The Condition of the World
A Sermon on Galatians 6:14
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
What is the thing around which your life revolves, around which you are the most proud of? For Christians, that answer should unequivocally be the cross of Jesus Christ. A Christian finds his joy – his glory – in the cross because it crucified the world to him. “The world,” and what it stands, for is responsible for all the heartache and tragedies around us. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches from Galatians 6:14 that one is either with the world or with God. He explains what it means to be “of the world” – a view or outlook on life that is viewed and lived apart from God. Man is at the center, and this life is controlled by desire. How does the cross crucify the world to believers? Primarily, Dr. Lloyd-Jones says, it shows us what the world really is. The world is perishing and will eventually be no more — as Scripture states elsewhere, “What profit is it if a man gains the whole world but loses his soul?” Once someone sees the pointlessness behind pursuing the world and the things of it, they are drawn to Christ and His Kingdom that will reign forever. By being crucified to the world, one gains a greater hope because one sees the reality of what will truly last! Dr. Lloyd-Jones urges that we revolve our lives around the cross of Christ.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul makes a declaration of faith and position in Galatians 6:14.
- Paul contrasts himself with others who glory in the flesh. Paul says he will only glory in the cross of Christ.
- A person's glory or boast shows what they value and where they stand. Paul used to glory in being an Israelite and following the law.
- The cross crucifies the world to Paul and Paul to the world. The world represents an outlook apart from God.
- The world makes man the center and ultimate authority. It is confined to this life and discounts the supernatural.
- The world is characterized by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life. These lead to lack of order, discipline, and lawlessness.
- The cross shows the true nature and fate of the world. Christ's coming exposed the world's condition and judgment is coming.
- The cross saves from the world's fate. Christ took the punishment for sin so believers will not face judgment.
- The cross translates believers from the kingdom of darkness to Christ's kingdom. Christians are no longer of the world.
- The cross gives power over the world and glimpses of the new world to come. The present world will be destroyed and a new perfect world will be made.
- There are only two groups: those who glory in the world or those who glory in the cross. The cross delivers from the world.
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.