Galatians 6:11-18 Boasting in the Cross (May 17, 2025 AM, Dr. Michael Grasso)

"As Paul closes Galatians, he returns one final time to the central issue of the epistle: justification by faith alone. In this concluding section, Paul contrasts two fundamentally different approaches to Christianity—the theology of glory and the theology of the cross.

Those troubling the Galatians desired outward success, human approval, and freedom from persecution. But Paul boasts in nothing except the cross of Christ. The cross destroys all confidence in human righteousness and reveals that salvation comes only through the crucified Savior.

This sermon examines Paul’s passionate defense of the gospel and applies it to modern attempts to ground truth in institutions, communities, or cultural movements rather than in the Word of God itself. True Christianity is anchored in the gospel revealed in Scripture: sinners are justified by faith apart from works of the law.

The church must therefore resist every form of compromise and continue boasting only in Christ crucified.

In this sermon:

Paul’s final summary of Galatians

Justification by faith alone

The theology of glory vs. the theology of the cross

Why false religion seeks outward power and approval

Paul’s willingness to suffer for the gospel

The true Israel of God

Testing all claims by Scripture

Boasting only in the cross of Christ

“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Galatians 6:14"