Text: Galatians 6:11–14
Theme: The cross of
Christ is the ground of our salvation, the center of our hope, and the
power that severs the world’s grip on the heart.
Introduction
Travelers in London still speak of Charing Cross. An old story tells of
a lost child sobbing on a curb until a policeman asked where she lived.
He named the great places of the city and she shook her head—until he
said, “Charing Cross.” Through tears she answered, “Yes. Take me down to
the Cross, and I can find my way home from there.” That simple
confession speaks to the longing of every soul. In the ancient world,
the cross meant shame, pain, and death. Crucifixion was a public
execution reserved for the worst offenses. Why, then, would Paul say,
“God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ” (Galatians 6:14)? Because at the cross God opened the way home.
The letter to the Galatians brings us to that place and teaches us how
to glory in what Jesus accomplished there.
The Cross as
the Place of True Glory
Paul contrasts those who seek approval in outward marks with the life
that rejoices in Christ’s finished work. He writes with his own hand and
exposes motives that would compel others to be circumcised “that they
may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ” (Galatians 6:11–13).
He, however, fixes his praise on the cross because there God reconciles
sinners, satisfies His law, and displays steadfast love. Paul had many
reasons to list earthly credentials, yet he counted them loss “for the
excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians
3:4–8). The cross released him from guilt and bondage: “I have been
crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in
me” (Galatians 2:20). This turns our hearts away from glorying in
wealth, lineage, education, or ability. “For in Christ Jesus neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation”
(Galatians 6:15). The people of God “worship… in the Spirit, rejoice in
Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh” (Philippians 3:3).
The emblem of Christian faith is the rugged cross, for there the
innocent died for the guilty, peace was made, and victory was won.
The Cross as an
Instrument of Death
The cross was designed to kill, and Paul says that through it “the world
has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14). This is
freedom from the world’s mastery. Its charms lose their claim. Its
values no longer set the course. Those who belong to Christ “have
crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Galatians 5:24).
Sinful appetites cannot be managed by willpower alone; they are
displaced by a greater love. The Son of God “loved me and gave Himself
for me” (Galatians 2:20). That love trains the heart to refuse the
pleasures of unrighteousness (2 Thessalonians 2:12) and to choose
patterns that fit a new life. The cross calls believers to put to death
pursuits that crowd out devotion, to lay down cares that drive anxious
striving, and to bring thoughts, feelings, and actions under the rule of
Christ.
Living as
Citizens of the Kingdom of the Cross
To be “crucified to the world” is to live as one whose citizenship is in
God’s kingdom. Hope does not rest in country, culture, or system. Paul
resolved “to know anything… except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1
Corinthians 2:2). The cross becomes the compass of daily life. It orders
our loves, steadies our steps in suffering, and strengthens our worship.
When the heart returns again to Calvary, the soul remembers the price
paid, the peace granted, and the path home. Then boasting gives way to
gratitude, and self gives way to service.
Conclusion
“Take me down to the cross, and I can find my way home from there.” That
is the testimony of every sinner who has looked to Jesus. The cross is
the banner of redemption and the bright sign of God’s love. There is no
life in Christ apart from what He accomplished there. Paul was most
proud of the cross; it shaped his identity and message. Let us glory in
the same.
Boasting Only
in the Cross: Sermon Outline
-
Introduction: The story of Charing
Cross; the world’s meaning of a cross versus Paul’s confession
(Galatians 6:14).
-
I. The
Cross as the Place of True Glory
-
Galatians
6:11–14 — Paul’s handwriting and motive; boasting only in the
cross.
-
Philippians
3:4–8 — Counting gains as loss to gain Christ.
-
Galatians
2:20 — Crucified with Christ; new life by faith.
-
Galatians
6:15; Philippians 3:3 — New creation; rejoicing in Christ.
-
II. The
Cross as an Instrument of Death
-
Galatians
6:14 — World crucified to me, and I to the world.
-
Galatians
5:24 — Crucifying the flesh with its passions and desires.
-
2
Thessalonians 2:12 — Warning against pleasure in
unrighteousness.
-
III. Living
as Citizens of the Kingdom of the Cross
-
1
Corinthians 2:2 — Centering life in Christ crucified.
-
ordered
loves, steady obedience, grateful service.
-
Conclusion:
The cross as the way home; glorying in the cross.
Call to Action
Come back to Calvary
in heart and habit. Begin and end your days this week by reading
Galatians 6:14 and praying Galatians 2:20. Identify one desire that has
been steering your choices and bring it to the cross, asking the Lord to
replace it with a greater love for Christ. Speak of the cross to someone
who is lost and invite them to find the way home in Jesus.
Key Takeaways
-
The cross is the
proper ground of glorying because there God reconciles sinners and
displays steadfast love (Galatians 6:14; Philippians 3:4–8).
-
Union with the
crucified Christ breaks the world’s claim and trains a new life of
faith (Galatians 2:20; 6:14).
-
Those who belong
to Christ crucify the flesh’s desires and pursue a holy affection
for the Lord (Galatians 5:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:12).
-
A cross-centered
life keeps the gospel at the center of worship, hope, and witness (1
Corinthians 2:2; Galatians 6:15; Philippians 3:3).
Scripture
Reference List
-
Galatians
6:11–14 — Paul’s handwritten
conclusion; boasting only in the cross and its power to sever the
world’s grip.
-
Philippians
3:4–8 — Earthly credentials counted
loss to gain Christ.
-
Galatians
2:20 — Crucified with Christ; living
by faith in the Son of God who loved and gave Himself.
-
Galatians
6:15 — The new creation in Christ.
-
Philippians
3:3 — Rejoicing in Christ Jesus with
no confidence in the flesh.
-
Galatians
5:24 — Crucifying the flesh with
passions and desires.
-
2
Thessalonians 2:12 — Condemnation
tied to pleasure in unrighteousness.
-
1
Corinthians 2:2 — Determination to
proclaim Christ crucified.
Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at
Granby, MO.
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