Glorying Only in the Cross
A Sermon on Galatians 6:14
Originally preached Dec. 8, 1963
Scripture
14But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
Sermon Description
Why do Christians preach the cross? Why is it that this cruel tool of murder stands at the heart of God’s gospel? The answer is found in the power of the cross for salvation. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones unfolds the words of Paul that the cross is the means by which God has conquered sin, death, and the devil by dying a cruel death. In this sermon on Galatians 6:14 titled “Glorying Only in the Cross,” Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains not only the fact of the cross, but also the need. God the Father sent His only Son into the world to die for all because all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. All are in dire need of salvation and forgiveness and this salvation only comes through Jesus’s sacrificial death upon the cross. Now those that believe are freed from the curse of the law, sin, and death. This is the only way to salvation. This sermon calls each and every sinner to leave their evil ways behind and come to Jesus. Come to the cross and find salvation in God’s Son who has died for sinners.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul gloried in the cross of Christ.
- The cross is the source of every blessing and without it, there are no blessings.
- Through the cross, we have peace with God which is the most important thing. Without peace with God, there is no peace.
- God was displeased with us due to our sin but through the cross, God's wrath is satisfied.
- Through the cross, our sins are forgiven and we have a new relationship with God. We are under grace, not under law.
- Through the cross, we have a new nature and a new life. We are new creatures in Christ.
- Through the cross, we have the Holy Spirit which enables us to live the Christian life.
- Through the cross, we have access to God in prayer. We can answer our accusers through the cross.
- The cross is the greatest spectacle and reveals the character of God. It shows God's love, mercy and compassion.
- The cross cuts us off from the world and delivers us from the dominion of the devil.
- The cross is the only place where true reconciliation between God and man, and between man and man can take place.
- The cross speaks to those whom nobody else speaks to - the failures, the helpless and the hopeless.
- The cross transforms the whole problem of life and living in this world. Though the world remains the same, we have a new power through the Spirit.
- The cross is the only ground for boasting. All else pales in comparison.
Sermon Q&A
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Glorying in the Cross of Christ
What does Paul mean when he says "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ"?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, when the apostle Paul says he glories only in the cross, he means that the cross is "the biggest and the greatest and the most wonderful thing in life. It is the thing that has made him the man he is. It is the thing to which he owes everything." Paul isn't just casually admiring the cross; he is declaring that it is the singular thing in which he makes his boast, as it is the source of everything valuable in his life and ministry.
Why does Paul glory in the cross rather than in Christ's teaching?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that Paul doesn't glory in Christ's teaching (like the Sermon on the Mount) because teaching alone cannot save us. He states, "It is not the teaching of the Son of God that saves us." In fact, Lloyd-Jones boldly states that "the actual teaching of the Lord Jesus Christ was a failure" in the sense that it didn't reform anybody on its own. Christ's teaching, especially the Sermon on the Mount, actually condemns us by showing us how far short we fall of God's standard. No one can keep Christ's teaching perfectly, which is why Paul glories in the cross instead, as it provides the power for transformation that mere teaching cannot.
What is the first great blessing that comes from the cross?
The first and most important blessing from the cross is peace with God. Dr. Lloyd-Jones states, "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." This peace with God addresses humanity's fundamental problem—that we are in the wrong relationship with God. All our troubles stem from this alienation. Through the cross, the warfare between man and God ends. On God's side, His wrath is satisfied, and on our side, our rebellion and hatred are removed. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that no other peace matters without this primary peace with God.
How does the cross change our position according to Dr. Lloyd-Jones?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones explains that the cross completely changes our position and status. He cites Romans 6, saying we are "no longer under law, but under grace." This means:
- We are no longer in Adam but in Christ, having died with Christ on the cross
- We are no longer judged by God as a lawgiver but are related to Him as a Father
- We receive a new nature and a new beginning
- We are given the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live a new life
- We move from a relationship of fear to a relationship of love with God
He explains, "It's the difference between being in a relationship of law and a relationship of love. You're entirely in a new position, and the cross puts you there."
How does the cross enable prayer according to the sermon?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the cross opens "the door of heaven" and enables us to pray effectively. Without the cross, we have no right to approach God in prayer. As he states, "There is only one way whereby a man can pray with any confidence and assurance, and it is by believing in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." The cross gives us:
- Access to God's presence ("by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand")
- The right to approach God boldly ("Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace")
- A way to answer our accusers (conscience, law, etc.) by pointing to Christ's sacrifice
- The ability to stand before God's holiness despite our unworthiness
The cross gives us confidence that we can "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith."
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.