Sermons From Galatians

GOSPEL PERVERSION

Galatians 1:1-9

Intro: Galatians has been called the “Magna Carta of Christian liberty.” This is the book of the Bible when studied my Martin Luther turn his faith from that of a work mentality to “Grace Only.” It was the basis of the Reformation period of church history.

Evidently, there had been three distinct charges leveled at Paul:
1. That he was not a real Apostle.
2. That what he proclaimed was not the real Gospel.
3. That his Gospel would lead to a licentious life.

These three charges are basically the outline and purpose of Paul’s writing. In so doing, he gave us the greatest letter to Christianity that truly sets a person free when its truths are applied to ones life.

In the message this morning, I want us to see three things:
1. Paul Defends His Apostolic Appointment
2. Paul Discloses His Affected Acclamation
3. Paul Declares His Astonished Anxiety

I. Defense of His Apostolic Appointment 1:1-2
A. His Commission-apostle, messenger, delegate (V.1)
B. His Companions-brothers, from the same womb (v.2)
C. His Charge-churches (v.2b)

II. Disclosure of His Affected Acclamation 1:3-5
A. States Their Privilege in the Gospel (v.3
B. States God’s Purpose of the Gospel (v.4)
C. States His Praise because of the Gospel (v.5)

III. Declaration of His Astonished Anxiety 1:6-9

A. In Their Confession (v. 6)

B. In Their Confusion (v.7)

C. In Their Condemnation (vs.8,9)

Concl: As a leader, Paul knew who he was. Men who are called out to be leaders and teachers of the churches stand not on their perceived abilities, personal or of others, but upon the call of God. In verse 10 Paul states emphatically that it is his desire to please God, not man. The Gospel and its work is not up for debate. There has been and always will be those who try to undermine the work of God’s servants and what they teach. Some have tried to imply that Paul was a little “touchy” and that it really was no big deal for someone to discount his authority or message. But, keep in mind Paul is speaking the inspired, inerrant, and infallible word of God when in verses 8 & 9 he said “if anyone preaches to you a gospel that is different from the one you accepted, may he be condemned to hell!” The Gospel is pure and simple. To include anything else holds the wrath of God on those who proclaim it.

Grace, Or No Gospel
Galatians 1:3-9

Intro: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the greatest word this world has ever heard. That the man, Jesus of Nazareth, willingly went to a Roman Cross and laid down His life because of and for man’s sin so that we might be delivered from the guilt and condemnation sin causes. Folks, that is GOOD NEWS! Good News is the English equivalent of the word Gospel. Paul, without apology, proclaims firmly that the Gospel of Jesus Christ only is offered to man because and in Grace. Grace indicates no payment needed; an undeserved and unsought merit given to man; an action of God requiring no action by man except belief. Any additional, meritorious action by man corrupts the Gospel of Grace. If or when a person, church, or religious doctrine adds anything of a condition for man to get saved or stay saved, other than the condition of faith and faith alone, what is preached is not Good News. It is not Gospel. It is Sinful.

Now, let’s look and some interesting things from this passage of Scripture.

I An Astonishing Truth
A. That the grace of Christ is sufficient for salvation
B. That people who profess salvation leave this grace so quickly for something else. Particularly, a works based belief.
C. That salvation comes only through the grace of God apart from works.

II A Plain Word Of Instruction
A. Confusion comes from Satan
B. Guard against those who teach Christ any other way than grace.

III A Word of Condemnation
A. Those who teach salvation any other way, will be eternally condemned.

Concl: Paul’s tirade against any kind of meritorious salvation is ground enough for this preacher. As we learned last Wednesday evening from Gal. 2:16, man is in no way justified or considered acquitted by God because of an action of a rule of life and conduct, whether that rule is Judaism, Pentecostalism, Catholicism, Religionism, or God forbid Baptistism. Salvation comes only through faith of which is given out of the person of Christ to man based upon His Gospel of Grace and Grace alone. Grace plus anything is not grace.

THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH
Gal. 1:11-2:14

Intro: Last week the message pointed out that any person, group, or church that teaches salvation is Jesus + (anything), is not proclaiming the gospel of the Bible. The question is answered by some of these, that God revealed what they teach to them, therefore, it is the same as if it were in the Bible. What about that? Does God give revelation today which is as equivalent as Scripture or supersedes Scripture? The answer is emphatically NO!! There is no other Gospel than that which is revealed in the Bible. Paul said this gospel was brought to him by Revelation. This word, in light of what we have come to understand its meaning to be, is interesting. When we think of having something revealed to us by God, we think God turns on the spiritual light from heaven and shines it into our brain as though we some zombies. But what the word actually portrays is entirely different. The word is a compound word. The first part means, away from; and the second part means, a covering or veil. The word actually defined in context with what Paul is saying is; Taking the veil away, or more precise, When God reveals Himself to us, He takes the veil of mis-understanding away from us. Man is so conditioned by his society, his education, and his position in life and is so filled with mis-conceptions about God that it takes an act of God to remove this dark veil so that he might understood the Gospel of Christ. Notice, that this gospel can not be understood simply by the teaching of man. One cannot simply learn enough about the facts of God and be saved. It is always revealed. Let’s look this morning at three things about the revelation of the Gospel of Truth.

I. The Gospel Revealed (1:13-17)
A. The reasons for which it was not revealed.
1. Because of Prestige [who we are] (v.13)
2. Because of Personality [what we are] (v.14a)
3. Because of Point of View [what we think] (v.14b)
B. The reasons for which it was revealed. (V.15-16)
1. Because of God’s Selection [from birth] (v.15)
2. Because of God’s Election [called] (v.15b)
3. Because of God’s Direction [that I might preach] (v.16)

II. The Gospel Received (1:18-2:10)
A. It Changes lives (vs. 18-24)
Paul understood this change as God’s grace (2:9)
B. It Directs lives (2:7-8)
Paul to the Gentiles - - - Peter to the Jews.

III. The Gospel Defended (2:11-14)
A. It stands up in the presence of Legalism
B. It stands up in the presence of Hypocrisy

Concl: Gospel Truth changed Paul’s life. It confronted him as a person. It challenged his belief system. It invaded his vocation. It destroyed his preconceived ideas about religion. When we get to heaven and are able to speak to Paul you want ever hear him say he regretted that he turned his back on fame, fortune, and a prestigious life to follow God’s call of salvation and service. When God reveals His Gospel to your heart, it’s time to respond to him. This morning, is God removing the dark veil of un-belief from your heart and calling you to faith in Christ? You can be saved right now.

FAITH FROM GOD
Gal. 2:15-21

Intro: The great reformer, Martin Luther, based his entire belief, which eventually had him excommunicated from the Church, upon this passage of Scripture. Was is it that important? What is it about this passage that would cause a great pastor and theologian to risk all his life and ministry upon a passage of Scripture which the Church did not want taught? The reason is simple. It is the same reason Paul states about himself and other Hebrews, and that is that works of any kind will not make you right with God.

It is so easy to build legalistic principles into a religious belief system. The Church in its infancy did it. That’s why Paul wrote this letter. The Church around 600 A.D. did it to force their members to be good churchmen and tie them tightly to the Church. The church today does it so they can hold power over their adherents. If you don’t obey our teachings, you can’t go to heaven. Even Baptists at times move toward this ungodly practice in subtle ways. (You must walk down an aisle to be saved. You must confess the three points of an evangelistic presentation to be saved. Or, you must pray the sinners prayer to be saved.) There are churches which teach that you must be a member of their particular brand of Christianity to be saved; or, that you must be baptized by their church to be saved; or, that you must have the anointing of the Holy Ghost (which is evidenced by speaking in tongues, divine healings, paying your money to support their ministry, and other work efforts).

Paul’s writing in these verses show clearly that if we are true born again Christians, it is because we have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ and Christ alone. Notice Paul’s argument to Peter and the legalists:

I. He Denounces Works Salvation. 2:16a,c
A. No Justification in law. (v. 16)-not ten commandments, but the law of religious practice. B. Law Expects Works. (v. 16) -a course of action. (If I do this, I get what I earn

II. He Defends Faith Salvation. 2:16
A. What faith is Paul talking about? -Not inherent in man.
-dia=through Jesus Christ(speaking of the channel of salvation.
-ek=out of; forth from.
NOTE: This is just like the Lord. We have no faith in ourselves because of our fallen nature, so He gives it to us.
B. What this faith does.
-It places us in Christ (v. 16c)
-It destroys works salvation

III. His Doxology of Praise. 2:20
A. We’ve been crucified with Christ-Dead men can’t do anything for themselves.
B. We live together with Christ. (Into-with its classic meaning)

IV. His Deduction of Truth. 2:21
A. No right relationship with God outside of His Grace.
B. If salvation comes from legalistic practices, Christ died in vain.

