Sermons on Galatians 6:14

Galatians 6:14 Interpretation:

Finding Freedom and Identity at the Cross (Saddleback Church) interprets Galatians 6:14 through the unique metaphor of "true north," likening the cross to the North Star—a fixed, unchanging point by which all navigation and orientation in life should be set. The preacher uses the analogy of the Atlanta airport's "plane train" to illustrate how people can ride the train of life endlessly, but the cross is the moment when the doors open and one can step into a new future. The cross is not just a historical event but the central, orienting reality for the Christian, providing direction, identity, and the power to step off cycles of shame, loss, or worldly allure. The cross is presented as the only reliable reference point for healing, assurance of God's goodness, sovereignty, identity, and freedom from accusation and shame.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Redemption Church Belvidere) offers a detailed linguistic and cultural interpretation, emphasizing that the Greek word for "boast" (?????????, kauchaomai) means more than bragging—it means to glory in, to be consumed by, or to be mastered by something. The sermon uses the analogy of boasting in the cross as being as odd as boasting in an electric chair, highlighting the scandal and offensiveness of the cross in the first-century context. The preacher also draws on John Piper's teaching that to truly believe Galatians 6:14 is to be mastered by one thing—the cross—so that all of life is oriented around it, and anything else is a wasted life. The cross is not a mere symbol but the central reality that redefines identity, satisfaction, and purpose.

Glorying in the Cross: Hope and Transformation (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) interprets Galatians 6:14 by emphasizing the exclusivity and sufficiency of the cross for salvation, transformation, and motivation for service. The sermon highlights that Paul could have gloried in many things—his education, status, or even Jesus' miracles—but chose only the cross, because it alone provides forgiveness, new life, and hope. The cross is presented as the only way to God, the only means of true transformation, and the only source of motivation for Christian service. The preacher also stresses the cross as a dividing line, requiring a personal, public response.

Living a Cross-Centered Life: Embracing Christ's Sacrifice (Oak Grove Baptist Church) interprets Galatians 6:14 by focusing on the cross as the "secret of the Christian life" and the only thing worth boasting about. The sermon uses the analogy of how strange it would have seemed in the first century to wear a cross as jewelry, given its association with shame and execution, and references Cicero's horror at the word "cross." The preacher emphasizes that the cross is not just a symbol but the center and focus of Christian identity, and that boasting in the cross means boasting in the person and work of Jesus, not in human achievement or religious ritual. The cross is the dividing line between the world and the Christian, and the only hope for transformation and victory over sin.

(No relevant content from Strength in Weakness: Paul's Call to Authentic Faith (Living Word Lutheran Church | Marshall, MN), as it does not interpret or apply Galatians 6:14 in depth.)

The Transformative Power of the Cross (Crazy Love) offers a unique and vivid analogy for Galatians 6:14, using the metaphor of a match and an eternal flame to illustrate the futility of boasting in oneself versus the glory of being absorbed into the eternal significance of Christ’s cross. The preacher emphasizes that our individual achievements are like a brief, flickering match, while the cross is an unending, consuming fire. The only meaningful “boast” is to lose oneself in the greater flame of Christ’s work, so that one’s own name and legacy disappear, leaving only the renown of Jesus. This analogy is distinct in its visual and existential impact, urging listeners to “jump into the fire” of Christ’s renown rather than preserve their own fleeting light. The sermon also interprets “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” as a call to die to self-promotion and worldly values, and to live as an ambassador whose life points only to Christ.

Glory in the Cross: Our Source of Hope (Spurgeon Sermon Series) provides a multi-layered interpretation of Galatians 6:14, distinguishing between the fact of the cross (the historical event of Christ’s crucifixion), the doctrine of the cross (the atonement and substitutionary sacrifice), and the “cross of the doctrine” (the centrality and offense of the cross in Christian faith). Spurgeon uniquely highlights the linguistic weight of Paul’s phrase “the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,” noting the deliberate piling up of titles (“our Lord Jesus Christ”) to contrast the shame of the cross with the majesty of the one crucified. He also uses the analogy of a nobleman’s herald reciting titles at a funeral to underscore the dignity of Christ in his humiliation. Spurgeon’s interpretation of “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” is especially vivid: he likens the world to a corpse on a gibbet, utterly powerless and repulsive, and the Christian as equally dead to the world’s allure and approval. This double crucifixion is not merely a metaphor for detachment, but a radical reorientation of value and identity.

Christ Crucified: The Power and Unity of the Gospel (Spurgeon Sermon Series) interprets Galatians 6:14 by focusing on the exclusivity and sufficiency of the cross as the only legitimate subject of Christian boasting and unity. Spurgeon argues that to “boast only in the cross” is to make it the sole center of preaching, life, and hope, to the exclusion of all other doctrinal, experiential, or ecclesiastical emphases. He uses the analogy of a painter who refuses to distract from the king’s portrait with flowers, and of a ship obscured by smoke, to illustrate the danger of obscuring the cross with philosophical or rhetorical embellishments. The sermon also uniquely applies the verse to Christian unity, arguing that divisions and sects arise when anything but the cross is made central, and that the cross alone is the “perfect bond of love” that unites believers.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Open the Bible) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a radical re-centering of the Christian’s joy, pride, and identity exclusively in the cross of Christ, rather than in personal achievements, experiences, or even spiritual triumphs and wounds. The sermon uses the analogy of a “grandma’s boasting book” to illustrate how natural it is to take pride in gifts and blessings, but insists that Paul’s focus is singular: the cross. The preacher draws a striking comparison between boasting in the cross and boasting in an “electric chair,” highlighting the shocking nature of Paul’s claim, since the cross was an instrument of shame and death. The sermon further introduces a unique interpretive framework borrowed from John Maclaurin, who describes the cross as the sum of “three infinities”: all the evil it prevents, all the grace and glory it purchases, and all the divine perfections it displays. This tri-fold lens is used to probe the inexhaustible value of the cross, making the interpretation notably expansive and multi-dimensional.

The Cross: The Heart of Christmas (MLJTrust) offers a distinctive interpretive angle by insisting that the cross, not the birth of Christ, is the true center and key to understanding not only Jesus’ life but also Christmas itself. The sermon argues that the world prefers to sentimentalize the birth of Christ while ignoring the offense of the cross, but Paul’s glorying in the cross reveals that the incarnation is only meaningful in light of the atonement. The preacher uses the analogy of reading a biography: to understand a person, you must see their life as a whole, with the “crucial” (cross) event illuminating all else. This approach is unique in that it frames Galatians 6:14 as a hermeneutical principle for reading the entire story of Jesus, especially the incarnation.

Glory in the Cross: A New Life in Christ (MLJTrust) interprets Galatians 6:14 as the foundation for a completely new self-understanding and way of life. The sermon uniquely focuses on the psychological and existential transformation wrought by the cross, arguing that it delivers a person from self-centeredness, pride, and insecurity. The preacher details how Paul’s former identity—rooted in heritage, achievement, and self-reliance—is crucified, and a new identity emerges: “I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me.” The cross is not just the entry point to faith but the ongoing center of Christian existence, shaping self-perception, motives, and even the ability to face suffering and death. The analogy of being “delivered from yourself” is a notable and fresh psychological application.

Standing Firm in Christ's Liberty and Gospel Truth (MLJTrust) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a declaration of the sufficiency and exclusivity of Christ’s work, warning against any addition to the gospel—whether doctrinal, ritual, or experiential. The sermon uses the metaphor of a “plus” sign after Christ (e.g., Christ + circumcision, Christ + special experience) to illustrate the danger of supplementing the gospel. The preacher insists that Paul’s boast in the cross is a rejection of all such additions, even the temptation to boast in one’s own orthodoxy, and that the cross alone is the center and source of Christian identity and freedom.

The Cross: Offense and Glory in Salvation (MLJTrust) offers a unique interpretive lens by focusing on the Greek word for "glory" (boast), emphasizing that Paul is not merely admiring the cross but making it the sole object of his pride and identity. The sermon distinguishes between surface-level responses to the cross (pity, admiration, imitation) and the deep, divisive reactions Paul describes: offense or glory. The preacher uses the analogy of a "placard" (from the Greek in Galatians 3:1) to describe how Paul publicly displayed Christ crucified, making the cross the central, inescapable reality for his hearers. The sermon also explores the psychological and existential offense of the cross, showing how it undermines all human pride, achievement, and self-reliance, and insists that the cross is a personal affront or a personal glory, never a neutral or merely historical event.

Becoming Children of God Through Christ (MLJTrust) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a test of true spiritual experience, contrasting glorying in spiritual gifts or experiences with glorying in the cross. The preacher uniquely applies the verse as a diagnostic tool for spiritual authenticity, arguing that the Spirit always leads believers to glory in Christ and his cross, not in themselves or their experiences. The sermon uses the metaphor of being "Christ intoxicated" to describe the believer's orientation, and insists that the cross is not just a doctrine to be assented to, but a personal reality that severs the believer from the world and unites them to Christ.

Glorying in the Cross: Our Source of Salvation (MLJTrust) provides a distinctive interpretation by framing Galatians 6:14 as both a positive and negative test: true understanding of the cross leads not only to glorying in it, but to ceasing to glory in anything else. The sermon uses the analogy of a "spectacle" and contrasts the cross with all other human achievements, wisdom, and morality, arguing that the cross exposes the worthlessness of all else. The preacher also highlights the double crucifixion—"the world is crucified to me, and I to the world"—as a radical separation enacted by the cross, not merely a change in attitude but a fundamental ontological shift.

Transformative Power of the Cross in Our Lives (MLJTrust) interprets Galatians 6:14 by providing a detailed psychological and sociological analysis of "the world," defining it as a system of thought and life that excludes God and centers on human desire, pride, and self-sufficiency. The sermon uniquely applies the verse by showing how the cross exposes the true nature and destiny of the world, and how it delivers the believer from the world's power, values, and fate. The preacher uses contemporary examples (media, ambition, lawlessness) to illustrate the ongoing relevance of Paul's statement, and insists that the cross alone can sever the believer from the world and its judgment.

Glory in the Cross: The Heart of Salvation (MLJTrust) offers a unique interpretive angle by emphasizing the cosmic and eternal dimensions of the cross, arguing that it is the center of God's eternal plan, not merely a historical event. The preacher draws on the Greek and Old Testament background to show that the cross was foreordained by God, and that it is the supreme revelation of God's character—grace, justice, and holiness. The sermon uses the metaphor of "surveying" the cross, urging believers to meditate deeply on its meaning, and insists that the cross is the only way to truly know God as Father.

