Sermons
September 8th, 2024 by Pastor Solley090824AM Weary in the Way, Not of the Way
Sub. Weariness
Theme: How to overcome weariness.
Text: Gal 6:9
“Weary in the Way, Not of the Way” Gal 6:9
Introduction
I want to bring a message this morning titled “Weary in the Way, Not of the Way”. Two times in the New Testament the born again believer in Christ is commanded not to be weary. – Gal 6:9 – That command is repeated in 2 Thess 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. Clearly, if you are saved this morning, you have been commanded to not be weary. – Gal 6:9 – To be weary is defined as being tired, being exhausted, to be worn out, to be worn down, to be fatigued, to be ready to quit. This is speaking of a spiritual weariness, of one being so worn down that they want to throw in the towel. We are not to be weary. – Gal 6:9
I. Implied in the command is the fact that we can and will become weary from time to time: Man is commanded to be born again because he is lost and needs a savior. The Christian is commanded to not be weary because we can be overcome by weariness.
A. How many Christians can be overcome by weariness? The same answer were I to ask how many need to be born again? All. This is speaking of a spiritual weariness. Things that happen, circumstances of life, trials that multiply that can bring on a weariness. Things that build up and build up that make us weary and so weary at times that we just want to throw in the towel and give up.
1. This preacher has experienced those times of weariness: Times when I have said to my wife, “I’ve had enough.” Times when I have echoed Jeremiah when that man of God was ready to quit. Praise the Lord my wife has encouraged me and not agreed with me.
2. Have you ever experienced those times of weariness? If you haven’t you will. Some have in the past, some will in the future and some are so weary right now that you want to quit the race.
3. Implied in the command is that fact what we can and will become weary at times: Gal 6:9
B. Let me say that while we can and will become weary in the way, we should never weary of the way: Jesus Christ is the way. Jesus said “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus Christ is the way. Jesus Christ is the new and living way. We may become weary in the way but we should never weary of the way. Jesus Christ is the way.
1. I know many who have become weary in the way and then turned away from the way: Not losing salvation, but turning away from the only one that can help them in this world. Jesus Christ is the way.
2. The Bible tells me to draw closer to Jesus when weary in James 4:8: I need to draw closer to Jesus, not weary of the way.
3. Jesus pleads for us to draw closer to Him when weary in Matt 11: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” I need to draw closer to Jesus, not to weary of the way.
4. We can and will become weary in the way, in our way through life in this world, but we should never become weary of the way:
C. Also in the command is a directive: Gal 6:9 The Bible doesn’t tell us to quit or faint when we become weary, the Bible tells us to continue in well doing, to continue sowing, to keep going on for the Lord. We can’t reap if we have not sowed.
II. I want to look this morning at ways to combat the weariness that we all experience so many times: When God gives a command in the Bible God also gives a way to obey that command.
PROP: Every born again child of God needs to know how to combat weariness. TS. For we all become weary from time to time.
Body
I. Don’t think it a strange thing when you become weary in this world, when you become weary in the way: Gal 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13 Both bodies of believers who received those words at that time were going through trials and struggles that could cause a weariness to settle into the body of Christ, into those local churches. So the command given. – 2 Thess 3:13 – Don’t think it a strange thing when you become weary in the way.
A. Consider some examples of this weariness that can come upon the child of God: So many examples in the Bible.
1. Jeremiah became so weary in the way he wanted to give up: Jer 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name… That is not the end of the verse, but Jeremiah had become weary in the way.
2. Elijah became so weary in the way he requested that he die: 1 Kings 19:4…He requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. Elijah became weary in the way.
3. Job became weary to the point of bitterness: Job 10:1My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. Job became weary in the way.
4. David became weary of his many troubles: Ps 69:1-3 Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God. David became weary in the way.
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5. Solomon spoke of the weariness of the flesh in Ecc 12:12 Solomon became weary in the way.
6. Moses became weary as he led the children of Israel: Ex 17:4 And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me. Moses became weary in the way.
7. Even the one whom the Holy Spirit chose to write down the command became weary often: 2 Cor 11:27 That word “Often” in the verse applies to weariness as well. Paul became weary in the way often the Bible tells us.
