Galatians Bible Class, Part 52: Hearers Share with Their Pastor

Class #52:  Galatians 6:6 is included in Luther’s Small Catechism in the Table of Duties for “What the Hearers Owe Their Pastors.” St. Paul tells the hearer, who is being taught the Word by the teacher, to share (koinoneito) all good things with his teacher.  The word “share” is much more than simply giving someone a bite of your sandwich.  This word refers to our Christian fellowship, communion, and participation with each other in the Word (Phil 4:14ff).

St. Paul is continuing to teach the true life of sanctification, as opposed to the vainglorious who provoke and envy in their conceit. Having received salvation as a gift through faith in Christ, we walk by the Spirit. In our vocation as a hearer, we share with our pastor in all good things.

Overhead: Overheads for Class 52
Handout: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 26 thru 6 10

Galatians Bible Class, Pt. 51: A Good Conscience

Class #51:  The vainglorious, false teachers who were active at Galatia really thought that they were something! Instead of exhibiting love toward the neighbor, their selfish ambition to please others led them to mercilessly demand obedience to their own laws.  When St. Paul says, “Let each one examine his own work, then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another,” he is teaching about a true Christian’s sanctification, as opposed to those who seek their own glory.  None of our works grant peace with God, that peace only comes from faith in Jesus Christ.  When the Christian seeks to do his work properly so that God is pleased, he will have a good conscience within him.

We are to consider ourselves, not on the basis of man’s approval or in comparison with others, but in accordance with our God-given vocation and on the basis of whether God is pleased, not men. The Small Catechism says, “Consider your place in life according to the Ten Commandments,” and “…that all my doings and life may please you.”  Knowing that our meager accomplishments are due to the grace of God in gifting us with everything that we have–our competence comes from God–we ought to think of ourselves in humility.

Overhead:Galatians Class 51 Overheads
Handout: Galatians Bible Study Chapter 5 26 thru 6 10

Ecclesiastes Bible Study 3: Meaningful Conclusion

Solomon teaches that success lies only in the hands of God.  We are given to do our work in the present, but we cannot control the future.  He tells us that we should receive a quiet and peaceful heart and commit everything to God.  Some fools respond by saying, “Then let us do no work.”  When Solomon teaches us to reject our counsels and anxieties, but to do the work, then fools either fall into despair or become prideful.  When their plans are thwarted they despair.  When their plans succeed they become presumptuous.

Similarly, the Gospel teaches an alien righteousness earned by the merit of Jesus Christ and freely received by faith.  The fool responds, “Then let us not do any good works.  If faith is sufficient, let us sin.”  When we teach about the fruits of faith and true good works, the fool trusts in them for salvation.

Solomon attempts to teach about the meaningful life of the Christian, who gives thanks for the gift of salvation.  He is not concerned about the future, but is content with his present vocation.  The grace of God provides an abundance of gifts, including daily provisions and satisfaction in the work of his daily vocation(Eccl 2:24-25).

 

Baptismal Life Bible Class – The Cross in our Vocation, Part 8

The baptized believer trusts in the forgiveness of sins and knows that his salvation is assured.  Faith produces the fruits of faith: love toward the neighbor.  It is in one’s vocation (father, mother, son, daughter, worker, citizen, etc.) that we serve our neighbor in love.  In serving our neighbor we bear our cross as we receive much trouble and toil from other sinners.  Those vocational crosses put to death the will of the old Adam who resists the baptized believer living in his vocation.  This cross lead the believer to trust in Jesus to help in this struggle going on within him, and prays that “God’s will may be done.”

Resources: Lesson Eight Baptism Feb 28 2016