We started a Men’s Ministry at R2C2 called Galatians 5 and this is why we choose that passage. Men deal with many issues and the world has really pushed us down, not just in how we feel (yes we do have feelings) about ourselves but what are roles are in life. Galatians 5 explains how men should live. It calls us out right away in Galatians 5:1 and the basis for the entire chapter it says “So Christ has really set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” New Living Translation. Instead of tied up the NIV says “burden”, I like this because the struggles in life seem to be burdens. We are bombarded with all type of ways to satisfy ourselves. All you have to do is to turn on TV after midnight and you will be hit with ways to improve the way you look or the way you feel. Enlarge this, loose that, shape your buns, have 6-pack abs, become smarter, all for a just tree easy payments of $19.95, but wait… there is only one way to make yourself feel better, focus on GOD, the creator of all, the Lord Jesus Christ. Once you have given you life to Christ, you are not “tied up again” with slavery of the Law of Moses. You are free of that “burden”. Most of us “Christians” are still tied to that law, it is not the Law that sets us free but by the grace of God. Yes if we are truly saved we will want to follow the Law, but it does not slave us, it gives us the opportunity to love on the Lord by doing his will. One of the Pharisees asks Jesus “what is the most important commandment” and Jesus answered “first to love God with all you heart, soul, mind and strength, then to love your neighbor as yourself”. We see this said again in Galatians 5:14, as men we think “we need to love one another?”, that ’s not manly. But Jesus tells us to love one another, agape love, love unconditionally, like Jesus loves us. To help one another, to be there for one another, to hold each other accountable, to support one another. This is to all of our neighbors, not just the person next door, or the person you like at church or at work, but it is the person you do not get along with, the person who is not yet saved, the person who does not know Jesus Christ. Those to God are the most important people we need to show this to, so they will become beleivers.
I am calling out to all the men at Rocky River Community Church, in Harrisburg, in North Carolina, in the world to serve Jesus Christ. We need to get off the bench and reach out to everyone and tell them about the gift that Jesus has for us.
Just a reminder to all, that Galatians 5 men’s group will be meeting at 7pm on April 2nd at the church office. This is an open invitation to anyone, I do not care if you belong to Rocky River or if you are not saved or any other excuse you can come up with. Jesus says in Mark 2:16-17 when he is questioned by eating with the “sinners” and he replies “is it a healthy man who needs a doctor, or is it the sick?” We want to invite everyone, if you are hurting, addicted, well, sick, confused, dazed, or feel like there is no way, you need to come!
Love you all and God Bless!