From Self-Glory to God's Glory: Embracing Divine Paradox (MLJTrust) offers a unique interpretation of Galatians 6:14 by framing the verse as the ultimate reversal of all human expectations and natural religion. The sermon uses the metaphor of Christianity as a complete "turning upside down" or "standing on your head," emphasizing that the cross is not just a religious symbol but the embodiment of God's paradoxical way of saving humanity—through what appears to be weakness, folly, and defeat. The preacher draws out the linguistic force of "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross," highlighting that Paul is not merely making a personal preference but is declaring the cross as the only legitimate ground for boasting, in stark contrast to all human achievement or religious effort. The analogy of the "high tree brought down and the low tree exalted" is used to illustrate the radical inversion at the heart of the gospel, and the sermon repeatedly returns to the idea that the cross is "monstrous folly" to human wisdom but the very wisdom and power of God.

The Cross: Our Hope for Unity and Peace (MLJTrust) interprets Galatians 6:14 as the foundation for true unity and peace, both individually and corporately. The sermon uniquely applies the verse to the problem of division—racial, national, social, and even personal—arguing that the cross alone can humble human pride and create genuine reconciliation. The preacher uses the analogy of the cross as a "leveler," bringing all people—regardless of race, intellect, or status—down to the same place of need and then lifting them together in Christ. The cross is not just a means of personal salvation but the only power that can break down the "middle wall of partition" between people, making "one new man" out of former enemies. This interpretation stands out for its focus on the social and relational implications of the cross, rather than solely on individual salvation.

The Cross: Our Glory, Victory, and Deliverance (MLJTrust) provides a distinctive interpretation by focusing on the cross as the site of cosmic victory over the devil and the powers of darkness. The sermon frames Galatians 6:14 as Paul's boast not only in personal salvation but in the triumph of Christ over all spiritual enemies. The preacher uses the metaphor of the cross as a battlefield where Christ, the "stronger man," overcomes the "strong man armed" (the devil), liberating humanity from bondage. This interpretation is notable for its emphasis on the cross as a public, victorious spectacle—"triumphing over them in it"—and for connecting Paul's language of being "crucified to the world" with deliverance from the devil's dominion.

Transforming Hearts: Confronting Racism Through Christ's Love (David Guzik) offers a unique interpretation of Galatians 6:14 by applying it directly to the issue of racism, arguing that the only legitimate boasting or glorying for a Christian is in the cross of Christ, not in one's race or ethnic identity. Guzik emphasizes that Paul’s statement is a direct rebuke to any form of pride based on human distinctions, including racial pride, and that the cross is the great equalizer, stripping away all grounds for boasting except in Christ’s redemptive work. This application is notable for its contemporary relevance and for connecting the verse to a specific social sin, rather than general worldliness or legalism.

Understanding Christmas Through the Lens of the Cross (MLJTrust) interprets Galatians 6:14 as the key to understanding not only Paul’s theology but the entire Christian message, including Christmas. The sermon uniquely argues that the cross is the interpretive center of all of Christ’s life, including his birth, and that the incarnation itself is only properly understood in light of the cross. The preacher uses the analogy of reading a life as a whole, warning against sentimentalizing Christmas apart from the crucifixion, and insists that the cross is the “key” to understanding everything about Christ, including the meaning of Christmas. This is a distinctive approach, as it reframes the verse as a hermeneutical principle for reading the entire story of Jesus.

Choosing God Over the Allure of the World (Tony Evans) provides a vivid analogy for Galatians 6:14, likening Christians who try to live by the world’s values to a fish out of water—struggling to survive in an environment for which it was not created. Evans interprets Paul’s statement “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” as a call to resist the pressure to conform to secular values, emphasizing that Christians are “redeemed for another kingdom” and must operate from a different worldview. The analogy of “sucking satanic air” when living by the world’s standards is a striking metaphor that sets this interpretation apart, as is the use of the fish-out-of-water image to illustrate spiritual misalignment.

Glory in the Cross: Love, Freedom, and Assurance (Pastor Chuck Smith) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a radical call to reject all forms of human boasting—whether in wisdom, might, or riches—and to find all grounds for glorying solely in the cross of Christ. Smith uniquely uses the analogy of a dead man being immune to worldly allurements to illustrate what it means to be "crucified to the world," emphasizing that the world loses its charm and power over the believer through the cross. He also draws a distinction between the world's concept of freedom (which he describes as actually being bondage to the flesh) and the true freedom found in being set free from sinful passions by the cross. This sermon stands out for its vivid metaphor of the dead man and its focus on the cross as the ultimate demonstration of God's love, provision, and victory over sin and death.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Foundation of Hope (Desiring God) offers a nuanced interpretation by addressing the apparent contradiction in Paul’s writings, where he sometimes boasts in other things (e.g., sufferings, converts, hope). The sermon’s unique insight is that all Christian boasting—whether in hope, suffering, or ministry—is ultimately boasting in the cross, because every good thing a believer receives is rooted in what Christ accomplished there. The preacher traces the Greek word for "boast" across Paul’s letters and argues that Paul’s exclusive boasting in the cross is not a denial of other joys, but a recognition that the cross is the foundation and source of all spiritual blessings.

Embracing the New Creation Through the Cross (Desiring God) interprets Galatians 6:14 by connecting it directly to the concept of the "new creation" in verse 15, arguing that the cross is the very place where the new creation comes into being. The sermon’s distinctive insight is its identification of "the world" as not only secular but also religious systems (like circumcision), which are both rendered powerless by the cross. The preacher uses a detailed analysis of the surrounding verses and the structure of Galatians to show that the new creation is a person who, through union with Christ’s death and resurrection, now lives by faith and is transformed both legally (justified) and behaviorally (sanctified).

Boasting in the Cross: True Identity in Christ (Desiring God) interprets Galatians 6:14 by focusing on the contrast between boasting in the cross and boasting in religious achievements (like circumcision). The unique contribution here is the application of Galatians 2:20 to explain what it means to be "crucified to the world": the believer no longer trusts, treasures, or seeks satisfaction in the world, but instead finds all hope and identity in Christ, who loved and gave himself for them. The sermon emphasizes the existential shift in allegiance and satisfaction that comes from being united with Christ in his death.

The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law (Desiring God) interprets Galatians 6:14 by highlighting the "offense" of the cross—namely, that it is a public declaration that human beings cannot achieve righteousness through their own efforts or law-keeping. The sermon’s notable insight is its focus on the cross as a "wreckage of human pride," making it deeply offensive to the ego because it nullifies all grounds for self-boasting. The preacher ties this to Paul’s willingness to suffer persecution rather than remove the offense of the cross, underscoring the exclusivity and sufficiency of Christ’s work.

Boasting in the Cross: Embracing New Creation (Desiring God) offers a unique interpretive approach by framing Galatians 6:14 as a series of investigative questions, tracing “trails of clues” through Paul’s writings to understand the mechanics of boasting in the cross. The sermon explores the linguistic and conceptual link between Christ’s death and the believer’s death, referencing Galatians 2:20 to argue that by faith, the believer’s death is united with Christ’s, making the cross not just an event to admire but a participatory reality. The metaphor of “the world being crucified to me, and I to the world” is interpreted as a mutual severing of destructive power: the believer is now impervious to the world’s power to destroy, and the world is powerless to claim the believer. The sermon also uniquely connects “new creation” to a life of faith, not mere obliteration, but a transformation into a new kind of existence—living by faith in Christ, which is paralleled with “faith working through love” and “keeping the commandments of God” as the outworking of this new creation.

Preaching Christ: The Centrality of the Cross (Desiring God) interprets Galatians 6:14 by situating it alongside 1 Corinthians 2:2, suggesting that Paul’s exclusive boasting in the cross means that every aspect of Christian life and preaching must be rooted in Christ crucified. The sermon introduces the analogy of the “beeline to the cross,” not as a superficial or forced connection, but as an undergirding reality—every biblical text and every Christian experience is made possible and meaningful only because of the atonement. Thus, all boasting, all hope, and all transformation are traced back to the cross as the foundational reality beneath every specific command or promise.

Embracing the Profound Significance of the Cross (Desiring God) provides a novel interpretive angle by wrestling with the apparent hyperbole of “boasting only in the cross,” given that Paul elsewhere commands boasting in other things (e.g., tribulations, hope, weaknesses). The sermon resolves this by arguing that all legitimate boasting in the Christian life is, at its root, boasting in the cross—since every good thing and every redemptive turn of bad things is purchased by Christ’s death. The cross is thus the ever-present foundation for all Christian joy, gratitude, and hope, making every boast a derivative of boasting in the cross.

Transformative Power of the Cross: A God-Centered Life (Manahawkin Baptist Church) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a call to radical reorientation of the believer’s life, away from self-obsession and toward a God-centered existence. The sermon uniquely frames the “crucifixion to the world” as a psychological and spiritual breakthrough, where the cross is not just a historical event but the ongoing power that severs the believer’s attachment to worldly validation and anxiety. The preacher uses the metaphor of “reorientation” to describe how the cross changes the axis of one’s life from inward (self-focused) to upward (God-focused) and outward (neighbor-focused), suggesting that most misery stems from self-absorption rather than external circumstances. The analogy of living “open-handedly” versus “closed-fistedly” is used to illustrate the freedom that comes from boasting only in the cross, and the sermon repeatedly returns to the idea that the cross is the only legitimate source of boasting, as it alone accomplishes what human effort cannot.

Glorying in the Cross: True Righteousness and Freedom (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation by contrasting the “Theology of Glory” (self-achievement, self-righteousness) with the “Theology of the Cross” (dependence on Christ’s finished work). Drawing on Martin Luther’s categories, the sermon asserts that Galatians 6:14 is Paul’s rejection of all self-glory and self-improvement projects, instead embracing the cross as the only means of righteousness. The cross is described as God’s “attack” not only on unrighteousness but also on self-righteousness, and the preacher uses the analogy of “clawing back to glory” to describe humanity’s futile attempts to regain lost Edenic glory through self-effort. The cross, in this view, is the singular event that exposes both our inability and our need for total dependence on Christ’s righteousness.

Embracing True Discipleship Through the Cross (SermonIndex.net) provides a unique, experiential interpretation by connecting Galatians 6:14 to the process of seeking the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The preacher uses the metaphor of baptism as a “total death and burial” of self, ambitions, and the desire for human approval, paralleling Jesus’ own submission at the Jordan. The cross is not just the means of forgiveness but the model for discipleship: to be “dead to the world and the world dead to me” is to be invisible, buried, and only Christ is seen. The preacher’s personal testimony and the analogy of being “immersed” so that not even a hair is visible powerfully illustrate the depth of surrender called for by Galatians 6:14.

