Our service is now live (Sunday 10am). Come join us at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Pastor Paul Long. The sermon title is "Six woes related to attitudes, and personal and public actions (Isaiah 5:8-24)". ... See MoreSee Less
Some thoughts on Galatians 4:16-20: Discerning your true spiritual parents in times of conflict
When two or more parties are in conflict, and we are caught in the middle, how do we decide who to follow? These five verses, I believe give some helpful guidelines. The first comes in verse 16, where Paul asked, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Here the issue to consider is “the truth”. We need to discern the truth and follow the truth.
The second and third come in verses 16 to 20 where Paul points out the issues of attitude and motive. First on attitude: in v. 16, Paul uses a very strong word “enemy” (meaning someone hated). In v. 17 and 18 he uses the word “zealous” three times, and in v.17, the word, “alienate” (literally “to shut out”). The false teachers Paul was warning against were zealously (aggressively) teaching the Galatians to hate Paul and shut him out of their lives.
We are to hate sin and evil but not to do or teach evil (see Romans 12:9-21). Jesus was aggressively zealous for God’s honour but he never resorted to teaching hate. On the cross, He even forgave those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). These teachers’ attitude by promoting hate was ungodly.
What about their motives? These false teachers were zealous for wrong reasons and inconsistent in their behavior (v.18). They wanted Paul out so that the Galatians would follow them zealously. Their motive was to have loyal followers who would follow them without question.
Paul’s motive was different (v.18-20). Paul’s motive was to have them mature in Christ (“to have Christ formed in you”). Paul wanted the Galatians to follow him (imitate him even but only because He imitated Christ (see 1 Cor 11:1).
In times of uncertainty and conflict, it is important to listen and follow those who know the truth, teach the truth, live out the truth (attitude) and whose purpose is to help us mature in Christ so that these truths (attitudes and mind of Christ) is formed in us.
It is good to have leaders to follow, it is better to have spiritual parents who will love and guide us. Paul was such a person. (See his mother analogy in v.19 and his father analogy in 1 Cor 4:15-16)
For personal reflection We are to follow Christ. But we also need the leadership and guidance of godly and mature human leaders. What are your criteria for deciding who you listen to and follow in your spiritual growth? ... See MoreSee Less
Join us for service this Sunday at 10am at KCC or live at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Pastor Paul Long. The sermon title is "Six woes related to attitudes, and personal and public actions (Isaiah 5:8-24)". What does it mean when a prophet makes declarations beginning with the word "woe"? This passage contains 6 woes that reveal the pain in God's heart as He points out how the wrong attitudes of His people have led to evil personal actions, which in turn have resulted in evil public actions that have caused great suffering for all. What are these attitudes and actions that have made God so upset? Join us and find out. #Attitudes#Actions#SocialJustice#Woe#Greed#SelfIndulgence#SelfDeception#Pride#MoralPerversion... See MoreSee Less
Our service is now live (Sunday 10am). Come join us at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Max Liddle. The sermon title is "The Second Coming (John 5.20-24; 2 Corinthians 5.10-11; Revelation 22.12)". ... See MoreSee Less
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Our service is now live (Sunday 10am). Come join us at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Pastor Paul Long. The sermon title is "Six woes related to attitudes, and personal and public actions (Isaiah 5:8-24)". ... See MoreSee Less
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Pastor’s notes for 18 May 2025
Some thoughts on Galatians 4:16-20: Discerning your true spiritual parents in times of conflict
When two or more parties are in conflict, and we are caught in the middle, how do we decide who to follow? These five verses, I believe give some helpful guidelines.
The first comes in verse 16, where Paul asked, “Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth?” Here the issue to consider is “the truth”. We need to discern the truth and follow the truth.
The second and third come in verses 16 to 20 where Paul points out the issues of attitude and motive. First on attitude: in v. 16, Paul uses a very strong word “enemy” (meaning someone hated). In v. 17 and 18 he uses the word “zealous” three times, and in v.17, the word, “alienate” (literally “to shut out”). The false teachers Paul was warning against were zealously (aggressively) teaching the Galatians to hate Paul and shut him out of their lives.
We are to hate sin and evil but not to do or teach evil (see Romans 12:9-21). Jesus was aggressively zealous for God’s honour but he never resorted to teaching hate. On the cross, He even forgave those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). These teachers’ attitude by promoting hate was ungodly.
What about their motives? These false teachers were zealous for wrong reasons and inconsistent in their behavior (v.18). They wanted Paul out so that the Galatians would follow them zealously. Their motive was to have loyal followers who would follow them without question.
Paul’s motive was different (v.18-20). Paul’s motive was to have them mature in Christ (“to have Christ formed in you”). Paul wanted the Galatians to follow him (imitate him even but only because He imitated Christ (see 1 Cor 11:1).
In times of uncertainty and conflict, it is important to listen and follow those who know the truth, teach the truth, live out the truth (attitude) and whose purpose is to help us mature in Christ so that these truths (attitudes and mind of Christ) is formed in us.
It is good to have leaders to follow, it is better to have spiritual parents who will love and guide us. Paul was such a person. (See his mother analogy in v.19 and his father analogy in 1 Cor 4:15-16)
For personal reflection
We are to follow Christ. But we also need the leadership and guidance of godly and mature human leaders. What are your criteria for deciding who you listen to and follow in your spiritual growth? ... See MoreSee Less
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Join us for service this Sunday at 10am at KCC or live at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Pastor Paul Long. The sermon title is "Six woes related to attitudes, and personal and public actions (Isaiah 5:8-24)". What does it mean when a prophet makes declarations beginning with the word "woe"? This passage contains 6 woes that reveal the pain in God's heart as He points out how the wrong attitudes of His people have led to evil personal actions, which in turn have resulted in evil public actions that have caused great suffering for all. What are these attitudes and actions that have made God so upset? Join us and find out. #Attitudes #Actions #SocialJustice #Woe #Greed #SelfIndulgence #SelfDeception #Pride #MoralPerversion ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Our service is now live (Sunday 10am). Come join us at bit.ly/KCClive. Our speaker is Max Liddle. The sermon title is "The Second Coming (John 5.20-24; 2 Corinthians 5.10-11; Revelation 22.12)". ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook