The Glory Of The Cross Series

THE GLORY OF THE CROSS

GALATIANS 6:11-18

INTRODUCTION: Paul ended the letter where he began – at the cross. The second verse of that great hymn “When I survey the wondrous cross” says, “Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God, all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood.”

Pauls’ day, like ours, was full of false teachers teaching a performance-based religion (Gal. 1:6-10, 11-17; 3:1-14; 6:11-18). How does one refute heresy? The greatest need of our world today is the need for men of the cross, preaching the message of the cross and bearing the marks of the cross. This is a picture of Paul.

He was:

I. A MAN OF THE CROSS

See Gal. 2:20-21. Paul gloried in the cross. For him the cross was not a theory, it was an

experience. He never strayed from the cross.

II. WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE CROSS

See I Cor. 2:2. At Golgotha one man died “in” sin; one man died “to” sin; but only one

died “for” sin. Yet, how ignorant this old world is of the cross. One would think that in this modern, technological, intellectual, enlightened and highly sophisticated society we would know. But read Rom. 11:25; I Cor. 10:1; 2 Cor. 1:8; I Thess. 4:13; II Pet. 3:8; Matt. 22:29.

When it comes to Christ and His cross the world is ignorant (Matt. 24:39); the church is

ignorant (Rev. 3:17); the sinner is ignorant (John 4:10); and many Christians are ignorant (John 14:9).

Ignorance abounds. There is no cure outside of the cross! See John 17:3.

III. BEARING THE MARKS OF THE CROSS

See Gal. 6:17. We have a new version of Christianity today. It avoids the cross lest we

offend someone. If we water it down to where it will not offend, then neither will it have any affect! See I Cor. 1:17-19. Our job is not to make the Gospel acceptable but available. See Gal. 5:11. Today, we are trying to preach a cross without offense. Our cross today offers medals, not scars!

CONCLUSION: God, forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.