B. Study the lives of the men and women of God in the Bible and you will find that they all experienced weariness many times: Why? Because Satan wants to weary the child of God to limit their effectiveness for God in this world, to steal away the peace of God from their hearts, to destroy the joy that they have in the Lord. Even though you may be born again this morning Satan is still your adversary, still walks about seeking to devour, still attacks. Even though Satan cannot have your soul he seeks to destroy all that God has promised to give you in this world. Destroy your effectiveness for the Lord, destroy your peace, destroy your joy.
1. When you become weary in the way you are under the attack of Satan: How many Christians will Satan attack? All.
2. The weariness you are experiencing right now is Satanic, it is not of God: You are under the attack of Satan.
C. Don’t think it strange when you become weary in this world, when you become weary in the way:
II. To combat weariness in the way we need more of the way: Remember that Jesus is the way and when we become weary in the way, when we become weary in this world, we need more of the way, not less. We need draw closer to Jesus Christ, not fall away.
A. I believe the Bible, all of the Bible, even those things I cannot fully comprehend: Heb 4:15-16 Those two verses are underlined in my Bible and I believe them with all of my heart. Notice verse 15 tells me why I can come to the throne of grace, into the very throne room of God and find help in my time of need, in times of weariness. – Heb 4:15 – How many things, how many trials, how many temptations, how many heartaches has Jesus experienced that I have? The Bible tells me all. – Heb 4:15 – I believe the Bible.
1. Satan may try and tell you no one understands but that is a lie: Whatever it is, Jesus has experienced it as well. – Heb 4:15 – All.
a. Jesus never had to deal with the temptations I have to deal with. Jesus experienced all.
b. Jesus didn’t have the loss of loved ones I have. Jesus experienced all.
c. Jesus didn’t have the family problems I have. Jesus experienced all.
d. Jesus didn’t have the health problems I have. Jesus experienced all.
2. What have you gone through, what are you going through, what will you go through that Jesus has not? The Bible says Jesus was in all points tempted as we are and all means all and all is all that all means. Do you believe the Bible or not? – Heb 4:15-16
B. When I become weary I need more of Jesus, not less: Heb 10:25 Notice the “So much the more”. – Heb 10:25 – Those Hebrew believers were in circumstance that would cause any to become weary. They were under persecution from the heathen, they were under persecution from unbelieving Jews. Many of them lost homes and livelihood, they were being hunted down and jailed and many of them killed because of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. They were not to turn away from the Lord: Heb 10:25 They needed so much the more.
2. They were not to turn away from the church house: Heb 10:25 They needed so much the more.
3. When we are weary we need more and not less and less will lead us into sin: Heb 10:26 No saved individual turns away from Jesus Christ knowing it is the right things to do, we know it is the wrong thing to do, we know it is sin and will lead to more sin.
4. When we are weary we need more, not less:
C. When I become weary I need more of the one I can have complete confidence in: Heb 4:16 ; 13:6 The Bible tells us to come boldly and that does not mean with a human boldness, does not mean that we order God, that it means to tell God what is right and what is wrong. To come boldly means to come with absolute confidence that Our God can help us.
1. The Bible tells us that our God is an every present help: Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2. The Bible says our God comes swiftly to our aid: Ps 18:9-10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under his feet. 10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.
3. When I become weary I need run to the one I have complete confidence in: Heb 13:5-6
D. To combat weariness I need more of the way, not less:
III. To combat weariness I need to do more for the Lord, not less: Isa 40:31 Some look at this verse and say we are to sit, do nothing, and wait on the Lord to do great things. Our God can do great things but there is nothing in this verses that speaks of doing nothing. This is a verse of action, this is a verse of doing, this is a verses of serving, of being active. – Isa 40:31 – We are to renew, we are to mount up, we are to run, we are to walk. – Isa 40:31 – This is a verse of action, a verse of doing.
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A. The Hebrew word translated wait takes on the meaning of accomplishing something, of lifting up, of stirring up, of action: When I am weary I need to do more, I need to renew strength, I need to mount up, to stand up, to run, to walk, to do more and not less.