Restoration: Rebuilding Our Faith on Christ and the Cross (SermonIndex.net) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a call to be “crucified to the world and the world to me,” extending the meaning beyond lust or greed to every area of life, including emotional responses to politics and news. The preacher uses the analogy of “dead men walking” to describe the Christian’s relationship to the world: just as a condemned man on his way to execution is beyond the reach of worldly concerns, so too should the believer be emotionally detached from the world’s attractions and provocations. This interpretation is notable for its application to contemporary issues of political and cultural engagement, urging believers to respond to the world with the same detachment as they would to a weather report.

Living Radically for Christ: Detachment from the World (SermonIndex.net) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a call to radical detachment from the world, using the vivid analogy that a Christian should have "as little interest in this world as a dead man has." The sermon emphasizes that this detachment is not about external withdrawal (like monasticism) but an inward freedom from the world's values, ambitions, and anxieties. The preacher uses the metaphor of peeling an onion to describe the ongoing process of dying to the world, and contrasts the world's pull (especially through money) with the pull of God's kingdom, suggesting that the cross is the instrument that severs these ties. The analogy of Jesus not being disturbed by Judas stealing money further illustrates the depth of this detachment.

Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ (SermonIndex.net) offers a unique perspective by connecting Galatians 6:14 to the Old Testament journeys from Egypt to Canaan and Babylon to Jerusalem, interpreting the verse as a call to both personal victory over sin and to communal fellowship. The preacher highlights that boasting only in the cross means rejecting all other grounds for pride—be it culture, education, or spiritual gifts—and that this humility is essential for true discernment and spiritual effectiveness. The analogy of the cross's vertical and horizontal arms is used to illustrate the dual call to devotion to Christ and fellowship with others.

Living in Freedom: Grace Over Legalism (SermonIndex.net) interprets Galatians 6:14 as the culmination of Paul's argument for freedom from the law, emphasizing that the cross is the means by which the world is crucified to the believer and vice versa. The sermon uses the metaphor of living on different "stories" (floors) of a building to illustrate the difference between living by the flesh, the law, and the Spirit, with the cross marking the transition to life in the Spirit where the world loses its hold. The preacher also notes the threefold crucifixion in Galatians: self (2:20), the flesh (5:24), and the world (6:14).

True Freedom: Liberation Through Christ and the Spirit (SermonIndex.net) and "Embracing True Freedom in Christ's Transformative Power" (SermonIndex.net) both interpret Galatians 6:14 as a declaration that all boasting and hope is found only in the cross, which is the event that opens the way to true life and freedom. Both sermons use the analogy of the cross as the means by which the "flaming sword" barring access to the tree of life (from Genesis 3:24) is overcome, making the cross not just a symbol of forgiveness but of restored access to eternal life and transformation in the present. The cross is seen as the event where Christ faces judgment on our behalf, abolishing death and bringing life and immortality.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (First Baptist Newport) interprets Galatians 6:14 as a call to recognize the cross of Christ as the only legitimate source of boasting, emphasizing that the cross is not merely a symbol of suffering and shame but the very instrument that transforms lives and redefines hope. The sermon uses the analogy of Alexander Solzhenitsyn in the labor camp, where the drawing of a cross in the dirt becomes a moment of existential and spiritual transformation, illustrating how the cross can empower endurance and change the trajectory of a life even in utter despair. The preacher also draws a parallel between the disciples’ disillusionment and our own misconceptions about Jesus, arguing that boasting in the cross means surrendering our expectations of worldly success, comfort, or protection, and instead embracing the character transformation and eternal hope that the cross brings. The cross is presented as the dividing line between worldly values and the new life in Christ, echoing Paul’s statement that “the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” The sermon does not delve into Greek or Hebrew linguistic details but offers a unique interpretive angle by repeatedly contrasting the disciples’ and modern believers’ expectations of Jesus with the reality of the cross, and by using vivid metaphors of guilt, disillusionment, and ultimate hope.

Galatians 6:14 Theological Themes:

Finding Freedom and Identity at the Cross (Saddleback Church) introduces the theme of the cross as "true north," a fixed point that trumps all other sources of identity, healing, and direction. The cross is not just a past event but an ongoing, orienting reality that enables believers to step off cycles of shame, loss, and worldly allure, and to live in the freedom and identity Christ provides. The sermon uniquely applies the cross to specific struggles—wounds, loss, circumstances, self-perception, accusation, and temptation—showing how the cross reorients each area of life.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Redemption Church Belvidere) presents the cross as the only legitimate object of boasting, redefining all human achievement, status, and religious effort as worthless in comparison. The sermon develops the theme that the cross confronts sin, declares the need for a Savior, proclaims the provision of that Savior, and results in a new creation. It also introduces the idea that the cross severs the believer's attachment to the world, so that satisfaction, safety, and approval are found in Christ alone, not in worldly success or human applause. The preacher applies this to the American dream, critiquing the pursuit of comfort and status as a "tragedy" compared to a life mastered by the cross.

Glorying in the Cross: Hope and Transformation (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) highlights the cross as the exclusive means of salvation, the ultimate demonstration of God's love, and the only source of true transformation and motivation for service. The sermon stresses the necessity of a personal, public response to the cross, and the danger of indifference or mere religiosity. The cross is also presented as the guarantee of a future hope and resurrection.

Living a Cross-Centered Life: Embracing Christ's Sacrifice (Oak Grove Baptist Church) develops the theme that the cross is the center and secret of the Christian life, not just a symbol or doctrine. The sermon emphasizes that the cross is the only thing worth boasting about, as it alone provides forgiveness, transformation, and victory over sin. The preacher also highlights the cross as the dividing line between the world and the Christian, and the source of a new community marked by peace, mercy, and the "marks of Jesus"—suffering and sacrifice for Christ.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (Crazy Love) introduces the theme of self-erasure for the sake of Christ’s renown, not merely as humility but as a deliberate desire that “no one will remember you but everyone will remember the name of Jesus Christ.” The sermon frames this as the ultimate ambition: to be forgotten so that Christ is remembered, and to measure one’s life by how much it points away from self and toward the cross. This is a radical extension of the usual call to humility, making self-forgetfulness a positive goal rather than a byproduct.

Glory in the Cross: Our Source of Hope (Spurgeon Sermon Series) presents several distinct theological themes: (1) the cross as the “hinge of two eternities,” the central point of all divine history and purpose; (2) the cross as the ultimate vindication of divine justice, where God both upholds the law and pays its penalty himself; (3) the cross as the “door of hope” for the vilest of sinners, uniquely able to reach the most degraded; (4) the cross as the source of spiritual rest and security, providing a peace and assurance that no other doctrine or philosophy can offer; (5) the cross as the generator of Christian enthusiasm and zeal, the only message worth living and dying for; and (6) the cross as the means by which both the world and the self are crucified, effecting a double separation that redefines all values and allegiances.

Christ Crucified: The Power and Unity of the Gospel (Spurgeon Sermon Series) adds the theme of the cross as the only subject that can be preached exclusively without harm, because it contains within itself all that is necessary for salvation, sanctification, and unity. Spurgeon argues that every other exclusive emphasis (doctrine, experience, precepts, ordinances, prophecy) leads to imbalance, division, or fanaticism, but the cross alone nurtures the whole person and the whole church. He also develops the idea that the cross is the “test point” of all true teaching and fellowship, and that it is the only message that can unite all believers across differences.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Open the Bible) introduces the theme of the cross as the convergence of three “infinities”—the prevention of all spiritual evil, the purchase of all grace and glory, and the display of all divine perfections. This triadic framework is a nuanced expansion of the atonement’s scope, emphasizing not only what the cross accomplishes for the individual but also its cosmic and eternal significance. The sermon also explores the cross as the only true source of personal transformation, surpassing education, opportunity, or even religious practice.

The Cross: The Heart of Christmas (MLJTrust) presents the unusual theological theme that the incarnation is only intelligible and meaningful in light of the cross. The sermon asserts that the object of the incarnation was the atonement, not merely teaching or example, and that to sentimentalize Christmas apart from Calvary is to misunderstand both. This theme is developed through a sustained critique of “worldly” Christmas sentimentality and a robust biblical-theological argument that all prophecy and Old Testament ritual point to the necessity of Christ’s suffering and death.

Glory in the Cross: A New Life in Christ (MLJTrust) adds the distinctive theme that the cross is not only the means of justification but also the ongoing engine of sanctification and psychological liberation. The sermon explores how the cross redefines selfhood, liberates from self-obsession, and provides the power to live, suffer, and die well. The preacher’s focus on the cross as the antidote to self-centeredness and the source of a new, Christ-centered identity is a fresh and practical theological angle.

Standing Firm in Christ's Liberty and Gospel Truth (MLJTrust) brings a new facet by emphasizing the cross as the exclusive ground of Christian boasting, not only over against legalism but also against any form of spiritual elitism or experiential “plus.” The sermon’s warning against boasting even in one’s own orthodoxy, and its insistence that the cross alone is sufficient, is a nuanced application of the doctrine of sola fide and the sufficiency of Christ.

The Cross: Offense and Glory in Salvation (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of the cross as a dividing line that exposes the universal sinfulness and helplessness of humanity, and the radical nature of salvation as entirely God's work. The sermon adds the facet that the cross is offensive precisely because it levels all distinctions—moral, intellectual, national—and leaves no room for human boasting, making it a scandal to both religious and secular pride.

Becoming Children of God Through Christ (MLJTrust) presents the theme that true spiritual experience is always Christocentric and cross-centered, not experience-centered. The sermon adds the fresh angle that the Spirit's work is to make the cross personally real, leading to a lived separation from the world and a new identity in Christ, rather than a focus on gifts, experiences, or religious achievements.

Glorying in the Cross: Our Source of Salvation (MLJTrust) develops the theme that the cross is both the end of all human boasting and the only ground for true confidence. The sermon uniquely emphasizes the double crucifixion (the world to me, and I to the world) as a total reorientation of the believer's relationship to the world, not just morally but existentially and eschatologically.

Transformative Power of the Cross in Our Lives (MLJTrust) introduces the theme that the cross is the only power that can expose and break the grip of the world-system, defined as a self-centered, lawless, and ultimately doomed order. The sermon adds the facet that the cross not only saves from sin but also from the world's fate—judgment and destruction—by transferring believers into the kingdom of Christ.

Glory in the Cross: The Heart of Salvation (MLJTrust) presents the theme that the cross is the supreme revelation of God's character and the center of his eternal plan. The sermon adds the fresh angle that the cross is not just about forgiveness but about the public display of God's justice, grace, and holiness, and that it is the only way to truly know God as he is.

From Self-Glory to God's Glory: Embracing Divine Paradox (MLJTrust) introduces the theme of divine paradox as central to Galatians 6:14, arguing that the cross is the supreme example of God's ways being utterly unlike human ways. The sermon explores the idea that God's method of salvation—through apparent weakness and defeat—is intentionally designed to overturn all human boasting and self-reliance. This theme is developed with reference to the "foolishness of God" being wiser than men, and the "weakness of God" stronger than men, making the cross the ultimate contradiction to all natural religion and philosophy.

