Galatians 6:11-18 “Boasting in the Cross”

Intro:

Review from last week:

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Chapter 6 Summary: Living the law of Christ is loving others becasue Christ loves us

Immediate context of: Not provoking or envying one another.

Provoking- the posture of being up here and picking and criticing those down there

Envying- the posture of being down here and wishing you were up there

3 Commands for the Spiritually mature: Restore the broken in a spirit of gentleness, Bear on anothers burdens, test your own work

Paul will add 2 more to this next section, share all good things, don’t be deceived.

Chapter 6 is about what it looks like to live the gospel, relying fully on Jesus to make us a part of His family! Since we have been set free from sin we are now free to love, and this is what it looks like and sounds like to keep in step with the Spirit! Don’t be deceived, doing these things does not make you belong, you do these things because you belong! With that said, what are two more indicators that you belong…

the backpacks, the pry bar of discouragment

Key Verse slide

1. What are some examples in my life of “sowing” and “reaping”?

2. Where am I weary today?

3. How can I do good this week to others?

TODAY’S PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE SLIDE

Outline:

Personal: “Large Letters” (vs. 11-12)

Theological: “The Cross” (vs. 13-14)

Practical: “A New Creation” (vs. 15-18)

Memory verse of the Chapter:

Illustration: What is the largest letters you have wrote with: sign for a sports game, billboard to advertise, letters on the beach in the sand,

advertising: Church of the orange shoes

Writing on a white board- have someone writing on the board when you start and then go and take the marker

Prayer:

Personal: “Large Letters” (vs. 11-12)

Attention grabber! (v. 11)

See- “Idete” aor, act, imperative, 2nd, pl, to look,

with what large letters- when you think of large letters, what do you think about…Emphasis or something important! You want people to see it! It is like Paul grabs the writing utensil from the hand of the scribe and pushes them off the page

I am writing to you- “egrapsa” aor, act, ind, 1st, sg, To write (communicate) to the Galatian churches and all who would read this epistle.

with my own hand- the is personal. Is Paul dictating the letter and someone else is writing for him?

Looking good for who? (v. 12)

It is those… not him…

who want- “thelousin” pres, act, ind, 3rd, pl to desire, want strongly

to make a good showing- “euprosw-eh-sai” aor, act, inf, to look good

in the flesh- not the Spirit. Wait, who are they trying to please? Paul talked about this in chapter 1- God or man

Who would force you- “anagkazousin” pres, act, ind, 3rd, pl to compel, force

to be circumcised- “peritemnesthai” pres, pass, infinitive, to be circumcised

and only in order that they may not be persecuted- “diwkwntai” pres, pass, subj, 3rd, pl, to be persecuted, subject to systematic harassment and attack

for the cross of Christ- Pleasing men feels good, it proves that you can do it! The cross feels terrible because it confronts everyone with their need of a saviour.

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

When was the last time someone sought to get your attention? What did they do? Honk a horn, shout, wave their arms, etc? When was the last time you sat down and wrote someone a letter or card with your own hand? Maybe today is the day!

Who do you want to look good for? Who is the most important person in your life?

Enlist the Body (faith steps):

The idea of wearing orange shoes will make you a better Christian. This brand, this size, tied in this way.

Transitional phrase: Paul summarizes his personal connection once again with the believers in Galatia. Now he moves to summarizing…

Theological: “The Cross” (vs. 13-14)

Boasting in the flesh (v. 13)

For… connected to what was just said, he is going to give motive or reasoning

Even those

who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law- “phylassousin” pres, act, ind, 3rd, pl, to observe (conform). They are presently not keeping the law. They are presently not doing all they told the church was necessary to belong.

but

they desire to have you circumcised- present

that they may boast in your flesh- future possibility, accomplishment,

Advertising: people want us to buy things because ultimately it will benefit their bottom line! What they advertise could be wrong, harmful, or not even fit, they are looking out for their own interests.

Boasting in the Cross (v. 14)

But

Far be it from me to boast (show off)- “m-eh genoito” you have heard this greek phrase before from Paul in Romans 6:1–2 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”

except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ- Paul had reason to boast

Philippians 3:3–10 “For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may …”

by which (the cross)

the world to me

has been crucified to me- “estaurwtai” perf, pass, ind, 3rd, sg to be or become executed by being nailed to a cross

and I to the world-

Application/Implications:

Renew the Mind (the Scriptures):

What caught your attention in this section?

Which verses or words would you like to study a little more this week?

Engage the Heart (humility vs. pride):

what does is mean for the world to be crucified to you and you to the world? How did the cross do that? What do you boast in, what is that one thing that if it were taken away from you you would be devestated?

When was the last time I mentioned in a conversation with someone that the reason for ______ you fill in the blank was because of the cross of Jesus Christ?

If I am not boasting in the cross, what am I boasting in?

Transitional phrase: Paul moves from his personal connection to his theological conviction, just in time to remind them of practical application…

Practical: “A New Creation” (vs. 15-18)

What really counts? (v. 15)

For

neither circumcision

counts for anything- “estin” pres, act, ind, 3rd, sg to presently have the quality of being

nor uncricumcision

But (“alla”)

a new- not just sculpted differently, slightly changed, externally molded…

creation- “ktisis” divine creation, an object of creation brought into existence by God; as opposed to the creation considered as a whole”.

2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

A reference point (vs. 16-17)

and as for all who walk- “stoich-eh-sousin” fut, act, ind, 3rd, pl to agree fall in line

by this rule- “Kanoni” line, reference point. We even refer the books that we have in the Bible as the “Canon of Scripture”. an accepted principle or rule.

peace

and mercy

be upon them- all who live by it

and upon the Israel of God- not the Israel of Abraham. the People of God’s choosing

From now on

let no one cause me trouble- “a source of difficulty”

For I bear on my body

the marks of Jesus- “stigmata” the scars pl, a mark left on the skin by the healing of injured tissue; often in reference to the brand of a slave-owner or diety”. The marks on Paul’s body are not from circumcision, they are from boasting in the Cross.

Acts 9:15–16 “But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.””

Colossians 1:24 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,”

Grace (v. 18)

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ- relying completely on what He has done

be with your spirit

Brothers- whether you are Jew or Gentile!

Amen- “I agree”, do you agree?

Summary of the Chapter:

Discussion Starters:

Who do I want to look good for?

What does it mean to boast in the Cross?

What are the “marks” of the gospel in my life?

Song:

Next Week’s Sermon:

Benediction/Looking ahead: INVITE PEOPLE TO THE CAFE