The Centrality Of The Cross

THE CENTRALITY OF THE CROSS

The cross is

1. The centre of God’s purpose for us.

Deliverance from this present evil age.

Gal.1: 4Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

2. The centre of God’s power in us/

Deliverance from the bondage of the law.

Gal.2: 19For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God.

20I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

3. The centre of God’s promise to us.

Deliverance from the curse of a broken law.

Gal,3: 13Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

14That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

4. The center of God’s patrimony

Deliverance from servitude to the world

Gal.4: 4But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law,

5To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

7Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

5. The center of God’s provision for us.

Deliverance from works of the flesh.

Gal.5: 22But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

23Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

24And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

6. The center of our Jubilation and boast.

Deliverance from glorying in the flesh

Gal.6: 13For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh.

14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.