what's your brand?

Galatians 6:17-18

From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

In Galatians 6:17 Paul says, “From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.” These marks could be physical scars from the persecution he endured while preaching the Gospel or symbolic of the bond he had with Jesus.

Let’s think all the way back to the first chapter of Galatians. Paul wrote in Galatians 1:10 “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Paul describes himself as a servant, or bondservant, or slave, of Christ meaning that he is, according to the dictionary, “a person bound is service without wages.” So in other words, Paul owes Christ everything and should not expect anything in return. These bondservants were often branded so that people would know who their master was.

By saying that he bears the marks of Jesus, Paul is saying that he belongs to Jesus and will live his life to honor Him. In the same way, we should make Jesus the center of our lives and go out of our way do what He wants us to.

Paul concludes the book by saying, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters, Amen.” This is Paul’s way of saying goodbye to the people of the church he is writing to, and in doing so, he emphasizes the grace of Jesus. Which is something that we should remember is endless and should always be thankful for.

Answer This:

1.   What are ways that you can “bear the marks of Jesus” in your everyday life.

2.   How had God shown you his endless grace?

3. From now on let no one cause me _________, for I bear on my body the marks of __________.

4. Take a minute and journal about this topic.

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Written by Hannah Pergolizzi

speak up kid, I can't hear you.

Before reading the passage, take some time to talk to God.

Galatians 6:11-16

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.

 The definition of boast is to speak of something with pride. "Boast in the cross" that's usually not something I think to boast about. I tend to boast about myself or something I did. But boasting in the cross, that's not something I do very often.

When I was in Florida for spring training, we went to church Sunday morning. The pastor was using fancy words and deep theological stuff that kinda lost me at sometimes. This guy was pretty sharp, he knew his stuff really well, he was good! I'm sure there was a lot he could boast about himself. He gave one of the best sermons I have ever heard! And this is why it was so great...

He opened up his sermon with a story about a magazine journalist that wrote a story for Newsweek about the Bible. His article made the front cover of the magazine, it was a pretty big deal. The article was a bout how the Bible is a lie, there is nothing true in the Bible. The pastor defended God and the Bible. His whole sermon was all about how and why the Bible is 100% true. He spoke with such great passion and love for the Word of God. He spoke of God with pride. Even though I got lost in the big words he used sometimes, seeing his love and passion for God was incredible! He boasted about God.

I wish I was more like that. Speaking for myself and I'm sure for many others, I really don't think we as Christians speak boldly enough of Christ. We are too quiet, we need to be louder. We boast in ourselves and not in Christ. What a waste to spend our time and words boasting about our flesh when we could be boasting about the cross! We should want to tell everyone about what Jesus did for us. Yet still we waste our time with ourselves.

Answer This:

1. What are some things we boast about ourselves?

2. How can we boast in the cross?

3. Now use that idea and boast in the cross! We haven't learned anything from the Word of God until we put it into practice. Sometime this week, apply what the Bible has said and boast away.

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Written by Max Davis

they will know we are Christians by our...

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. (Galatians 6:11-16 ESV)

All these passages that we've looked at throughout the book of Galatians have been focused on this whole topic of circumcision versus uncircumcision. Paul's bringing the book to a close, and is making a few final points. His emphasis here is that all this really isn't about whether you're circumcised or not.
People who are saying that circumcision is necessary are doing so in order to have an outward sign to prove that they are spiritual. But just because they are circumcised doesn't mean that they actually are spiritual. You can look the part all you want, but you have to actually live it out.
It's not about whether you were circumcised or not, the truth is that once you've accepted Christ, you are a new creation!

Now how does this apply to us? When they are talking about circumcision, it was an additional requirement they were adding onto salvation. Gentiles were believing in Jesus, but then men in the church would tell them that they needed to be circumcised in order to be saved. So this applies to anything that we tack onto salvation. So maybe it's baptism, or maybe it's church attendance or maybe it's doing devos or anything that we force as an additional requirement.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, Paul says it this way, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

God has saved us by grace through faith. Circumcision or baptism or any other works are not necessary!** Being human as we are, we would twist these works into something to brag about. In both passages, Paul makes it clear that the only thing we should be bragging about it Jesus.