Concl: As we close our time of worship each of us must be certain we are saved by Christ through faith and faith alone. Not because we grew up in the right family, the right church, performed the right rituals, or said the right words; but, because we came to Christ solely through faith in Him.

BEWITCHED BELIEVERS
Gal. 3:1-22

Intro: From the earliest of human existence, we have sought to make God like us and accept us on our terms. Adam did by sewing fig leaves together to cloth his sinful body. Cain did by presenting an offering to God which was from his own hands and efforts. Abraham did by committing fornication with Hagar in his effort to produce an heir to receive God’s blessings. David did by having Israel numbered at the end of his reign evidently attempting to empress God of his own greatness as a king. Paul’s letter to the Galatians show the same human tendencies existed then, and today we see the same.

There are two facts which we tend to forget or fail to understand that causes people to turn toward a work-for-righteousness mentality: (1) When man rebelled against God, he lost every possibility to be right with God. He no longer had a will to trust God. (2) The Fall of Man did not take away his yearning or desire for religious practice (again, take the example of Adam and Cain). Today, cults form because they want to make God accept them on their own terms (the tower of Babel is an example of a cult). But, as we see from this letter, people in main stream Christianity do the same. In fact, some of you here today feel that God owes you a good reward because of your religious activities and faithfulness. The idea is the same. No one is ever been made right with God or made more righteous because of his own efforts. We are only made right and more righteous by faith in God. Look at verse 22. Now, let’s look at this passage as Paul unravels why the Galatians have been Bewitched.

I. The Questions Proposed (3:1-5)
A. Who has Bewitched you? v. 1
B. Were you saved by keeping the law or by faith? v.2
C. Is Christian growth produced by the law, or faith? v.3
D. Being a Christian in an Anti-Christian world is a great struggle in faith - is it to be in vain? v. 4
E. Has the sustaining power of God’s miracles through the Spirit come to you by keeping the law or by faith. v.5

II. The Argument Concluded (3:6-22)
A. Being saved begins with the proclamation of the Crucified Christ. v. 1
B. Being made right with God has always been through faith. vs. 6-9 (ex. of Abraham)
C. Living right with God has always been through faith. vs. 10-12 (10,11)
D. Eternal life (the promise of the Spirit) has always been through faith and not by law. vs. 13-22 (14,22)

Concl: Paul raises the questions and answers them with the life of Israel’s founding father, Abraham. One might not realize that while Paul is speaking about the law and Abraham, he has not referred to Moses by whom God gave the Law. It was the Law of Moses that the Legalists were trying to impose upon these young believers and Paul wanted to show them that the covenant of faith was a greater one than the covenant of the Law of Moses.

Many people today feel that they will be OK with God if they “practice” religion once in awhile. That God can be pacified as if He is like a whimpering baby who will be hushed when someone stuffs a pacifier in their mouth. God is not pacified with our doing. He has never been so, and He will never be so. God is not one to be pacified. He is one to be revered, worshiped, and obeyed. The avenue by which this is done has been and always will be through faith. It is because of one’s faith in Christ; one’s faith toward Christ; and, one’s faith with Christ that we find entrance into the Holy of Holies. O believers, let’s not allow anyone, any feelings, or any efforts keep us from enjoying all that God has for us. As we have begun by faith, let us walk by faith, and let us hope in eternal life by faith.

BEING A SON OF GOD
Galatians 3:19-4:7

Intro: Had you ever spent time with my daddy and knew him as a friend, you would know that much of my ways and thoughts reflect who he was. Also, if you were to spend time with my children, you would notice they reflect that same influence of personality and ways. The same could be said about most of you as you reflect your parentage. Paul in this passage is not dealing with so much of how sons reflect their parents, as he is the reality of what takes place within the Christian community as a matter of fact. Being a Son of God is an awesome truth. It comes through the exercise of faith and not by natural birth. It comes through faith with nothing attached such as law, circumcision, or baptism. Before Christ came, and before He comes into the life of an individual, we were held in bondage under the elements, rudiments, or control of the natural things of this world with no ability to claim that which God had intended His creation to be. That’s why Paul said in 3:22 that we are all confined under sin. The only way anyone will ever have The Promise (a personal relationship with Jesus Christ/salvation), is through faith in the person and work of Christ. When one is saved, he now has Sonship. It is this idea of Sonship we want to look at this morning.

