South Park Baptist Church

Galatians 5:13-17
 

The 4th of July means different things to different people, but it should remind all of us of the freedoms we enjoy in our country. Which reminds me of a song by Matt Monro which was called "Born Free" and like most people Mr. Monro relished in the thought of being "free." But our passage today reminds us that we are only truly free when we are born "again" free! 

Galatians 6:1-5

There was a popular song back in my day called "He Ain't Heavy-He's My Brother" and I learned the song was taken from a story from Boys Town in Omaha Nebraska. Once, a young boy with polio came to Father Flanagan's ministry and the older boys carried the young newcomer on their backs to wherever he needed to go. Once the Father asked one of the older boys, "If he was heavy?" The older boy responded, "He ain't heavy Father, he's my brother.". This seems to illustrate the meaning of our main text today. 

Proverbs 22:6

Since our teenagers went to camp last week, and  tomorrow we start VBS for our younger children, this is a good Sunday to remind us of the potential impact our church has on the next generation. However, we will emphasize that the parents/guardians have the primary responsibility to raise our kids in the "nurture and admonition" of the Lord! The church is simply here to assist the parents/guardians. 

Colossians 3>22-25 

Snow White's seven dwarfs went off to work everyday singing, "Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's off to work we go." which may seem to be a strange way to introduce a Father's Day message, but since Father's are to be the primary providers for the family, it seems a message on a Christian man's work ethic would be appropriate.