Dear Calvary Church Family,
This week will be our last message in the great book of Galatians. I started this book back in November with the goal of allowing God’s Word in this epistle to sharpen and clarify the contours of the Gospel. The church is healthy when she is saturated with and enthralled by the truth of Christ crucified. A fresh wonder with the grace of Christ is to be our continual boast and praise.
This is why last week’s passage and theme was so important to me. Paul’s climactic words speak so poignantly to his heart behind this epistle. ESV Galatians 6:14 But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. There are many Sundays where I get to a passage of Scripture and the words seem too lofty for me to convey adequately. Last Sunday was one of those. However, in our recent evangelical history God has used this passage in big ways. I’d like to commend to you three other sermons preached by pastors on this passage that have made a huge impact.
The first is a message by Charles Spurgeon titled, “Three Crosses”. Spurgeon was a highly influential English Baptist pastor. He started pastoring at just 19 years old, at London’s New Park Street Chapel, and by age 22 was the most popular preacher in England – if not the world. I encourage you to benefit from Spurgeon’s message on this passage, which you’ll find here. https://www.spurgeon.org/resource-library/sermons/three-crosses/#flipbook/ as well as his other sermons.
The second is a message by S. Lewis Johnson, pastor of Believer’s Chapel in Dallas, TX from 1963-1993. He was a professor at various seminaries, including Dallas Theological seminary for many years and became an internationally renowned speaker and Bible scholar. He preached a fantastic sermon on this passage, which you can find here. https://sljinstitute.net/pauls-epistles/galatians/3-crosses-and-treasures-of-the-world/ .
And last, but not least, John Piper the well-known pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, MN preached his most famous sermon from this verse at a conference for college students in Memphis, TN. It was May 20th, 2000 when Gospel ministry was being spread throughout the new emerging internet. This message had a huge impact on the millennial generation and their plans for retirement. You can find out why in the link below. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/boasting-only-in-the-cross
Considering a passage like this, and how it has impacted generations down through the ages testifies to the power and efficacy of the Word of God, and the essential means of preaching that Word. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 2 Timothy 4:2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. Romans 10:14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? Praise the Lord that He has provided many gifted men throughout the church’s history to build us up in our faith.
Thanks so much! See you Sunday,
Pastor Dave