or not.

To speak of grace, love and mercy in a world and time that so definitely needs it.

[1] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (Pr 21). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[4] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[6] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[7] Christian Standard Bible. (2020). (1 Co 8:1–9:18). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[8] Blomberg, C. L. (2017). NT334 Book Study: Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

CARRY ONE ANOTHER’S BURDENS
Galatians 6:1-10
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher. 7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith. [1]
 
Galatians 6:6-10
6 Let the one who is taught the word share all his good things with the teacher.
- Paul is talking about sharing material goods for those who are teaching the Gospel.
 - Not a tax like the Jews were required to pay to their rabbis.
 - Leavener is not interested in taxing you a percentage or pressuring you to buy a ticket to the show.
 - If the teacher is sharing “good news”, people will gladly share their good things.
7 Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows he will also reap, 8 because the one who sows to his flesh will reap destruction from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 9 Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith.
 - Goods… not just money… are given to “Leavener”.
 - Once they are given… there are no strings attached.
 - Even the government understands that principle. (designated gifts vs unrestricted gifts).
 - I have a pre-determined salary just like you do.
 - The goods that come into our ministry do not determine my take home pay.
 - The passage says to share goods with the teacher.
 - It doesn’t say the counselor, the crisis manager, the burden carrier.
 - My desire is to focus on the Word and teach the Word.
 
Galatians 6:1-5
1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is overtaken in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual, restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so that you also won’t be tempted.
- “caught” – 2 points of view
 - Either caught by someone else doing something wrong.
 - Or caught by the sin itself… Like a cheetah on a gazelle.
 - Either way, the “brother” is surprised or overtaken.
 - “spiritual” – Those who are walking with and by the Spirit vs those who are acting “religious”.
 - James 3:13 - Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom.[2]
 - “gentleness” – A product of the Holy Spirit. (5:23)
 - “tempted” – 2 points of views
 - Either that the person restoring falls into the same temptation.
 - Or that person becomes completely judgmental and places their self above the wrong doer.
 

• They have to have ears to hear.
• Like a teenager wearing headphones.
• Proverbs 25:11-12 - A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.
• A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold. [3]

 
2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone considers himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Let each person examine his own work, and then he can take pride in himself alone, and not compare himself with someone else. 5 For each person will have to carry his own load.

 - Not the Law given to Moses but Jesus’ interpretation of the Law of Moses.
 - “Love the Lord… Love your neighbor as yourself.”
 - “burden” – Heavy load

• The legalist adds to the burden by adding more rules and restrictions.
• Matthew 23:4 – “They tie up heavy loads that are hard to carry and put them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift a finger to move them.”[4]​
• It is all about perspective…
• Line up – From the most positive person in the room to the most negative person in the room.

 
When you are struggling and you are seeking advice, you will do 1 of 3 things:
1) You will find someone (it may take you a few 
people) to sympathize with you and They will say 
what you want to hear. Someone that agrees with 
you no matter if you are right or wrong.
2) You will go to someone for wisdom in a situation and you will receive good advice but you come up with every excuse not to pursue that advice. You 
continue down the same path of destruction. 
3) You will go to someone for wisdom, understanding and comfort and they will walk with you through the situation.

 - Wisdom – See life from God’s perspective.
 - Therefore it would make sense to know God.

 - Advice for a successful marriage…
 - Magic trick – Advice - “Walk by the Spirit”
 - You either walk by the flesh or walk by the Spirit.
 - Galatians 5

 - So when people contact me it usually because of unwise behavior… otherwise known as foolishness… otherwise known as chasing selfish desires.
 - So if they contact me, they are confessing their foolish pursuit.
 - And I am going to point out to you that you are acting foolish by it being about yourself.
 - I will encourage you to pursue God and walk by the Spirit in you.
 - I will do this for a season…

 - Some falsely believe freedom is for the flesh rather than the spirit

 - I expect to go through ups and downs with you… I get that we still have a flesh suit and bad habit patterns.
 - My prayer is that you will see others around you that can do the same.

“The First Time” - MercyMe

[1] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 6:1–10). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[2] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Jas 3:13). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Pr 25:11–12). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 23:4). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.

Pizza dough

• 16 oz. / 3 ½ cups all purpose flour (King Arthur unbleached)
• 1 ½ teaspoons large grain salt (sea salt)
• 2 teaspoons dry yeast (Red Star – opaque sealed canister in fridge – keeps it dormant; yeast dies at 110 degrees) (do not use quick rise yeast, causes it to lose flavor/texture)
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 2 oz. / 4 teaspoons of olive oil
• 10 oz. / 1 ¼ cups warm water (keep below 110 degrees, otherwise yeast is at risk)

 

• Stir the yeast, salt and sugar into the flour. (Pour salt on one side and yeast on the other before mixing. Salt retards yeast as well as sugar)
• Add the honey, water and olive oil to the flour mixture and knead the dough for 7-9 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
• After kneading the dough, place it in an oiled container. Cover the dough and allow it to rise for 30-45 minutes or until it is doubled in size. (Dough rising places: On top of refrigerator is 85 degrees causing it to rise faster, in the window seal it is cooler and causes it to rise slower. Create a hot box by boiling water in microwave and then immediately closing the dough in the oven. The humidity/heat combination will cause it to rise rapidly.)
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it into two equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and allow the dough to rest, covered for about 5 minutes.
• After resting, roll the dough pieces out to about ½” thickness making sure to retain the circular shape of the dough.

