Glorying in the Cross: Our Source of Salvation

Devotional

Day 1: Glory in the Cross

The cross of Christ is not merely an object of admiration or acknowledgment; it is the ultimate test of our understanding and belief. To truly believe in the cross is to glory in it, making it the source of our boasting and joy. This means that our relationship with the cross should be one of deep reverence and personal significance. It is not enough to simply recognize the cross as a historical event or a symbol of Christianity. Instead, it should be the central focus of our faith, the foundation upon which we build our lives. The cross is where we find our identity and purpose, and it should be the reason for our hope and confidence. [02:47]

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 does it mean for you personally to glory in the cross today? How can you make it the source of your joy and boasting in your daily life?

Day 2: The Worthlessness of Worldly Achievements

The cross reveals the worthlessness of everything else we might boast in, such as nationality, morality, or personal achievements. These things cannot bring us to God or save us from sin. The cross alone is the means of our salvation. When we see the cross clearly, we realize that our worldly accomplishments and identities are insignificant in the grand scheme of eternity. The cross challenges us to reevaluate what we consider valuable and to place our trust solely in Christ's sacrifice. It is a call to humility, recognizing that nothing we achieve on our own can compare to the gift of salvation offered through the cross. [09:44]

Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV): "But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ."

Reflection: What worldly achievements or identities do you find yourself boasting in? How can you shift your focus to find your worth and identity in the cross alone?

Day 3: Deliverance from the World

Through the cross, we are delivered from the world and its condemnation. It separates us from the world, crucifying the world to us and us to the world, and delivers us from the power of sin, reconciling us to God. The cross is a powerful symbol of our separation from worldly values and systems. It calls us to live differently, to be set apart as followers of Christ. This deliverance is not just a one-time event but an ongoing process of transformation, as we continually turn away from sin and towards God. The cross empowers us to live in freedom, no longer bound by the chains of the world. [19:59]

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: In what ways do you feel entangled by the world's values and systems? How can you embrace the deliverance offered by the cross in your daily life?

Day 4: The Wondrous Spectacle of the Cross

The cross is a wondrous spectacle, displaying the glorious attributes of God in their absolute perfection. It is the ultimate manifestation of God's wisdom, power, and love, as the Prince of Glory died for us. The cross is not just a symbol of suffering but a demonstration of God's character and His plan for redemption. It reveals the depth of God's love for humanity, His wisdom in orchestrating salvation, and His power to overcome sin and death. As we contemplate the cross, we are invited to marvel at the greatness of God and to respond with worship and gratitude. [38:06]

1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV): "For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."

Reflection: How does the cross reveal God's attributes to you personally? In what ways can you respond to this revelation with worship and gratitude today?

Day 5: Personal Reflection and Glorying in the Cross

We must examine whether we truly glory in the cross. If we do, we will see it as the most significant event in history, the source of our salvation, and the reason for our hope, joining with Paul in saying, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." This reflection is an invitation to assess our hearts and priorities. Do we truly value the cross above all else? Are we living in a way that reflects its significance in our lives? By aligning our lives with the message of the cross, we find true purpose and fulfillment, rooted in the hope and salvation it offers. [41:59]

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (ESV): "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised."

Reflection: How can you make the cross the central focus of your life today? What changes might you need to make to ensure that you are truly glorying in the cross?

Sermon Summary

In Galatians 6:14, Paul declares, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." This profound statement invites us to examine the true meaning and significance of the cross. Many people throughout history have looked at the cross, but not all have seen it rightly. Some have mocked, others have admired, and some have viewed it as a tragedy. However, the true test of understanding the cross is whether it leads us to glory in it. To truly believe in the cross is to glory in it, to make it the source of our boasting and joy.

The cross reveals the worthlessness of everything else. When we see the cross clearly, we realize that our nationality, morality, religion, and personal achievements are insignificant. The cross shows us that these things cannot bring us to God or save us from sin. It is only through the cross that we are delivered from the world and its condemnation. The cross separates us from the world, crucifying the world to us and us to the world. It delivers us from the power of sin and reconciles us to God, giving us a new nature and a new understanding.