I. The Promise of Sonship
A. Is Particular in Its Destination 3:19
B. Is Particular in Its Determination 3:22
C. Is Particular in Its Designation 3:29

II. The Prophet of Sonship He is the Seed of 3:16 &19
A. He is the Entrance into Sonship 3:26
B. He is the Executor of our Sonship 3:29
C. He is the Endorser of our Sonship 4:6

III. The Privilege of Sonship He has given to us:
A. Full Rights of Sons 4:5
B. Full Relationship of Sons 4:6b
C. Full Responsibility of Sons 4:7

Concl: If you were arrested for being a Son of God/Christian, would there be enough evidence of likeness of Christ, to convict you. Being a Son of God is a great privilege, but one which carries with it great responsibility. Think of what we have because of our position as God’s children. My daddy used to tell me every time I left the house to remember whose boy I was. That idea permeated my person and kept me from getting involved in drinking and running with those who did. I did not want to bring a reproach upon by daddy. As I grew in my personal walk with Christ as His son, that same thought has helped me to refrain from many activities which the world paints as attractive.

Let me bring us back now to the point of Paul’s writing this letter. Something wonderful had happened to the lives of those who had come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. They were gloriously saved. Then, some people came into their church who claimed they too knew Jesus but that the only way to really know Him was to go through some ritual and legalistic method related to the Law of Moses. Paul’s heart is wenched with anguish and is showing that the faith they had begun with has given them all they need to be able to have a close personal relationship with God. So close, we can call God by the intimate name of daddy.

I ask you this morning, Do you have this kind of intimate relationship with God through faith in Christ Jesus?

Believers Freedom in Christ
Gal. 5:1-15

Intro: In the chapters of this letter preceding this passage, Paul gave Christianity the strongest doctrinal teaching about Salvation through Grace and the strongest apologetic against forms of religious groups which include legalistic practices in their doctrines relating to salvation. He now begins one of the most powerful teaching in all the Bible on living the Christian life. No one who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as their God and Savior can ever believe that once one is saved, he can then go and live his life any way he wants to. In the very first verse of this passage, Paul uses a word that has caused many whose lives are not born again to teach or believe a saved person has the “liberty” to live any way he so desires. The Liberty a believer has in Christ is not a liberty of licence to sin, but the liberty of freedom from the bonds of sin and religious legalism. Through these next 15 verses, Paul commands through the Holy Spirit Christians to live this life of faith by three principles.

I. Stand Firm in Our Freedom. Vs. 1-4 Standing is our position. Standing speaks to ones
A. Established Relationship
B. Confirmed Relationship
C. Permanent Relationship

II. Anticipate the Presence of Christ. Vs. 5-12 Wait Waiting speaks to our anticipation of:
A. Dependency upon Christ-wait
B. Commitment to Christ-to go to
C. Righteousness in Christ-strip, unclothe

III. Love the Brethren. Vs. 13-15 Love describes our heart for others.
A. Reminds us of our Redemption-agape
B. Reminds us of our Relationships-one another
C. Reminds us of our Responsibility-serve

Intro: The freedom believers have in Christ is a most blessed state. Those who distort deliberately or in ignorance, hold over themselves the heavy hand of Gods wrath and judgment (V. 10). The freedom we have in Christ sets us free from wrath and judgment . We are free from the law, sinful dominion, and legal principles and practices. This freedom comes only one way, by faith in Christ Jesus as Lord.

To Crucify Is Better Than To Circumcise
Galatians 5:15-26

Intro: One reason Christians get in trouble with false teachings is because they are not living the Christ Life. In other words, they are not walking in the Spirit. When someone comes along who sounds like they know what they are talking about; act as though they are truly spiritual people; and, begin teaching something contrary to what God’s Word teaches; Christians who are not being faithful in their personal and daily devotional life with Christ, tend to follow and believe them. That’s what was happening with these Galatian Christians. Their walk with Christ and their talk of their Christ life were not the same, so they were falling down a dangerous slope opening themselves up to be deceived. The context of our passage draws us to conclude that it is better to crucify our flesh with all its tendencies, than to live religiously in a deviluted state of a legalistic religious life. To combat these false-legalistic teachers and instruct these Galatian Christians in the better way, Paul deals with three things in these verses:

I. Walk But Don’t War – v. 16-18
A. Opposites Don’t Attract – They Antagonize – v. 17
B. In War One Loses His Liberty (v.13) – v. 17