The Cross: Our Hope for Unity and Peace (MLJTrust) presents the cross as the only true source of unity and peace, both in the church and in the world. The sermon develops the theme that all human divisions—racial, social, intellectual—are rooted in pride, and that only the cross can humble every person to the same level, exposing universal sinfulness and helplessness. The cross, therefore, is not just a means of individual reconciliation with God but the foundation for corporate reconciliation and the creation of a new humanity. This is a fresh application of Galatians 6:14, moving beyond personal salvation to address societal and relational brokenness.

The Cross: Our Glory, Victory, and Deliverance (MLJTrust) adds the theme of cosmic victory, emphasizing that the cross is not only about forgiveness but about Christ's triumph over the devil and all spiritual powers. The sermon explores how the cross "spoiled principalities and powers," making a public spectacle of them and breaking their hold over humanity. This theme is developed as an essential aspect of why Paul glories in the cross, connecting personal deliverance from the world with liberation from demonic bondage.

Transforming Hearts: Confronting Racism Through Christ's Love (David Guzik) introduces the theme that the cross of Christ is the only legitimate source of identity and boasting for the Christian, explicitly rejecting racial or ethnic pride. This sermon adds the fresh angle that Galatians 6:14 is not just about rejecting legalism or worldly status, but also about dismantling any sense of superiority based on race, making the cross the foundation for radical equality and reconciliation.

Understanding Christmas Through the Lens of the Cross (MLJTrust) presents the distinct theological theme that the incarnation (Christmas) is only meaningful in light of the atonement (the cross), asserting that Christ was born specifically in order to die. This sermon develops the idea that the cross is not merely the climax of Jesus’ life but its very purpose, and that all Christian doctrine—including the meaning of Christmas—must be interpreted through the lens of the cross, which is a nuanced and less commonly emphasized theological perspective.

Choosing God Over the Allure of the World (Tony Evans) adds a new facet to the theme of separation from the world by focusing on the concept of spiritual environment. Evans argues that Christians are “redeemed for another kingdom” and that living according to the world’s values is as unnatural and suffocating as a fish trying to live out of water. This environmental metaphor deepens the usual discussion of worldliness by framing it as a matter of existential and spiritual incompatibility, not just moral choice.

Glory in the Cross: Love, Freedom, and Assurance (Pastor Chuck Smith) introduces the theme of the cross as the ultimate demonstration of God’s love and the means by which believers are set free from the world’s power and from the bondage of sin. Smith adds a fresh angle by contrasting worldly freedom (which he describes as actually being slavery to the flesh) with the true freedom found in the cross, where the believer is liberated from destructive passions and appetites.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Foundation of Hope (Desiring God) presents the theme that all Christian boasting is ultimately rooted in the cross, even when it appears to be about other blessings or experiences. The sermon adds a new facet by arguing that gratitude, joy, and boasting in any spiritual good are only possible because of the cross, making it the foundation for all Christian experience and hope.

Embracing the New Creation Through the Cross (Desiring God) develops the theme of the "new creation" as the only thing that counts in the Christian life, with the cross as the birthplace of this new reality. The preacher’s unique contribution is the identification of both religious and secular systems as part of "the world" that is crucified to the believer, and the detailed explanation of how the new creation involves both a new legal standing (justification) and a new behavioral reality (sanctification) through faith.

Boasting in the Cross: True Identity in Christ (Desiring God) adds the theme of identity transformation: the believer’s old self, defined by self-reliance and worldly values, is put to death, and a new self emerges that lives by faith in Christ. The sermon’s fresh angle is its existential focus on where the believer places trust, hope, and satisfaction, shifting from the world to Christ alone.

The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law (Desiring God) introduces the theme of the cross as a stumbling block and an offense to human pride, because it declares the futility of self-salvation and the necessity of grace. The sermon’s distinct contribution is its emphasis on the cross as a public repudiation of all human boasting and its willingness to embrace persecution rather than compromise this message.

Boasting in the Cross: Embracing New Creation (Desiring God) introduces the theme that the cross not only strips away all grounds for self-boasting but also inaugurates a “new creation”—a new self that lives by faith in Christ, characterized by love and obedience that fulfill the law. This new creation is not mere negation of the old but a positive, dynamic life empowered by union with Christ’s death and resurrection, resulting in a radical freedom from the world’s power.

Preaching Christ: The Centrality of the Cross (Desiring God) presents the distinct theological theme that the cross is the subterranean foundation of all Christian experience and biblical teaching. Every command, promise, and transformation in the Christian life is possible only because of the atonement, making the cross the “massive atonement” undergirding all spiritual reality. This theme reframes Christian living as a continual return to the cross as the source and sustenance of all spiritual good.

Embracing the Profound Significance of the Cross (Desiring God) adds the nuanced theme that the cross is not only the exclusive ground for boasting but also the explanation for why Christians receive any good or have any bad turned to good. The cross is the perpetual, underlying reason for all grace in the believer’s life, making every joy and every redemptive suffering a direct result of Christ’s sacrifice.

Transformative Power of the Cross: A God-Centered Life (Manahawkin Baptist Church) introduces the theme that the cross is the only true remedy for the psychological misery caused by self-obsession, proposing that peace and joy are found not in changing circumstances but in a radical reorientation of the mind and heart toward God’s glory. The sermon also explores the idea that generosity and open-handed living are practical outworkings of being crucified to the world, as the cross breaks the power of greed and self-protection.

Glorying in the Cross: True Righteousness and Freedom (SermonIndex.net) presents the fresh theological theme that the cross is God’s double-edged attack on both unrighteousness and self-righteousness, with the latter being more insidious and dangerous. The sermon’s use of Luther’s “Theology of the Cross” versus “Theology of Glory” provides a nuanced framework for understanding Galatians 6:14 as a rejection of all self-generated righteousness, optimism, and self-esteem projects, insisting that true righteousness and acceptance before God are found only in Christ’s finished work.

Embracing True Discipleship Through the Cross (SermonIndex.net) adds the theme that the cross is not only the means of forgiveness but the pattern for Spirit-empowered living and true discipleship. The preacher’s emphasis on the necessity of being “invisible” and “buried” so that only Christ is seen challenges the common Christian focus on personal achievement or recognition, and links the experience of the Holy Spirit’s power directly to the depth of one’s surrender to the cross.

Restoration: Rebuilding Our Faith on Christ and the Cross (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that being crucified to the world is evidenced by emotional detachment from worldly affairs, including politics and cultural controversies. The sermon challenges listeners to examine whether their reactions to current events reveal lingering attachments to the world, and calls for a deeper, more comprehensive crucifixion of the self that extends to every area of life.

Living Radically for Christ: Detachment from the World (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that true Christian detachment is not external but internal, and that the cross is the ongoing means by which the Christian is severed from the world's values, especially the love of money. The sermon adds the nuanced idea that the world's interest in the Christian also fades as the Christian loses interest in worldly things, and that radical detachment is only possible through the Holy Spirit.

Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ (SermonIndex.net) presents the theme that boasting only in the cross is the antidote to all forms of pride, including cultural, educational, and spiritual pride. The sermon uniquely connects this to the development of spiritual discernment, arguing that only those who glory in Christ alone are given true discernment by God. It also introduces the idea that the cross calls believers to both vertical devotion (to Christ) and horizontal fellowship (with others), and that this dual focus is essential for New Covenant living.

Living in Freedom: Grace Over Legalism (SermonIndex.net) brings out the theme that the cross is the dividing line between living under the law and living by the Spirit, and that true freedom is found only when the world is crucified to the believer. The sermon adds the insight that the threefold crucifixion (self, flesh, world) in Galatians is essential for understanding the Christian's new identity and freedom.

True Freedom: Liberation Through Christ and the Spirit and "Embracing True Freedom in Christ's Transformative Power" (SermonIndex.net) both develop the theme that the cross is not only about forgiveness but about the restoration of access to eternal life, which begins now through the Spirit. They emphasize that the cross is the event that overcomes the judgment and separation of Genesis 3, and that true freedom and transformation are available in the present, not just in the afterlife.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (First Baptist Newport) introduces the theme that the cross fundamentally reorients the believer’s relationship to the world, not just as a past event but as an ongoing source of transformation and hope. The sermon uniquely frames the cross as the antidote to disillusionment, guilt, and despair, arguing that the cross exposes and heals our misconceptions about God’s role in our lives—whether as a personal benefactor, a problem-solver, or a guarantor of worldly success. It further develops the idea that the cross is not only about forgiveness but about the radical redefinition of identity and allegiance: to boast in the cross is to accept the crucifixion of our old selves and our old attachments to the world, and to live in the power of resurrection hope. The preacher also adds a nuanced facet by emphasizing that the cross is not an accident or a temporary defeat, but the intentional, divinely designed means of atonement and transformation, which continues to change lives and communities.

Galatians 6:14 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Redemption Church Belvidere) provides detailed historical context about the cross as a symbol of shame, execution, and state-sanctioned terror in the Roman world. The preacher notes that to boast in the cross would have been as shocking as boasting in an electric chair today, emphasizing the scandal and offensiveness of Paul's claim. The sermon also explains the practice of using an amanuensis (scribe) for letter writing in the ancient world, and why Paul wrote the conclusion of Galatians in his own hand with large letters—possibly due to passion, poor eyesight, or the physical effects of his suffering.

Living a Cross-Centered Life: Embracing Christ's Sacrifice (Oak Grove Baptist Church) offers historical insight by referencing Cicero's horror at the word "cross" and the Jewish and Roman views of crucifixion as a curse and a shameful death. The preacher also explains the use of the Greek word "stigmata" for "marks," relating it to the branding of slaves and the physical scars Paul bore for Christ, contrasting this with the Judaizers' emphasis on circumcision as a mark of religious identity.

Glorying in the Cross: Hope and Transformation (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) provides historical context by describing the brutality of Roman crucifixion, the public spectacle of executions, and the cultural shame associated with the cross. The preacher also references the post-war rebuilding of cathedrals and the placement of crosses as symbols of hope and resurrection in devastated places, such as St. Paul's Cathedral in London and the Belsen Concentration Camp.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (Crazy Love) provides historical context by explaining the situation in Galatia: Paul is writing to a church infiltrated by those insisting on Mosaic law (especially circumcision) as necessary for salvation, motivated by a desire to avoid persecution and gain popularity among the masses. The preacher notes that Paul’s insistence on boasting only in the cross is a direct rejection of religious conformity and people-pleasing, and that the “large letters” Paul uses are likely due to his poor eyesight, adding a personal, human touch to the letter.

