NEW CREATION - Pastor Ed Calderon
NEW CREATION
Galatians 6:11-18
May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Galatians 6:14
When you go to a farm, you would see several tractors to help work the land, harvest
the crops, and haul materials. The tractor’s benefit comes when it is hooked to a piece
of equipment. This connection is possible with a small hitch pin. Without the hitch pin
connected, the equipment is useless and could not move. But with the hitch pin connecting
the tractor to the equipment, the farmers are able to accomplish great things.
The Christian faith has a “hitch pin” that connects heaven and earth. That pin is the cross of
Jesus Christ. Paul says, “May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul
understood the significance of the cross as being the main thing. The cross shows victory,
forgiveness, power, and freedom.
The Galatians had lost sight of the cross, so Paul reminded them (earlier), “You foolish
Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed
as crucified.” He then asked, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by
believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:1-2).
The Galatians’ focus was on what they could do instead of what Christ had already done for
them on the cross, and how the Holy Spirit could now guide them.
Are you boasting in the cross of Jesus? Or in your accomplishments? Let it be in Christ!
Peer pressure can exert a powerful influence on us. The style of our clothes, the kind of
music we listen to, our vocabulary, even the drinks we buy are affected by what others do
and say. We are often tempted to change our behavior so others will accept us. But such
approval can have a high price tag. In this final passage Paul helps us to consider whose
Paul wrote the last part of this chapter “ 11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with
my own hand!” to emphasize what he wants for the Galatians to understand. Paul advises
the Galatians not to be swayed or misled by the world. Unfortunately, Christians today have
succumbed to what this world demands; in school, in our community, and in our sphere of
influence. Paul emphasizes that no matter what, we should never set aside the importance
of what Christ has done on the cross.
How about you? Do you boast in conforming to what the world dictates ( achievements,
careers, being always in fashion and updated with what the world offers) or do you boast
SERMON NOTES
Paul concludes his letter to the Galatians with an emphasis on the __________ theme of the Gospel.
3 Points:
1) One reason to be ____________.
- The _________ is a real problem to those who want to indulge their _________________.
2) One reason to ______________.
- Paul contrasts the boasting of the Judaizers in their own __________ with his only boast - ________________
3) One thing that ______________.
- The ____________ is the source of _________________ That Paul calls “ ____________________”.