Introduction:
A. Paul’s heart was pounding over the believers at Galatia
1. They had allowed false teacher to enter
2. They began to listen and follow them
3. They were on the edge of deserting God
B. Paul usually dictated his comments to a scribe
1. Here he closed in defense of his minstry
2. Here he declared- Ministers, laymen are
to walk boasting in nothing but the Cross of Christ
C. False teacher were a thorn to Paul. Here he contrast the true
and false.
1. FALSE TEACHERS:
a. Seek to make
good showing in the flesh
c. Seek approval of
world
(1) Make circumcision necessary for salvation
d. Seek gain approval
of peers
(1) Favor of men over favor of God
(2) Many compromised, Like today
Many go along with established and popular religion of the world
instead of proclaiming the truth
e. Seek a good showing
by adding to numbers, vs 13
People are impressed with numbers. Ministers are drawn into temptation
to stress growth in baptisms, church attendance, programs. Increased
numbers builds image, boost egos, enlarge reputation. Their interest was
not so much in teaching the people to obey God, they wanted recognition
through growing ministry.
2. TRUE MINISTERS:
a. Boast in the CROSS
- vs 14
b. Only boast, only
message, no other truth
c. Four reasons why
the CROSS ministers only boast:
I. The Cross Crucifies:
A. Crucifies The World To Men:
1. World has all kinds of attractions that
appeals:
a. Sex, position,
power, recognition, pleasure
2. For man to live forever, someone will
have to have unlimited power, restructure the earth. God has done this.
God showed his love, Sent his son into the world
a. He bore our sin
penalty
b. He took our condemnation
3. Any person who believes that Jesus died
for him shall be saved from this world of death. We are crucified with
Christ, we never have to taste death.
4. This is what is meant by the world being
crucified to the believer. We never have to go the way of the world, that
is
a. The way of sin,
corruption, death and judgment.
5. The Holy Spirit lives in us to give us
power to overcome the world.
B. Crucifies Men To The World:
1. When a believer dies to the world he turns
away from the attractions and pleasures of the world. He becomes unattractive
to the world and the things of the world.
2. When a person comes the CROSS, the cross
of Christ crucifies him to the world, ways of the world. He is no longer
attracted to the world.
a. Romans 6:6, 2 Cor
4:4, Gal 2:20
II. Cross Creates A New Man:
A. Nothing can make a person acceptable to God, except Christ
1. No religion, no law or ritual
B. If any man wishes to live with God he has to believe in Jesus
1. God knows who is sincere or who isn’t,
God cannot be deceived.
2. When a person is sincere, God gives him
a new spirit, his divine Spirit. The person is born again and becomes a
new creature in Christ.
a. Galatians 6:15,
2 Cor 5:17, Eph 4:24
III. The Cross Brings Peace and Mercy:
vs 16
A. Notice who it is who experiences peace and mercy
1. Those who walk by the rule of the cross
and of the new creature
2. Those who walk after the Cross seeking
to live as a new creature will be given
a. Peace of God -
assured, confident, secured
b. Mercy of God -
experience the forgiveness of sin, given perfect assurance of eternal life
IV. The Cross Gives Purpose to the Scars
of Life: vs 14
A. Marks means, “branding marks,” belonging to their masters
B. Paul subjected his body so much for Christ he suffered
C. Believers who suffer reproach, ridicule, mockery because of
his stand for the Lord, bears the marks of Christ.
1. Willing Faithfulness - someone God can
count on
2. Willing to sacrifice
3. Willing to serve - help out any way possible
4. Willing to stand for what is right
5. Willing to be sanctified, forsake all to
please God, even family
D. You will be a marked