Glory in the Cross: Our Source of Hope (Spurgeon Sermon Series) offers detailed cultural context for the offense of the cross in the ancient world: the Jew found a crucified Messiah scandalous, expecting pomp and ritual; the Greek considered it foolishness, preferring philosophy; and the Roman saw it as contemptible, given their reverence for power and disdain for a “crucified Jew.” Spurgeon also references the practice of branding slaves and the heraldic recitation of noble titles at funerals to illuminate Paul’s language and imagery.

Christ Crucified: The Power and Unity of the Gospel (Spurgeon Sermon Series) situates Paul’s preaching in the context of Corinth, a city notorious for its moral laxity and intellectual pride. Spurgeon notes that to “call a man a Corinthian” was to label him as especially licentious, and that Paul’s refusal to adapt his message to Jewish or Greek sensibilities was a deliberate rejection of both religious and philosophical accommodation.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Open the Bible) provides historical context by highlighting the scandalous nature of the cross in the ancient world, likening it to boasting in an “electric chair” to convey the shock value of Paul’s statement. The sermon also references Paul’s background as a highly educated Pharisee and respected public figure, underscoring how radical it was for him to renounce all grounds for boasting except the cross.

The Cross: The Heart of Christmas (MLJTrust) offers detailed historical and cultural context by tracing the Old Testament’s prophetic and sacrificial system as a preparation for Christ’s death. The preacher explains how the entire history of Israel, from Abraham to the temple rituals, was designed to foreshadow the necessity of a suffering, atoning Messiah. The sermon also references the world’s tendency to sentimentalize Christmas, contrasting it with the biblical realism about suffering and sin in the ancient world.

Glory in the Cross: A New Life in Christ (MLJTrust) provides context by describing Paul’s pre-Christian status as a “Hebrew of Hebrews,” a Pharisee, and a man of great pedigree and achievement, to highlight the radical nature of his new identity in Christ. The sermon also references the Greco-Roman world’s values of status, lineage, and self-reliance, showing how the cross subverts these cultural norms.

The Cross: Offense and Glory in Salvation (MLJTrust) provides detailed historical context about first-century Jewish and Greek attitudes toward the cross. The sermon explains that Jews were offended because the cross undermined their reliance on national identity, circumcision, and law, while Greeks found it foolish because it contradicted their philosophical ideals and expectations of power. The preacher also situates Paul's own transformation within this context, showing how his former pride as a Pharisee was shattered by the cross.

Glorying in the Cross: Our Source of Salvation (MLJTrust) offers historical insight into the cultural significance of boasting in nationality, morality, and religious observance in Paul's time, and how the cross subverted all these sources of identity and pride. The sermon also references the early church's understanding of the cross as a radical break with the world and its values.

Glory in the Cross: The Heart of Salvation (MLJTrust) provides historical context by referencing the Old Testament sacrificial system, the Passover lamb, and prophetic passages like Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, showing how the cross fulfills and transcends these earlier types and prophecies. The preacher also situates the cross within the broader narrative of God's eternal plan, as understood by the early church.

The Cross: Our Hope for Unity and Peace (MLJTrust) provides detailed historical context regarding the deep division between Jews and Gentiles in the ancient world, explaining how the "middle wall of partition" was a real and seemingly insurmountable barrier. The sermon describes the mutual animosity and contempt between these groups, highlighting how radical it was for Paul to claim that the cross had broken down this wall and created "one new man" in Christ. The preacher also references the broader context of first-century divisions—Greeks and barbarians, wise and unwise—and how the early church's unity was a shocking and unprecedented phenomenon.

The Cross: Our Glory, Victory, and Deliverance (MLJTrust) offers historical insight into the biblical worldview of spiritual conflict, explaining the ancient understanding of the devil as a real, personal power who held humanity in bondage. The sermon situates Paul's language about being "crucified to the world" within the context of Jewish and early Christian beliefs about spiritual warfare, the fall, and the cosmic struggle between God and the devil. The preacher also references the practice of Roman triumphs and public spectacles to illustrate Paul's claim that Christ "made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

Understanding Christmas Through the Lens of the Cross (MLJTrust) provides detailed historical and contextual insights by tracing the Old Testament’s prophetic anticipation of the Messiah’s suffering and death, rather than just his birth. The sermon explains that the Jewish sacrificial system, the role of blood sacrifices, and the prophetic tradition (e.g., Genesis 3:15, Isaiah 53) all pointed forward to the necessity of the cross, and that the cultural context of first-century Judaism would have understood the Messiah’s mission in terms of suffering and atonement. The preacher also references the ancient practice of animal sacrifice and the significance of the Passover lamb, situating Paul’s statement in Galatians 6:14 within the broader narrative of redemptive history and Jewish expectation.

Glory in the Cross: Love, Freedom, and Assurance (Pastor Chuck Smith) provides historical context by referencing the cultural tendency in both ancient and modern times to seek glory in wisdom, might, or riches, drawing on examples from Jeremiah, Job, and Solomon to illustrate how these pursuits were valued in biblical times but ultimately proved empty in the face of death and judgment. Smith also references the practice of circumcision and religious boasting in Paul’s day, explaining how some sought to persuade others to adopt their religious views as a means of self-glorification.

Boasting in the Cross: True Identity in Christ (Desiring God) offers contextual insight into the motivations of the Judaizers in Galatia, explaining that their insistence on circumcision was driven by a desire to avoid persecution from non-Christian Jews and to gain the praise of men. The sermon situates Paul’s radical boasting in the cross as a direct response to this cultural and religious pressure to minimize the cross and conform Christianity to Jewish norms.

The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law (Desiring God) provides historical context by discussing Paul’s former life as a zealous advocate of circumcision and Jewish tradition, and how his conversion led to persecution precisely because he now preached the sufficiency of the cross. The sermon explains the cultural offense of the cross in both Jewish and Greco-Roman contexts, where it was seen as a stumbling block and folly, and how Paul’s message directly challenged the prevailing systems of religious achievement and pride.

Boasting in the Cross: Embracing New Creation (Desiring God) provides historical context by explaining the cultural pressure in Paul’s time to boast in circumcision and law-keeping as markers of religious achievement and social standing. The sermon highlights how the early Jewish-Christian context made circumcision a point of pride and a means to avoid persecution, and how Paul’s insistence on boasting only in the cross was radically countercultural, stripping away all traditional grounds for religious boasting and identity.

Transformative Power of the Cross: A God-Centered Life (Manahawkin Baptist Church) provides historical context by referencing the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt and the building of the first temple under David, noting that the offerings for the temple were only possible because God had provided for the people through their deliverance. This context is used to illustrate the principle that everything we have is a gift from God, reinforcing the call to open-handed living and humility before God’s absolute ownership and greatness.

Glorying in the Cross: True Righteousness and Freedom (SermonIndex.net) offers historical insight by recounting Martin Luther’s spiritual crisis in 1518 and the subsequent Heidelberg Disputation, where Luther distinguished between the “Theology of Glory” and the “Theology of the Cross.” The sermon situates Galatians 6:14 within the broader context of the Reformation, emphasizing how Luther’s breakthrough on justification by faith alone revolutionized Christian understanding of righteousness and freedom from self-effort.

Living in Freedom: Grace Over Legalism (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by explaining that Paul wrote Galatians at a time when the New Testament was not yet written, and that he had to defend his apostleship and the gospel of grace against Judaizers who insisted on circumcision and law-keeping. The sermon also explains the first-century practice of "adoption" as the placement of a child as a son and heir, which is used as an analogy for the believer's transition from law to grace.

Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ (SermonIndex.net) gives historical context by describing the two great journeys of Israel (Egypt to Canaan and Babylon to Jerusalem) as types for the Christian life, and by noting the shift from Old Covenant "one man" leadership to New Covenant fellowship and plurality. The sermon also references the cultural pride of Jews in Paul's day, who would thank God for not being Gentiles, slaves, or women, and how Paul subverts this in Galatians 3:28.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (First Baptist Newport) provides historical context by describing the disciples’ expectation of a political Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule, highlighting how their disillusionment at the crucifixion stemmed from a misunderstanding of messianic prophecy and the nature of Jesus’ mission. The sermon references the cultural and religious climate of first-century Judea, where the Messiah was anticipated as a new King David, and explains how the cross upended these expectations, leaving the disciples shocked and distraught. The preacher also touches on the public and humiliating nature of crucifixion in Roman society, emphasizing that Jesus’ death was meant to be a spectacle of shame, which God transformed into the ultimate symbol of hope and redemption.

Galatians 6:14 Cross-References in the Bible:

Finding Freedom and Identity at the Cross (Saddleback Church) references 1 Corinthians 2:1-2, where Paul resolves to know nothing except "Jesus Christ and him crucified," to emphasize the centrality of the cross. The sermon also cites Isaiah's prophecy, "by his wounds we are healed," to connect the cross to healing. Colossians is referenced regarding the "certificate of debt" being canceled and nailed to the cross, illustrating the finality of Christ's work. The story of the thief on the cross is used to show the immediacy and power of salvation at the cross.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Redemption Church Belvidere) references Ephesians 2:1-3 to describe the depth of human sin and need for salvation, and 2 Corinthians 5:17 ("if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation") to highlight the transformative power of the cross. The sermon also cites 1 Corinthians 11 regarding communion, connecting the cross to the ongoing practice of remembering Christ's sacrifice. Psalm 23:4 is referenced to illustrate the peace that comes from Christ's presence, even in suffering.

Living a Cross-Centered Life: Embracing Christ's Sacrifice (Oak Grove Baptist Church) references Romans 1 (the cross as foolishness to those perishing), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation), Galatians 2:19-20 (crucified with Christ), 1 John 4:10 (God's love demonstrated in sending his Son), Romans 5:8 (God's love shown in Christ's death for sinners), Ezekiel 18:20 (the soul who sins must die), and Romans 5:1 (justified by faith, peace with God). The sermon also alludes to Luke 14:27 (bearing one's cross) and Jude (false teachers as wandering stars).

Glorying in the Cross: Hope and Transformation (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) references John 14:6 ("I am the way, the truth, and the life"), Acts 4:12 (no other name by which we must be saved), Matthew 7:13-14 (narrow and wide gates), Matthew 7:21-23 (not everyone who says "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom), 2 Corinthians 5:17 (new creation), and Revelation 5 (the song of the redeemed). The story of the thief on the cross is also used to illustrate the urgency and exclusivity of salvation at the cross.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (Crazy Love) references several passages to expand on Galatians 6:14: (1) 2 Corinthians 5:20, describing believers as Christ’s ambassadors, through whom God makes his appeal to the world; (2) 1 John 4:12, which teaches that God is seen in the love Christians show one another; (3) Philippians 2, highlighting Christ’s humility and self-emptying; (4) Isaiah 26:8, expressing the desire that God’s name and renown be the desire of our hearts; and (5) Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ,” to reinforce the theme of dying to self. Each reference is used to reinforce the call to self-sacrifice, humility, and the centrality of Christ’s work.

