Life through the Spirit Studies in Galatians

„The Cross in my life“ „The Cross in my life“ Gal.2:19-20 Gal.2:19-20

Learning Goal: power Through the power of the cross power the power of… - sin, - people, - law and - the world are broken! Key verse: Gal.2:19-20

We will concentrate on: 1) Problem with the cross a) today a) today b) in the Bible b) in the Bible 2) Power of the cross i) my „I“ needs to die i) my „I“ needs to die ii) a relationship-killer ii) a relationship-killer 3) Healing in the cross

1a) The problem with the cross today “No Cross in the classroom”

No crosses on the grave yard

A large sculpture of Christ on the cross has been removed from outside a church in West Sussex after its vicar said it was "scaring young children"

b) The problem with the cross in the bible! b) The problem with the cross in the bible! Math.16: Math.16: and that he must be killed and on the... and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in the things of men." mind the things of God, but the things of men."

Phil. 3:18-19 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things.

1 Cor. 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing… “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing…

1 Cor.1:23 “but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling-block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles to Gentiles, skandalon A stumbling block = skandalon Dictionary: the movable stick or trigger of a trap, a trap stick

Conclusion:The cross is negatively seen as...  Uninteresting by men  Enemy because of earthly things  Foolishness  A stumbling block  Shame

The question is… - What do I do with the cross? - What do I do with the cross? - Does the cross play a role in my life? - Does the cross play a role in my life? - Did I remove the cross out of my life? - Did I remove the cross out of my life?

2) The power in the cross It is at the cross where my old life with it’s old relationships ends!!! 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God“

i) My „I“ needs to die! ii) The Cross is a “relationship ‘killer’

Power of Self-Forgetfulness ad i) The Power of Self-Forgetfulness People are self-seeking, self-serving, self justifying, self-centered, self-confident and in this way we serve the world, the devil and the flesh. We have to die to ourselves in order to live for Christ. order to live for Christ.

My biggest enemy is my own ego Read 1 Cor. 3:21 – 4:7 Paul show us that the root cause for division is pride and boasting: 3:21 + 4:7 + 4:6 People thought high about themself and so we do today!

Lauren Slater in the New York Times: “The trouble with Self-Esteem” Last year alone there were three withering studies of self-esteem released in the United States, all of which had the same central message: people with high self-esteem pose a greater threat to those around them than people with low self-esteem! And feeling bad about yourself is not the cause of our country's biggest, most expensive social problems. The research is original and compelling and lays the groundwork for a new, important kind of narrative about what makes life worth living.

Phil. 2:4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Phil. 2:21 For everyone looks out for his own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

Solution: 2 Cor.5: For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. Yes, but how do I do this??? Yes, but how do I do this???

Luke 9:23 (Matth.16:24) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would deny come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. To deny: no acquaintance 1a) to affirm that one has no acquaintance connection or connection with someone 1b) to forget one’s self, lose sight of one’s self and one’s own interests

Conflict: two different persons living two different lives in one house two different lives in one house (=body) ‏ (=body) ‏ Luc. 11:17 Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall.”

Röm.6:5-7 If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. old self was crucified with him 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— freed from sin 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin..

Ro 6:11 count In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Count Count = reckon =think, impute, account, suppose, reason

Graveayrd = Friedhof= peace garden

ii) The cross is a relationship “killer” Death is not the end of existence, but the end of relationship!!! the end of relationship!!!

ii) Power? - Gal.3:13 „ 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."."

1) Break the relationship with the Law 1) Break the relationship with the Law – Gal.2: ) Break 2) Break the relationship with the flesh – Gal. 5:24 3) Break the relationship with the world 3) Break the relationship with the world – Gal.6:14 4) Break the relationship with 4) Break the relationship with sin – Rom. 6:6-7

The cross makes the difference between slavery to the old life and liberty in the new life, but this liberty is the liberty of slavery to obedience. The liberty to say NO to sin!!!

1 Peter 2:24 “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. “ 3) The cross gives healing