The Offence of the Cross
A Sermon on Galatians 6:14
Originally preached Oct. 27, 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
What is the central message of the gospel? In this sermon on Galatians 6:14 titled “The Offence of the Cross,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on the cross and its centrality to the good news of Jesus Christ. How one responds to the cross, he says, determines how they will spend eternity. Paul says that the cross is either an offense or something to glory in, and if either of these reactions are not caused, then the cross has not been preached accurately. Why is it offensive? Dr. Lloyd-Jones provides three reasons. First, it cuts across human pride and preconceived notions of one’s ability to be in control of their destiny. Second, the natural person wants to be saved by ideas and philosophies, and the cross is not that. Third, the cross appears to some to be immoral— the idea of an innocent man dying for those who have done wrong is scandalous to many. Yet, it is the crux of the cross. The cross levels the playing fields between all people—the wealthy, the poor, the academic, and the layperson. Dr. Lloyd-Jones says that Christians are those who do not merely accept the fact of the cross, but rather glory in it because of what they see—the obedience, sacrifice, and love of Jesus. It is everything to the person who has seen it and this is why the cross is central to the gospel.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul makes a statement in Galatians 6:14 that he glories in nothing but the cross of Jesus Christ.
- The context of this statement is Paul contrasting himself with false teachers who were glorying in circumcising Gentiles. Paul says he will only glory in the cross.
- The word "glory" means to boast or brag. Paul is saying the cross of Christ is the only thing he will boast about.
- The cross is either an offense to people or the only thing in which they will glory. There are only two categories.
- To the non-Christian, the cross is an offense. The preaching of the cross has always been offensive. If preaching of the cross does not offend, it is not being preached properly.
- The cross offends the mind because it cuts across human ideas and philosophies. It says we are not saved by human wisdom or understanding.
- The cross offends human pride because it says all people are sinners, all people are equally sinful, and all people are helpless to save themselves. This contradicts human belief in self.
- The cross offends the human will because it says human will and effort cannot save. Salvation is by grace alone.
- Christians glory in the cross. They do not just believe in it or accept it intellectually. They exult in it. It is everything to them.
- Christians glory in the cross alone. Nothing else compares to the importance of the cross.
- Christians glory in the cross because of what they see in it. They have gazed at and surveyed the cross.
- In the cross, Christians see the glory of God displayed. They see the paradox of the immortal God dying, the sinless one being punished, the all-powerful one dying in weakness.
- Most of all, in the cross Christians see the love of God in giving His Son to die for sinners, rebels, and enemies. The cross shows God's love for humanity.
- If we have seen even a glimpse of what the cross means, we must glory in it. It demands our all.
Sermon Q&A
What Does It Mean to Glory in the Cross of Christ According to Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
What does Martyn Lloyd-Jones mean by "glorying in the cross" in Galatians 6:14?
According to Dr. Lloyd-Jones, "glorying in the cross" means far more than merely admiring, believing, or accepting its message intellectually. It means making your boast in it exclusively. As he explains: "He means by that something like this, that he not only admires it, he not only believes in it, he's moved by it, he's captivated by it." The Christian who truly glories in the cross sees it as "the chiefest thing in history," "the most important event that has ever taken place," and "there is nothing which comes anywhere near it in significance." The person who glories in the cross rests everything upon it and acknowledges they are what they are because of it.
How does the cross divide humanity according to Lloyd-Jones?
Lloyd-Jones teaches that the cross divides all of humanity into two categories - those who find it an offense and those who glory in it. He states: "You can't remain neutral in the presence of the cross. It has always divided mankind, and it does it still this evening." The cross is "the test of every one of us. It is the test of our profession of Christianity. It is the test of our church membership. It is the test of our whole position and profession." Everyone either finds the cross an offense or glories in it - there is no middle ground.
Why is the cross an offense to the natural man according to Lloyd-Jones?
According to Lloyd-Jones, the cross offends the natural man in several ways:
- It offends his mind because it cuts across his preconceived notions and ideas.
- It proclaims we are not saved by ideas, thought, understanding, or philosophy.
- Many find the concept of substitutionary atonement "immoral."
- It presents a mystery that cannot be fully understood.
- It offends human pride by declaring all people are failures and sinners.
- It declares all people are equally sinners - no one is better than another.
- It pronounces everyone equally helpless to save themselves.
What paradoxes does Lloyd-Jones see in the cross of Christ?
Lloyd-Jones points out several paradoxes visible in the cross: - "The immortal dies" - the eternal Son of God experiencing death - "They killed the prince of life" - the author of life being put to death - "Sorrow and love flow mingling down" - the perfect union of suffering and love - "Thorns compose so rich a crown" - the most shameful symbol becoming glorious - The sinless one being punished for the sins of others - The one who eternally communed with the Father crying "My God, why have you forsaken me?" - The Lord of all creation dying in apparent weakness and helplessness - The source of all life experiencing death
Why does the Christian glory in the cross according to Lloyd-Jones?
The Christian glories in the cross because of what they see in it. As Lloyd-Jones explains, "the more he looks at that cross, the more he sees the glory of the Godhead being revealed to him." The Christian sees:
- The most amazing spectacle the world has ever seen
- The perfect display of God's glory, justice, and love
- The paradoxes and seeming contradictions that blend into perfect harmony
- Christ's perfect obedience to the Father
- Above all, the incredible love that made Christ die for sinners - "He died for people who hated him."
As Lloyd-Jones concludes, "I see the holy Son of God bearing the punishment of my sins, the author of life dying that I might live, that I might become a son, a child of God, and go on to spend my eternity in the glory everlasting with him."
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.