THE CROSS - Gal. 6:14

I. Introduction

A. The cross was the center of Paul's hope - it was also the theme of his ministry.

1. Christ crucified had proven to be the power of God unto salvation to every soul who had believed on Jesus Christ.

2. In great gratitude for that salvation, Paul exclaims, "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of Christ."

B. In that same spirit we approach our text.

II. First we consider - Christ Crucified

A. I call to your attention the language of the text.

1. "I will not glory save in the cross of Christ."

2. Some popular authors and public speakers would count it necessary to clothe the statement in more delicate language.

3. They do not want the BARE surfaces of the truth to be too observable, therefore they cast a cloak around it.

4. The Apostle might have done so here but he disdains the artifice.

B. He presents the truth in "all its naked hideousness."

1. He does not say, "I will glory in the death of Jesus Christ."

2. He glories in the cross of Jesus Christ.

3. In our modern age we can't possibly realize how that phrase "the cross" would grate their ears.

4. In those days it meant a criminal's tree, a hangman's gibbet.

5. Think of it with that meaning, "I glory in a felon's death, a hangman's gibbet."

6. It shocked the sensitive soul of that day. But Paul doesn't hesitate to put it in exactly those terms.

7. We associate the cross with gold jewelry and ornate decorations in the church.

8. It does not convey to us the sense of disgrace that it would inflict upon those who heard Paul speak.

C. Paul will not cloak it, he glories in the cross, the shame and contempt surrounding it.

1. He was willing to identify with a crucified Savior.

2. There are some today who will not identify with the blood and sacrifice surrounding the old rugged cross.

3. In one simple statement he brings out the shame with great sharpness and the glory of it in simple plainness.

III. What did he Mean "...by the Cross"?

A. He cared nothing for a particular piece of wood to which the blessed hands of our Savior was nailed.

1. He is referring to the glories doctrine of justification.

2. He is referring to the atoning sacrifice that our Lord made in His death.

3. It embraces the gift of eternal life freely bestowed on all those who trust in Him.

B. It is this doctrine at which the present age with all its vain philosophies sneers.

1. The doctrine of justification sweeps the doctrine of salvation by works into the ashpit of history.

2. The Gospel is good news for sinners who acknowledge that they cannot save themselves.

3. It you have to live up to the Ten Commandments or to the Sermon on the Mount in order to gain eternal life, then I ask you shy did Christ suffer and die?

4. Rather ridiculous for God to send His Son to suffer, bleed and die to provide a salvation that I earn by my own goodness.

5. Jesus would not have suffered the ignomy of the cross if we were capable of providing our own salvation.

6. Salvation is a free gift granted to those who trust in Christ and not themselves.

7. Hence, the reason for the insistence in Scripture to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."

8. "But as many as receive Him, to them gave he the power to become sons of God even to those who believe on His name."

9. We must believe in Christ, embrace that cross and glory in it even as Paul did.

10. Historic Christianity has always believed in the imputation of sin, the bearing of the penalty by Christ our

Substitute and clearing of those for whom he bore the punishment of sin.

C. Paul says we glory in this. Take this away, you might as well toss your Bible in the trash can.

1. We glory in the Cross because in it we see the love of God for mankind (John 3:16)

2. We glory in the Cross because in it God has put away our sin.

3. We glory in that Cross because our Lord bore in His own body our sins on the tree.

4. We glory in that Cross because pardon can now be published to even the foulest of sinners.

5. We glory in that Cross because in it God has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west, never to remember them against us.

6. Oh blessed cross - in thee we do glory.

IV. Let's Apply this Lesson to Ourselves

A. Are you trusting in the Cross - or are you trusting in yourself? Do you want to risk being your own Savior? I know I don't.

1. Are you resting your faith and trust in Jesus alone for your salvation?

2. May the Lord grant you the ability to be a partaker in this grace of our Lord Jesus.

3. Good Friday - good only because Jesus paid for our sins on the Cross.

4. This day we glory in that Cross, with all it's meaning, glory and grace.

5. God forbid that we glory in anything else.