Date: 13 September 2026
Scripture Passage: Galatians 6:11–18 (NIV)
Speaker: Ng Kong Peng
Key Scripture:
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me and I to the world.”
— Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
The central message of the sermon is that authentic Christianity is centred on the cross of Jesus Christ. Our confidence, identity, values, priorities, and way of life should be shaped by the cross rather than by human approval, outward appearance, or worldly achievements.
Introduction
In Galatians 6:11–18, Paul brings his letter to a powerful conclusion. He is deeply concerned about the true Gospel and wants the believers to understand the difference between counterfeit Christianity and authentic Christianity.
Paul emphasizes his message by writing in large letters with his own hand. This shows how seriously he takes the truth of the Gospel. The church should likewise be serious about protecting and living out the true Gospel.
The cross is not merely a symbol of Christianity. It is the foundation of our salvation and the centre of our Christian identity.
1. Be Serious About the True Gospel
Paul's use of large letters demonstrates his strong concern for the true Gospel.
He does not want Christians to be deceived by teachings that may look religious but change the message of salvation through Christ.
Bible Scripture
“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel.”
— Galatians 1:6 (NIV)
The Gospel is not something we should modify simply to make it more attractive, popular, or acceptable.
Paul's passion for the truth challenges the church today to remain grounded in God's Word.
Reflection
We should ask ourselves:
Am I truly following the Gospel of Christ?
Is my faith based on God's Word or people's opinions?
Am I more concerned about pleasing God or pleasing people?
A strong Christian life begins with a correct understanding of the Gospel.
2. Counterfeit Christianity
The sermon identifies several characteristics of counterfeit Christianity: trying to impress people rather than God, putting on a show, and fearing the cost of following Christ.
A. Impressing People Rather Than God
One danger is becoming more concerned about how other people see us than how God sees us.
We may appear successful, spiritual, generous, or faithful outwardly while our hearts are far from God.
Bible Scripture
“Be careful not to practise your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.”
— Matthew 6:1 (NIV)
God is not impressed by appearances. He looks at the heart.
“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
— 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV)
B. Putting on a Show
Counterfeit Christianity can involve pretending to be someone we are not.
We may attend church, participate in ministry, pray publicly, or quote Scripture while our private life does not reflect what we profess.
Jesus warned against this kind of outward religion.
“Everything they do is done for people to see.”
— Matthew 23:5 (NIV)
Authentic Christianity does not require us to pretend that we are perfect.
Instead, we acknowledge our weaknesses, repent of our sins, receive God's grace, and allow Christ to transform us.
C. Fear of the Cost of Faith
Following Christ can have a cost.
There may be times when our Christian convictions make us different from the people around us. We may face criticism, rejection, inconvenience, or pressure to compromise.
Jesus said:
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”
— Matthew 16:24 (NIV)
Authentic faith means following Christ even when doing so is difficult.
3. Authentic Christianity
The sermon identifies several characteristics of authentic Christianity:
Our boast is in the cross.
The cross changes our values and priorities.
The cross gives us a new life.
The world is dead to us.
We become a new creation.
A. Our Boast Is Only in the Cross
Paul declares:
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
Paul had many accomplishments that he could have used to impress people. Yet he deliberately chose to boast only in the cross.
Why?
Because salvation is not ultimately about what we have achieved for God.
It is about what Christ has accomplished for us.
The cross reminds us that we are saved by God's grace through Christ, not by our personal achievements.
B. The Cross Changes Our Values and Priorities
When we truly understand the cross, our priorities begin to change.
What once seemed extremely important may no longer have the same power over us.
Our focus shifts from:
What can I gain?
to:
How can I honour Christ?
Our priorities become centred on God, rather than reputation, possessions, status, recognition, or worldly success.
Jesus taught:
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
— Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
The cross changes not only what we believe but also how we live.
4. The Cross Gives Us a New Life
The cross is not merely about the forgiveness of our past.
It also points toward a transformed life.
Paul writes:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
Through Christ, we are called to live differently.
Our attitudes, relationships, decisions, priorities, and ambitions should increasingly reflect Christ.
Christianity is therefore not simply about becoming a better version of ourselves.
It is about becoming a new creation in Christ.
5. The World Is Crucified to Us
Paul says:
“Through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.”
— Galatians 6:14 (NIV)
This does not mean that Christians should hate people or withdraw from society.
Rather, it means that the world's values no longer have ultimate authority over us.
Money, status, recognition, popularity, possessions, and worldly approval should not become the things that define our identity.
The cross gives us a new perspective.
We can live in the world without allowing the world to control our hearts.
Reflection
The sermon discussion asks us to consider:
What are the things in the world today that lose their power over us when we focus on the cross?
This is an important personal question.
6. We Become a New Creation
Paul concludes:
“Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation.”
— Galatians 6:15 (NIV)
External religious identity is not the ultimate measure of Christianity.
What matters is whether Christ has transformed our lives.
A Christian should increasingly demonstrate:
A changed heart
Changed priorities
Changed values
Changed attitudes
Changed relationships
A desire to obey God
A desire to reflect Christ
Authentic Christianity is therefore an inside-out transformation.
Personal Reflection
The sermon challenges me to ask a very important question:
What am I boasting in?
The sermon discussion questions encourage us to look honestly at our life, calendar, and budget and consider what they reveal about what we value most.
If someone examined my:
Calendar — What receives most of my time?
Budget — What receives most of my resources?
Conversation — What do I talk about most?
Energy — What am I most passionate about?
Decisions — What determines my priorities?
These things can reveal what is truly important to me.
Paul's challenge is that our ultimate boast should not be our success, possessions, position, reputation, knowledge, or accomplishments.
Our boast should be the cross of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The message of “Boasting in the Cross” is a call to examine the authenticity of our Christian lives.
Counterfeit Christianity focuses on appearance, human approval, reputation, and avoiding the cost of faith.
Authentic Christianity focuses on Christ, the cross, transformation, obedience, and a new life.
The cross reminds us that our salvation is not something we can achieve through human effort. It is God's gracious gift through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, the cross should change the way we see ourselves, the way we see the world, the way we use our time and resources, and the way we live each day.
Paul's declaration should become our declaration:
“May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
— Galatians 6:14
The question is not simply whether we call ourselves Christians.
The deeper question is:
Does the cross of Christ shape the way we live?
Take-Away Message
Do not live for the approval of people or the achievements of the world. Boast in the cross of Jesus Christ, allow the cross to transform your values and priorities, and live each day as a new creation in Christ.
One-Sentence Take-Away
When Christ and His cross become the centre of our lives, worldly approval loses its power, our priorities are transformed, and our lives become a testimony of God's grace.
Reflection for the Week
“If someone looked at my life, my calendar, and my budget, what would they say I value and boast in most?”
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