The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross Challenges Human Effort

The cross of Christ declares that human efforts and law-keeping are insufficient for righteousness. This message is offensive to many because it challenges the human ego and the belief that one can earn favor with God through personal merit. The cross demands a reliance on God's grace rather than personal achievement. It is a call to surrender our pride and self-reliance, recognizing that true righteousness comes only through faith in Christ's sacrifice. This radical message of grace over works is what led to Paul's persecution, as it stood in stark contrast to the prevailing religious norms of his time. [09:16]

Galatians 2:21 (ESV): "I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness were through the law, then Christ died for no purpose."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own efforts to earn God's favor? How can you begin to shift your focus to relying on His grace today?

Day 2: Transformation Through Encountering Christ

Paul's past zeal for the traditions of Judaism, including circumcision, highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ. Before his conversion, Paul was a fervent advocate for the necessity of circumcision and a persecutor of the church. However, after his encounter with Christ, his perspective shifted dramatically. He no longer preached circumcision as a requirement for salvation, understanding that such a stance would nullify the power and purpose of the cross. This transformation underscores the radical nature of the gospel and the profound impact of a personal encounter with Christ. [03:48]

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."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when your perspective on faith or life changed dramatically. How did this transformation impact your relationship with God and others?

Day 3: Faith in Christ's Sacrifice

The message of the cross nullifies the necessity of circumcision and law-keeping for salvation. It emphasizes faith in Christ's sacrifice as the sole means of justification, rendering human efforts futile. This message was revolutionary in Paul's time and remains so today. It calls believers to place their trust entirely in the finished work of Christ on the cross, rather than in their own ability to adhere to religious laws or traditions. This reliance on faith over works is a cornerstone of the Christian faith and a source of true freedom. [06:50]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV): "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Reflection: What are some traditions or practices you hold onto that might be hindering your full reliance on Christ's sacrifice? How can you begin to let go of these and embrace faith in Him alone?

Day 4: Boasting in the Cross

Boasting in anything other than the cross is futile, as it is through the cross that we are crucified to the world and the world to us. This crucifixion signifies a complete reliance on Christ for righteousness. Paul emphasizes that our only boast should be in the cross of Christ, for it is through His sacrifice that we find true freedom and identity. This message challenges believers to examine where they place their confidence and to shift their boasting from personal achievements to the work of Christ. [12:31]

Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV): "Thus says the Lord: 'Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.'"

Reflection: What are you tempted to boast about in your life? How can you begin to shift your focus to boasting in the cross of Christ instead?

Day 5: Surrender to Faith and Grace

The offense of the cross is a stumbling block for those who seek righteousness through works. It demands a surrender to faith and grace, challenging the prideful belief in self-sufficiency. This message calls believers to let go of their reliance on personal merit and to embrace the grace of God fully. It is a call to humility and a recognition that true righteousness comes not from our own efforts but from the grace of God through faith in Christ. This surrender is both a challenge and a source of profound freedom and peace. [10:44]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

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?

Sermon Summary

In our exploration of Galatians, we delve into the profound tension between the law and the cross, as articulated by Paul. The central theme revolves around the offense of the cross and its implications for righteousness. Paul addresses the issue of circumcision, a symbol of adherence to the law, and contrasts it with the message of the cross, which declares that righteousness cannot be achieved through human effort or law-keeping. This message was offensive to many because it challenged the human ego and the belief that one could earn favor with God through personal merit.

Paul reflects on his past life, where he was zealous for the traditions of Judaism, including circumcision. Before his conversion, he was a persecutor of the church, advocating for the necessity of circumcision. However, after encountering Christ, his perspective shifted dramatically. He no longer preached circumcision as a requirement for salvation, understanding that such a stance would nullify the power and purpose of the cross. The cross, for Paul, is the ultimate declaration that human efforts are insufficient for righteousness; it is only through faith in Christ's sacrifice that one can be justified.

The offense of the cross lies in its assertion that human pride and self-reliance are inadequate. It is a stumbling block for those who seek righteousness through works, as it demands a surrender to the grace of God. Paul emphasizes that boasting should only be in the cross of Christ, for it is through the cross that the world is crucified to us, and we to the world. This radical message of grace and faith over works is what led to Paul's persecution, as it stood in stark contrast to the prevailing religious norms of his time.

Key Takeaways

1. The cross of Christ is offensive because it declares that human efforts and law-keeping are insufficient for righteousness. It challenges the human ego and demands a reliance on God's grace rather than personal merit. [09:16]
2. Paul's past zeal for the traditions of Judaism, including circumcision, highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ. His shift from persecutor to proclaimer of the cross underscores the radical nature of the gospel. [03:48]
3. The message of the cross nullifies the necessity of circumcision and law-keeping for salvation. It emphasizes faith in Christ's sacrifice as the sole means of justification, rendering human efforts futile. [06:50]
4. Boasting in anything other than the cross is futile, as it is through the cross that we are crucified to the world and the world to us. This crucifixion signifies a complete reliance on Christ for righteousness. [12:31]
5. The offense of the cross is a stumbling block for those who seek righteousness through works. It demands a surrender to faith and grace, challenging the prideful belief in self-sufficiency. [10:44]
** [10:44]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:39] - The Persecution of Paul
[02:31] - Paul's Past Preaching
[03:26] - Zeal for Traditions
[04:28] - Pre-Christian Preaching
[05:40] - The Offense of the Cross
[06:38] - Circumcision and Salvation
[07:28] - Dying to the Law
[08:17] - Faith Over Law-Keeping
[09:00] - The Cross Emptied
[10:15] - Righteousness by Faith
[11:21] - Christ Crucified: An Offense
[12:31] - Boasting in the Cross
[13:11] - Preserving the Cross's Offense

