Week 6

Galatians 6:2 "Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." .

Week 6 Day 1

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GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY Galatians 6:2 "Carry one another's burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." TODAY'S SPIRITUAL REALITY Because we live in a fallen world, we need one another. Because of sin, this world has fallen from God's intended position. And we are all living in a fallen world. The Spirit within us creates a longing for Heaven (our spiritual home). But for now, we are called by God to function as His body in this world. 2 Corinthians 5:8 "We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord."

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Study Notes by William Yeong

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Paul was torn between being with Jesus in heaven and being on earth to continue to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. Would it be better to live or die? Paul was nonetheless prepared to obey and do God's will. Philippians 1:22-26 Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me; and I dont know which one I should choose. I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ which is far better but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that, because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

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Reasons why God place the church in this fallen world : i. God wants the world to see Him and know that He loves them through His Body. John 13:35 "By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." ii. God desires for the church to function together as a unit. He intends for His children to help each other and face difficulties together.

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There are bound to be problems in this fallen world even for the church with good and able leaders. This will continue to happen until Christ returns. The important thing is to see that as opportunities to help each other. The ideal church does not exist so stop looking for it. God wants us to face the issues of this world together as we walk with Christ . We need to learn to bear one another's burden. If we are to walk together as the body of Christ, we must be ready to help others and also be willing for the Lord to work through others to help us.

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Study Notes by William Yeong

Week 6 Day 2

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GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. TODAY'S SPIRITUAL REALITY We need to help carry one another's physical burdens. Physical burdens are part of life in this fallen world. Help one another bear these burdens. Bearing one another's burden means we come beside those in need and help them in ways the Lord shows us. Illness or physical defects are just part of living in this fallen world. Recognise the opportunity to walk with one another and allow the Lord to be glorified through us. e.g. John 9 : Jesus healed a man born blind. James instructs us to pray for one another when illness arises. We are to take prayer seriously as our Lord does. United prayer by the local church brings God-given power to the situation. James 5:13-16 Is anyone among you suffering? He should pray. Is anyone cheerful? He should sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? He should call for the elders of the church, and they should pray over him after anointing him with olive oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick person, and the Lord will restore him to health; if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The urgent request of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect

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Study Notes by William Yeong

Week 6 Day 3

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GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY : Ephesians 6:18 Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

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TODAY'S SPIRITUAL REALITY We need to help carry one another's spiritual burdens. In bearing one another's burden, it is very important to pray for one another. However, it is just as important to stand together with them and fight spiritually. Ephesians 6:12 "Our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens."

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Paul was exemplary in prayer in two ways. i. Paul instructed the Christians to be fervent in prayer. Ephesians 6:18 "With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints." ii. Paul also requested the Christians to pray for him so that he would speak the truth of the gospel with boldness. Ephesians 6:19-20 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

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Study Notes by William Yeong

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The body of Christ helped Paul bear his spiritual burdens. In the same way, God intends for us to help one another carry the spiritual burdens that come with His assignment. Jesus said that He came to help those with deep spiritual burdens. Matthew 9:11-12 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples, Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners? But when He heard this, He said, Those who are well dont need a doctor, but the sick do. God intends the church to emulate Jesus and to do the same. Our church should be a place where those with spiritual burdens can come and find help and freedom.

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Week 6 Day 4

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GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY James 3:9-10 "We praise our Lord and Father with it (the tongue), and we curse men who are made in Gods likeness with it. Praising and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers, these things should not be this way." TODAY'S SPIRITUAL REALITY Our words either build up or tear down those in the body of Christ. The tongue is a very powerful part of the human body. With our words we can either encourage others or tear them down. James marveled at the discrepancy of our words. (James 3:9-10) God is the one who gave us the power of communication and He intends that we use it to build up the Body of Christ. 5
Study Notes by William Yeong

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Mark each of the following uses of the tongue as either one that (B) builds up the body or (H) burts and tears down the body. Slander Unjustly ciritize Teach Loving correction Praise Tell dirty jokes Discourage Preach Admonish Encourage Lie Counsel Belittle Witness about Christ Defame Malign Inspire Pray Gossip Prophecy Curse Sing hymns Slur Libel Smear Incite

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With the Lord's help, the tongue can and should be harnessed for God's glory. When this happens, our words become helpful and encouraging to those in our church family. With our words, we can help others bear their burden. Beware of using your tongue for your own selfish gain. This will hurt others and add to their burdens. We must ask the Lord to help us use our words to build up His Body instead of damaging it. Some people hurt others using the excuse that they are being truthful and they have no intention to hurt others, actually. It is true that we should speak the truth but not all truth needs are to be shared if it would damage the Body.

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Study Notes by William Yeong

Paul urged the believers in Ephesus to speak the truth in love. Ephesians 4:15 "Speak the truth in love" 10. If we bore the burdens of others by building them up with encouraging words, our churches would experience healing, comfort and blessing.

Week 6 Day 5

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GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY Ephesians 2:19 "So then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of Gods household,.." TODAY'S SPIRITUAL REALITY God wants unity, not uniformity in the church. Bearing one another's burden requires accepting the fact that God has built His church with people who are different. The early church was made up of people from different social, ethnic and religious backgrounds but they remained united. A difference in backgrounds often brings differences of opinion. These differences challenge a church body, but they shouldn't divide it. In Christ, we are the same - sinners saved by grace. in the midst of these differences, we can find opportunities to bear one another's burdens. Uniformity vs Unity in the church. Uniformity means everyone must think alike and approach things the same way. 7
Study Notes by William Yeong

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Unity means even though we may have differences, we are one heart and mind in following Christ. God calls us to unity, not uniformity. 7. The diversity of members within the body will result in a variety of views and expectations but it need not be a weakness. Differences (out of diversity) can actually be a strength in the Body of Christ. A church always has differences but it does everything possible to remain united in Christ. (e.g Acts 6:1 = "complaints in the church...") Underline the words that describe attitudes and behaviours that contribute to keeping unity in the body. Ephesians 4:1-3 Therefore I, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. 9. Humility, gentleness, patience, acceptance and love all contribute to keeping the unity of the Spirit. To bear the burdens of others within a context of differences requires : "putting others above ourselves." Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. 10. What does putting others above ourselves mean? It means attentively looking for opportunities to carry one another's burden.

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Study Notes by William Yeong