Glory in the Cross: Our Source of Hope (Spurgeon Sermon Series) draws on a wide array of biblical cross-references: (1) Philippians 3, where Paul lists his reasons for boasting in the flesh and then counts them as loss; (2) 2 Corinthians 11, detailing Paul’s sufferings; (3) 2 Corinthians 12, recounting Paul’s visions and the “thorn in the flesh”; (4) John 3:16 and Romans 5:8, for the doctrine of atonement; (5) Galatians 3:13, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”; (6) 1 Corinthians 1:18, the cross as the power and wisdom of God; (7) Romans 3:26, God as just and justifier; (8) Micah 7:19, “cast all their sins into the depths of the sea”; and (9) Isaiah 53, the suffering servant. Each passage is used to build a comprehensive theology of the cross as atonement, justification, and the center of Christian hope.

Christ Crucified: The Power and Unity of the Gospel (Spurgeon Sermon Series) references 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 as the foundation for the sermon, and also alludes to John 3:16, Galatians 3:13, and the story of the publican in Luke 18:13 (“God be merciful to me, a sinner”) to illustrate the sufficiency of Christ’s atonement and the necessity of faith in him alone. The sermon also references the “Sermon on the Mount” and the “second advent” to contrast other possible emphases with the centrality of the cross.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Open the Bible) references several passages to expand on Galatians 6:14: Galatians 2:20 (“I have been crucified with Christ…”), which is used to explain the transformative power of the cross; Romans 5:8 (“God demonstrates his love for us…”), to show the cross as the outpouring of God’s love; Romans 3:25, to highlight the cross as the demonstration of God’s justice; and Revelation 7:17, to illustrate the future joy purchased by the cross. Each reference is used to show a different facet of the cross’s significance—personal transformation, the union of love and justice, and the promise of eternal joy.

The Cross: The Heart of Christmas (MLJTrust) draws on Genesis 3:15 (the protoevangelium), Isaiah 53 (the suffering servant), John 1:29 (“Behold the Lamb of God…”), 1 Peter 1:10-12 (prophets predicting the sufferings of Christ), Hebrews 2:9, 14 (the incarnation for the purpose of death), and the Old Testament sacrificial system (Abel and Cain, temple rituals). These references are marshaled to show that the entire biblical narrative, from the first prophecy to the sacrificial system, points to the necessity and centrality of the cross.

Glory in the Cross: A New Life in Christ (MLJTrust) references 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 (new creation and living for Christ), Philippians 3 (Paul’s former grounds for boasting), Galatians 2:20 (crucified with Christ), Romans 8:1-4 (freedom from condemnation and the law of sin and death), Titus 2:11-14 (Christ’s purpose to redeem and purify), 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (bought with a price), and 1 John 3:2-3 (purifying hope). These passages are used to show how the cross redefines self, motivates sanctification, and provides power for holy living, suffering, and dying.

Standing Firm in Christ's Liberty and Gospel Truth (MLJTrust) references Galatians 5:6 (“faith working through love”), Galatians 2 (Paul’s confrontation with Peter over justification by faith), and the example of Abraham’s blessing before circumcision. These references are used to argue for the sufficiency of faith in Christ and to warn against any addition to the apostolic gospel.

The Cross: Offense and Glory in Salvation (MLJTrust) references Galatians 3:1 (the "placarding" of Christ crucified), 1 Corinthians 1–2 (Paul's focus on Christ crucified as the power and wisdom of God), Philippians 3 (Paul's rejection of his own righteousness), and Romans 3 (universal sinfulness). These passages are used to reinforce the centrality of the cross and the offense it causes to human pride and self-reliance.

Becoming Children of God Through Christ (MLJTrust) cross-references John 16:14 (the Spirit glorifies Christ), Acts 2–3 (Peter's sermons focusing on Christ and his death), Galatians 2:20 (personal union with Christ in his death), and Philippians 3:10 (desire to know Christ and the power of his resurrection). These references support the argument that true spiritual experience is always centered on Christ and his cross.

Glorying in the Cross: Our Source of Salvation (MLJTrust) references Galatians 1:4 (Christ delivering us from this present evil world), 1 John 2:15–17 (love not the world), John 17 (Jesus' prayer distinguishing his followers from the world), 1 Corinthians 11 (judgment and separation from the world), and Colossians 1 (translation from the kingdom of darkness). These passages are used to elaborate the double crucifixion and the believer's separation from the world.

Transformative Power of the Cross in Our Lives (MLJTrust) references 1 John 2:15–17 (definition of the world), Ephesians 2 (life according to the course of this world), James 4:1 (wars and lusts), John 3:16 (perishing and salvation), and Revelation 20 (final judgment). These references are used to show the nature, power, and destiny of the world, and the cross's role in delivering believers from it.

Glory in the Cross: The Heart of Salvation (MLJTrust) references Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 (prophecies of the cross), John 3 (the serpent lifted up), John 12 (Jesus' prediction of his death), Acts 2 and 4 (Peter's sermons on the predetermined plan of God), 1 Corinthians 1–2 (the wisdom of God in the cross), and John 14:6 (Jesus as the only way to the Father). These passages are used to show the cross as the fulfillment of prophecy, the center of God's plan, and the supreme revelation of God's character.

From Self-Glory to God's Glory: Embracing Divine Paradox (MLJTrust) references 1 Corinthians 1, especially the passage about the "foolishness of God" and the "weakness of God," to support the interpretation that the cross is a radical reversal of all human wisdom and strength. The sermon also alludes to Old Testament passages (Ezekiel, Isaiah) about God bringing down the high and exalting the low, reinforcing the theme of divine paradox.

The Cross: Our Hope for Unity and Peace (MLJTrust) draws extensively on Ephesians 2, particularly the imagery of the "middle wall of partition" being broken down and the creation of "one new man" in Christ. The sermon also references Philippians 3 (Paul's autobiographical account of his former boasting in the flesh), Jeremiah (on boasting only in knowing the Lord), and Genesis (the story of Cain and Abel as the origin of human division and pride). These cross-references are used to show that the problem of pride and division is as old as humanity, and that the cross is the only solution.

The Cross: Our Glory, Victory, and Deliverance (MLJTrust) references Colossians 2:15 ("having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it") to support the theme of cosmic victory. The sermon also cites Luke 11 (the parable of the strong man and the stronger man), 2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (the god of this world blinding unbelievers), Ephesians 2:2 (the prince of the power of the air), Ephesians 6:10-12 (spiritual warfare against principalities and powers), and 1 John 5:18-19 (the whole world lying in the power of the evil one). These references are marshaled to demonstrate that the cross is the decisive act of deliverance from the devil's dominion.

Transforming Hearts: Confronting Racism Through Christ's Love (David Guzik) references several passages to support his interpretation of Galatians 6:14: Acts 17:26 (“he has made from one blood every nation of men”), which is used to argue for the essential unity of humanity; Mark 12:31 (“love your neighbor as yourself”), to show the biblical command against racism; and the vision of every tribe and nation around God’s throne, to illustrate the eschatological unity of believers. These references are marshaled to demonstrate that the cross, not race, is the basis for Christian identity and community.

Choosing God Over the Allure of the World (Tony Evans) draws on multiple biblical cross-references to expand on Galatians 6:14: Romans 12:2 (“be not conformed to this world”), which is used to illustrate the pressure to adopt worldly values; James 4:4 (“friendship with the world is hostility with God”), to emphasize the incompatibility of loving the world and loving God; Galatians 1:4 (Jesus came to redeem us from the world), to reinforce the redemptive separation from worldly values; and 2 Timothy 4:10 (Demas loving this present world), to warn against the allure of temporary worldly rewards. Each reference is used to build a case for the necessity of crucifying worldly attachments in light of the cross.

Understanding Christmas Through the Lens of the Cross (MLJTrust) references a wide array of biblical passages to situate Galatians 6:14 within the whole sweep of redemptive history: Genesis 3:15 (the protoevangelium, or first gospel), to show the promise of a suffering deliverer; Isaiah 53, to highlight the suffering servant motif; John 1:29 (“Behold the Lamb of God”), to connect Jesus’ mission to the sacrificial system; and Hebrews 2:9, 2:14, to argue that the incarnation was for the purpose of death and atonement. These cross-references are used to demonstrate that the cross is the fulfillment of all Old Testament prophecy and typology.

Glory in the Cross: Love, Freedom, and Assurance (Pastor Chuck Smith) references Jeremiah 9:23-24 to contrast worldly boasting with boasting in knowing God, Job’s question about understanding God, Psalm 14:1 regarding the fool who denies God, 1 Corinthians 1 and 2 about the wisdom of the world versus the wisdom of God, Philippians 3:14 about pressing toward the prize, Colossians 2:15 about Christ’s victory over principalities and powers through the cross, Romans 8:11 about resurrection, 1 Peter 1:3-4 about the living hope through Christ’s resurrection, and Hebrews 11:24-26 about Moses choosing the reproach of Christ over the treasures of Egypt. Each reference is used to reinforce the message that all grounds for boasting, hope, and victory are found in the cross, and that the world’s values are ultimately empty.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Foundation of Hope (Desiring God) references Romans 5:2-3 (boasting in hope and suffering), 2 Corinthians 12:9 (boasting in weakness), Romans 15:17 (boasting in ministry), 1 Thessalonians 2:19 (boasting in converts), Romans 8:3 (condemnation removed by the cross), Romans 5:9 (justification by Christ’s blood), and Romans 8:32 (God’s willingness to give all things because he gave his Son). These passages are used to show that all Christian boasting is ultimately rooted in the cross, which is the foundation for every spiritual blessing.

Embracing the New Creation Through the Cross (Desiring God) cross-references Galatians 2:20 (crucified with Christ), Galatians 3:13 (redeemed from the curse), Galatians 2:16 (justification by faith), Galatians 5:6 (faith working through love), Galatians 5:24 (crucifying the flesh), Galatians 3:5 (Spirit supplied by faith), and Galatians 4:6 (adoption as sons). Each reference is used to build a comprehensive picture of the new creation as a person justified, transformed, and adopted through faith in Christ, all made possible by the cross.

Boasting in the Cross: True Identity in Christ (Desiring God) references Galatians 2:20 to explain the meaning of being crucified to the world, emphasizing the believer’s union with Christ in his death and the resulting shift in trust and satisfaction from the world to Christ.