II. Live But Don’t Indulge – v. 19-21
A. Sins Of the Flesh
1. Four Sexual Sins – v. 19
2. Two Religious Sins – v. 20a
3. Eight Social Sins – v. 20b-21a
4. Two Pagan Sins – v. 21b
5. And the like – v. 21c (the list is not exhaustive)
B. The Penalty Of Indulging – v. 21d

III. Crucify Don’t Circumcise – v. 22-25
A. Crucifying the Flesh Produces Spirit Living – v. 22-23
1. Peace of Mind
2. Pleasant Relationships
3. Personal Self-control
B. Crucifixion Produces Spirit Life – v. 24-25

Concl: You will notice that there is no provisions for a Christian to get off the cross. That act is left up to Christ who enables us to live for Him. There is nothing dead flesh can do. But when Jesus frees us from the bonds of the cross, just like Him, we are now free to live for Him and inherit His Kingdom. Living for Jesus is a serious matter:
It is not for those who want to be socially included.
It is not for those who want others to think they are spiritual.
It is not for those who hopes God will accept them in the end.
It is not for those who think they can fool God like they can man.
But, it is for those who see themselves as undeserving sinful

humanity. Who can by the act of faith, repent of their sins and turn their life, their dreams, every part of themselves, over to Jesus to be the God of their life. And, by that act of faith, live (walk) according to the ways of God as revealed in His Word and taught by the Holy Spirit who fills up their lives with Himself.
In Ephesians 5:18, Paul said it this way; Do not be drunk with wine [filled up with the flesh]. . .; but, be filled with the Spirit.
Jesus said it this way in Luke 9:23; If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Truly, to crucify the flesh is a better way to live than to circumcise it. The exchange for living in the kingdom of God far outweighs satisfying the flesh even for a moment.

ENSLAVED BY DESIRES
Gal. 5:16-26

Intro: Being a slave in the spiritual sense is not intrinsically good or bad. It is determined by how we live our spiritual lives. The way one walks in this life is of vital importance. To have desires in not intrinsically good or bad. It is determined by what we desire. The phrase (Lust after, and contrary), used in verse 17 is really speaking of that which is completely opposite of each other. When one walks in the realm of the flesh, there is absolutely NO blessings of God being bestowed in his life. Although one never losses his salvation, he does loose the blessings of Gods love, protection, guidance, joy, and the ability of understanding God’s will for his life. Even if your hearts desire is to do right (v.17). Flesh against spirit, is an act of war. It’s the same conflict known from the ages. Satan wars against God. Fallen man and Carnal man always wars against the things of God.

Paul wants us to know what things of the flesh is at war with God and what things pleases God as we walk in the Spirit. He shows us this by showing us the desires by which we conduct our lives.

I. The Desires of the Flesh vs. 19-21
A. Their Practice
1. Sexual Sins - 4
2. Religious Sins - 2
3. Social Sins - 8
4. Pagan Sins -2
5. And the Like (the list is not exhaustive)
B. Their Penalty v.21b

II. The Desires of the Spirit vs. 22-23
A. The Spirits Fruit
1. Fruits of the Mind - 3
2. Fruits of Relationships - 3
3. Fruits of Selfhood - 3
B. The Spirits Victory v. 24 (have crucified and continually crucifying) “makes do provision for getting yourself off the cross.”

Concl: Vs. 25-26
1. Walk in the Spirit
2. Don’t become one who is empty of glory (conceited).
a. Don’t become one who calls out another (chooses up sides against one another).
b. Don’t become one who is spiteful or envious.

Living for Jesus is a serious matter:
It is not for those who want to be socially included.
It is not for those who want others to think they are spiritual.
It is not for those who hopes God will accept them in the end.
It is not for those who think they can fool God like they can man.

It is for those who see themselves as undeserving sinful humanity who can by the act of faith repent of their sins and turn their life, their dreams, every part of themselves, over to Jesus to be the God of their life; and, by that act of faith, live (walk) according to the ways of God as revealed in His Word and taught by the Holy Spirit who fills up their lives with Himself.

Paul said it in a different way in Ephesians. In chapter 5 verse 18 he said; “Do not be drunk with wine [filled up with the flesh]. . . ; but, be filled with the Spirit.”