(**Side note- there’s nothing wrong with circumcision, baptism or works. They are just not actions that will save you. Jesus got circumcised, baptized and did lots of good works and so I’d recommend following His lead. These are ways we can show Him our love and obedience to Him.)

The last thing Paul talks about here is the reason for all of this. Peace and mercy will be upon us as new creations. We are under grace not the Law. We have the freedom to make choices about how we live. But if we truly love God, we will choose to keep his commandments (see 1 John 5:3). When we are living under grace and loving God, we will experience the peace and mercy Paul is talking about.

Answer This:

1) Is there a time where by grace you been saved through faith? (If your answer is no, find a parent or youth leader that you can talk to about this!)

2) For neither _______________counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new _______________.

3) Do your actions show that you love God? Are you making outward changes to your life, without making them inside? Are you being a hypocrite by acting like you’re a good Christian when your heart is far from the Lord?

4) Take a minute to journal about this passage.

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Written by Amber Carter

i learned it from watching you!

When I was in middle school, I had a little bit of a potty mouth (ok a pretty terrible mouth actually). I went to church and listen to Bible stories and lessons, but I didn't live it out. I would invite my friends to youth group and the different activities but they never came and I never knew why.

One day this kid from my neighborhood, who was literally the worst person I knew, told me I cursed too much. Until that moment I don't think I ever realized that there were bad consequences to the way I talked. I mean, I knew if my mom heard me I'd be in big trouble, but I never thought that it made a difference otherwise. God used that to change the way I talk.

A few years ago, a friend was upset and telling me what she was mad about while cursing a mile a minute. At one point, she stopped, looked at me funny, and said, "you don't curse," then continued venting without cursing. I never told this person that I don't curse, she just noticed it over the years we have known each other.

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:6-10 ESV)

In this passage, Paul is talking about how good choices have good consequences and bad choices have bad consequences, right? He uses a farming analogy to explain though. If we sow (or plant) our flesh (which refers to our sinful, worldly desires), we will reap (or grow or harvest) corruption. If we sow the Spirit, we will reap eternal life.

Seems like an obvious choice – I want eternal life, not corruption.

In youth group, Jeff mentioned Liam being frustrated that bad decisions get him bad consequences but he wondered when he's ever going to get good consequences for his good decisions. Do you ever feel that way? I know I do at times. That's why Paul that encourages us not to give up and to continue doing good. He knows it won't always be easy; that doing what is right can be quite difficult. But, eventually there will be good consequences!

Answer This:

1) I have seen bad consequences for my bad language and good consequences from my clean language. Is there an area you reap what you've sown – good or bad?

2) Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one _______________, that will he also _______________.

3) Can you relate to Liam? Do you ever feel like there are only bad consequences not good consequences?

4) Take a minute to journal about this passage.

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Written by Amber Carter

the giving trees

Galatians 6:6-10

Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

If you ever find yourself in Nassau, Bahamas, looking for something to do you have got to go visit the Graycliff Estates. It is this big gated property that just looks like an old hotel about the same quality as most of the houses in Nassau. My wife and I were too cheap to spend the money on a real day trip the last time that we were in Nassau so we walked around the town looking for cool stuff. This hotel has a big restaurant that was completely empty when we walked through, they make and sell their own cigars so we attempted to take a tour of that building but the cuban woman in the room spoke exactly no English… they boast the biggest wine cellar in the Caribbean but I’m not into wine or basements and we took a wrong turn and couldn't find it…  but the pride of the property is by far the Graycliff Chocolatier. This small, family owned operation, made some of the most exquisite specialty chocolates I’ve seen anywhere. We dropped $10 for the walking around tour and before you knew it we were wearing plastic aprons and filling moulds with white chocolate…  my wife’s dream! We learned everything about the chocolate process and got to see the passion for this young man that was a part of this small organization. They were the only chocolatier on the island, but that was not enough for them…  they dream to be the only people actually growing Cocoa in the Bahamas. Their goal is to make this a fully Bahamian experience by actually growing the cocoa beans in the Bahamas and cultivating them and developing them into chocolate right there on the island. In order to achieve this goal that had planted cocoa trees in a specific section of the island, and now they are waiting. And waiting. They said they wont know for 3 years if their trees are even viable… and they wont know for years after that if their cocoa is high quality. That is a lot of investment! A lot of time to put into something that might not at all pay out, but if that is the goal, that is what they must do.

