Glorying 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 by the Apostle Paul is a powerful contrast to the false teachings that were causing confusion among the Galatians. These Judaizing teachers were advocating for circumcision and adherence to the law as necessary for salvation, which contradicted Paul's message of justification by faith alone in Jesus Christ. The cross, Paul asserts, is the sole object of his glory, and it is the heart of the gospel message.

The cross of Christ is not merely a symbol or a historical event; it is the ultimate test of our faith and our relationship with God. It divides humanity into two groups: those who find it offensive and those who glory in it. The cross challenges our pride, our intellect, and our self-sufficiency. It declares that we are all sinners, equally in need of salvation, and utterly helpless to save ourselves. This message is offensive to the natural man, who prides himself on his intellect, morality, and ability to understand and control his destiny.

Yet, for the Christian, the cross is a source of glory. It is the most significant event in history, the ultimate demonstration of God's love and justice. In the cross, we see the glory of the Godhead, the mystery of the immortal dying, and the profound paradoxes of love and sorrow, power and weakness, life and death. The cross reveals the depth of God's love for us, that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This love demands our total allegiance and surrender.

The cross is not just something to be admired or believed in; it is something to be gloried in. It is the center of our universe, the foundation of our faith, and the source of our hope. It is the measure of God's love and the assurance of our salvation. As we survey the wondrous cross, we are moved to respond with our whole lives, declaring with the Apostle Paul, "God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Key Takeaways:

- The cross of Christ is the ultimate test of our faith, dividing humanity into those who find it offensive and those who glory in it. It challenges our pride and self-sufficiency, declaring our utter helplessness and need for salvation. [06:51]

- The cross is an offense to the natural man because it contradicts his pride, intellect, and preconceived notions. It declares that we are all sinners, equally in need of salvation, and unable to save ourselves. [19:19]

- For the Christian, the cross is the most significant event in history, revealing the glory of the Godhead and the depth of God's love. It is the ultimate demonstration of God's justice and mercy, where love and sorrow, power and weakness, life and death meet. [39:11]

- The cross demands our total allegiance and surrender. It is not just something to be admired or believed in; it is something to be gloried in. It is the center of our universe, the foundation of our faith, and the source of our hope. [51:03]

- The love demonstrated on the cross is so profound that it demands a response from us. It calls us to live for Christ, who died for us, and to glory in the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love and our salvation. [52:31]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:11] - Introduction to Galatians 6:14
[01:05] - Contrast with Judaizing Teachers
[02:14] - The Centrality of the Cross
[03:34] - Confusion in Galatia and Today
[04:30] - The Cross as the Heart of the Gospel
[05:52] - The Cross as a Test of Faith
[06:51] - Offense or Glory: Two Responses
[10:36] - The Cross as an Offense to the Natural Man
[19:19] - Intellectual Pride and the Cross
[25:21] - The Cross and Human Pride
[33:35] - Glorying in the Cross
[37:04] - Why Christians Glory in the Cross
[39:11] - The Cross as the Ultimate Spectacle
[47:32] - The Love of Christ on the Cross
[52:31] - The Cross Demands a Response

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Galatians 6:14: "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean when he says he will only glory in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ? How does this contrast with the Judaizing teachers' message? [01:05]
2. How does the sermon describe the cross as a test of faith and a divider of humanity? [06:07]
3. What are some reasons given in the sermon for why the cross is an offense to the natural man? [10:51]
4. According to the sermon, what does the cross reveal about God's love and justice? [39:11]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why does Paul emphasize the cross as the sole object of his glory, and how does this relate to the concept of justification by faith alone? [03:34]
2. How does the cross challenge human pride and self-sufficiency, according to the sermon? [19:19]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the cross is the ultimate demonstration of God's love and justice? [39:11]
4. How does the sermon describe the Christian's response to the cross, and what does it mean to glory in it? [33:55]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life: Do you find the message of the cross offensive or something to glory in? How does this affect your relationship with God? [07:21]
2. The sermon suggests that the cross demands our total allegiance and surrender. What areas of your life might you need to surrender more fully to Christ? [51:03]
3. How can you practically demonstrate the love and justice of God, as revealed in the cross, in your daily interactions with others? [39:11]
4. Consider the ways in which pride and self-sufficiency might be hindering your faith. What steps can you take to address these issues? [19:19]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of surveying the cross. How can you make time in your daily routine to reflect on the significance of the cross and its impact on your life? [37:42]
6. Identify a specific way you can live out the love demonstrated on the cross in your community this week. What action will you take to show this love? [52:31]
7. How can you ensure that the cross remains the center of your faith and the source of your hope, especially during challenging times? [51:03]

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross as a Divider of Humanity
The cross of Christ stands as the ultimate test of faith, dividing humanity into two distinct groups: those who find it offensive and those who glory in it. It challenges human pride and self-sufficiency, declaring our utter helplessness and need for salvation. The natural man, who prides himself on intellect and morality, often finds the message of the cross offensive because it contradicts his preconceived notions of self-reliance and control. Yet, for those who embrace it, the cross becomes a source of glory and the heart of the gospel message. It is a reminder that we are all sinners, equally in need of salvation, and unable to save ourselves. [06:51]

1 Corinthians 1:18-19 (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. For it is written, 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.'"

