The Cross: Forgiveness, Freedom, and New Life (Galatians 2:20)
This sermon invites listeners to deeply consider the meaning of Good Friday and Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. It explores how this pivotal event offers not only future hope but also immediate and transformative truths for daily living.
This sermon unpacks the profound implications of Jesus' crucifixion, using Galatians 2:20 to show that through the cross, believers receive complete forgiveness for sins, are set free from sin's power, and are given a completely new life in Christ.
Overview
The sermon opens by setting the stage for Good Friday, briefly outlining humanity's fall into sin and God's plan for restoration through Jesus' sinless life, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The preacher emphasizes that Jesus' sacrifice offers more than just future insurance; it has profound implications for a believer's life right now. The central passage for the sermon is introduced as Galatians 2:20, which is presented as a 'plumb line' verse—a fundamental truth for building one's life.
The core of the message focuses on three truths about believers because of the cross, all stemming from the declaration, 'I have been crucified with Christ.' First, believers are forgiven of all sins, an accomplished fact in God's eyes, regardless of feelings. This forgiveness cancels all debt and removes condemnation, with a clear path for confessing future sins.
Second, because of the cross, believers are set free from both the penalty and the power of sin, as well as from death and God's judgment. This freedom is not about restrictions but about being free to love, forgive, and live a new life with purpose, no longer dominated by shame or past mistakes. The Christian life becomes one of 'yes' rather than 'no'.
Finally, the sermon explains that the cross grants believers a new life—a complete rebirth with new purpose, values, hope, and destiny. This new life means being 'dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus,' a truth God wants believers to embrace in their self-perception. The sermon concludes with an invitation to formalize this commitment through baptism and to embrace God's freely offered grace, which covers all sin and changes lives.
Key points
- Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection offer more than future salvation; they have profound implications for life today.
- Galatians 2:20, 'I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me,' serves as a foundational 'plumb line' truth.
- Because of the cross, those who believe in Jesus are fully forgiven for all their sins, a finished work by God.
- Believers are set free from the penalty and power of sin, from death, and from shame, enabling a new life of freedom.
- The cross grants a 'new life' in Christ—a spiritual rebirth with new purpose, values, and an identity as 'alive to God'.
- God does not expect sinless perfection in this life but promises forgiveness upon confession, encouraging believers to get back up and move forward.
- Baptism symbolizes being buried with Christ and raised to live this new life, serving as a public declaration of faith.
In Rick Warren's words
“The Christian life is not about no. It's about yes. It's not about can't. It's about can. It's not about restrictions. It's about freedom.”
“Good people don't go to heaven. Only forgiven people do.”
Outline
- Introduction to Good Friday and the Purpose of Jesus' Death
- I. Understanding Jesus' Sacrifice and Its Present Implications
- II. Galatians 2:20: A Plumb Line Verse for Life
- A. 'I have been crucified with Christ' is an accomplished fact.
- B. Jesus willingly gave his life for you.
- III. Three Truths About You Because of the Cross
- A. I am forgiven.
- 1. Forgiveness is an accomplished fact (Acts 10:43, Colossians 2).
- 2. God cancels the debt of sins, nailing it to the cross.
- 3. There is now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus (Romans 8).
- 4. Confess sins to receive forgiveness and purification (1 John 1:9).
- B. I am set free.
- 1. Free from the penalty and power of sin (John 8:36, Romans 8).
- 2. Free from death, judgment, and debt.
- 3. Free to live a whole new life, from fear to love, bitterness to forgiveness.
- C. I have a new life.
- 1. A new start with new purpose, values, and hope.
- 2. Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- 3. Count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2, Romans 6:11).
- 4. Self-control grows over time as a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
- IV. The Symbolism and Importance of Baptism (Romans 6:3)
- A. Baptism into Christ symbolizes immersion into his death and new life.
- B. An urgent invitation to be baptized.
- V. God's Forgiveness is Limitless and Freely Offered (John 3:16)
- A. No one is beyond God's reach or can out-sin His forgiveness.
- B. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by good works.
- VI. Closing Invitation to Receive Jesus and Live the New Life
Scripture references
- Galatians 2:20
- Acts 10:43
- Colossians 2
- Romans 8
- 1 John 1:9
- John 8:36
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
- Ephesians 2
- Romans 6:11
- Romans 6:3
- Romans 6
- Romans 7
- John 3:16
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?
2 For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Insights
Your past does not define your present in God's sight.
True freedom emerges when sin no longer holds its power.
A new life begins not with effort, but with belonging to Christ.
Questions & answers
What is the central verse of this sermon?
The central verse of this sermon is Galatians 2:20, which states, 'I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.'
Why does the preacher refer to Galatians 2:20 as a 'plumb line' verse?
A plumb line is a building tool that ensures a perfectly straight line. The preacher explains that Galatians 2:20 is a 'plumb line' verse because it is a fundamental truth that believers can align their lives with and build upon, providing a true standard for living.
What are the three main truths about believers because of the cross?
The three main truths are: first, 'I am forgiven' for all sins; second, 'I am set free' from the penalty and power of sin; and third, 'I have a new life' with new purpose and identity in Christ.
Does this sermon suggest that believers will stop sinning entirely?
No, the sermon acknowledges that believers will still sin, even referencing the Apostle Paul's struggle. Instead, it emphasizes confessing sins and receiving God's forgiveness, and that over time, with the Holy Spirit's help, one can 'sin less' by walking in the new life.
What is the significance of baptism according to this sermon?
Baptism is presented not merely as a ritual but as a symbol of being buried with Christ and raised to live a new life. It is a public declaration of faith in Jesus, signifying one's crucifixion with Christ and resurrection to a new existence.
Can any sin be too great for God's forgiveness?
The sermon firmly states that no one is beyond God's reach and no sin is too great for God's forgiveness. It asserts that you cannot 'out-sin God's forgiveness' or 'out-sin God's grace,' emphasizing that forgiveness is freely offered to anyone who believes.
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