A New Life
A Sermon on Galatians 6:14
Originally preached Dec. 15, 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
The cross of Jesus Christ must be central to the Christian’s beliefs about God. In this sermon on Galatians 6:14 titled “A New Life,” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones helps the listener understand how Paul’s view of the cross changed how he saw himself and how it applies to lives today. First, those who are not saved see themselves from the world’s perspective—their identity is in their power, pedigree, wealth, intellect, or other similar titles or possessions. Ironically, it is the Lord who ultimately gives those things. Second, a worldview without Christ is incredibly self-centered. Christianity is the polar opposite because it effectively levels the playing field, showing that every single person is just as deserving of God’s wrath as the next person. Third, the cross is a completely new way of life—it changed everything for Paul. Not only does it show people a new way of living, but it also shows how to suffer. For anyone daunted with the idea of trying to follow Christ, Dr. Lloyd-Jones reminds them that they have the Lord’s example to follow in everything, allowing them to model their lives after the One who lived perfectly.
Sermon Breakdown
- The apostle Paul is surveying the wondrous cross.
- The cross is so vast, grand and glorious that all efforts to comprehend it will fail.
- Paul says everything is explained to him in terms of the cross. The cross is everything to him.
- Paul once hated the cross and persecuted the church. But now the cross is central to him.
- The cross gives Paul a new view of himself. He's no longer self-centered or living for himself.
- Without Christ, people view themselves according to the flesh - based on birth, status, abilities, etc. This leads to pride, self-centeredness and selfishness.
- The cross shows Paul he is a sinner, a failure and helpless without Christ. He can't save himself.
- The cross delivers Paul from himself. Christ died to purchase and redeem Paul. Paul now belongs to Christ.
- Paul now lives by faith in Christ who loved him and gave himself up for him. Paul lives for Christ, not himself.
- The cross gives Paul a new view of life and how to live. He is no longer under law but under grace.
- The cross shows Paul the true nature of sin and gives him new motives and power to live righteously.
- The cross teaches Paul how to suffer. He follows Christ's example of enduring suffering patiently and committing himself to God.
- The cross takes away the sting of death for Paul. Christ has conquered death, so Paul no longer fears it.
- The cross shows Paul how to die. For Paul, death means being with Christ which is far better. So he does not fear death.
- Everything comes from the cross - a new self view, how to live, how to suffer, how to die. The cross is everything.
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.