The One Anothers – Week 3: “Bearing One Another’s Burdens”
July 28, 2024Big Idea: Every unshared burden becomes a double burden.
“A burden shared is a burden halved” – Swedish Proverb
1. Burden bearing involves our priorities and responsibilities
There are burdens we must share –
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 fulfil the law of Christ – Galatians 6:1-2 ESV
Three kinds of burdens:
[1] A broken world.
[2] Our own flaws.
[3] Other’s problems.
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another” – Charles Dickens
There are responsibilities we must own –
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 – Galatians 6:3-5 ESV
“If my car breaks down, my neighbor can help drive my children to school, but he cannot assume the responsibilities that only belong to me as their father” – Dr. Warren Wiersbe
2. Burden bearing involves our choices and consequences
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 – Galatians 6:6-8 ESV
Bearing one another’s burdens is about helping each other sow better so we can reap better!
“Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences” – Robert Louis Stevenson
3. Burden bearing involves our commitments and opportunities
“Adults with anxiety and/or depression experience an increase in sense of self-worth when striving to help others and avoiding selfish behavior by making a positive difference in someone’s life” – The Journal of Clinical Psychology
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. – Galatians 6:9-10 ESV
“Bearing the heavier burdens of others we lift our own” – Dr. O.F. Blackwelder
Share your burden: Write down whatever burden(s) you’re tired of carrying alone. Offer it to God by turning in a “My Burden(s)” card when prompted.