The Crucified World Series

THE CRUCIFIED WORLD GAL 6: 11-18

INTRO

CONFORMITY – (what do you think of when I say the word)

SCHOOL, PEER PRESSURE

INCREDIBLE PRESSURE TO CONFORM

LOOK A CERTAIN WAY

ACT A CERTAIN WAY

BE IN CERTAIN GROUPS

SHUN CERTAIN PEOPLE (CRUEL)

KID ON BASEBALL TEAM IN SHERWOOD, COACH PUNISHED HIM FOR WEARING "WRONG" SHIRT (FROM OTHER SCHOOL), TEAM MATES LINED UP TO PUNCH HIS ARM. (SIMILAR TO MILITARY)

DIFICULTY IN GOING AGAINST THE PRESSURE OF THE CROWD

EXPERIMENT WITH LINE LENGTH: 10 teens asked to identify longest of 3 lines. 9 of the 10 were “in on it” and purposely identified the 2nd longest line as the longest. 10 person, the true test subject, chose last, and 3 out of 4 times also identified the 2nd longest line as the longest.

EXTREME EXAMPLE

STALIN RALLY

NEW PARTY SECRETARY (FORMERE ARRESTED

APPLAUSE AT END, NO ONE WANTED TO BE FIRST TO STOP CLAPPING, WENT ON, EVERYONE FAKING CHEER UNTIL PEOPLE BEGAN COLLAPSING. FINALLY NEWS MGR STOPPED THEN ALL, NEXT DAY NEWS MGR ARRESTED, "NEVER BE THE FIRST ONE TO STOP CLAPPING"

TEXT:

Gal 6: 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand! 12 Those who want to make a good impression outwardly are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised obey the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is a new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule, even to the Israel of God. 17 Finally, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. PRAY

LETTER SUMMARY

LARGE LETTERS - EMPHASIS

IMPORTANT - MAIN POINTS PAULS WANTS REMEMBERED

I. GOOD IMPRESSIONS

A: WAY OF THE WORLD

OUTWARD APPEARANCE v12

CIRCUMCISION ONLY AN INDICATOR

WANTED GENTILES TO BE "ONE OF US", JOIN THE CLUB

OBSESSED WITH EVERYONE LOOKING SAME ON OUTSIDE HOPEWELL - EXPECTATIONS COUNTRY CHURCH, BAPTIST

DENOMINATION

OURS BEST, BUT NOT SALVATION

MODE OF BAPTISM

BIBLICAL, BUT NOT SALVATION

APPEARANCE - DRESS

CLEAN CUT, RESPECTFUL, NOT SALV.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR

MANNERS /= SALVATION

LEVEL OF GIVING

MATURITY LEVEL, NOT SALVATION

B: WAY OF CROSS

A NEW CREATION

WORLDLY APPROACH IGNORES WHAT MATTERS

EXTERNAL APPEARANCE MEANINGLESS, WHAT MATTERS IS IN THE HEART V15

TRANSFORMATION - INSIDE OUT

THE HEART

Mt 15: 18-20 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from

the heart, and these make a man ’unclean.’ 19 For out of the heart come

evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony,

slander. 20 These are what make a man ’unclean’;

2COR 5:12-17

IN THE FAMILY OF GOD

HOW YOU DRESS DOESN’T MATTER TO JESUS

WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE DOESN’T MATTER

HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE DOESN’T MATTER

WHERE YOU LIVE, WHO YOUR RELATIVES ARE,

THERE IS NO JEW OR GREEK, SERVANT OR FREE, NO MALE OR FEMALE

A NEW CREATION IS WHAT COUNTS, FAITH

II. PERSECUTED FOR THE CROSS

A: WAY OF THE WORLD

FALSE BROTHERS AVOIDING PERSECUTION V12B

CIRC. - WASN’T EVEN ABOUT THE GALTATIAN GENTILES (ALT MOTIVE)

THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT THEMSELVES - SELF CENTERED

WRAPPED UP IN THEIR OBSESSION WITH THE EXTERNAL

DIDN’T MATURE INSIDE TO - TAKES MATURITY TO ACCECPT PERS.

B: WAY OF CROSS

PAUL: I BEAR THE MARKS OF JESUS V17

Acts 9: 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name." (NIV)

2COR11: 23-27

Mt 5: 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of

evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward

in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (NIV)

SEE HOW FAR A WORLDY PERSPECTIVE WILL TAKE YOU FROM GOD’S TRUTH

MISLED GALTATIAN BROTHERS TO AVOID A BLESSING

III. PRIDE IN IDENTITY

A: WAY OF THE WORLD

BOASTING IN THE FLESH V13

HYPOCRITES

THEY CANT KEEP WHOLE LAW

BUT THEY ARE CRITICIZING GENTILES

PRIDE

SATAN LOVES TO ATTACK IN THIS AREA

TAKING CREDIT FOR WHAT GOD HAS DONE

PUTTING OURSELF ON THE THRONE

Pr 16:5 The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. 18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.