The Wonder At The Cross Series

Galatians 6:11 - 18 THE WONDER AT THE CROSS

I. HE EXPOSES THE CRITIC (12, 13) -

Their Conceit - 12 As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh,

Their Constraint - they constrain you to be circumcised;

Their Cowardice - only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

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

II. HE EXPOUNDS THE CROSS - (14–16) We Are To Glory In -

1. The Person of the Cross - 14 But God forbid that I should glory,

save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

HIS Divine Sovereignty - save in the cross of our Lord - He Knew -

The Manner of His death, “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified” (Luke 24:7).

The Motive of His death. “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

The Moment of His death. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30).

HIS Divine Strategy - save in the cross of our Lord Jesus

Mat. 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. HIS Divine Sufficiency - save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, He is seen as the anointed Prophet, Priest, and King.

HIS Divine Supremacy - it is the cross of the Lord - He is our Master.

it is also the cross of the Lord Jesus - He is our Mediator.

it is also the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ - He is our Messiah.

2. The Power of the Cross - by whom the world is crucified unto me, Three enemies:

an Internal foe - the flesh; Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

an External foe - the world; - 14 But 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.

an Infernal foe - the devil. - Jesus said of his crucifixion, (John 12:31) Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out. 3. The Price of the Cross - and I unto the world.

4. The Purpose of the Cross - 15 For in Christ Jesus

A Separating Purpose - 15 For in Christ Jesus

A Sifting Purpose - neither circumcision availeth any thing,

nor uncircumcision, (All stand in equal need)

A Saving Purpose - but a new creature - Only Through The Cross Is -

The Love Of God Expressed - Rom. 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

At the cross man did his worst to God, but God did his best for man.

The Law Of God Expunged - Cols 2:14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; Because He died for my sin, I can now die to my sin and live with Him forever.

The Life Of God Experienced - John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

A Sustaining Purpose - 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

III. HE EXPECTS THE CROWN - (17, 18)

His Troubles - 17 From henceforth let no man trouble me:

His Trials - for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.

His Triumph - 18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Annie Johnson Flint (1866–1932).

He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength as our labours increase;

To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.