What Are You Boasting In?

So, we’ve come to the end. After six months, our journey through Galatians ends this Sunday and we are left with one question: What are you boasting in?

Paul has been writing this letter to a series of churches throughout Galatia who have been dealing with the issue of church unity. How can Gentile and Jewish Christians be one? Enflaming this tension are false teachers proclaiming that the simplest way to achieve unity is for the Gentile Christians to circumcise themselves and observe Jewish traditions.

Paul then raises a challenge to the church. You have one thing that you can boast in; one thing that you can build your life upon. What will it be? The marks of circumcision and other self-made marks of righteousness? Or will you boast in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ?

Paul is declaring to the church that your identity in Christ is the foundation for your freedom. It is through the cross of Jesus that we have been reconciled to God. It is through this reconciliation that we are a new creation. And it is in this new creation that we have freedom.

All along throughout Galatians, Paul has been hammering home that it is Christ who is the foundation of our lives. It is Christ who shapes our identity. May we go forward as the family of faith together renewed and strengthened in our identity as Jesus-followers.

-Caleb McCaughan

Dinner Table Conversations: 

Adult & Teen Table Talk: 

• Paul says he will “never boast except in the cross of Christ.” What are some things (achievements, appearances, opinions of others) that we’re tempted to boast in or build our identity on instead?
• Paul bore “the marks of Jesus” from suffering for the gospel. Where has your identity in Christ cost you something, and how did that shape your faith?

Little Learners’ Table Talk: 

• The Bible says the most important thing about us is that we belong to Jesus. How does it make you feel to know that God loves you no matter what?

Sermon Title: What Are You Boasting In?

Sermon Series: Set Free

Sermon Passage: Galatians 6:11-18

Closing Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9-10