Jesus said it this way in Luke 9:23; “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” And yet another way in John 15:5; “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”

LIVING OUT THE SPIRIT FILLED LIFE
Gal. 6:1-5

Intro: Being Spirit Filled does not give the Christian the right to consider himself to have arrived spiritually. That he is now above sin. In fact, if this becomes the feeling of a believer, it is evidence he is not Spirit Filled. The obvious display of one in whom is Spirit Filled, is humility, concern, and love for his brothers in Christ. In this last chapter of Galatians, Paul makes the church aware of some things that will help us to live out the Spirit Filled life. We see:

I. Possibility of Living in the Flesh (v. 1)
A. Un-expectancy of Sin
B. Undue pressure to Sin

II. Pressure of Spiritual Restoration (vs.1,2)
A. Assumption there are Spirit Filled Christians
B. Attitude of Spirit Filled Christians

III. Presumption of Personal Importance (v.3)
A. Self-importance
B. Self-deception

IV. Proof of Individual Activity (v.4)
A. Actions speak louder than words
B. Actions not to be compared to others.

V. Portion Christian Responsibility (v.5)
A. Precepts of God to be carried
B. Personal responsibility are to be accepted

Concl: Our Lord wants us to live for Him. Not to just be called Christians. What we do in serving Him speaks to our personal relationship to Him. For us to be in the will of God, we must be concerned for and love others with a spirit of humility, keeping in mind the way our Lord demonstrated His humility with love and concern.

Doing Good In a Do Bad World
Galatians 6:6-10

Intro: A number of years ago a rock star sang a song which repeated the phrase I’m Bad many times. This one song began teaching our youth that being and doing things contrary to what their parents and teachers were teaching them was good, or the right thing to do. Being bad replaced being good. Society, since days of this song, have come to believe there is not absolute good or right. Whatever feels good is what is good. The older I get, the more Solomon’s proverb stands out; There is nothing new under the sun. Paul address this problem of people thinking it was okey to follow any thing they wanted as long as it was okey to them. Bad is not good, and to do good should be the desire for all Believers. He says we are to do good:

I. Toward Our Teachers In the Faith – v. 6 (koinonia)
A. Speaks of our Relationship to them.
B. Speaks of our Responsibility to them.

II. In the Actions Of Our Living – v. 7-9
A. As Directed to God – v. 7 (mocked)
B. As Deceived in our hearts – v. 7 (deceived)
C. As Described by the Spirit – v. 8-9 (We’ll reap spiritual fruits)

III. As the Opportunity Confronts Us – v. 10
A. Refers to Actions of our lifestyle
B. Refers to Obligations in our life

Concl: Being all God wants us to be can only happen when we know it is out of devotion of our heart toward God and not because of a written or imposed law. We serve God because of our love for Him and not because He makes us. We must ask ourselves whether or not our service to God adds up to love and not expectations or out of some sense of fear of Him. The Galatians were being made to fear they would not be good enough for God unless they performed some religious ritual which did nothing for their spiritual standing before God. One’s relationship to Jesus is through faith, not works.

The Glory Of the Cross
Galatians 6:12-18

Intro: Is there a little brag in you? Most of us can’t refuse the urge to brag. Even if it is just something little. We brag about children, our cars, our possessions, deals we make, and even our accomplishments. Paul’s words imply those who were troubling the Galatian Christians were bragging about how many converts they had to their doctrine of legalistic beliefs. And, the reason they were even practicing such faithless ways was to protect themselves from persecution by Jewish authorities. The point of the message this morning reveals Christians only point of boasting is the enigma of a cross.

I. The Meaning Of the Cross
A. Humiliation – public display of quilt
B. Death – separation from life

II. The Purpose Of the Cross
A. Deal with man’s sin or lostness – Romans 3:23-35 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness.
1. Speaks of the Inclusive nature of all humanity.
2. Justification is by God’s grace alone.
3. Our salvation comes only because Christ was our substitute

B. Deals with man’s need for justification – Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death. – 1 Peter 2:21-24 For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, . . . Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth; . . . when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.
1. Separation from God is what man deserves.
2. Our sin must be judged by God.
3. Christ took our sentence of death upon Himself.

C. Eliminates man’s efforts to be reconciled to God – 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled.

III. The Person of the Cross

A. In the First place is the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Lord = Jehovah God
2. Jesus = the man who lived in this world.
3. Christ = the work He performed as Redeemer.

B. In the Second place is each Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. World to be considered dead to Believers
2. Believers to be considered dead to the world
3. Believers are New Creations in Christ

Concl: Paul concludes his discussion by emphatically stating that anyone who desires to be included in God’s family must come to Him through this principle of His grace. And, the belief that religious performance to get God’s attention is useless. A persons only source or hope for God’s peace and mercy is through faith in Jesus Christ and His work on the Cross. When a person responses to God in this way, His grace will be his.