Moreover, the cross is a wondrous spectacle, displaying the glorious attributes of God in their absolute perfection. It is the ultimate manifestation of God's wisdom, power, and love. The cross is God's way of being just and the justifier of the ungodly. It is the mightiest demonstration of God's power, raising us from spiritual death to new life. Above all, the cross is the highest expression of God's love, as the Prince of Glory died for us.

In light of this, we must ask ourselves: Do we glory in the cross? Do we see it as the most significant event in history, the source of our salvation, and the reason for our hope? If we do, then we will join with Paul and all Christians in saying, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Key Takeaways

1. The cross of Christ is the ultimate test of our understanding and belief. It is not enough to merely admire or acknowledge the cross; true belief leads us to glory in it, making it the source of our boasting and joy. [02:47]
2. The cross reveals the worthlessness of everything else we might boast in, such as nationality, morality, or personal achievements. These things cannot bring us to God or save us from sin. The cross alone is the means of our salvation. [09:44]
3. Through the cross, we are delivered from the world and its condemnation. It separates us from the world, crucifying the world to us and us to the world, and delivers us from the power of sin, reconciling us to God. [19:59]
4. The cross is a wondrous spectacle, displaying the glorious attributes of God in their absolute perfection. It is the ultimate manifestation of God's wisdom, power, and love, as the Prince of Glory died for us. [38:06]
5. We must examine whether we truly glory in the cross. If we do, we will see it as the most significant event in history, the source of our salvation, and the reason for our hope, joining with Paul in saying, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." [41:59]
** [41:59]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to Galatians 6:14
[00:59] - The Many Views of the Cross
[02:14] - The True Test of Understanding the Cross
[03:08] - Paul's Intense Belief in the Cross
[04:03] - The Insufficiency of Mere Belief
[05:14] - The Tragedy and Glory of the Cross
[07:20] - The Apostle's Dual Message
[09:11] - The Worthlessness of Everything Else
[11:16] - Nationality and Morality in Light of the Cross
[13:11] - Religion and Self-Reliance
[15:37] - The Cross and Our Relationship with God
[19:38] - The Cross's Impact on the World
[25:20] - Separation from the World
[29:13] - Our Union with Christ
[33:38] - The Wondrous Character of the Cross
[38:06] - The Attributes of God Displayed
[41:59] - Personal Reflection and Glorying in the Cross

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Paul mean when he says, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"? How does this statement set the tone for the rest of the passage? [00:09]
According to the sermon, what are some of the different ways people have historically viewed the cross? [01:17]
How does the sermon describe the relationship between the cross and the world? What does it mean for the world to be "crucified unto me, and I unto the world"? [19:59]

Interpretation Questions

Why does the sermon suggest that the cross reveals the worthlessness of everything else we might boast in, such as nationality or personal achievements? How does this understanding affect a believer's perspective on worldly accomplishments? [09:44]
In what ways does the cross serve as a "wondrous spectacle," displaying the attributes of God? How does this perspective challenge or affirm your understanding of God's nature? [38:06]
How does the sermon explain the concept of being "crucified with Christ"? What implications does this have for a believer's daily life and spiritual identity? [30:04]

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you find yourself boasting in things other than the cross? How can you shift your focus to glory in the cross alone? [09:44]
The sermon emphasizes the cross as the ultimate manifestation of God's love. How can you actively remind yourself of this love in moments of doubt or struggle? [40:26]
Consider the idea that the cross separates us from the world. What practical steps can you take to live a life that reflects this separation in your daily choices and interactions? [19:59]
The sermon challenges us to see the cross as the most significant event in history. How can you incorporate this perspective into your conversations with others about faith? [41:59]
Think about a time when you felt the power of the cross in your life. How did it change your understanding of God's wisdom and power? How can you share this experience with others? [39:12]
The sermon mentions that the cross reconciles us to God and gives us a new nature. What is one specific way you can embrace this new nature in your relationships or community involvement? [27:49]
How can you cultivate a deeper appreciation for the cross in your personal worship and prayer life? What specific practices can help you focus on the cross's significance? [41:19]

