12/11/16 – A Gospel that Boasts Only in The Cross

Galatians 6:11-18 ESV
11 See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. 12 It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh. 14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. 16 And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. 18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

I.CROSS VERSUS CIRCUMCISION (11)
A.The cross versus circumcision was the issue.
B.We write in big letters about what is big to us. The cross is HUGE.

II.BOASTING VERSUS BRAGGING (12-13)
A.Boasting in the cross keeps us from bragging about ourselves.
B.Boasting in the cross keeps us from bragging about statistics.
C.Boasting in the suffering of the cross keeps us from bragging about how good we have it.
D.Boasting in the cross keeps us from being hypocrites.
E.Boasting in the cross keeps us from bragging about us versus others.

III.JESUS VERSUS EVERYTHING ELSE (14-15)
A.Boasting in the cross keeps us bragging on Jesus, not ourselves.
B.Boasting in the cross leads us to treasure Jesus, not the world, because we are dead to the world and have new life in Him.

IV.THE OLD US VERSUS NEW US (16-18)
A.Boasting in the cross leads us to walk by a new standard and abandon our old ones.
B.Boasting in the cross means bearing the marks of our new master, Jesus, rather than our old sin natures.
C.Boasting in the cross makes us possessors of grace and the Spirit of Jesus.

NEXT STEPS
1. Boast only in the cross this Christmas.