That’s what this passage is talking about. Don’t get tired of doing the right thing… if you quit to early you wont be able to taste the end product. God is doing so many awesome things in our lives, but too many times we get tired of waiting and we try to take over ourselves… be patient, don’t get tired of doing the right thing… God is still using you!

Answer This:

1. What is something that you had to wait a long time for? 

2. What is a time that God was trying to do something in your life but you didn’t wait, and suffered the consequences later?

3.”And let us not grow weary of doing ___________, for in due season we will ___________, if we do not give up“

Take a moment and journal about this. 

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Written by Jeff Harkins

set my sole on fire

Galatians 6:1-5

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

So there we were, a nice campsite with a beautiful view of this incredible lake, Lake Manateau. It had been the longest week of many of our lives, we hit some terrible weather and finally this day the weather broke. The sun came out, and the trip took a turn for the better. We had renewed energy and only a couple days left. We had been in the Canadian Wilderness for 5 days now and we were wondering if we would ever get out… but this evening was completely different. It was beautiful. Everything was better. To celebrate we built a nice big fire. We had been wet and cold for days so the chance to have a big fire was so welcome. Kyle ryan went and collected more wood, and more wood, and more wood…  we had so much wood. That fire was huge and Kyle and I sat with a few people talking about life and everything, admiring the beautiful night, even admiring the beautiful fire. Until Kyle pointed out that this fire was so pretty that it was even turning different colors. Uh oh! Those colors were coming from Julia’s shoes that were drying by the fire… well, there WERE drying by the fire, but our fire got so big and so hot that now they were part of the fire! Opps. Oh, and these were borrowed shoes.

The next day Kyle felt bad and Julia made him feel worse… so he decided to make it up to her by carrying her burden, he carried her bag…   but that was not enough… he also carried her! He carried her for a whole portage…  it was funny, but he owed her.

Sometimes we find ourselves in a place where we need a little help carrying our burden. I’ve been in those situations on the trail where someone needs you to grab a little weight and sometimes you need someone to grab a little bit of your weight.

It’s like that in real life too. Sometimes our burdens get really heavy. Sometimes we get all this stuff piling up on us and it simply becomes too much for us to handle on our own. That’s why God put people into our lives. We need each other to carry each others burdens.

Jesus was very open about this, he offers us his shoulders when he says “take my yolk up you”, because our burden is heavy and his yolk is light - He will help us carry that burden but He designed it so that we need to rely on others to carry those burdens as well.

Have you been helping anyone carry their burden lately? Are you letting someone carry yours?

Answer This

1.         Name a time that you needed help physically. You needed to rely on others to help you.

2.         What about spiritually, what is a time that you had to rely on others spiritually?

3.         Bear one another's _________, and so ________ the law of Christ.

4. Take a minute and journal about what you read.

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Written by Jeff Harkins

what a potty mouth!

Galatians 6:1-5 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. 5 For each will have to bear his own load.

  

Bearing Burdens

1. Those who are spiritual ought to restore those overtaken in a trespass (1)

Use the Holy (fruit of the) Spirit which is - Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (5:22) Pray with them, pray for them, look up scripture for them. Help them get on the right path, without getting too involved. Be careful and aware. Be honest and open by sharing your own burdens.

2. Bearing one another's burdens fulfills the law of Christ (2)

Obey the Law of Christ in ALL you do.

3. If one thinks himself to be something when he is not, he deceives himself (3)

You are not their savior, you are not their healer, you are not the one who can help them; so don’t fall into the temptation of thinking you are too important. We are not that important, God can do everything perfectly without us, but He chooses to use us. So let Him use you in His ways, not your own. Pointing them to Christ is all we can do!

4. Examine your own work, and bear your own load (4-5)

Pay careful attention to what you are doing, not just the other person; for we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Hypothetically, If my fiancé, Vincent, struggles with cursing; I should step up and help him because I know that cursing is wrong, right? Yes, that is exactly what this passage is saying! Since God has allowed me to see the wrong in cursing, I am therefore able to help my brother in Christ out. How would I go about this you might ask: I would encourage him with scripture about keeping his tongue and mouth pure and holy before the Lord/not saying the Lord’s name in vain, I would pray for and with him, I would correct him in love when he stumbles with his words, I would daily ask him how he is doing with his words..(etc.) But in doing this, (bearing his burdens) I must make sure I am allowing God to protect my ears so that I do not fall into temptation of cursing just like Vincent. I cannot stand on a chair and pull him up to my level, no matter how strong I am. Just the same with faith, I cannot bring Vincent to the level of my faith if he is not there; at that point he would be the one dragging me down. I could apply this with drinking, smoking, sexual immorality, stealing, lying, cheating..(etc.) So with that warning, just be there to help, love, challenge, and encourage them; don’t try to change them because that’s God place.