Sermon Clips

The first reason for glorying and the cross and in the cross alone is this is that the cross shows us the worthlessness of everything else it does that and we must be clear about that and if we see the cross clearly we shall come to their conclusion god forbids us both that I should glory in anything save I mustn't glory in anything else. [00:09:27]

Paul at one time had boasted in his nationality he was a Jew and that was the supreme thing to be, Jim all the rest workouts outside the Commonwealth of Israel beyond the pale but he was a Jew here something to glory in nationality ones country the blood that his inventive aims the people to whom one belongs include the family protein Olga like they're all that comes to us in the flesh. [00:10:48]

The Apostle had thus did much about his morality and his goodness or you'll find all this as you know in the third chapter of his epistle to the Philippians what a godly man he was as he thought what a monoamine what a mound of righteousness he built up for himself and he was proud of it as concerning the righteousness which is of the law blameless a good men doing good zealous for God as he thought. [00:12:08]

The cross of Christ I say proves the uselessness of all these other things and it does so in this manner why did he ever go to that cross why was the cross essential and the answer is as our hymn has already put it there was no other good enough to pay the price of sin our Lord came and died on that cross because it is the only way where by a men can be saved it's the only way of forgiveness. [00:17:00]

The fact of the cross is the end and the death of everything else it is the condemnation of all human endeavor of all human self-reliance Christ died upon the cross because men was completely helpless and entirely hopeless it reveals him as dead in trespasses and instead with nothing at all to recommend him before God it shows the uselessness and the worthlessness of all else. [00:18:48]

The cross was produced a result it has achieved something and he puts this again in a double manner by which he says the world has been crucified to me and I have been crucified unto the world in other words it's a very intense and strong way of saying this that what the cross does is to separate me completely from the world. [00:19:55]

The cross of the law of Jesus Christ delivers me from the condemnation of this world now the great contrast that is always drawn in the scripture is between the world and the kingdom of God John in his first epistle says that the whole world lieth in the evil one the Lord Jesus Christ himself in his last great high priestly prayer said this I pray he said for them they are the people whom God has given him. [00:21:03]

The cross separates me shadows me from the world and it's condemnation and it does it of course in this way that Christ bore my sin and my guilt which belongs to me because I belong to the world he's taken its punishment God has dealt with it in him and therefore I can be taken out of that world there is no condemnation for them that are in Christ Jesus. [00:26:00]

The cross of Christ that enables us to understand the real meaning of sin it's there we see it's not our Hara it's there we see it's terrible power we need to be delivered from the power of the world as well as its condemnation and in Christ Jesus we are delivered there are sins I say are dealt with and we are reconciled to God and we become the children of God in Christ. [00:27:33]

The cross what is it the wisdom of God God's plan God's way of saving form in manner that is atmos to save himself and it failed this is God's wisdom also you can see God's wisdom in creation and in nature you can see it in the flowers you can see it in the design of everything in spring summer autumn winter it is all a manifestation of the eternal wisdom and mind of God. [00:38:19]

It's the mightiest manifestation of the power of God the power that brought Christ from the dead and that raises those who believe from spiritual death and the grave of sin is the mightiest demonstration of God's eternal power but all above and beyond everything the love of God the Prince of glory died God so loved the world and that's the meaning of the soul that He gave His only begotten Son. [00:39:41]

God forbid that I should go on the Son of God he's already said who loved me and gave himself for me that's it that's the marvel can you speak about anything else the Prince of glory died yes for me he knew me there he was dying for me in particular there not something general but also particular the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. [00:41:37]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?