Boasting In The Cross

Preached November 8, 2026 - Morning Sermon
Text: Galatians 6:12-18
Heritage Baptist Church

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Pastor Mike Stewart brings the series in Galatians to a close by directing attention to Paul's exclusive boast in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ as the sole fountain of every spiritual blessing. He contrasts this with the man-centered boasting of the false teachers, who constrained circumcision in order to make a fair showing in the flesh and thereby escape persecution for the cross. True righteousness is motivated by a high view of God and flows from the new birth, producing a life marked by the love and service of Christ rather than external religious observances. Believers are encouraged to walk according to the rule of the Gospel, recognizing themselves as the true Israel of God who possess peace and mercy through grace. The sermon calls the church to bear the marks of Christ through sacrificial love and to rest in the sufficiency of His finished work.

Scripture

As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. For neither they themselves who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised, that they may glory in your flesh. But 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. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
Galatians 6:12-18

Reflection Questions

1. In what ways do we still seek to make a fair showing in the flesh rather than boasting solely in the cross?
2. How does the offense of the true gospel expose the difference between a hybrid religion and the pure gospel of Christ?
3. What does it mean practically that the world is crucified to us and we to the world through the cross?
4. How are we called to walk according to the rule of the new creation as the Israel of God?

Adapted from the sermon preached November 8, 2026 by Pastor Mike Stewart.

For further reading: Galatians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Philippians 3:3-9; Galatians 2:20.

Mike Stewart, Pastor | Heritage Baptist Church

Mike was born and raised in central Mississippi. After graduating from Mississippi State in 1986, God changed his course of direction with a deep conviction of sin and desire to follow Christ. He then met his wife, Peggy, while attending church in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1998, he was ordained to the ministry in Bel Air, Maryland, and ultimately moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to begin his first pastorate. In 2005, Heritage was formed and called him to be her founding pastor.