1.  Do you have any friends you can reach out to with the Love of Christ?

2.  How can you help them without being dragged down with them?

3.  Or maybe you’re the one who needs this kind of friend/help? (Don’t be afraid to ask any of the leaders in youth group to help you)-- Make sure you’re seeking godly counsel for any of your struggles; the point of this passage is directing the person to Christ. If you depend on your friend for help when they are struggling with the sin too, or if they are not strong in their faith, they won’t be much of a help for you. Seek friendships/help that will only bring you closer to Christ! Matt. 7:3-5

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Written by Sarah Davis

dude, nice coat.

Galatians 5:25-26

25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

Other versions:

·      Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

·      That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.

Amen! Right? It’s easy to agree with those words... we really shouldn’t want to live a jealous life provoking one another. But, it is hard!

Many of you know that I teach third grade at a Christian school. We spend the majority of our school year in our Bible class talking about Joseph’s life. I love teaching it because there are so many great applications to our lives! One of them is how we shouldn’t provoke one another or be jealous of one another, like what this verse says.

Joseph’s brothers were very jealous of him. But who could really blame them? He was highly favored and given a beautiful robe. He also had two dreams, which he shared with the brothers. Both dreams foretold a day in which the brothers were bowing down to Joseph. Well, of course the brothers didn’t like this... could you imagine someone you know that always gets good grades and is great at sports, and is always bragging to you about it? Not really the best conversation...

Well, the jealousy the brothers had toward Joseph turned to anger and hatred; extreme anger and hatred. They ended up taking him away and selling him to slavery. Then, lying about it to their father by saying wild animals killed Joseph.

This is very extreme, but it shows why we shouldn’t let jealousy get to us.

Many years later, after a series of unfortunate events in Joseph’s life (that ended up showing God’s plan through it all) the brothers come to Egypt to get grain during the famine. Joseph is now in charge and recognizes them. At first he doesn’t let them know it is he, but has a little “fun” with his brothers in order to see Benjamin (the youngest and second favorite brother) and Jacob (Joseph’s father). Please read the chapters in Genesis if you are not familiar with the story! Through Joseph’s intricate plans, the brothers are made to think that these bad things are happening to them because of what they did to Joseph. This shows the guilt they never were able to get rid over many MANY years!

Because of God’s love and sovereignty, Joseph is able to forgive his brothers. Many of my third graders agree that if they were Joseph they would punch the brothers or send them to slavery because of all of the bad things that happened to him.

During our lessons, one day I gave each student a brown bag. Each brown bag had at least one jolly rancher in it... some had up to six pieces. Every student was able to look in their bag and just tell me how they felt. Many were happy, excited, thankful, or hungry. Then I had them dump the candy out and look around. They totally changed. Now they said they were sad, confused or angry. Why the change? When we look around to see what others have, it is easy to get jealous. The jealousy can really be a problem for us. We just have to trust God and thank Him for what we DO have... He blesses each of us differently and has all things work together for OUR good. 

Answer This:

1) What is the last time that you were really jealous of someone else? Why?   (if you are having trouble remember all the way back then, uh, try yesterday, or the day before… if you are trying to go back farther than that you're just not trying.)

2) Ever been in the position where people are jealous of you, like you are the favored one and they are jealous of you?

3) “Let us not become _____________, or provoke one another, or be _____________ of one another”

4) Why do we get jealous of other people’s stuff, God gave us stuff but instead of being content we are jealous of other people’s stuff, jealous about what’s in their bag and not happy with what was in our bag.

Take a minute to journal about this passage.