Reflection: In what ways have you found yourself relying on your own intellect or abilities rather than the message of the cross? How can you shift your perspective to glory in the cross today?


Day 2: The Offense of the Cross
The cross is an offense to the natural man because it contradicts his pride, intellect, and preconceived notions. It declares that we are all sinners, equally in need of salvation, and unable to save ourselves. This message is difficult for those who take pride in their own understanding and moral achievements. The cross challenges the belief that one can earn salvation through personal merit or adherence to the law. Instead, it points to the necessity of faith in Jesus Christ as the only means of justification. This truth can be a stumbling block for many, but it is the foundation of the Christian faith. [19:19]

Galatians 5:11 (ESV): "But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed."

Reflection: Consider a time when you felt offended by the message of the cross. What aspects of your life or beliefs were challenged, and how can you embrace the truth of the cross more fully today?


Day 3: The Cross as the Ultimate Demonstration of God's Love
For the Christian, the cross is the most significant event in history, revealing the glory of the Godhead and the depth of God's love. It is the ultimate demonstration of God's justice and mercy, where love and sorrow, power and weakness, life and death meet. The cross is not merely a symbol or a historical event; it is the center of the universe, the foundation of faith, and the source of hope. In the cross, we see the profound paradoxes of love and sorrow, power and weakness, life and death, all culminating in the ultimate spectacle of God's love for humanity. [39:11]

Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV): "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved."

Reflection: How does the demonstration of God's love on the cross impact your understanding of His character? In what ways can you reflect this love in your interactions with others today?


Day 4: The Cross Demands Total Allegiance
The cross demands our total allegiance and surrender. It is not just something to be admired or believed in; it is something to be gloried in. As the center of our universe, the foundation of our faith, and the source of our hope, the cross calls for a response of complete devotion. The love demonstrated on the cross is so profound that it demands a response from us. It calls us to live for Christ, who died for us, and to glory in the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love and our salvation. [51:03]

Luke 9:23-24 (ESV): "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to Jesus? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?


Day 5: Responding to the Love of the Cross
The love demonstrated on the cross is so profound that it demands a response from us. It calls us to live for Christ, who died for us, and to glory in the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love and our salvation. This response is not just a one-time decision but a daily commitment to align our lives with the message of the cross. It involves a willingness to let go of our own desires and ambitions and to embrace the life that Christ offers. The cross is the measure of God's love and the assurance of our salvation, and it calls us to live in a way that reflects this truth. [52:31]

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: Think of someone in your life you need to forgive. Can you ask God to help you begin to extend His love and forgiveness to them today?

Quotes


The Apostle is contrasting himself with certain other people and the people with whom he is contesting himself are these false judaizing teachers who had been speaking and preaching to the churches in Galatia after the departure of the Great Apostle and who had been causing such confusion in the minds of those simple people with respect to the way of Salvation. [00:14:28]

The cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is the test of every one of us. It is the test of our profession of Christianity, it is the test of our church membership, it is the test of our whole position and profession. There is no more subtle test as to where a man really stands than his attitude to the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. [00:06:03]

The cross has always divided Mankind and it does it still this evening. And what the Apostle says is this, that there are ultimately only two positions with respect to it: the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ is either an offense to us or else it is the thing above everything else in which we Glory. [00:06:39]

The preaching of the Cross is an offense to the Natural men, to the men who's not a Christian. Now as to the fact that that was the position in the early days there is no doubt at all. We've got abundant evidence with respect to it. He says it, yeah, I read at the beginning that portion of one Corinthians. [00:10:47]

The cross proclaims at once that we are not saved by ideas, we're not saved by thought, we're not saved by understanding, we are not saved, if you like, by philosophy. But that's the one thing that the natural men believes: we are saved by philosophy. Who's going to save us? Well, the wise men. [00:19:56]

The cross is an offense to the Natural man's mind, but it is still more an offense to his heart. You know there's only one ultimate trouble with respect to the cross and that is our pride. All men's troubles emanate from his pride. Why did men ever fall? The answer is pride. [00:24:18]

The cross of Christ says there is no difference. This was the thing, of course, that infuriated the Jews, but this is how the Apostle puts it in Romans 3 in writing on this very thing. But now, he says, the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophet. [00:28:49]

The cross is an offense to the pride of the natural men because it says that not only are we all sinners, that not only are we all of us equally Sinners, but it tells us that we're all equally helpless. We can do nothing at all. It tells us that all our righteousness is but as filthy rags. [00:30:51]

The Christian is a man who doesn't only believe in the cross, he glories in it. What do you mean by that, says someone? Well, I mean what the writer of the Hy means when he says in the Cross of Christ I Glory toing all the wrecks of time all the light of sacred story gathers round its head Sublime. [00:34:20]

The Christian glories in the cross because he sees there the most amazing spectacle that the world has ever seen or ever can see. The most amazing spectacle. Now we are living in an age that is very fond of spectacles, I mean in the sense of some remarkable happenings and events, some great show, some great Tableau. [00:39:10]

The love demonstrated on the cross is so profound that it demands a response from us. It calls us to live for Christ, who died for us, and to glory in the cross as the ultimate expression of God's love and our salvation. [00:52:31]

The cross demands our total allegiance and surrender. It is not just something to be admired or believed in; it is something to be gloried in. It is the center of our universe, the foundation of our faith, and the source of our hope. [00:51:03]

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