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Offense of the Cross

Bible Reading:

Galatians 6:12-14
Galatians 5:2-6
Galatians 2:19-21

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Observation Questions:

What does Paul mean when he refers to the "offense of the cross" in Galatians 5:11? How does this relate to his past preaching of circumcision? [05:40]
In Galatians 6:12, Paul mentions those who want to make a good showing in the flesh. What does he imply about their motives for promoting circumcision? [11:59]
How does Paul describe his transformation from a persecutor of the church to a proclaimer of the cross in Galatians 1:13-14? [03:07]
According to Galatians 2:19-21, what does Paul say about the law and its role in justification? How does this connect to his message about the cross? [07:28]

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Interpretation Questions:

Why does Paul consider the message of the cross to be offensive to those who seek righteousness through works? How does this challenge the human ego? [09:16]
In what ways does Paul's past zeal for the traditions of Judaism highlight the transformative power of encountering Christ? How does this transformation underscore the radical nature of the gospel? [03:48]
How does Paul's statement in Galatians 6:14 about boasting only in the cross reflect a complete reliance on Christ for righteousness? What does this mean for believers today? [12:31]
What does Paul mean when he says that if righteousness were through law-keeping, then Christ died for no purpose? How does this statement emphasize the necessity of faith in Christ's sacrifice? [08:17]

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Application Questions:

Reflect on a time when you relied on your own efforts to earn favor with God. How does the message of the cross challenge you to shift your reliance to God's grace instead? [09:16]
Paul's transformation from a persecutor to a proclaimer of the cross was radical. Have you experienced a significant transformation in your faith journey? How did it change your perspective on grace and works? [03:48]
The offense of the cross demands a surrender to faith and grace. Is there an area in your life where pride or self-reliance is preventing you from fully embracing God's grace? How can you address this? [10:44]
Paul emphasizes boasting only in the cross. What are some things you find yourself boasting about in your life? How can you shift your focus to boast in the cross instead? [12:31]
Consider the idea that the cross is a stumbling block for those who seek righteousness through works. How can you help others in your community understand the importance of faith over works? [10:44]
How does understanding the offense of the cross impact your view of evangelism and sharing the gospel with others? What steps can you take to share this message more effectively? [09:16]
Identify a specific area in your life where you need to die to the law and live by faith, as Paul describes in Galatians 2:19-21. What practical steps can you take to live this out daily? [07:28]

Sermon Clips

If I still preach circumcision and if I tried to avoid persecution by preaching the necessity of circumcision for your justification then the offense of the Cross would be nullified abrogated. So why is that? What is the offense of the Cross? [00:05:49]

I have been crucified with Christ so here's the cross. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. He is now my righteousness, my power, my sanctification, my Redemption. [00:07:43]

The cross is so offensive because it is the Declaration that you can't as a fallen human being get right with God by any efforts of your own through law-keeping. The Cross of Christ, the death of Christ in your place, the completion of The Obedience of Christ in suffering even unto death is the only hope of a right standing with God. [00:09:11]

If righteousness were through law-keeping and circumcision, the cross would be emptied. So The Cross by its very existence and its meaning as Paul understands it is the declaration you can't have righteousness any other way than through the cross, which is a great offense to the human ego. [00:09:42]

The offense is Christ, the offense is the cross. We can see it again here in 1 Corinthians 1:22 for the Jews demand signs, the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, the cross an offense, there's that word again, to the Jews Folly, to the Gentiles. [00:11:16]

Far be it for me to boast, this is what the cross does, far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus by which the world has been crucified to me and I have been crucified to the world. There's no me left that could earn my salvation. [00:12:26]

I am willing to die to preserve the cross for you because it's your only hope of righteousness because if righteousness were through law-keeping like circumcision then Christ's cross is pointless. It's not pointless, it's your only hope of righteousness offensive as it is. [00:13:18]

Through the law, a right understanding of the first five books of Moses, I think he would say I died to the law as a list of Commandments I must keep in order to be justified. So the very context of the law caused me to die to the law so that I might live to God. [00:07:24]

The offense of the cross is a stumbling block for those who seek righteousness through works. It demands a surrender to faith and grace, challenging the prideful belief in self-sufficiency. [00:10:44]

The message of the cross nullifies the necessity of circumcision and law-keeping for salvation. It emphasizes faith in Christ's sacrifice as the sole means of justification, rendering human efforts futile. [00:06:50]

Paul's past zeal for the traditions of Judaism, including circumcision, highlights the transformative power of encountering Christ. His shift from persecutor to proclaimer of the cross underscores the radical nature of the gospel. [00:03:48]

The cross of Christ is offensive because it declares that human efforts and law-keeping are insufficient for righteousness. It challenges the human ego and demands a reliance on God's grace rather than personal merit. [00:09:16]

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The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law

Devotional

Day 1: The Cross Challenges Human Effort

Day 2: Transformation Through Encountering Christ

Day 3: Faith in Christ's Sacrifice

Day 4: Boasting in the Cross

Day 5: Surrender to Faith and Grace

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

The Offense of the Cross: Grace Over Law

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