SERIES: Galatians — The Gospel for Everyday Life
TEXT: Galatians 6:6-10
MESSAGE: Gospel Endurance: Learning to Be Resilient Disciples

“Today, nearly two-thirds of all young adults who were once regular churchgoers have dropped out at one time or another (64 percent). Our contention is that today’s society is especially and insidiously faith repellent. Certainly, God’s people have weathered hostile seasons in the past; church history reminds us that living faithfully has never been easy. But our research shows that resilient faith is tougher to grow today using the cultivation methods we relied on throughout the twentieth century. This leads to our central claim in Faith for Exiles. Young non-Christians are avoiding Christianity, and young Christians are abandoning church; however, by cultivating five practices, we can form and be formed into disciples of Jesus who thrive…” — David Kinnamen and Mark Matlock

What are the 5 practices of resilient disciples? (Faith For Exiles — David Kinnamen and Mark Matlock)

Practice 1: To form a resilient identity, experience intimacy with Jesus.
Practice 2: In a complex and anxious age, develop the muscles of cultural discernment.
Practice 3: When isolation and mistrust are the norms, forge meaningful, intergenerational relationships.
Practice 4: To ground and motivate an ambitious generation, train for vocational discipleship.
Practice 5: Curb entitlement and self-centered tendencies by engaging in countercultural mission.

TEXT: Galatians 6:6-10

Today’s text teaches us how to form gospel bearings to be resilient when life is difficult. What do we see? (1. The Necessity 2. The Principle 3. The Reality)

1. The Necessity (v. 6-7a)

“Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. Do not be deceived…”

“In some ways, this is the theme of the whole epistle of Galatians! Many of these young Christians had presumably been catechized by Paul himself; now they are in great danger of being deceived by the false teachers. Paul has argued that these teachers are not in “fellowship” with the Galatians; rather, they are using them to win honor and approval for themselves (4:17). By outlining the proper teacher-disciple relationship in verse 6, Paul is introducing his final appeal to resist these improper, false teachers. “Do not be deceived” is the beginning of Paul’s last, climactic appeal to hold on to the truth.” — Timothy Keller

“But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” — Hebrews 3:13

“Discernment is not knowing the difference between right and wrong. It is knowing the difference between right and almost right.” — Charles Spurgeon

2. The Principle (v. 7-8)

“…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.”

Luke 6:25 — “Woe to you who laugh (gloating) now, for you shall mourn and weep.”

“The Greek verb (mocked) is found nowhere else in the New Testament…It means literally to “turn up the nose in mockery or contempt.” — Timothy George

3. The Reality (v. 9-10)

“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.”

“…God’s work must always be done in God’s way to see results that are worthy of God’s reality and greatness.” Os Guinness

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” Psalm 37:7

TAKEAWAYS: How can we grow as resilient disciples?

* Grow in gospel discernment

Here are seven gospel-distortions we should be aware of (Kristen Wetherell):

1. The “Good Person” Culture
2. The “Self-Esteem” Culture
3. The “Expressive Individualism” Culture
4. The “Optional Jesus” Culture
5. The “Prosperity Jesus” Culture
6. The “Faith-And” Culture
7. The “Faith-So” Culture

* Grow in gospel community

* Grow in gospel consistency

“…God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7