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Written by Melissa McKechnie

the mayor of coffee

Galatians 5:16-24- But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

So I’m doing pretty good today: it’s about 11:00AM, I am sitting in a coffee shop sipping an incredible cup of coffee from Burundi and as much as I like this cup of coffee I have made the active choice NOT to bow down in front of it and start singing its praises. It’s really good though, so I might get tempted later. So, Im doing great at not worshiping Idols this morning. I’ve put down this cup of coffee and a breakfast burrito and nothing else really - so I am also doing pretty great at avoiding drunkenness today too. Sorcery hasn't been an issue for me all day, although if there was a spell to enable me to make coffee this good I might actually consider it. There’s a cute chick a couple tables away that has a couple interesting tattoos that keep catching my attention but so far I have been free from impure thoughts and any sexual immorality.  I have been 100% free from rivalries all day today (but I haven't spent much time on Facebook today with Drew Harkins and that trash-talking group of weak hockey players at Grace Bible). Peter, the barista, got my order perfect so I have not had any fits of anger yet today. Orgies have yet to be a temptation in my life. So, as I said, I am doing pretty good today. I haven't done any of the things on that list of stuff to avoid in that passage…   but (and this is a true story) after I sat down my friend Steve walked into the coffee shop and came over and said hi. Steve went to some things with our youth group when he was in high school and now is really connected at another church in town. He is just a really cool guy. After he says hi to me he sits down by himself and another guy jumps over to his table and start talking to him about a book he is reading, I hear them saying something about Jesus and Prayer or something… just seems like a cool conversation with someone that Steve knows. Then the door opens and the next guy says “hey Steve”, Steve knows this guy. One more comes in, 2 strangers had already sat at Steve’s table so they talked with him a little bit, and now another guy comes in and sits at Steve’s table. Meanwhile Steve has pulled out his computer, a nicer Macbook then the one I am using… it’s official : I’m jealous of Steve today. Dang it. I had been doing so good at that list, I had worked so hard at not breaking any of those things on that list, and I blew it over a friend with a cooler computer that happens to be the mayor of this coffee shop today. Oh well.

It’s pretty ridiculous to try to go through life that way right? Proud of myself for not dabbling in sorcery at all today, thats silly. Life is not about a list of things that I don’t do. This passage makes that so clear, it’s about walking by the Spirit. When we do that, then we don't have to worry about falling into that other stuff. Focus on being filled with Love and patience and kindness and God will take care of the rest.

Answer This:

1. What is something that you have worked so hard to avoid only to fall for it again and again?   What would happen if you took the opposite approach and first tried to work on a positive option instead?

2. Think about the people that you look up to, the ones that you go to when you have an issue…  what is it about them that attracts you to them so much? Is it the things that they DON’T Do, or is it the things that they Do Do?   (yes, I know I said do-do)

3. “But I say, walk by the ________, and you will not ____________ the desires of the flesh.”

Take a minute and journal your thoughts.

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Written by Jeff Harkins

that's what Cleck said.

Galatians 5:16-24- But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 

Have you ever been conflicted? We all have. We know something is right, but want to do the opposite. Maybe it’s something small, and you are willing to push aside that little voice in your head telling you not to, or maybe it’s something big, but it’s all the same to God.

Paul writes about this subject in Galatians 5:16-24. He says, “walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh.” There is no compromise between the two: either you follow what the Spirit wants or you do what the flesh wants.

The “sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, stifle, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these” that Paul mentions often seem very appealing and are frequently easier than resisting them. The rewards however, are very different. By indulging in these acts, you may feel happy or relieved for the time being, but by opposing them, and allowing the Spirit to lead you, you will gain eternal rewards. 

I remember one of the first messages that Pastor Cleck preached. He entered the sanctuary dragging behind him the large wooden cross that now resides in the library. He talked about how, that as Christians, we must always bear our own cross. The problem is that some of the places we go or relationships we enter have very small doors that our crosses will not fit through. We must then decide if we want to leave our cross at the door and go in or stay away and follow our cross. 

I know that we don’t actually carry giant crosses around with us, but the idea is the same. There will be many times in each one of our lives when the Bible will contradict what we want to do. Paul goes on to say that, “the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” We should not feel like we have to sacrifice our lives in order to fulfill these fruits, but should be delighted to do so. God sacrificed his Son so that we could spend eternity with Him, and as Paul said, “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

 1.   In what ways are you giving in to the wants of the flash?

2.   Which fruit of the Spirit do you need to work on the most?

3.   How do you plan to make this change in you life?

4. Take a minute and journal about this passage.

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Written by Hannah

two turn tables and a microphone

Galatians 5:13-15- For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.

