Comunidad y discipulado

The Centerpiece of Christianity (Gal 6:11-18)

2011.12.18Rev. Eddie Byun

The cross of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of Christianity. It is the only source of our boasting, our new life, and every blessing we receive, so it must remain the center even when we celebrate good works and urgent causes.

Keep the cross at the center, even of good causes

This year brought real victories in fighting trafficking, abortion, and injustice, and these victories should be celebrated and the injustices addressed. But the focus must always remain on Jesus, his cross, and his resurrection. The people involved in these arenas need Jesus. Those bound by lust, those bound by greed, and victims trapped by self-hatred and lies can be set free only through the cross and the truth found in Jesus. When secondary things become the main thing, ministry can slide into a social gospel.

Do not live for the fear or flattery of men (vv. 11-13)

Paul writes with large letters in his own hand because this message is crucial. The false teachers pressed the Galatians toward circumcision out of fear of other Jews and to boast in their numbers. We face the same temptation in the numbers game and in the desire for approval. The speaker recalls his college praise team, where he stayed for two years in an unhealthy environment because he was addicted to the praise of men. Only when he returned to a heart motivated by love for God did he find freedom. Our motive must be to love God and love others.

The cross is the source of our boasting (vv. 14)

Paul says he will boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to him and he to the world. In Paul's day the cross meant condemnation and a shameful death, like a lethal injection or an electric chair today. The world says to flaunt what you have, but Jesus died the death of a criminal so that we could receive the life of royalty. Handcuffs are replaced by golden bracelets and the electric chair helmet by a royal crown. The cross changes everything, so we are at our best when we boast in it.

The cross makes us a new creation (v. 15)

Paul says that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but a new creation does. What matters is not what we do but who we are because of what Jesus did. Through the cross, something in us dies, and in Christ we are new creatures, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Galatians 2:20 declare. Our new identity moves us from condemned prisoner to chosen prince, from orphan to adopted child. Our new ability lets us serve with humility, depending on Christ, who strengthens us, as Philippians 4:13 teaches.

Every blessing belongs to those who are in Christ (vv. 16-18)

Peace and mercy rest on those who walk by this rule, and those blessings come through the cross. Ephesians 1:3 says that every spiritual blessing belongs to every believer in Christ. Paul also bears on his body the marks of Jesus, the scars of suffering for the gospel. Those marks matter more than any mark of human effort. Paul counted everything the world values as loss compared with knowing Christ, and 1 Peter 4:14 says the Spirit of glory rests on those insulted for his name. Even suffering is blessing when we still trust, treasure, and tell others about Jesus.

Apply to Life

  • Let us keep Jesus and his cross at the center of every cause and ministry we pursue.
  • Let us examine our motives and turn away from living for the fear or flattery of men.
  • Let us boast only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  • Let us live as new creations, serving with humility in the strength Christ gives.
  • Let us love Jesus more than anything, and treasure him even in suffering.

This summary was made automatically from the sermon's captions and may differ from the sermon.

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