FREEDOM OF THE CHRISTIAN
Galatians 5:1-15
1 For freedom, Christ set us free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery.
- Summary of Chapter 3 & 4
 - Yoke – Oxen, slaves & interpretation of law.
 - Yoke – Control by someone or something over your behavior.
 - The unsaved person wears a yoke of sin (Lam. 1:14)
 - The religious legalist wears the yoke of bondage (Gal. 5:1)
 - The Christian who depends on God’s grace wears the liberating yoke of Christ.[1]
2 Take note! I, Paul, am telling you that if you get yourselves circumcised, Christ will not benefit you at all. 3 Again I testify to every man who gets himself circumcised that he is obligated to do the entire law. 4 You who are trying to be justified by the law are alienated from Christ; you have fallen from grace.
- According to Acts 15:1–2 (1 Some men came down from Judea and began to teach the brothers: “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom prescribed by Moses, you cannot be saved!” 2 But after Paul and Barnabas had engaged them in serious argument and debate, the church arranged for Paul and Barnabas and some others of them to go up to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem concerning this controversy.), the Judaizers believed that acceptance of this ancient Jewish ritual was absolutely necessary for salvation and incorporation into the people of God.[2]
 - Paul was strongly opposed to the Judaistic theology which insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation.[3]
 - His point is that anyone who insists on living under the law fails to trust in Christ.[4]
 - Paul is saying that you cannot mix Law and grace.
 - If you choose to live by 1 law you choose to live by all the Law… rather than to live by only grace.
 - 99% grace and 1% law = bondage to all Law.
5 For we eagerly await through the Spirit, by faith, the hope of righteousness.
- “Hope of righteousness” – Glorification concerning our behavior.
 - Hope “of righteousness” – Glorification of those who are already in the state of righteousness.
 - It has to filter with all 66 books.
 - Abraham was credited righteousness.
 - The Church was made righteous.
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision accomplishes anything; what matters is faith working through love.
- This enables us to contrast the two ways of life.
 - When you live by grace, you depend on the power of the Spirit; but under Law, you must depend on yourself and your own efforts.
 - The efforts of the flesh can never accomplish what faith can accomplish through the Spirit.
 - And faith works through love—love for God and love for others. Unfortunately, flesh does not manufacture love.
 - Too often it produces selfishness and rivalry (see Gal. 5:15).[5]
 - In 2 verses, Paul incorporated faith, hope & love.
 
7 You were running well. Who prevented you from being persuaded regarding the truth?
- Mike Rodgers was running well
 - But someone posted lane restrictions
 - They became disqualified.
 - Still Olympians… you just competed and came away disappointed.
8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole batch of dough.
 - The process of leaven (yeast)
 - Matthew 13:33 –  He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took and mixed into fifty pounds of flour until all of it was leavened.” [6]
10 I myself am persuaded in the Lord you will not accept any other view. But whoever it is that is confusing you will pay the penalty. 11 Now brothers and sisters, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished. 12 I wish those who are disturbing you might also let themselves be mutilated!
 - Paul actually wants them to cut themselves off from the religious community claiming to principles of Christianity.
 - Become impotent and unable to produce new converts.
 
13 For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
- We are prone to go to extremes.
 - One believer interprets liberty as license and thinks he can do whatever he wants to do.
 - Another believer, seeing this error, goes to an opposite extreme and imposes Law on everybody.
 - Somewhere between license on the one hand and legalism on the other hand is true Christian liberty.[7]
 - Anytime you want negative things to occur to someone, we call that “walking according to your flesh.”
 - Paul, is saying, “It’s not about you… look around.”
14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another.[8]
- Flesh refers to fallen human nature, the center of human pride and self-willing.
- Flesh is the arena of indulgence and self-assertion, the locale in which “the ultimate sin reveals itself to be the false assumption of receiving life not as the gift of the Creator but procuring it by one’s own power, of living from one’s self rather than from God.”[9]
 
- Wild animals in a deadly fight—to warn the Galatians that attacking one another ultimately will destroy their community.[10]

• How you “feel” vs what the Spirit leads you to do in love.
• The key word, of course, is love. The formula looks something like this:
• liberty + love = service to others
• liberty − love = license (slavery to sin)[11]

License – Cheap grace

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 713). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 356). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Campbell, D. K. (1985). Galatians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 605). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:2). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 715). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Mt 13:33). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 717). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Christian Standard Bible. (2017). (Ga 5:1–15). Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] George, T. (1994). Galatians (Vol. 30, p. 377). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[10] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Ga 5:15). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 717). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.