When I went to college music was a big issue for Christians. There weren’t really many solid Christians that were making good music that was getting radio time… guys like Mat Kearney, Switchfoot, Owl City (Christian guys that just make good music) were really rare. So there was a huge divide between “Christian Music” and “Secular Music”. At my Christian college probably 90% of us students went through a “Purge my music collection” phase of life where we just threw out all of our “Secular” music (that’s anything that is not overtly Christian music). We would actually sit and take songs by guys that love God and we would judge if the song was “Christian enough”, it’s really embarrassing to think about it now… Imagine: Kyle Davis’ company is a “Christian owned” construction company (General Contractor actually) but imagine we sat around and looked at the work they did last year and judged “well, this church they built over here works for me, but that bank they built over there is just not Christian enough”. Eventually, I began to realize that Jesus does not require me only to listen to music that quotes Bible verses… Jesus has made me free to listen to what I want to listen to … however, the Bible reminds us that even though something is “lawful” (OK to do) it might not be “profitable” (the best thing for us)…  so, I opened up my music collection and kept my Christian stuff and then brought in one or two regular albums (“Secular” is the buzz word from back then), but soon I went from reading the lyrics and deciding if it was “profitable” for me, to a spot where I was just forgetting about the lyrics and just picking any music that sounded good to me…  One day I’m driving around with a friend in my car and a Madonna song comes on (hey, don’t judge me!) and I’m singing along (seriously, quit judging me!) and the girl I’m with in the car just says “Hey can we change this song, I’m not a fan of this song, I was listening to it the night I lost my virginity - not a good memory.” and the lyrics of the song then became so alive to me and they were so very inappropriate. Jesus gave me the freedom to listen to music, my music didn’t have to have Bible verses in it… but I took that freedom and kept going so that it now was actually hurting other people… even though I didn’t mean it - I still hurt my friend that was listening.

DJ Ben Berry

I think music gets a bad rap though…  most illustrations about music end up like my story here. “I was given a freedom and I misused it”… but that’s not always the case - don’t run away from music. God uses music to stir emotions in people and we are all very emotional beings. My friend Ben Berry was big into music as a teenager, then he went to Liberty University and still had a passion for music. Some people at that time were saying that Christians shouldn't get involved in Hip Hop or rap music… but Ben knew that he had freedom given by God to engage with music and see how it can be used to stir souls.  Eventually Ben was DJ’ing radio shows and traveling across the country to DJ for top quality artists that were using music to fire people up about Jesus. Don’t be afraid of music we are free to use it to glorify God… in fact we are free to pursue whatever God has gifted you in, find your gifts and use them to glorify God! 

Answer This:

1.   What freedom have you been guilty of abusing? What have you taken advantage of in the name of “freedom”?

2. What “freedom” will I choose not to engage just because I know it will hurt someone else around me.

3. “Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”

4. Take a minute and journal about this passage.

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Written by Jeff Harkins

put a rock in it

Galatians 5:7-12- You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

I ran track for one season in high school, I was a complete novice. I had no clue how to stretch correctly or what any of the coaches meant with their track jargon. I remember one practice we were running uphill sprints the whole time (I hated these practices). About halfway through the practice I felt a little pebble in my shoe, it was annoying but I thought nothing else of it so I just ignored it and kept running. After every practice the team would go and see the school trainer to get ice or to get checked out for injuries. The trainer asked me how practice went and I told him I had a small blister he should look at. Well, when I took off my shoe the blister was a lot worse than I thought! I felt so dumb to have to tell him why. He told me that if I were to keep running on it I could possibly be out for another week or even the rest of the season. I ended up missing the track meet that week because of that tiny rock. But I learned my lesson: never run with a pebble in your shoe!!

I'm finding this to be true with a lot of things in my life. Often it's the little things over time that cause the most damage. For instance, if I am ever snippy or sarcastic with my mom it would be best not to let that go for a few days but rather to apologize and take care of it right away before it gets ugly like a blister.

What's the pebble in your shoe? What or who is distracting you?

Right where you are ask God to show you and ask him to help you find a solution.