The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law (Desiring God) references Galatians 5:6 and 5:2 (circumcision counts for nothing), Galatians 2:19-21 (crucified with Christ, living by faith, not nullifying grace), Romans 9:30-33 (the offense of the cross as a stumbling stone), and 1 Corinthians 1:22-24 (the cross as a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles). These passages are used to demonstrate the exclusivity and offensiveness of the cross as the only means of righteousness, in contrast to all forms of law-keeping or self-salvation.

Boasting in the Cross: Embracing New Creation (Desiring God) draws on several cross-references to deepen the understanding of Galatians 6:14: Galatians 2:20 is used to explain the believer’s union with Christ in death; Galatians 5:6 and 1 Corinthians 7:19 are cited to show the parallel statements about circumcision and what truly “counts” (faith working through love, keeping God’s commandments, new creation); Romans 13:8-10 is referenced to connect love as the fulfillment of the law, tying back to the new creation’s outworking in love. These references collectively support the argument that the new creation is a life of faith expressing itself in love, fulfilling the law not by external observance but by internal transformation.

Relying on Christ: The Offense of the Cross (Desiring God) references Galatians 5:2 and 5:11 to explain the offense and exclusivity of the cross—accepting circumcision as a means of justification nullifies Christ’s benefit, and preaching circumcision removes the offense of the cross. The sermon also references the logic of law-keeping and justification, emphasizing that any attempt to add works to Christ’s work obligates one to keep the whole law, thus reinforcing the sufficiency and exclusivity of the cross for salvation.

Salvation by Grace: Freedom from Boasting and Self-Reliance (Desiring God) references Galatians 6:14 to illustrate the obliteration of human boasting, then expands with 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (God choosing the foolish and weak to shame the wise and strong, so that no one may boast except in the Lord), 1 Corinthians 4:7 (all is received as a gift, so boasting is excluded), and 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 (all things belong to believers by grace, so boasting in men is excluded). These references collectively reinforce the theme that salvation is designed to eliminate self-boasting and maximize boasting in God’s grace.

Transformative Power of the Cross: A God-Centered Life (Manahawkin Baptist Church) references multiple passages to expand on Galatians 6:14: 1 Corinthians 1:18 (the message of the cross as the power of God), 1 Chronicles 29:11 (God’s absolute greatness and ownership), 1 Corinthians 10:31 (doing all for the glory of God), Romans 1:20-25 (the consequences of failing to glorify God), Job 13:15 and Daniel 6:10 (faithfulness in adversity), 1 John 2:16 (the threefold nature of temptation), Luke 16:10 (faithfulness in little things), Romans 12:1-2 (renewal of the mind), and Ephesians 2:4-5 (God making us alive in Christ). Each reference is used to reinforce the sermon’s central message that the cross reorients the believer’s life, breaks the power of self-obsession, and enables joyful, God-glorifying living.

Glorying in the Cross: True Righteousness and Freedom (SermonIndex.net) draws on Philippians 3:3 (putting no confidence in the flesh), Galatians 3:10 (the curse of relying on works of the law), Romans 7:9 (the law reviving sin), Romans 5:20 (the law increasing trespass), Deuteronomy 27-28 (the curses for failing to keep the law), Luke 10 (the lawyer’s question about eternal life), and 1 Corinthians 15 (the gospel and resurrection). These passages are used to contrast law and gospel, highlight the futility of self-effort, and underscore the sufficiency of Christ’s righteousness.

Embracing True Discipleship Through the Cross (SermonIndex.net) references Matthew 7:14 (the narrow gate), Romans 6 (union with Christ in death and resurrection), and 1 Corinthians 15 (Christ dying for our sins). These passages are used to illustrate the necessity of humility, the depth of surrender required for true discipleship, and the progression from forgiveness to Spirit-empowered living.

Restoration: Rebuilding Our Faith on Christ and the Cross (SermonIndex.net) references Colossians 2:1-10 (the fullness of Christ and warning against worldly philosophy), Isaiah 6 (holiness and mission), 1 Corinthians 15 (the gospel), and Hebrews 12:5-13 (God’s loving discipline). These references are used to call the church back to Christ-centeredness, biblical authority, holiness, and a gospel that centers on deliverance from sin rather than self-improvement or worldly benefits.

Journey of Faith: From Sin to Community in Christ (SermonIndex.net) references several passages: Zechariah 2 (God as a wall of fire and the glory in the midst), 1 Corinthians 4:7 (all we have is received), Revelation 5 (singing a new song about the Lamb), John 17:10 (mutual possession between Father and Son), James 5:17 (the prayer of a righteous man), Psalm 18:25-26 (God's impartiality), Zechariah 3 (Satan as accuser and the Lord's intercession), Revelation 12:10 (Satan accuses believers), Hebrews 7:25 (Jesus intercedes), Zechariah 4 (the Spirit's power), and Proverbs 4 (guarding the heart). Each is used to illustrate aspects of boasting only in Christ, spiritual discernment, and the new covenant ministry of intercession and restoration.

Living in Freedom: Grace Over Legalism (SermonIndex.net) references Galatians 2:20, 5:24, and 6:14 to show the threefold crucifixion (self, flesh, world). It also references Romans 8:2 (the law of the Spirit of life), 2 Corinthians 3:17 (where the Spirit is, there is freedom), Deuteronomy 28 (the curse of the law), Genesis 3 (the fall and separation from life), and Ephesians 1:14 (the Spirit as a pledge of inheritance). These references are used to support the argument that the cross is the means of true freedom and transformation.

True Freedom: Liberation Through Christ and the Spirit and "Embracing True Freedom in Christ's Transformative Power" (SermonIndex.net) reference Genesis 3:24 (the flaming sword and the tree of life), Titus 1:2 (promise of eternal life before the ages), Job 19 (hope in the Redeemer), Ecclesiastes 3:11 (eternity in the heart), Exodus 3:6 (God of the living), Hebrews 11 (Abraham's hope), John 1:3-4 (life in Christ), 2 Timothy 1 (abolishing death), and Ephesians 1:14 (Spirit as down payment). These passages are woven together to show that the cross restores access to life and inaugurates a present experience of eternal life.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (First Baptist Newport) references several biblical passages to expand on Galatians 6:14. Isaiah 53 is cited to remind listeners that the Messiah was prophesied to suffer and die for transgressions, countering the disciples’ political expectations. 2 Corinthians is quoted (“Though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of our world.”) to reinforce the idea that the cross calls believers to a different kind of battle and victory. The sermon also references 1 Peter 2 (“He Himself bore our sins on His body on that tree”) to underscore the personal and universal nature of Christ’s atonement. John’s Gospel is alluded to with “If I be lifted up, I will draw all men to me,” connecting the cross to the universal call of salvation. Romans is referenced (“all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” “the wages of sin is death,” and “God demonstrated his love toward us that while we were still sinners Christ died for us”) to articulate the theological necessity of the cross. The resurrection narratives and the transformation of the disciples at Pentecost are also invoked to show the ongoing power of the cross and resurrection.

Galatians 6:14 Christian References outside the Bible:

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Redemption Church Belvidere) explicitly references John Piper, quoting his message and book "Don't Waste Your Life," which urges listeners not to waste their lives on trivial pursuits but to be mastered by the cross. The sermon also references Chip Ingram, recounting his teaching on giving God a "blank check" of one's life, and includes a prayer by Ruth Myers about total surrender to Christ. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is quoted regarding the baptized Christian's new relationship to the world, mediated through Christ. C.S. Lewis is referenced via "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," with the famous line about Aslan not being safe but good, illustrating the risk and goodness of surrendering all to Christ.

Glorying in the Cross: Hope and Transformation (Billy Graham Evangelistic Association) references Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. as examples of people whose service and motivation were rooted in the cross. The preacher also mentions Martin Luther's concept of the "great exchange" and alludes to the influence of evangelical preaching in shaping Christian leaders.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (Crazy Love) explicitly references the “Passion movement,” a contemporary Christian movement among university students, as an example of a global community committed to making Christ’s name and renown the desire of their hearts, rather than their own fame. The preacher also reads an email from a 65-year-old woman inspired by the book “Crazy Love” (by Francis Chan), who expresses a desire to avoid “recliner rot” and to serve Christ until the end of her life, illustrating the practical outworking of Galatians 6:14 in modern Christian experience.

Glory in the Cross: Our Source of Hope (Spurgeon Sermon Series) references the hymn “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (“Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God…”) and the hymn “The Old Rugged Cross” (“It is the old cross still, hallelujah, hallelujah, its triumphs let us tell…”), using them to reinforce the theme of exclusive boasting in the cross. Spurgeon also alludes to contemporary theological debates about the atonement, criticizing those who reduce the cross to a mere example of self-sacrifice or who reject substitutionary atonement.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Open the Bible) explicitly references John Maclaurin, a Scottish preacher from the 19th century, quoting his statement that the effects of the cross can only be described by “adding together three infinities: all the spiritual and eternal evils it prevents, all the grace and glory it purchases, and all the divine perfections it displays.” The sermon uses Maclaurin’s framework as the organizing principle for its exposition, and also quotes his observation that the cross unites the glories of heaven and hell in a more remarkable way than either alone, magnifying both God’s justice and love.

Transforming Hearts: Confronting Racism Through Christ's Love (David Guzik) explicitly references John Newton, the author of “Amazing Grace,” as a historical example of someone transformed by the cross. Guzik recounts Newton’s past as a slave trader and his subsequent repentance and influence on William Wilberforce, who led the movement to abolish slavery in the British Empire. This illustration is used to show the power of the cross to forgive and transform even those deeply entrenched in sin, reinforcing the message of Galatians 6:14 as the only legitimate ground for boasting and transformation.

Embracing the Profound Significance of the Cross (Desiring God) explicitly references the hymn “Rock of Ages” as a means of deepening one’s experience and understanding of the cross, highlighting specific lines that emphasize the double cure of the cross (saving from wrath and making pure), the insufficiency of human effort, and the necessity of clinging to Christ alone. The sermon also mentions John Piper’s own book, “50 Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die,” as a resource for meditating on the multifaceted purposes of the cross, encouraging readers to expand their appreciation for Christ’s sacrifice through theological reflection and worship.

Transformative Power of the Cross: A God-Centered Life (Manahawkin Baptist Church) explicitly references J.I. Packer, quoting him on the believer’s “high privilege calling” to do the will of God in the power of God for the glory of God, and commends Packer’s succinctness and clarity. The sermon also mentions J. Vernon McGee, who is quoted as saying, “This is God’s world and he has a plan. You may think you have a better plan, but you don’t own any worlds.” Additionally, R.C. Sproul is cited for his observation that “the world is filled with God’s glory and you can’t even turn without bumping into it,” and for his diagnosis that self-obsession is the root of much misery. C.S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘Okay then, have it your way.’” These references are used to reinforce the sermon’s call to humility, open-handed living, and God-centeredness.

