What Do You Brag About? Gal. 6:14
INTRO.: Our text tells of one cross, but three crucifixions. The cross is the central figure of the Bible’s revelation of God and His love for His creature, man. It should be at the center of every Gospel message. It is the hope of all mankind.
First, there is the historical cross. The cross on which Jesus Christ died. His crucifixion is a gruesome story, but it really happened. It happened to the One Who was once the babe in the manger, the Healer of Galilee, the kind and innocent Son of God.
Second, the chosen cross. "The world has been crucified to me." The cross involves a real personal decision on my part to put to death the old man of sin. As the result of this, the world is no longer alluring to me. The old things are dead.
Third, the cross is a personal cross. I am crucified to the world. As far as I am concerned, the world has nothing to offer. I am, for all practical purposes, dead to the world. To most of the world, the Christian is either unheard or persecuted. Paul wrote these words from prison. He lived in hard times and had learned to suffer for Jesus.
Obviously, the writer is not boasting about a wooden object set on a hilltop in Judea. When he writes of the cross of Christ, he means the death of Jesus. We realize this, and the death of Jesus is the heart of the Christian message. It is the event of which Christians testify and boast because the Son of God loved us enough to die for us.
I. Let’s consider some of the things of which men tend to boast. You can generally judge a man’s character by what he brags about.
A. Some boast about appearance:
1. Everyone likes to look good, own a good home, car, reputation, etc.
2. Sometimes people do religious things for the sake of appearance.
3. Even Churches sometimes boast of fine buildings, famous preachers, large numbers.
B. Others love to boast about their religious works:
1. I met a contractor who claimed to be a Christian because he "built a Baptist Church."
2. "I attend Church every Sunday," "I teach a Sunday School class," etc. or "I used to . . ."
3. Why brag about good works? God created us for them. Eph. 2:8-10
C. Others take pride in their wisdom and education:
1. Some of the smartest men in the world are without God and without hope.
2. I Cor. 1:19-21 The wisdom of the world is foolishness in God’s eyes.
3. These are all good things in themselves, but not the best things.
D. In the final analysis, the only thing that really matters in this life is what we do to gain eternal life.
1. This can only be through the death of Jesus.
2. For this reason, the cross is the only thing worth bragging about.
3. All our possessions, accomplishments, and position are worthless unless we claim the sacrifice of Jesus as our own.
II. Reasons why we should boast about the death of Jesus:
A. It is the fullest proof of God’s love for us: Rom. 5:6-8
1. We prove our love with a gift or sacrifice. In this way, we devote money, time, energy to one we love.
2. Jesus proved His love with the supreme sacrifice to give us the greatest gift possible.
3. All the songs, poems, gifts of the world could not so adequately express love.
B. It is the means of our redemption: John 3:15, 16
1. The death of Jesus is the only hope of life for eternity.
2. An idea more powerful than mighty armies, it can subdue, then liberate the human soul.
3. God’s plan is wiser than all the greatest systems of philosophy. I Cor. 1:24 "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God."
C. It is the means of saving the world:
1. ILLUS.: My dad had a set of metallic dog figures and used to amaze us kids by putting the dogs on a table then moving a powerful magnet under the table. The "dogs" would move as the magnet drew them to itself.
2. Just so, Jesus, through His death, has the power to draw all men to Him. John 12:32, 33.
3. The message of the cross is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
III. The message of the cross is meant to separate the Christian from the world:
A. What is the writer referring to when he writes "the world." I John 2:15, 16
1. Things which separate us from God and cool our love for Him.
2. Sensuality, avarice, pride are included by John.
3. These things all perish with us. They give no lasting satisfaction.
B. To the believer, the world is crucified.
1. It no longer has any attraction to him.
2. The believer is a stranger and a pilgrim on earth. He travels toward a Heavenly destination.
C. To the world, the believer is crucified:
1. It no longer has any use or place for him.
2. A little religion is alright with most people, but if you become more devoted than they are, you are labeled a "fanatic."
3. A religious fanatic is a bad person. We can accept a sports fanatic or a political fanatic, but the world does not like a religious fanatic. Go figure.
4. You might as well accept it. If you are serious about your faith, the world will shun you.
Conc.: You’ve heard of the person who had just enough religion to make him miserable. Too much to be happy at a bar but too little to be happy at a prayer meeting. He never learned the lesson of the cross. He had never crucified the world. It was still "alive and active" in his life and he was still right in the midst of worldly pursuits.
What do you brag about? Your possessions and accomplishments, your education and wisdom? Try bragging about Jesus. He did so much for you! The world may not appreciate you, but God will bless you.