1. The natural thing to do when we become weary is to stop, but the Bible tells me to do more: Find more to do, not less to do.
a. Pray more. 1 Thess 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
b. Praise more. Ps 109:30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.
c. Study more. 2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
d. Witness more. Mark 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
e. Come to church more often. Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
f. Find something to do around the church. Ps 84:10 For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.
2. The natural thing to do when one becomes weary is do less but we need to do more:
B. We need to do more because when we do less we focus on what has made us weary and then that weariness grows: Soon we are not just weary, we are depressed, we are despondent, we lose sight of the goodness of our God and focus on the problems of life.
ILL. I was talking with a dear saint of God recently and they brought up many of the problems in our family over the past few months, and there have been many, and wondered how one deals with all that we have been dealing with. I responded that it is life, that we all experience these trials and problems, and that our God is a good and gracious God and is worthy of praise, worship, and service…
1. Is your God worthy of praise even when you are weary? The God Paul knew and still knows was. – Acts 16:23-25 Is your God worthy of such praise when you are weary? Then praise Him.
2. Is your God worthy of worship even when you are weary? What was the first thing Job did in the midst of his trials? – Job 1:20-21 Is your God worthy of worship even when you are weary? Then worship Him.
3. Is your God worthy of service even when you are weary? The God Peter knew was. – Luke 5:5-6 – Peter was weary from a long night of fishing but he still would serve Jesus. Is your God worthy of service when you are weary? Then serve Him.
C. To combat weariness we need to do more for the Lord, not less: That is what the Bible says.
IV. To combat weariness we need to keep our eyes on the prize before us: Phil 3:13-14 Many have a tendency to hold onto the things that have made them weary. They hold onto the things of the past that wearied them and they continue to plague them.
A. There are some things we need to forget and put behind us: Phil 3:13 The things that have wearied us in the past need forgotten.
1. So and so caused me heartache: Put it behind. I have had heartaches but I also have blessings.
2. I had this great disappointment: Put it behind. I have suffered disappointments but I also have encouraging things.
3. I lost so many in my life: Put it behind. I have suffered losses but they have gained heaven.
4. If we focus on the weariness of the past we will never get past them: Some things we need to forget and put behind us. – Phil 3:13
B. Only then can we focus on what is in front of us: Phil 3:13-14 There is a prize set before us.
1. I am not weary when I think of what lies ahead: Jesus said “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” I want to focus on the mansion above.
2. I am not weary when I think of the change that is coming: The Bible says in Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. I want to focus on the change that is coming.
3. I want to focus on the shout, the voice and the trumpet that is about to sound: The Bible says in 1 Thess 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
4. I want to focus on the victory I already have: The Bible says in 1 Cor 15:57-58 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
5. I want to focus on what is ahead and not what should be left behind:
C. To combat weariness we need to keep our eyes focused on the prize before us:
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Conclusion
Clearly we have been commanded to not be weary and we can become weary in the way but there are ways to combat those times of weariness that we all experience in our lives.
I. Don’t think it a strange thing when you become weary in this world, when you become weary in the way: Gal 6:9; 2 Thess 3:13 Both bodies of believers who received those words at that time were going through trials and struggles that could cause a weariness to settle into the body of Christ, into those local churches. So the command given. – 2 Thess 3:13 – Don’t think it a strange thing when you become weary in the way.
II. To combat weariness in the way we need more of the way: Remember that Jesus is the way and when we become weary in the way, when we become weary in this world, we need more of the way, not less. We need draw closer to Jesus Christ, not fall away.
III. To combat weariness I need to do more for the Lord, not less: Isa 40:31 Some look at this verse and say we are to sit, do nothing, and wait on the Lord to do great things. Our God can do great things but there is nothing in this verses that speaks of doing nothing. This is a verse of action, this is a verse of doing, this is a verses of serving, of being active. – Isa 40:31 – We are to renew, we are to mount up, we are to run, we are to walk. – Isa 40:31 – This is a verse of action, a verse of doing.
IV. To combat weariness we need to keep our eyes on the prize before us: Phil 3:13-14 Many have a tendency to hold onto the things that have made them weary. They hold onto the things of the past that wearied them and they continue to plague them.