Glory in the Cross: The Heart of Salvation
Summary
In Paul's epistle to the Galatians, chapter 6, verse 14, we find a profound declaration: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." This statement encapsulates the essence of the Christian faith, emphasizing the centrality of the cross in the Gospel. The Apostle Paul contrasts his stance with that of false teachers who boast in worldly achievements and self-glory. Instead, Paul finds his only boast in the cross of Christ, which he sees as the heart and center of the Christian message.
The cross is not merely a historical event or a symbol of self-sacrifice; it is the pivotal point of God's plan for salvation. It is a historical fact that demands a response from each of us, as our eternal destiny hinges on our reaction to it. The cross is either an offense or a source of glory. For Paul, it is the latter, as it represents the most glorious and transformative event in history. It is through the cross that we see the character of God most vividly displayed—His grace, righteousness, justice, and love.
The cross is God's solution to the problem of sin, a problem foreseen before the foundation of the world. It is the ultimate demonstration of God's wisdom, as it reconciles His justice with His mercy. Through the cross, God remains just while providing a way for sinners to be forgiven. This is the wisdom and power of God, a mystery revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The cross also reveals the immutability of God. He does not change or compromise with sin. Even when His own Son bore the sins of the world, God did not spare Him from the punishment that sin deserves. This act of divine love and justice is the ultimate expression of God's character. It is through the cross that we come to know God as our Father, and it is in the cross that all the attributes of God—holiness, love, mercy, and truth—are harmoniously displayed.
Key Takeaways:
- The cross of Christ is the central message of the Christian faith, demanding a personal response from each of us. Our eternal destiny is determined by our reaction to the cross, which is either an offense or a source of glory. [03:43]
- The cross is God's solution to the problem of sin, a plan devised before the foundation of the world. It demonstrates God's wisdom in reconciling His justice with His mercy, allowing Him to forgive sinners while remaining just. [21:33]
- The cross reveals the immutability of God, who does not change or compromise with sin. Even when His own Son bore the sins of the world, God did not spare Him from the punishment that sin deserves. [43:14]
- The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love, as He willingly gave His Son to bear the punishment for our sins. This act of divine love and justice is the ultimate expression of God's character. [44:07]
- Through the cross, we come to know God as our Father, and it is in the cross that all the attributes of God—holiness, love, mercy, and truth—are harmoniously displayed. [51:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Galatians 6:14
[00:30] - Paul's Declaration and Contrast
[01:22] - The Cross as the Heart of the Gospel
[02:33] - Historical Fact of the Cross
[03:43] - Eternal Destiny and the Cross
[05:31] - Why Christians Glory in the Cross
[06:35] - The Spectacle of the Cross
[08:13] - The Question of Why
[10:05] - Prophecies and Fulfillment
[13:21] - Jesus' Foretelling of His Death
[18:22] - God's Eternal Plan
[21:33] - The Wisdom of God in the Cross
[25:18] - The Character of God Revealed
[30:36] - Knowing God Through the Cross
[35:21] - The Righteousness and Justice of God
[43:48] - The Love of God Displayed
[51:53] - Harmony of Divine Attributes
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Galatians 6:14
- Isaiah 53:4-10
- Romans 8:32
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Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says, "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"? How does this contrast with the attitude of the false teachers mentioned in the sermon? [00:47]
2. According to the sermon, how does the cross serve as a test for all people, and what are the two possible reactions to it? [04:26]
3. How does the sermon describe the historical significance of the cross, and why is it considered more than just a historical event? [02:53]
4. What role does prophecy play in understanding the significance of the cross, as discussed in the sermon? [11:41]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the cross reveal the character of God, particularly His grace, righteousness, justice, and love, according to the sermon? [25:33]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the cross is God's solution to the problem of sin, and how does this reflect God's wisdom? [41:00]
3. How does the sermon explain the immutability of God in relation to the cross, and why is this significant for understanding God's nature? [43:14]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between God's love and justice as demonstrated on the cross? [44:07]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your personal response to the cross. Do you find it to be an offense or a source of glory? How does this affect your daily life and faith? [04:26]
2. The sermon emphasizes the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love. How can you demonstrate this love in your interactions with others this week? [44:07]
3. Consider the idea that the cross is God's solution to sin. How does this understanding influence your view of forgiveness and grace in your own life? [41:00]
4. The sermon discusses the immutability of God. How does knowing that God does not change provide comfort or challenge you in your faith journey? [43:14]
5. How can you actively survey and meditate on the cross to deepen your understanding of God's character and your relationship with Him? [09:31]
6. The sermon highlights the harmony of God's attributes displayed on the cross. How can you seek to reflect this harmony in your own life, balancing love, justice, mercy, and truth? [51:53]
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to accept God's grace. What steps can you take to embrace this grace more fully? [32:24]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cross as a Personal Decision
The cross of Christ is the central message of the Christian faith, demanding a personal response from each of us. Our eternal destiny is determined by our reaction to the cross, which is either an offense or a source of glory. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, emphasizes that the cross is not just a historical event but a pivotal point that requires a decision from every individual. It is through the cross that we are confronted with the reality of our sin and the need for a Savior. The cross challenges us to examine our lives and decide whether we will accept the grace offered through Jesus Christ or reject it. This decision is not merely intellectual but involves the heart and soul, impacting our eternal destiny. [03:43]
Galatians 2:20 (ESV): "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me."
Reflection: What is your personal response to the cross today? How does this response shape your daily life and eternal perspective?