Glorying in the Cross: True Righteousness and Freedom (SermonIndex.net) explicitly references Martin Luther, recounting his spiritual breakthrough and the Heidelberg Disputation, and using Luther’s categories of “Theology of Glory” and “Theology of the Cross” as the primary framework for interpreting Galatians 6:14. The sermon also alludes to a well-known hymn by Luther, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” as an expression of the joy and freedom found in Christ’s righteousness.

True Freedom: Liberation Through Christ and the Spirit and "Embracing True Freedom in Christ's Transformative Power" (SermonIndex.net) explicitly reference C.S. Lewis and his Narnia series, particularly the character Aslan as a Christ-figure who brings life and springtime wherever he goes. The preacher notes Lewis's Anglican background and uses the Narnia metaphor to illustrate the transformative power of Christ's life, connecting it to the theme of Galatians 6:14 that all boasting is in the cross, which brings new life.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (First Baptist Newport) explicitly references several Christian authors and figures. Alexander Solzhenitsyn is cited as an example of someone whose life was transformed by the symbol of the cross, with the story of the cross drawn in the dirt serving as a metaphor for hope and endurance in suffering. Chuck Colson is mentioned as the source of the Solzhenitsyn story, highlighting the cross’s power to inspire resistance and change even in oppressive circumstances. Henry Nouwen is referenced with a story about a doctor in Paraguay who, after his son was tortured and killed, chose to display his son’s broken body at the funeral as a public witness to injustice—paralleling the public, humiliating death of Jesus and the exposure of sin and violence at the cross. Chuck Swindoll is also mentioned, sharing a story about a child’s reaction to the resurrection, which illustrates the emotional and existential shift from despair to hope that the cross and resurrection bring.

Galatians 6:14 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Finding Freedom and Identity at the Cross (Saddleback Church) uses the Atlanta airport "plane train" as an extended metaphor for the journey of life, with the cross as the moment when one can step off the endless cycle and enter a new future. The preacher also uses the North Star (Polaris) and time-lapse photography of the night sky to illustrate the unchanging, orienting power of the cross amid the swirling chaos of life. The analogy of riding the "shame train" or "wounded train" is used to depict cycles of guilt and hurt, with the cross as the platform of freedom.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Redemption Church Belvidere) uses the analogy of boasting in the cross as being as strange as boasting in an electric chair, highlighting the scandal of the cross in the ancient world. The preacher also references the American dream, Reader's Digest stories of retirement and seashell collecting, and the futility of seeking satisfaction in material possessions like big-screen TVs and cars, illustrating the emptiness of worldly pursuits compared to the cross.

Living a Cross-Centered Life: Embracing Christ's Sacrifice (Oak Grove Baptist Church) references Cicero's horror at the word "cross" and uses the example of 1980s fashion trends and gym teachers' short shorts to illustrate how cultural symbols change meaning. The preacher tells the story of Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn in a Soviet gulag, where an old man draws a cross in the sand, giving Solzhenitsyn hope and changing his perspective on life. The fall of the Soviet Union and the replacement of a statue of the KGB founder with a statue of Jesus is used to illustrate the enduring power of the cross over oppressive regimes. The preacher also uses the example of Ted Bundy's autobiography to discuss the progression of sin and the need for cleansing, and a personal story about working on a farm and being required to change clothes before entering the house to illustrate the necessity of being cleansed by Christ before entering God's presence.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (Crazy Love) uses several vivid secular analogies: (1) The match and eternal flame metaphor, where the preacher compares individual human achievement to a match that burns briefly and is easily extinguished, while the cross is an eternal, unquenchable fire. The call is to “throw your match into the eternal flame,” losing oneself in something far greater and everlasting. (2) The analogy of a translator, drawn from the preacher’s experience in Brazil, where he was entirely dependent on a translator to communicate. This is used to illustrate the concept of being Christ’s ambassador: just as the preacher could only reach his audience through the translator, so God has chosen to make his appeal to the world through believers, who “translate” his message by their lives and actions. (3) The story of a 65-year-old woman fearing “recliner rot” (a metaphor for spiritual complacency in retirement), which is used to challenge listeners to avoid living for comfort and to pursue a life of sacrificial service for Christ’s renown. (4) The preacher also references the global reach of podcasts and emails from around the world, illustrating the impact of a life and ministry centered on Christ rather than self.

Glory in the Cross: Our Source of Hope (Spurgeon Sermon Series) uses the illustration of an American judge who fines a former friend to the full extent of the law and then pays the fine himself, to explain the concept of justice and substitution in the atonement. Spurgeon also references the heraldic practice of reciting a nobleman’s titles at a funeral to highlight the dignity of Christ in his humiliation, and uses the image of a corpse on a gibbet to describe the world’s powerlessness over the Christian. He further employs the analogy of a painter who distracts from the king’s portrait with flowers, and of a ship obscured by smoke, to warn against obscuring the cross with rhetorical or philosophical embellishments.

Boasting in the Cross: Our Identity in Christ (Open the Bible) uses two notable secular illustrations. First, it compares boasting in the cross to boasting in the “electric chair,” a metaphor designed to shock modern listeners into realizing how scandalous and countercultural Paul’s statement would have been in the ancient world, where the cross was a symbol of shame and execution. Second, the preacher tells a detailed story about the long-awaited completion of a church building in Enfield, North London, using the experience of exploring the new building and the repeated refrain “you’ve got to see this” as an analogy for the ever-increasing, never-exhausted joy that Christ will lead believers into in the new creation—a joy purchased by the cross and never ending with a final “that’s it.” This story is used to make tangible the future hope secured by Christ’s death.

The Cross: Our Hope for Unity and Peace (MLJTrust) uses the assassination of President John F. Kennedy as a contemporary illustration of the world's longing for unity and the tragic reality of division and violence. The preacher discusses Kennedy's efforts toward racial integration and international peace, noting that his death was, in part, a result of his struggle to bring people together. The sermon contrasts the world's inability to achieve true peace—even through the efforts of great leaders—with the unique power of the cross to reconcile enemies. The preacher also references the Berlin Wall and the use (and non-use) of poison gas in the World Wars as metaphors for the world's superficial attempts at peace, arguing that only the cross can bring about genuine reconciliation. Additionally, the sermon mentions H.G. Wells and his failed optimism about education eradicating war, using this as a foil for the gospel's diagnosis of the human heart.

The Cross: Our Hope for Unity and Peace (MLJTrust) further employs the analogy of air raid shelters during the London Blitz, where social distinctions between "the Duchess and the missus" were erased in the face of death, to illustrate how the cross levels all human pride and status, making everyone equally needy and equally recipients of grace. This vivid image is used to reinforce the sermon's argument that only the cross can create true unity among people of different backgrounds.

Choosing God Over the Allure of the World (Tony Evans) uses several vivid secular analogies to illustrate Galatians 6:14. The most notable is the fish-out-of-water metaphor, where Evans describes Christians who try to live by the world’s values as “gills flopping and mouths open,” struggling to survive in an environment for which they were not created, and only thriving when returned to their proper spiritual environment. He also uses the analogy of being offered $10 million with the condition of dying after a year, to illustrate the folly of valuing temporary worldly gain over eternal realities—showing how the temporary nature of the world should change our value system. Additionally, Evans humorously references his dislike of squash, saying he would eat it for every meal if it meant all his bills would be paid for life, to demonstrate how a long-term perspective (eternity) should affect our willingness to endure temporary discomfort for greater reward. These analogies serve to make the abstract concept of being “crucified to the world” concrete and relatable.

Glory in the Cross: Love, Freedom, and Assurance (Pastor Chuck Smith) uses a quote from Shakespeare—“man, poor man, so ignorant in that which he knows best”—to illustrate the folly of boasting in human wisdom, even in one’s area of greatest expertise. Smith also uses the example of professional athletes and the pursuit of physical prowess, referencing the billions spent on sports and the fleeting nature of athletic glory, to contrast worldly boasting with the eternal value of knowing God. He further employs the analogy of a child seeking a parent’s approval (“watch me, Daddy!”) to highlight the innate human desire for glory and recognition, and the image of a pianist showing off in a room full of strangers to illustrate the temptation to seek applause for one’s talents. These secular illustrations serve to make the point that all human achievements and accolades are ultimately empty compared to the glory of the cross.

Glorying in the Cross: True Righteousness and Freedom (SermonIndex.net) uses several detailed secular analogies to illustrate the futility of self-glory and the pervasive hunger for validation. The preacher describes the modern self-esteem movement, referencing how children’s artwork is praised and displayed on refrigerators, off-key singing is encouraged as potential stardom (“maybe you’re going to be the next Beyoncé”), and sports leagues no longer keep score to avoid hurting self-esteem. The sermon also critiques the influence of pop psychology and self-help culture, likening popular church messages to those of Oprah and Joel Osteen, and lampooning the “pep rally” atmosphere of much contemporary preaching. These analogies are used to expose the inadequacy of optimism and self-affirmation in addressing the deeper spiritual need for righteousness and acceptance before God.

Embracing True Discipleship Through the Cross (SermonIndex.net) offers a vivid secular illustration by describing a scenario in which the preacher is saved from being hit by a truck by a man who loses his legs in the process. The preacher imagines visiting the man in the hospital and pledging lifelong gratitude and service, using this as a parallel to the believer’s response to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. This analogy is used to challenge listeners to consider what true gratitude to Christ looks like, moving beyond token gestures to total surrender and obedience.

True Freedom: Liberation Through Christ and the Spirit and "Embracing True Freedom in Christ's Transformative Power" (SermonIndex.net) use the example of C.S. Lewis's Narnia, specifically the transformation of Narnia from winter to spring when Aslan arrives, as a metaphor for the life-giving power of Christ. The preacher explains that just as Aslan's presence brings life and renewal to a dead and frozen world, so the cross of Christ brings true life and freedom to those who believe. This analogy is used to make the abstract theological concept of new life in Christ tangible and relatable, especially for those familiar with the Narnia stories.

The Transformative Power of the Cross (First Baptist Newport) uses several secular illustrations to illuminate Galatians 6:14. The story of Alexander Solzhenitsyn in the Soviet labor camp is used as a powerful metaphor for the cross’s ability to inspire hope and endurance in the face of overwhelming despair and oppression; the simple act of drawing a cross in the dirt becomes a turning point for Solzhenitsyn, symbolizing the cross as the only boast and source of strength. The sermon also references the film “Amistad” by Steven Spielberg, recounting how African slaves, familiar with Christianity, saw the shadow of three masts as crosses and interpreted their impending trial and possible death through the lens of the cross, which gave them hope and a sense of solidarity with Christ’s suffering. Additionally, the preacher mentions the common trope of athletes attributing their success to God after a game, using this as a critique of superficial or transactional faith and as a warning against being disillusioned when God does not fulfill our expectations of worldly success.