"You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?" V. 7

Answer This:

1. What does the whole rock in the shoe illustration point to?

2. What is a rock that you have experienced, what have you left in your “shoe” until it became a bigger problem in life?

3.” You were ______________ well. Who hindered you from obeying the ___________? “

Take a moment and journal about this. 

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Written by Kyle Ryan

rise up!

Galatians 5:7-12- You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 11 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 12 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves!

Paul cares so much for these people, in verse 19 he describes his pain for them as “labor pains,” now that is some serious pain. The encouraging part is he is not trying to change these people with his own power, he knows he’s no match for the power of the devil and false teachers. He believes in God because he knows God is in control. (Verse 10, “I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings.”) Paul describes these false teachers as the yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough, I don’t know if you know much about baking, but when you bake dough only a little tiny bit of yeast goes in.

- I had the privilege of working in the bakery at Word Of Life Bible Institute my first year of college, which was an awesome experience. They bake everything except for the bagels, so I got to make lots and lots of breads and pastries. Now when we bake we are baking for around 400-500 people so you can imagine how much bread we have to make. In doing one kind of bread we would make it in portions up to 50 pounds, that’s really heavy bread! Just kidding we would then section them into loaves before letting them rise. But what I’m getting at is out of those 50 pounds, we would only put in maybe 1 pound of yeast. That little bit of yeast would work its way through all those pounds and make it rise and settle to make full, perfect, delicious bread. But what would happen if that yeast was old and moldy? Then all 50 pounds of that bread would be wasted even if it’s a little bit of yeast.

-Morel of the story: be careful what you’re putting into your body, ears, eyes, brain… Etc. One bad piece of information could ruin a lot more information already in your head than you think.

Phil. 4:8-9

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Answer This:

1.  Are you listening to trashy, foul language, false teaching, worldly music?

2.  Are you using foul/dirty/filthy words that you hear just because it’s cool and everyone else says them? (Think about your words before they come out of your mouth)

3.  Whatever goes in must come out. Are you aware of what you are allowing yourself to hear and be influenced by?

4. Take a minute and journal about what you read. 

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Written by Sarah Davis

you using that chair?

Yo, so true story - One day Breanna was walking and bumped into this chair that said, "Do Not Touch." She didn't seem to think anything of it, there seemed to be no reason to not touch it. So she leaned on it while texting, but when she went to walk away, she was stuck to it. No matter what she tried, she couldn't free herself. A short time later, Hannah is walking by and sees Breanna. She tries to pull Breanna off the chair, but can't and in the process touches the chair. Now they're both stuck. Along comes Elliott and Lauren. Upon seeing some damsels in distress, Elliott tries to be a knight in shining armor. Again, the attempts are unsuccessful and Elliott and Lauren both manage to get stuck on the chair too. Out of no where, Max comes flying in with some ninja moves, assesses the situation, and like those who've gone before him, winds up stuck to the chair. Christy was out for a run and finds the group all stuck to the chair. Instead of helping, she starts taking pictures of them, including a selfie (don't believe me? ask her to show you this picture!). But she can be a little clumsy and stumbles into the chair, getting herself stuck too.
Next Natalie comes walking by. She's a little smarter than the others. Rather than getting herself stuck, she actually manages to get everyone unstuck!

Galatians 5:1-6 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 2 Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 3 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 4You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. 5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. 

Now say one of them decided that they really liked the chair. They didn't really mind being stuck to it, they actually kind of liked it. Although they've gotten unstuck from the chair, they want to continue staying stuck to it. How would you respond to them? What would you do if you saw Max or Hannah walking around with a chair stuck to them?

It would be silly for anyone of us to want to stay stuck to a chair, but that's silly skit is an analogy to the way that we live life. There are so many ways where we opt to stay stuck (submit ourselves to slavery), instead being unstuck (free because of Christ).

Check out the chorus of this song by Hillsong: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom! Where the Spirit of the Lord is chains are broken, eyes are open. Christ is with us." I don't know about you, but I want that freedom Christ is offering. I don't want to live enslaved.


1) What's an area in which you see you are stuck to a chair?
2) For freedom Christ has set us _____________; stand firm therefore, and do not _____________ again to a yoke of slavery.
3) What's a practical step you can take this week to experience the freedom Christ offers?

4) Take some time and journal about this passage:

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Written by Amber