Day 2: The Cross as God's Wisdom
The cross is God's solution to the problem of sin, a plan devised before the foundation of the world. It demonstrates God's wisdom in reconciling His justice with His mercy, allowing Him to forgive sinners while remaining just. The cross is a profound mystery that reveals the depth of God's wisdom and love. It is through the cross that God addresses the problem of sin without compromising His holiness. The cross is not an afterthought but a central part of God's eternal plan, showcasing His ability to bring about redemption in a way that upholds His character. This divine wisdom is a source of awe and wonder, inviting us to trust in God's perfect plan for our lives. [21:33]
1 Corinthians 1:24-25 (ESV): "But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men."
Reflection: In what ways can you see God's wisdom at work in your life today, especially in areas where you struggle to understand His plan?
Day 3: The Immutability of God Revealed in the Cross
The cross reveals the immutability of God, who does not change or compromise with sin. Even when His own Son bore the sins of the world, God did not spare Him from the punishment that sin deserves. This act of divine love and justice is the ultimate expression of God's character. The cross stands as a testament to God's unchanging nature, His holiness, and His commitment to justice. It is through the cross that we see God's unwavering stance against sin and His profound love for humanity. This revelation of God's character invites us to trust in His unchanging nature and to find security in His promises. [43:14]
James 1:17 (ESV): "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change."
Reflection: How does the unchanging nature of God provide comfort and assurance in your current circumstances?
Day 4: The Cross as the Ultimate Expression of Love
The cross is the ultimate expression of God's love, as He willingly gave His Son to bear the punishment for our sins. This act of divine love and justice is the ultimate expression of God's character. The cross is a powerful demonstration of the depth of God's love for humanity, a love that is willing to endure suffering and sacrifice for the sake of others. It is through the cross that we see the lengths to which God will go to restore a broken relationship with His creation. This love is not passive but active, calling us to respond with gratitude and a desire to share this love with others. [44:07]
1 John 4:9-10 (ESV): "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."
Reflection: How can you actively demonstrate God's love to someone in your life today, reflecting the sacrificial love shown on the cross?
Day 5: Knowing God Through the Cross
Through the cross, we come to know God as our Father, and it is in the cross that all the attributes of God—holiness, love, mercy, and truth—are harmoniously displayed. The cross is a window into the heart of God, revealing His character and inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. It is through the cross that we understand the fullness of God's nature and His desire for us to know Him intimately. The cross is not just a symbol of salvation but a means by which we are drawn into the very presence of God, experiencing His love and grace in profound ways. [51:53]
Ephesians 2:18-19 (ESV): "For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."
Reflection: In what ways can you deepen your relationship with God today, allowing the cross to be a central part of your spiritual journey?
Quotes
The Apostle says, "God forbid that I should be interested in or glory in anything like that. I glory in nothing, I boast in nothing, save in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ." Well now, in other words, as we've seen, he is telling us here and reminding us that the preaching of the Cross is, after all, the very essential message of the Christian faith and of the Christian Gospel. [00:01:06]
The whole message of the New Testament is to tell us that finally what decides what we are in this world and in the world to come is our reaction to this cross. Now, this is what makes it of such tremendous importance. Our Eternal Destiny depends upon the view we take of the death of Jesus of Nazareth upon the cross on Calvary's Hill. [00:03:23]
There are only two ultimate positions with regard to the cross: it is either an offense to us, it is either something that we hate, something that we ridicule, something on which we P SC as being an insult to us, or else we glory in it. Now, the Apostle didn't merely admire the cross; he glories in it, he bursts of it. [00:04:31]
The Christian is a man who says, "I don't care what's happened, I don't care what may happen, nothing can happen, I don't care what it is, if the bombs are let off, anything you like, nothing can ever approach in significance to me what happened there on the cross on Calvary's Hill when Jesus of Nazareth died and was buried in a grave and rose again and went back to the glory Everlasting." [00:05:57]
The cross is the center of God's plan; it's the center of God's way of saving the world. That's why the Apostle puts it again to the Corinthians in that first epistle in the first chapter which I read last Sunday night: "We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness, but unto us which are saved, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." [00:24:43]
The Apostle gloried in the cross, and every true Christian glories in it because it is the greatest display and exposition of the character of the Everlasting God. That's what you see when you survey this cross. You don't merely see that glorious person; you look behind it. It isn't only the son that's involved in the cross; the father is involved. [00:25:18]
The cross tells us that God hates sin. God hates it. God is the Eternal antithesis to sin. God abominates with the whole intensity of his Divine and perfect and holy nature. God not only hates sin, God can't tolerate sin. God cannot compromise with sin. That's what we want, of course. We want God to compromise with sin. [00:36:16]
The cross is necessary. Here is the problem: how can such a God possibly forgive any man? How can there be any hope of Heaven for any one of us, for we've all sinned? We are all by Nature the children of Wrath, says Paul to the Ephesians, even as others. We are all naturally God haters. [00:39:36]
The wisdom of God, look at the cross. Here is God's solution to the problem that he saw before he created the world, that man was going to sin, and yet God wants to forgive him. How can he? God, in his eternal wisdom, thought out the way and the plan. Oh, loving wisdom of our God, when all was sin and shame. [00:40:41]
The immutability of God, which means that God doesn't change and cannot change. You see, the god of these moderns is a God not worth worshiping. He's a God who changes and accommodates, and you never know what he's going to do next. He changes every Century according to the scientific knowledge and philosophical speculation. That's not God. [00:43:14]
The most wonderful thing of all, which is the love of God to us. It's not surprising that this Apostle should say to the Romans, "God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." How do you see the love of God on the cross on Calvary's Hill? [00:43:48]
I see in that cross the harmony of all the Divine attributes. I see Holiness and love. I see mercy and Truth met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. I see all the Eternal attributes of the Everlasting God, all of them displaying themselves at the same time, no contradiction between the righteousness, the justice, and the love. [00:51:53]